Paul Answers an Accusation

2 Corinthians

v.15-16 Some of Paul’s enemies were speaking evil of him before the church. Their purpose was to discredit the apostle. They used the opportunity of a change in Paul’s travel plans to cast doubt on his integrity. Paul told the Corinthians that he would be visiting them soon. See 1 Corinthians 16:3-8.

Paul’s intentions were to travel from Ephesus to Macedonia. Afterward he would come back to Corinth and spend the winter with the Corinthians. He would leave Corinth with the gifts the Corinthians had given and travel to Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1-2).

Notice that Paul did qualify his statement. In 1 Cor. 16:7 he said he would do this if the Lord permitted him to.

However, Paul changed his plans. He decided to visit Corinth on his way to Macedonia as well as when he departed Macedonia (2 Cor. 1:16). The purpose was so that the Corinthians would get a double blessing! The word “grace” in verse 15 actually means “grace, favor or benefit”. The Corinthians would get a double blessing by benefiting from the teaching and presence of the great Apostle. His initial change in plans was motivated by his desire to bless the Corinthians. Certainly, the Corinthians would have been looking forward to this imminent visit.

As explained later, however, Paul decided not to go to Corinth before he went to Macedonia. He chose to stick with his original plan (1:23). This was all the ammunition Paul’s enemies needed. They could now accuse him of being untrustworthy. If they couldn’t trust him to keep his word, why should they believe his theology?

v.17 Paul asks the question “Was I vacillating when I decided to do this?” In other words, “was I unsure of my intentions when I promised I would come to see you on my way to and from Macedonia?” The obvious answer is “No”. His intentions were single-minded.

Secondly, he asks “Did I purpose to do this in the flesh?” Paul was not operating in the flesh when he told the Corinthians his travel plans. He was not being self centered nor trying to please himself.

v. 17c-18 As well Paul was not trying to be deceptive. He was not attempting to give them a “yes” and a “no”. Paul was no fence rider. He was certainly not afraid to be honest with anyone (Gal. 1:10).

In order to convince the Corinthians Paul now makes an oath before God. Paul is calling God as his witness. As surely as God is faithful so Paul is telling the truth.

v.19 Paul now testifies that the One he preaches of is true. The Son of God, Jesus Christ can be trusted. Paul mentions some fellow preachers to confirm His message. Silvanus and Timothy had both ministered in Corinth (Acts 18:5). Paul’s preaching was not a “maybe” gospel. It was certain. He preached Jesus as the crucified and risen Son of God. He preached that salvation was in no other. There was no wavering.

v.20 The promises of God, which are too abundant to name, are all certain as well. They are all “yes” in Christ. Every promise God has made to the world is confirmed by the coming of Christ.

The term “Amen” was used to voice one’s agreement with a statement. The Corinthians had glorified God by saying “Amen” to the preaching of Paul and the other ministers of the gospel. They whole heartedly agreed with the teachings of the gospel. If the Corinthians were willing to believe the Apostle concerning something as important as the gospel, why should they doubt him in something as trivial as a change in travel plans? If they believed that Jesus was to be trusted, they should be willing to trust the Lord’s servants as well.

v.21-22 These two verse are full of doctrine. They contain four events that occur at salvation. Paul is sure to communicate that he and the Corinthians have experienced salvation. Note the use of “us”.

Paul is also sure to give God the glory for salvation. All of the following things are done by God.

Believers are established. The word “established” means to place firmly. Believers are placed firmly in Christ (Romans 8:1 2 Cor. 5:17, Col. 1:28). We are united to Christ through the new birth. Through salvation we are baptized by the Spirit into His body (1 Cor. 12:13). Our union with Christ is essential to understanding our salvation. This truth gives us confidence and security.

Believers are anointed. In the Old Testament it was used to commission people for service (Exodus 28:41). In that sense the oil can be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit who commissions believers for service. At salvation believers receive the Spirit and are thus commissioned for service. See 1 John 2:20,27. The anointing is directly related to the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit. We now have the ability to comprehend spiritual things.

Believers are sealed. “Sealed” speaks of what we would know as a stamp, or mark. The stamp represented ownership. Believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13, 4:30). The “stamping” of the Holy Spirit in our lives is what proves that we belong to the Lord (Romans 8:9). We know we have the stamp because we have the fruit (Gal. 5:22-23).

Believers are given the Spirit of God. Paul uses the word “guarantee”. It was a price paid to confirm a deal. It ensured that the one placing the guarantee would return to receive the goods. The Spirit is the pledge or promise that God will return to obtain that which He has possessed (2 Cor. 5:5, Eph. 1:13-14). We can be certain that God will complete our salvation by returning to claim us. The Spirit is the proof of the completion of our salvation. The Spirit is in the hearts of believers. This simply means He dwells in the inmost part of man.

The Corinthians believed these glorious truths Paul taught concerning salvation. Why should they think he is lying about something as simple as his travel plans? Paul could be trusted because he was a man of God. No matter what his enemies said.

Satan not only tempts man to doubt the Word of God. He also tempts man to doubt the servants of God. If he can convince people that the man of God is not a man of God, then obviously he has won a battle. To be sure, there are charlatans. There are fakes out there. Scripture warns of false teachers. But it is not difficult to find out who the false teachers are.

Be careful when someone is being nit picky about a servant of the Lord. In this case a big deal was being made out of Paul changing his travel plans. Now, all of a sudden, he was a liar. Men of God are still men. They should be given the benefit of the doubt, just as all Christians should, unless there is an obvious sin. If you have an agenda, it’s not difficult to twist someone’s words or take something out of context. Beware of false teachers but also be aware of false accusers.

v.23 Paul wants the Corinthians to know that what he is about to say is true. Instead of calling for an earthly witness such as Timothy or Silvanus, he calls God as his witness. He will now reveal the true reason he did not return to Corinth. The Corinthians had expected him to visit them on his way to Macedonia. The reason Paul did not come was to spare them a grievous visit. The church was involved in sin that needed disciplinary action. There was probably not one specific sin we should point out. There were many problems at the church in Corinth. However, the controversy seemed to surround Paul. False teachers were putting Paul down and spreading lies about him. If Paul visited them he would have to break out the rod and administer church discipline. Instead, he chose to patiently wait on them to get right with the Lord.

v.24 Even though Paul was an Apostle, he did not use his position to lord over the Corinthians. He was merely a worker with them for their joy. Joy comes to the believer when we are obedient. Paul’s correction of the Corinthians, if taken seriously, would result in bringing joy to them. These people were saved. They were standing by faith. Obedient believers are joyful believers.

Instead of visiting, Paul sent a letter. We do not have a copy of that letter. It was sent by Titus (7:6). We do know that Paul’s patience with the Corinthians paid off. Paul received a good report when Titus returned (7:7-9).

2:1 Paul was determined not to return to Corinth again in sorrow. Sometime after hearing about the false teachers in Corinth Paul went there. While there, something happened that obviously hurt Paul. Probably one of the false teachers openly humiliated Paul in some way. It could be that the Corinthians did not respond in the right manner as well. They should have stuck up for the truth. Notice the verses that speak of someone Paul needed to forgive (2:5-7, 10; 7:12). Paul’s last visit to Corinth was not a good one. It wasn’t a good time to return.

v.2 Paul wrote the letter referred to in chapter 7:8 to make the Corinthians sorry for their sin. Their sorrow would result in repentance. Their repentance would make Paul happy. Therefore the sorrow of the Corinthians brought joy to the apostle. Paul is saying the only way I can be happy is if you are made sad. Sad to the point of repentance.

v.3 Paul did not want the church to bring him sorrow. The church should never bring its leaders sorrow. If the Corinthians refused to repent, they would in fact bring sorrow to Paul. Paul was confident that the Corinthians would do the right thing. Then the leaders of the church and the church would be able to rejoice together. That is God’s will. A happy church is a holy church. A true man of God must confront sin. If a congregation is unwilling to deal with sin it creates sorrow within the church. Sometimes church members will turn on its leaders when the leaders confront sin. Sometimes the leaders become overly depressed when the members will not respond to God’s message of repentance.

Sin always brings sorrow into the church. Paul was confident however that God would be glorified through this event. He believed in the perseverance of the saints. This doctrine is an encouraging one to any church leader.

v.4 In this verse we see the heart of a pastor. Paul admits that he was suffering on the inside as a result of the Corinthians behavior and his responsibility. Paul had been shedding tears because of the circumstances. The letter he wrote confronting their sin probably caused him more grief than it did them.

Paul tells them that it was not his desire to make them sorrowful that sparked the letter. It was his love for them that caused him to write the letter. Despite its problems the Corinthian church had a special place in Paul’s heart. They were God’s people. Paul desired that they grow in grace. Before Paul was saved he would have been glad a Christian church was struggling with sin. Now he was broken hearted. Paul loved the church. That’s why he corrected them (Proverbs 27:6).

Thoughts To Consider For A Joyful Church

1. A joyful church is a mission minded church.

2. A joyful church is a spiritually maturing church.

3. A joyful church is a Christ centered church.

4. A joyful church is a discerning church.

5. A joyful church is a gossip squashing church.

6. A joyful church is a Bible believing church.

7. A joyful church is a clique free church.