2 Corinthians

Friday, 12 June 2015

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. 2 Corinthians 2:4

In the previous verse, Paul noted that he had written to the Corinthians rather than visited them in order to avoid sorrow in the encounter. Now he shows them the level of sorrow that he had already felt, simply by writing. He says that “out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you.”

This shows the depth of the sorrow and pain that he possessed for needing to correct their faulty doctrine and tolerance of sin. He says he suffered “affliction.” This is a strong word indicating “tribulation.” It is used throughout the New Testament to indicate persecution or severe trials.

The word translated as “anguish” is sunoché. It is used only twice in the New Testament and conveys the idea of distress, anguish, or anxiety. Its only other use is in Luke 21:25, translated as “distress” –

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring…”

This word, according to Albert Barnes, “means, properly, ‘a holding together or shutting up’; and then, ‘pressure, distress, anguish’ – an affliction of the heart by which one feels tightened or constrained; such a pressure as great grief causes at the heart.”

Understanding this, we can see the true depth of Paul’s sorrow for the confrontation that was needed via his pen. It came through “many tears,” but he notes to them that those tears were “not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.” Having conveyed these words to them, they should now understand the full weight of the words of the previous verse.

If he had come under such circumstances, already sorrowful to this extreme state, then when they were made sorrowful through the correction they needed, everyone would be sorrowful. There would be no one to comfort anyone else. Rather than such a difficult meeting, he felt it best that he would write, let them absorb his instruction, and then come to them at a later time.

Life application: Again, we can learn much from Paul’s example. He had the best intent for the individual situation in mind. If a personal encounter would be unproductive or counter-productive, then he knew that a letter would instead be the better choice. Rushing into face-to-face discipline is not always the best means of handling a situation.

Lord, today I pray for wisdom in how I handle my interactions with others, especially when sadness or difficulties could arise from them. Help me to know when to call, when to write, and when to make a personal visit. And in whichever situation is needed, help my words to be graceful and salted with only the truth. Give me courage in my convictions to never let doctrine be set aside for the sake of tolerance; something sorely needed in this world today. Thank You Lord. Amen!

Thursday, 11 June 2015

And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 2 Corinthians 2:3

The first words, “And I wrote this very thing to you” could mean one of several things. It could be referring to his change in plans concerning his visit (1 Corinthians 16:7), it could mean the rebukes of his former epistle to expel the incestuous man, or it could even be that he is conveying the thought “I write” instead of “I wrote.” If the last is correct, it is a form of communication known as an epistolary aorist. In essence, “What I write to you now has the very object of sparing you a painful visit” (Pulpit).

Whichever is correct, or even if he intends something different than any of these options, his writing was intended to smooth things over by letter prior to a visit. If he simply came and dictated what was necessary to be done, there would only be “sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy.” In other words, “Instead of a happy gathering, there would only be sadness.” This is what Paul was hoping to avoid by a painful visit.

By following this course of action, he felt that his letter would convey his “confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.” Stated differently if he maintained his joy, then they would be joyous over that. The intent was that there would be no unhappiness with them because he would come to them in joy.

Life application: It is true that there are times when a firm hand of discipline is required and that it should be done in person. However, if the same result can be obtained through a written letter and maintain harmony and fellowship between the two parties, isn’t that a preferred option?  Let us always consider how to maintain love and harmony, particularly in our relationships with other Christians.

Lord God, what a joy it is to wake up in Your presence each day. I arise, knowing You are there. I open Your word and You are there. The sun rises and I see Your hand in the perfection of its timing and the splendor of its beauty. As I go to work, You and I are in fellowship… thank You for that beautiful white cloud. And so it goes throughout the hours. Each step I take, I know that You are with me. Thank You for Your constant presence in my life. Amen.

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 2 Corinthians 2:2

Opening this chapter, Paul noted that concerning his visit to the Corinthians he had decided that he “would not come again to you in sorrow.” The reason for this is explained in this verse now. “For if I make you sorrowful” relates to the previous verse. If he came in sorrow, meaning with the need to discipline, then they would be filled with sorrow.

The “I” in this is emphatic and it implies that there were others who caused them trouble as well, thus he is singling himself out to make his point – “For if I (emphatic) make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?” The intent of his words is that there existed such a relationship between them. If one side were sorrowful, the other side was there to comfort the other. However, if both sides were sorrowful, then neither could comfort the other. There would be only a mournful and tense gathering.

In this, the question is rather abrupt and it uses a singular, not a plural number for “he” and “the one.” Some see this as the man referred to in 1 Corinthians 5. He is just a single member of the church, but he has caused the entire congregation to lose their joy. However, what is more likely is that this is referring to the whole collectively. In other words, “Who is he then….?” The reason this is likely is that the entire congregation was involved in allowing the offender to stay in the church, despite his immoral conduct. This is what Paul will address in order to correct. Because of this, the singular speaks for each individual within the whole.

Paul knew that the entire congregation would mourn over his visit and needed discipline and thus there would have been only sorrow for all concerned. Because of this, such a visit would ultimately be unproductive.

Life application: Paul has demonstrated wisdom by addressing an issue via letter rather than personally in order to maintain a sense of harmony between the believers. Eventually, a personal visit would be in order. If we can learn from this example, we will be better off than always assuming that a personal face to face visit is the best option in all circumstances.

Heavenly Father, I absolutely cherish those I fellowship with. But like a family, it is inevitable that little annoyances and dissensions will arise. I would pray that the bond of a blood-family would exist between my spiritual family and me so that we will be willing to overlook the little faults that arise and to remain loyal to one another, even through such things. May Your hand of wisdom be with us in this as we worship You in a true spirit of fellowship and love. Amen.

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 Corinthians 2:1

As the previous chapter concluded, Paul said that he had not come to Corinth as previously planned in order to spare them. Building upon that now at the beginning of this chapter, he says that he “determined this within myself…” He had changed his plans based on careful forethought, not as a rash and sudden whim. He thought the matter through and made his determination. In this fixed state of mind, he said that he “would not come again to you in sorrow.”

This is not speaking of his sorrow, but the sorrow that would have to be levied upon the Corinthians by his correction of their conduct and doctrine. This will be more completely explained in the next verse. Paul is showing that he had the very best interest of the Corinthians in mind at all times and that he cared for them as his own special flock.

Life application: When considering those you fellowship with, always try to remember to have their best in mind. If there is a reason why you should temporarily distance yourself from them, make sure that they understand why. The confusion which results from not knowing why people take certain actions can cause personal or even congregational grief. Paul has given us this example in his actions towards the Corinthians and it is good that we follow suit in it.

Wondrous God! How good it is to sit together with other believers in unity. Together we can focus on Your word and how it points to the glorious work of Jesus our Lord. From such fellowship and worship comes a bond like no other. They truly are a sort of extended family. Help us to always act this way towards one another and to let a spirit of harmony exist in our congregation. Amen.

Monday, 8 June 2015

Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. 2 Corinthians 1:24

Paul’s words here are given to explain his words of the previous verse. He just said, “…to spare you I came no more to Corinth.” He is qualifying that statement now so that his audience knows that neither he nor any of the apostles had “dominion over” their faith.

Each person comes to Christ in the same way, by grace through faith, and they have the right to grow in their own way. If they are “on-fire” for the Lord, or if they quietly follow Him in their hearts, they have dominion over their own faith. Although believers should be encouraged to attend Bible studies and worship services, it is not up to someone else to dictate to them whether they actually do. This is true even with Paul and the apostles, as he now notes.

Instead, they “are fellow workers for” their joy. They were to encourage, build up, correct in doctrine, etc. But they were not the lords over the faith of those they ministered to, and that same tradition carries on today between pastors and congregants within the church. This is explicitly noted by Peter in his first epistle –

“…nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:3

Like Paul of the past, pastors are to be examples to the flock, not lords over them. Paul understood this and wanted those in Corinth to understand it as well. His cancelled visit to Corinth was to spare them from a loss of joy, not a loss of fellowship with Christ. And the reason for this is because for them, as with every true believer, it is “by faith that you stand.” How can someone else control the faith of another? They cannot! And therefore, they have no right to exercise dominion over that same faith. This notion that we are saved by faith is stated by Paul many times. The idea that we also stand by faith is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15 –

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand.” 1 Corinthians 15:1

Life application: If you are in a church where the pastor wields too much authority over your spiritual life, you should be extremely careful. This can be, and has many times, turned into a cult with terrible consequences. Jim Jones, the Branch Davidians, the Mormons, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and many other cults started with leaders that exercised dominion over their congregants. Many times in history it has ended badly for the lives of those people. And the eternal consequences of such a relationship lead in only one sad direction.

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I stand in my relationship to You by faith alone. There is nothing I need to do in order to be saved except to believe the gospel message of Christ. And there is nothing I need to do after that in order to remain saved. I stand by faith in that same wondrous Lord. Knowing this, I now ask for the heart to exercise that faith in the pursuit of knowledge and obedience to Your word, knowing that my eternal rewards or losses will be counted based on this. Give me a yearning to know and serve Jesus more! Amen.