2 Corinthians 2:13

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Sunday, 21 June 2015

I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 2 Corinthians 2:13

In the previous verse, Paul mentioned his arrival in Troas for the purpose of transmitting the gospel. While there he noted that “a door was opened to me by the Lord.” However and despite this, he says he “had no rest” in his spirit. The thing that usually brought him the greatest joy was telling others the news of Christ. He worked tirelessly in this and took every advantage of it. And yet, even with a door wide open before him to walk through and share the news, he was in anguish to hear about the state of affairs at Corinth.

He then notes the reason behind the anguish. It was “because I did not find Titus my brother.” It is apparent that the two had intended to meet up and either he was late in arriving, Titus was late in arriving, or circumstances had changed Titus’ original plans. It was Titus who would carry news about the affairs at Corinth, but for whatever reason, he now had no way of hearing how things had transpired there. And so he left this great field of harvest at Troas in order to hopefully find Titus in Macedonia.

The entire thought is one which shows the immense care that Paul felt for this church which he was so closely tied to. It was a burden that he felt for all of his children-churches, so much so that he almost couldn’t endure not knowing how they were faring in their lives and doctrine. The same general sentiment that is expressed now towards Corinth is also seen in his first letter to the Thessalonians –

“For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 3:5

We are shown in these letters of Paul that sometimes correcting doctrine of current believers is to be considered on the same level as evangelizing new ones. The importance of correct doctrine for believers is because if they get off course, then those whom they evangelize will never come to know the truth of the gospel message. Paul felt this burden in the most intense way.

Life application: There are only so many hours in a day and there are only so many avenues we can pursue with this small amount of time we have been given. Let us make sound choices as to where we will focus our attention, redeeming the time as best we can.

Lord, I know that there are only so many hours in a day. How will I use them to most effectively serve You? Help me to be wise and discerning about events as they unfold before me and to prioritize them to be the most advantageous for Your kingdom. Let me not be slack in my efforts to bring the good news to those around me and to minister to those who reach out concerning whatever needs they face. I guess what I am asking Lord is for You to direct my steps according to Your wisdom and not mine. Amen.

 

 

 

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