2 Corinthians 1b

Intro:

What is your opinion of people who don’t keep their word?

What does your reputation mean to you?

> Story from my debate club

TWO BIG IDEAS

1. Paul recognizes the way his reputation impacts his witness for the gospel.

Paul’s authority as an apostle is being relentlessly assaulted by false teachers (what is the significance of this?— all that Paul has written)

they criticize his

diminutive stature

lack of eloquence

his trials (how can he have the favor of God and suffer)

his doctrine

But now he addresses a more interpersonal attack: Paul said he would come visit, and he did not come! Therefore, these teacher accuse, he is a liar!

1 Corinthians 16:5–7 ESV

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

1 Cor. 16:5-

Moreover, Paul addressed this church as though they were his children

1 Cor. 4:

1 Corinthians 4:14–16 ESV

I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

So he claimed to care for them as his children, but he wrote them a harsh letter, promised to come, and reneged on his promise?

The false teachers want to make Paul out as someone who talks a big talk, but whose character is not to be trusted

Paul’s relationship with this church and his witness for the gospel are being threatened by this slander.

“Although the Corinthians were slandering Paul, there remains this salutary truth—the trustworthiness of the messenger affects the trustworthiness of the message. Preaching is always “truth through personality.” And if a man cannot trust the preacher, he is not likely to trust the preacher’s message.”

-William Barclay, Commentary on 2 Corinthians

Paul’s frustration with the Corinthian believers come from a place of love, not self-righteous judgement.