NBBC SS: 2 Corinthians 2

Introduction: Pastor Doug, thank you for the opportunity to finish up the reflection over 2 Corinthians 1.

As, I understand it, you all made it to 2 Corinthians 1:5.

Though part of what I want to share with you this morning was reflected on downstairs, I want to offer some highlights of the remainder of 2 Corinthians 1 and then dive right into 2 Corinthians 2.

As a reminder, Paul has written this letter in solidarity with Timothy to the Corinthian church and all who are in that region, Achaia, the lower land mass of Greece just south of the region of Macedonia. Importantly, though Paul has had a rocky relationship with the church on account of their sin and propensity for erroneous doctrine, he still sees God at work in them - but, not at the expense of ignoring their sin.

I recognize that my summary will not be able to do justice to the richness of the remainder of 2 Corinthians 1. Therefore, if you have a question that I’m not able to address on account of time, come and see me and let’s make some time to reflect over those things together.

2 Corinthians 1:3–7 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.”

Paul mentions mercy and comfort in the same sentence - suggesting for us that, since God shows us mercy through Christ taking our punishment on the cross, our suffering/affliction requiring comfort from the Lord is not punishment from the Lord (natural consequences to sin, i.e. steal - go to jail).

Spiritual leadership (as represented by Paul and his associates - first person plural personal pronouns are abundant) should model what it looks like to receive comfort from the Lord (the encouragement of His presence to endure the suffering, confidently trusting the Lord to be faithful to the Lord)

How does Paul know that the Lord can comfort? - by personal experience (cf. 2 Cor 1:8-11)

2 Corinthians 1:8–11 “8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”

Paul was convinced that he wasn’t going to make it; Paul had no strength to resist (cf. 2 Cor 1:8)

Paul learned two things through this circumstance: 1) not to trust himself (makes sense but how often do we struggle with this?) 2) trust the One Whose power raises the dead

The unifying impact of prayer (let’s pray together!)

What happens when you’re so weak like what Paul references here?

It’s harder to resist sin.

I don’t know about you but when I’m really tired, I feel like I’m the enemy’s main target.

Some of you may remember me saying that an administrator from my Alma mater said, “You’re only as spiritual as you are rested.”

If Paul was so worn down, how was he able to please the Lord?

When we’re physically worn down, how can we lease the Lord if we’re even more susceptible to attacks from the enemy?

2 Corinthians 1:12–14 “12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. 13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; 14 just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.”

Paul was able to please the Lord because, he was not relying on his reason (cf. 2 Cor 1:12) - we can live in holiness (purity of life that pleases the Lord) and godly sincerity (truthfulness) by God’s grace no matter how taxing the circumstance.

Think about what Paul is suggesting in vv. 13-14.

He’s pointing, with laser-like focus, to what he was written about in the previous verses concerning God’s mercy and comfort modeled in spiritual leadership during affliction through which they trusted the Lord Who continued to work out His sanctification through physically powerless people.

The Corinthians and us have a tangible example of God’s faithfulness that we can look back to and say, “Regardless of the circumstances that the Lord is leading me through, I can continue to trust the Lord through all my circumstances, even difficulty, to live in holiness and godly sincerity, despite my own physical shortcomings that make me even more susceptible to the enemy’s attacks.”

Unfortunately, we’re going to read how the enemy used a choice of Paul that prompted the Corinthians to call into question Paul’s “godly sincerity.”

2 Corinthians 1:15–17 “15 In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing; 16 that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea. 17 Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time?”

Paul had sincerely sought to visit the Corinthians with no double intention to his motives.

However, the Corinthians took Paul’s change of mind as questioning the truthfulness of Paul’s intentions and his message (as we’ll see in the next 3 verses)!

Brothers and sisters, the enemy told a lie about Paul to the Corinthians.

The result was division and suspicion, just like he works today.

However, what do we need to combat the enemy’s lies that divide us? (I believe that Paul gives us three things here, starting with vv. 18-20)

2 Corinthians 1:18–20 “18 But as God is faithful, our word (you could substitute “message,” particularly preaching God’s Word) to you is not yes and no. 19 For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silvanus and Timothy—was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. 20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”

Regardless of what others say or do, remember that God is faithful to His promises in His Word.

Here’s how we are confident that God is faithful to His promises - Because Jesus lived perfectly, died sacrificially, and rose from the dead victoriously according to God’s promise - God’s Word remains true.

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 “21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.”

We remember that we relate to one another through out mutual relationship with God, through Jesus, as confirmed by the Holy Spirit.

This is a reminder of our unity in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:23–24 “23 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.”

We remember why we serve one another.

We serve one another for their benefit (i.e. “joy”) to encourage each other to grow to be more like our Savior (eg. “your faith you are standing firm”).

However, Paul has more to say about his decision to refrain from going to see the Corinthians immediately.

2 Corinthians 2:1–4 “1 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. 2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? 3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.”

Ultimately, why did Paul choose not to visit the Corinthians?

Negative, we could say that it was because he did not want to make them sorrowful again.

Positively, 2 Corinthians 2:4 points out that it was because Paul loves the Corinthians.

Think about the ways that Paul, even in these few verses, demonstrates his concern for the Corinthians.

If you were to look at the first verse in the original and offer a literal translation, you would see that “to you” as a phrase comes before Paul’s statement about “coming.”

As strange as this might sound, this is indicative of Paul’s focus on the Corinthians.

The original language has this way of expressing emphasis through the placement of phrases and statements, even ahead of verbs that English just can’t handle.

With Paul placing the statement “to you” ahead of the verb expressing his decision “not to come,” Paul is emphasizing that the welfare/benefit of the Corinthians was what he had in mind when making his decision to not visit them after initially identifying that he would come to them.

Notice, Paul chose to do the difficult thing that would impact his emotions.

It was more difficult for Paul emotionally to write a letter (cf. 2 Cor 2:4).

It would have entirely, selfishly been Paul’s joy to visit them (cf. 2 Cor 2:3).

The benefit would not have been for the Corinthians.

Instead, the benefit would have been totally for Paul.

Brothers and sisters, think about what this suggests for us.

Paul intentionally chose the more difficult thing that would cost him, even emotionally, to demonstrate love for the Corinthians.

This, brothers and sisters, is sacrificial love.

Putting aside my desires, even my emotions for the benefit of another.

Brothers and sisters, the Spirit is teaching us what sacrificial love looks like, even as we interact with one another - keeping the other’s best interest for their Christlikeness benefit in mind, though it may cost us something.

Paul’s key word here is sorrow/pain/sadness/grief that will carry him into his next topic in 2 Cor 2:5-11.

2 Corinthians 2:5–11 “5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you. 6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For to this end also I wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

What Paul is doing here is following up on a conversation that started in 1 Corinthians 5, I believe.

Therein, a sin issue had come up in the church that they were tolerating.

Paul had to encourage them to some drastic action on account of the influence of sin among believers

Sin spreads and desensitizes us to the severity of sin, brothers and sisters.

What Paul described in 1 Corinthians 5 in terms of the actions that they were to take against the sinner was church discipline (See also Matthew 18).

But notice, brothers and sisters, the positive things that Paul has to say about this event.

The Corinthians were obedient and practiced church discipline, purifying the church of the sinful influence (cf. 2 Cor 2:9).

The member that received the church discipline responded in confession and repentance, otherwise Paul would not have instructed the Corinthians to “forgive and comfort him” (cf. 2 Cor 2:7).

Brothers and sisters, though it was difficult to practice church discipline, and it always is, the Lord worked through it in this church and produced spectacular results of reconciliation.

You see, brothers and sisters, church discipline is not meant to be retributive.

This is Paul’s point in 2 Cor 2:7 (“overwhelmed by excessive sorrow”).

It is serious, for sure, because the unrepentant individual is meant to feel the weight of their sin as if they didn’t know the Lord (and it’s possible that they don’t).

The goal, brothers and sisters, is restoration and reconciliation.

And, when we follow the Lord in what He’s called us to do, even in church discipline, we can trust Him with the results.

Similar to Paul’s point above, genuine love does whatever is best for another, regardless of the difficulty.

Above, it was Paul’s decision to avoid visiting the Corinthians at this point.

Here, it was the Corinthians’ decision to obediently exercise church discipline.

Notice what it is that Paul is implicitly pointing to in v. 10 between himself and the Corinthians.

Their unity.

What is it that Satan wants to disrupt between Paul and the Corinthians and all believers?

Unity.

And this is something that Paul is serious about.

He’s so serious about it that he calls on Christ as his witness to his forgiving action (cf. 2 Cor 2:10; see also Baker, 109-110).

He recognizes that Satan is always on the prowl looking for a way to disrupt the unity of the believers.

Brothers and sisters, what Paul is pointing to us is how our forgiveness, when extended to those who confess and repent, is a unifying act for God’s people (see MacArthur, 179; cf. Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).

Brothers and sisters, don’t hold grudges that the enemy would love to take advantage of and build bitterness in your heart that chokes out God’s grace (cf. Heb. 12:15).

Instead, relying on God’s grace through His example of forgiveness of us in Jesus, forgive others (cf. Eph 4:32).

What’s fascinating is that Paul moves from his letter, to church discipline and then onto the next topic.

2 Corinthians 2:12–13 “12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.”

If you had to summarize these verses, how would you summarize Paul’s actions and motivations?

Because Paul was worried about Titus, he left a successful Gospel campaign in Troas for Macedonia.

This must have been some kind of worry that Paul had for Titus because it’s not everyday that Paul has a materially successful Gospel campaign!

I mean, this guy has pursued evangelistic campaigns where he was stoned and left for dead, vigorously mocked, and jailed!

He’s catching a break here and you’d think, “He’d at least stick around a bit longer because he’s seeing some measure of visible success before him and not under threat!”

But, is Paul motivated by traditional measures of success?

No.

While we could fill in the blank of his motivation, let’s wait for Paul to do that in 2 Cor 2:17.

What do these verses share in common with what Paul shared about the Corinthians in 2 Cor 2:1-4?

Paul was concerned about the Corinthians.

Here, he’s concerned about Titus.

What is the nature of Paul’s concern (or worry) about Titus?

We could speculate, as many commentators have done, based on the context of 2 Corinthians.

However, what do Paul (and the Holy Spirit) specifically point out about Paul’s worry over Titus?

Nothing!

Brothers and sisters, I believe that this is the genius of the Holy Spirit here!

When we read that Paul was worried about Titus, our inclination is to ask, “about what?”

And, since we don’t have a direct answer here, the Holy Spirit wants to point it back to us.

Just like Paul, we worry about people.

And, we worry for a variety of reasons - that the Holy Spirit does not elaborate on for precisely this point!

As we all may be fully acquainted with, worry can be paralyzing.

In fact, worry can so affect you that you change your plans, like Paul on his evangelistic campaign in Troas.

However, does worry have to be paralyzing?

Does worry have to be a setback? (let’s continue reading)

2 Corinthians 2:14–17 “14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.”

Wait a moment, Paul is talking about triumph when he was worried!

Brothers and sisters, what is the triumph that Paul references here?

That, even through worry producing a change in plans, we can be the “sweet aroma of the knowledge of [Christ] in every place.” (Cf. 2 Cor 2:14)

That is, wherever we are, and in whatever emotional state we’re in, people smell Christ coming out of our lives.

In other words, that others see Jesus in us.

That is, we’re following Jesus’ example, no matter what the circumstance or our emotional state.

Notice, Who is this for?

Is this for the world around us?

Certainly believers are influenced by it for life, i.e. it’s a blessing to them (cf. 2 Cor 2:16a).

Assuredly, unbelievers are impacted by it - the see the Gospel on display that Jesus lived perfectly, died sacrificially, and rose victoriously (and, it can be repulsive to them because it exposes their sin; cf. 2 Cor 2:16b).

Brothers and sisters, this is the fragrance of Christ to God!

In other words, we want to please the Lord!

We want to be like Christ to please the Lord, regardless of the circumstance and our emotional state.

And, brothers and sisters, it is possible to be like Jesus regardless of the circumstance and emotional state so that we would please the Lord through the Lord Himself.

Paul wouldn’t thank the Lord if He were not the One responsible for producing this (cf. 2 Cor 2:14, 17)!

And, Paul inherently recognizes his and our inability when he asks the rhetorical question, “Who is adequate for these things?”

But, what’s the answer?

No one is!

So our effort can’t be in our own strength, like those who are selfishly peddling the Gospel for their own gain.

Otherwise, we would fail in demonstrating Christlikeness.

Consider, finally, the relationship between Paul’s expressions in v. 17.

They’re both tied together by “but as from.”

Hence, there’s a relationship that is being suggested here in using the exact phrasing (Abernathy, 96-97).

That is, there’s a relationship between the sincerity that Paul demonstrates - he genuinely wants to please the Lord, even through the proclamation of the Gospel, despite worrisome circumstances.

And, this sincerity is in relation to God.

What we could say is that Paul’s genuine desire to please the Lord, could only come from the Lord at work in him.

Brothers and sisters, make no mistake about it, any genuine desire to please the Lord must come from the Lord Himself.

Conclusion: Brothers and sisters, what we have seen today reminds us that regardless of the circumstance or our emotional state, the Lord can and must be the One working through us to produce Christlikeness that pleases Him and influences His people for blessing and unbelievers to be confronted with the reality of their sin.