2 Cor. 1:15-2:2

Has anyone ever taken a “good-faith” decision you made and turned it against you?  Perhaps they read into it sinful motives or deceitfulness in some way.  Thus what you decided with a good conscience toward God is made out to be a heartless or mean action towards others.  How would you tend to handle such a situation?  Perhaps with great defensiveness you would go on the attack to put your accusers in their rightful place.  Or perhaps you would just walk away saying nothing.

Paul is dealing with this exact situation here.  Certain people are questioning his decision not to make a return trip to Corinth as an indication that they are not very important to him.  Likely the ones leading the way in this false charge are people who have a different, hidden agenda (isn’t that usually the case?).  They were really trying to undermine Paul’s authority and relationship with the church so that they could take his place.

How Paul handles this is typical of this very personal letter we call 2 Corinthians.  Does he defend himself?  Yes, although it is hard to call Paul’s attitude defensive. 

o   He explains that he would have loved to come to Corinth, not only so he could be a help to them but so they could help him (v15-16).  Note that in saying this he acknowledges that the relationship of apostle to local church is 2-way.  They needed him but he also needed them.  (cf. Rom. 1:11-12)

o   He also explains that he did not want to come to them at that time since he would have had some burdensome issues to deal with, such as the matters of discipline he dealt with in the first letter to Corinth (1 Cor. dealt with division in the church, failure to discipline an unrepentant brother, and other improprieties.)  He didn’t want another sorrowful trip (1:23-2:2).

But in his necessary defense Paul turns from himself to focus on God.  He has been no less sincere than God Himself (v18).  He reminds them of Jesus Christ whom he preached to them, the One they received by faith (v19).  Certainly they realized Jesus’ words were in no way uncertain (v20).  God had established Paul and the Corinthians in their special relationship (v21).  That same God had given the Holy Spirit to each as the guarantee of His word (v22).

Some in Corinth felt they really needed Paul and were disappointed he had not come.  But their complaint indicated they really doubted God.  The same is true for us.  When we are disappointed we need not attack those we think let us down. Remember that the Father of mercies and God of all comfort is our help.  He is faithful.  ALL His promises come with a resounding YES and AMEN (so be it!).  May our disappointments be an opportunity to discover anew the precious promises of God!