Welcome back!
There’s more Daily Bread on the table, so let’s dig in! What do we know so
far from the first chapter of this letter. We can surmise that someone was
stirring up trouble in Corinth, spreading rumors about Paul. So far, we know
that someone falsely accused Paul of erratically changing his mind. At the
end of the chapter, Paul’s first reaction was to point out that his actions
are according to the guidance of the
Holy Spirit.
Coming up, you’re
about to read his touching response to this. Remember, even though Paul was
an Apostle, he was still human, and he had feelings. These people that he
loved so much, were actually suspicious that the things they heard might be
true, and were sad about it (disappointed in Paul), which upset him.
As you read,
you’ll find that the church, having discovered the accusations against Paul,
chastened the person who was spreading the slander. Watch as Paul gallantly
deals with this situation, being equally concerned about the sheep who were
convinced of the lies as well as the deceived deceiver. Apparently, this was
an emotional situation for both Paul, and the Corinthians. Imagine both
sides of the coin. As Paul, you’re writing to people who you introduced to
Christ. You love them like children, but when your back was turned, they
listened to somebody’s lies about you. As the Corinthians (not in defense of
them, just to point out the unfortunate outcome of their lack of Faith in
Paul), they heard some terrible rumors that they were deceived by, and may
have been convinced that Paul was perhaps a fraud. When the TRUTH is
revealed, you can imagine it to be awkward for both sides.
I decided that I wouldn’t visit you again in sorrow.
Because if I make you sad,
who is it then that makes me glad,
but the same which is made sad by me?
And I wrote this to you, for fear that, when I visit,
I might have sorrow from them of whom I ought to be happy
with;
having confidence in you all, that my joy is your joy.
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 more deeply
for you.
Doesn’t that yank on your heart strings?
Here’s Paul, being slandered and he’s worried about the Corinthians being
ashamed, and just wants them to know all the more that he loves them.
But if anyone has caused me grief, he has only grieved me a little:
that I may not be too severe with all of you.
The punishment that many in the church have given to him is enough.
You should instead, forgive him, and comfort him,
So that he doesn’t become utterly discouraged.
For this reason, I urge you to assure him of your love.
I write to you for this reason as well,
that I might know the TRUTH about you,
whether you are obedient in all things.
Whoever you forgive, I forgive also
for your sakes in the person (presence) of Christ,
so that satan doesn’t get an advantage of us:
because we’re not ignorant of his ideas.
An interesting
note, if you like to read the text out of the Bible, back in Paul’s day,
when people wanted to show their sincerity about something or claim that
something was true, they would add “in the person (presence) of Christ” to
their claim, and they meant it literally as well, kind of like giving your
word with Jesus watching. You’ll notice that today, people are much more
careless about how they wield about the name of the Lord and say things
insensitively, without even thinking of what they mean when they say things
like, “in front of God and everybody.” Reverence is definitely a quality
that the society of today lacks. Just another pondering point.
Another thing to
tuck away in your memory banks is that satan would probably like nothing
more than when there are situations like this, that people would be
unforgiving and dwell on the punishment instead of forgiveness. It reminds
me a little bit of his unsuccessful attempts with Job, hoping to pull out
evil in people. Great advice from Paul interjected here, covering all the
bases as always.
Paul goes on now to explain:
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's Gospel,
and an door of opportunity was opened to me by the Lord,
I was worried in my spirit, because I didn’t find my friend Titus:
but when I left them, I went from there into Macedonia.
