2. Tension with the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Audio (21:22)
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Andrei Rublev, “Apostle Paul” (1420s), tempera on wood, 160 x 109
cm, The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. |
Paul has struggled with how to help the Corinthian church in
its difficulty. He has written letters, he has made a short painful visit (see
Introduction), but still the problems persist. In this lesson, he explains his
change of plans to them and the reasons for the change. While we’re not too
interested now, two millennia later, in changes of plans, we do learn much from
Paul’s incidental teaching as he makes his explanation.
First, Paul affirms his sincerity in his relations with the
Corinthians. Their current leaders manipulated and exploited them (11:20), but
Paul reminds them that he didn’t do this.
“Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies
that we have conducted ourselves[37]
in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and
sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but
according to God’s grace.” (1:12)
Paul’s demeanor towards the Corinthians has been
characterized by openness and selflessness. He employs two words to indicate
this. The first conveys the idea of singleness of motive, the second of being
unmixed with other motives.
- Simple love. James warns against double-mindedness (James 1:8; 4:8). Paul
emphasizes his singleness of motive with the word haplotēs, from a root
meaning “single” as opposed to “two-fold.”[38]
- Sincerity. “Sincerity” is eilikrineia, which has the basic meaning of
“unmixed, without alloy.” Here it is used in a moral sense, “pertaining to being
sincere, without hidden motives or pretense, pure.”[39]
Even his letters
are clear and understandable.
“13 For we do not write you anything you
cannot read or understand. And I hope that,
14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand
fully that you can boast[40]
of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1:13-14)
Paul is seeking restoration of a relationship to the
point where both he and the Corinthians admire each other so much that they are
proud of each other.
Now Paul tells them of his previous plans to visit them, not
because of some selfish motive, but to benefit them.
“15 Because I was confident of this, I
planned to visit you first so that you might benefit[41]
twice. 16 I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come
back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea.”
(1:15-16)
Paul planned to sail from Ephesus across the Aegean Sea to
Corinth and stay with them for a while. Then travel by land north to Macedonia
(Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea). Then after his time in Macedonia, return to
Corinth for another visit. Then sail from Corinth (actually, from the nearby
port of Cenchreae just east of Corinth) to Jerusalem, bearing a monetary gift to
aid the poverty-stricken believers there.
His motive was pure, but now he feels he has to defend even
his change of plans to his opponents in Corinth, who might take this as a
pretext to criticize him for being indecisive and vacillating. So he explains:
“When I planned this, did I do it lightly?[42]
Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say,
‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’?”(1:17)
Then Paul reinforces his sincerity and clarity of purpose by
pointing to the clear, unequivocal message of Christ that he had brought to
them.
“18 But as surely as God is faithful, our
message to you is not ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ 19 For the Son of God, Jesus
Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not ‘Yes’
and ‘No,’ but in him it has always been ‘Yes.’ 20 For no matter how
many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the
‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who
makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.” (1:18-21)
Christ is the fulfillment of all of God’s promises for Israel
in the Old Testament. To which we respond: “Amen,” a word transliterated from
the Hebrew as a strong affirmation of something that has been stated, an
expression of faith: “let it be so, truly, amen.”[43]
Not only is Christ the fulfillment of God’s promises. Through
Christ, God also acts on our behalf by the Holy Spirit.
“21b Now it is God who makes both us and
you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts
as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (1:21b-22)
Look at some of the blessings to us from the Holy Spirit:
- Established. Through the Spirit we are firmly founded in Christ.[44]
- Anointed. The idea of anointing by the Spirit is at least as old as Samuel
anointing Saul and David with oil to be king, after which the Holy Spirit came
upon them. In the New Testament, the term “anointing,” putting oil on a person,
is sometimes nearly synonymous with the Holy Spirit’s presence in a Christian’s
life (1 John 2:20, 27). Here, the anointing of the Holy Spirit sets us apart for
his service.[45]
- Marked as God’s property. In ancient times a seal marked a document, or
item, or shipment as authentic and the property of the owner of the seal.[46]
The Holy Spirit is the identifier that we belong to God. Indeed, Paul writes:
“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ”
(Romans 8:9).
- Guaranteed eternal life. “A deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (NIV), “a
first installment” (NRSV), “earnest” (KJV) is arrabōn, “payment of part
of a purchase price in advance, first installment, deposit, down payment,
pledge.” This either secures a legal claim to the article in
question, or makes a contract valid; in any case, arrabōn is a payment
that obligates the contracting party to make further payments.[47]
Dear friends, so often we take the Spirit for granted. We
believe in the Father and the Son, but seem to know little about the Spirit. He
is the member of the Trinity who enjoys our own personal interface with the
Godhead. Meditate on verses 21b-22 again. What does it mean to you to be
established, anointed, belong to God, and have a built-in guarantee of eternity?
It’s awesome!
Q1. (2 Corinthians 1:21b-22) According to this verse,
what does the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives signify? How does the
Spirit unite us with God? What is the promise of future blessing inherent in the
Spirit’s presence?
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1074
After this wonderful passage, Paul continues his explanation
of why he didn’t visit the Corinthians as planned.
“23 I call God as my witness that it was
in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that
we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by
faith you stand firm.
1 So I made up my mind that I would not
make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left
to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?” (1:23-2:2)
Sometimes in a family, there are issues that aren’t wise to
raise – yet. You wait for the opportune moment. To force the issue may be your
right, but may be extremely unwise for the health of the family.
So Paul seeks to spare[48]
the Corinthians from one more battle that will hurt more than it will help; it
will cause grief.[49]
So instead of another “painful visit,”[50]
he sends Titus to learn how things are and finds that conditions have improved
in response to a previous letter from Paul. (See “Tentative Chronology of Paul
and the Corinthians” in the Introduction.)
He deflects the criticism that he is too authoritative, that
he “lords it over” them[51]
– though later in this letter he warns that when he comes he will set thing in
order without sparing the guilty (13:1-2). Paul’s goal isn’t accruing personal
power, however. He leads with humility in accord with Jesus’ teaching to his
disciples (Mark 10:42-44). Rather, Paul works to develop their faith, which
results in joy and stability.[52]
Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:24) What does it mean to “lord it
over” someone? What is the balance between (1) good, strong leadership, (2)
micromanaging, and (3) a complete laissez-faire approach to leadership?
What are the dangers of an authoritative leadership style? What are the dangers
of a weak leadership style?
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1075
Now Paul explains a bit about why he had written them a
“severe” letter sometime in the previous couple of years. Unfortunately, we have
no copy of this letter.
“I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not
be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of
you, that you would all share my joy.” (2:3)
During Paul’s brief “painful visit” to Corinth, his
apostolic authority had been openly resisted by a member of the church – and the
other members did nothing to defend Paul. In the “severe” letter, Paul had
insisted that this offending brother be disciplined (which we’ll consider in
2:5-11 below).
So in verse 3, he explains that he wrote a letter instead of
visiting so that this offending brother would be dealt with by the congregation
and he wouldn’t have to endure more distress. “I have confidence in all of you,”
he says, and his confidence was well-placed, because the church did
discipline the brother.
Now Paul opens up a bit about his own emotions that lay
behind that letter.
“For I wrote you out of great distress[53]
and anguish[54]
of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of
my love for you.” (2:4)
The offending brother had indeed been disciplined. The
Corinthians have been rigorous in following through on Paul’s letter – perhaps
too rigorous. So Paul seeks to end the period of discipline. First, he points
out that the man’s offence was primarily against Paul, but has affected all of
them.
“If anyone has caused grief,[55]
he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent – not
to put it too severely.”[56]
(2:5)
Now it’s time to bring him back into your fellowship,
says Paul.
“ 6 The punishment[57]
inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient[58]
for him. 7 Now instead, you ought to forgive[59]
and comfort[60]
him, so that he will not be overwhelmed[61]
by excessive sorrow. 8 I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm[62]
your love for him.” (2:6-8)
In our day, few churches seem to exercise the kind of
discipline described in the New Testament (Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians
5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 13:1-10; 1 Timothy 5:20). As a result, too often we have
members who are allowed to hurt and bully others, to gossip, to backbite, to
quench the Holy Spirit, to block the church from moving forward, and to destroy
the peace and unity of the body. Our lack of discipline keeps our churches sick.
Rightly, lovingly, and sensitively exercised, church discipline makes the
congregation stronger and puts would-be offenders on notice that they will be
held accountable for their words and actions. Church discipline is designed to
help congregations become healthy social and spiritual organisms.
Now we come upon a curious verse about obedience.
“The reason I wrote you was to see if you would
stand the test[63]
and be obedient in everything.” (2:9)
Most Americans have an independent streak and don’t like the
idea of obedience to a spiritual superior (with the exception of Catholic clergy
and those in religious orders). But clearly, Paul uses the word to remind the
Corinthians of his apostolic authority.
The word hypēkoos refers to “one who is in subjection,
obedient.”[64]
This idea of obedience occurs five times in 2 Corinthians, in addition to this
verse:
“And [Titus’] affection for you is all the greater
when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and
trembling.” (7:15)
“Men will praise God for the obedience that
accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in
sharing.” (9:13)
“We take captive every thought to make it obedient
to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once
your obedience is complete.” (10:5-6)
I think that we’ve been so aware of the dangers of the
tyranny of leaders who seek to control their followers, that we have backed off
from the idea of obedience entirely. However, the Scriptures clearly call us to
obedience, not just to apostles, but to our spiritual leaders.
“But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to
respect[65]
those who labor among you, and have charge[66]
of you in the Lord and admonish[67]
you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians
5:12-13, NRSV)
“Obey[68]
your leaders and submit to [their authority]. They keep watch over you as men
who must give an account. [Obey them] so that their work will be a joy, not a
burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17, NIV)
Of course, the only basis that a spiritual leader has to
expect obedience is that he or she is, in turn, listening to and passing on the
word and direction of God. If we exercise authority with humility we can follow
Christ’s teachings concerning servant leadership (Mark 10:35-45; 1 Peter 5:1-6).
Q3. (2 Corinthians 2:9) How does obedience to servant
leaders help the church of Jesus Christ? How does obedience to self-serving
leaders hurt the church? Are you obedient to those whom God has placed over you
in the Lord? Why or why not? What is the relationship between obedience and
church unity?
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1076
Now Paul mentions the central importance of forgiveness in
the Christian faith.
“10 If you forgive[69]
anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to
forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in
order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
(2:10-11)
To forgive is to refuse to hold something against a person
any longer, but to let it go. Paul says that since he was the main person sinned
against, that he forgives. Note clearly, the reason:
“... in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we
are not unaware of his schemes.” (2:11)
If we don’t forgive, we provide a foothold that Satan
can use to defeat us. In a similar way, Paul wrote to the Ephesian church:
“‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go
down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
(Ephesians 4:26-27)
Nursing an offence from one day to the next allows it
to turn into bitterness, which gives the devil a “foothold” (literally, a
“place”) in our spirits from which to attack and undermine us further. Jesus
told his disciples:
“I will not speak with you much longer, for the
prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me” (NIV) – literally “nothing
in me.” (KJV, John 14:30)
If we want to be free of Satan’s power over us, we must
give him no opportunity to work, such as holding onto bitterness and
unforgiveness. Notice that unforgiveness can give Satan an opportunity to
deceive us.
“... in order that Satan might not outwit
us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2:11)
The deception is that we think we are being righteous to hold
a person responsible for their sin, while Satan outwits (NIV, NRSV) or “takes
advantage” (KJV) of us in doing so. The word is pleonekteō, “to take
advantage of, exploit, outwit, defraud, cheat,”[70]
from the adjective pleonektēs, “greedy, eager for gain.”
Paul has learned that unforgiveness is one of Satan’s most
common traps that catches Christians everywhere.[71]
We cannot afford to be “unaware” (NIV) or “ignorant” (NRSV, KJV)[72]
of how he works.
Dear friend, do you hold unforgiveness for some past wrong?
Has Satan used this to make you an angry, bitter person without God’s peace.
It’s time to let it go, to give it to God. Your anger and “righteous”
unforgiveness aren’t succeeding in hurting the person who has sinned against you
– but it is destroying you!
Q4. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) How does Satan take advantage
of our unforgiveness? What are the symptoms in our own heart of unforgiveness?
According to Matthew 6:14-15, how does holding unforgiveness hurt our spiritual
lives? What would you have to do to really let go of your resentment and give it
to God?
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1077
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians began with the theme of
comfort – being comforted by the God of all comfort and then learning to comfort
others. Dear friend, in the place of the open, festering wound of anger and
unforgiveness, receive God’s comfort by obeying Christ’s command to forgive.
Prayer
Father, thank you for Paul’s example of offering love and
forgiveness in the face of false accusations and tension. Help us – help me – to
do the same. Relax the knotted muscles of our tension and unforgiveness with
your grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Key Verses
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm
in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put
his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2
Corinthians 1:21-22)
“I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your
sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his
schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:10b-11)
End Notes
2 Corinthians Bible Study
Copyright © 1985-2012, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor
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