“Paul’s Defense”

2 Cor 1:12-2:4

1 Corinthians was written to correct some things that were going on in the church.

Many recieved the correction, but some did not and they continued to stir dissension in the church

This group of people who despised Paul said things like, he was not a true apostle because of what he suffered

Last week we learned that Christians will suffer as we are partakers with Christ in His suffering, but we also share in His comfort

Why?

a) (Comfort others as we have comforted) As we go through suffering and we are comforted, now we can comfort others who are going through something similar

b) (Stop relying on self and rely on God) It says that we will suffer to come to the end of ourselves, so that we rely on God

1. (V12-14)Paul’s boast: his integrity and simplicity in ministry towards the Corinthian Christians

a. The testimony of our conscience: In this section, Paul defends himself against the accusation that he is fickle and unreliable. Here, he simply states that he has a clear conscience before God and trusts that the Corinthian Christians will understand this.

Conscience is clear as we have behaved with simplicity and godly sincerity

2 Corinthians 2:17 “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.”

Paul wasn’t sharing the gospel for financial gain, like others were doing

Simplicity: Live life in a simple way, don’t over complicate it

Sometimes we can create problems for ourselves, maybe people live above their means. They buy a large house that they can’t afford or over charge the credit card and now they have to get a second job

Godly Sincerity: is the quality of being free from pretense, deceit, or hypocrisy. Sincere people represent themselves honestly, and their verbal expressions are free from double-talk, gossip, flattery, or embellishment.

Be the same person all the time (Pastor came upon man from church yelling at his wife)

1.1 (V14) The day of the Lord, we will boast together

Because they are guiltless

1 Corinthians 1:8 “who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Application: There will be times when the Christian who walks with God will be misunderstood. However, when you hear from God you can move forward in a clear conscience despite what people say about you

2. (V15-17) Paul considers the accusation that he is unreliable and can’t be trusted

a) The plan was to visit twice to give them a double blessing, but the plan changed

Paul made the first visit on the way to Macedonia, but it was painful for both him and the Corinthians because it was full of confrontation (I would not come again to you in sorrow, 2 Corinthians 2:1).

At some time after this visit, Paul (or perhaps his representative) was openly insulted in Corinth by someone from the “anti-Paul” party (2 Corinthians 2:5-10, 7:12).

2 Corinthians 1:23 “But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.”

3. (V19-22) Paul knew their accusations were wrong based on spiritual reasons.

(V19-20) Paul preached a Jesus who is completely reliable and worthy of trust. It wasn’t right for the apostle of such a faithful Savior to be so quickly considered unreliable and untrustworthy.

(V21-22) It was God establishes us, it was God who anointed us, and it was God who put His seal on us

In the ancient world, a seal was used to identify and to protect.