2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

Paul’s Change of Plans

Last week, We started our journey through the book of 2 Corinthians. We learned about afflictions and the afflictions that Paul faced. We also learned that our afflictions can be used to help others walking through what we have been through.

This week we pick up where we left off in verse 12.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

Pray

(Opening exercise)

If you have had a change of plans since March, then stand up and remain standing.

Everyone should be standing

If by changing your plans it has caused others to question your motives then remain standing.

If you have ever had to make a decision you believed to be best for someone else but they thought you was harming them, then remain standing.

Final question

If by the change of plans has caused others to question your core beliefs then remain standing

Ok everyone can be seated.

This is the progression we see in 2 Corinthians Paul has a change of plans about visiting Corinth.

This change of plans starts some questioning about who Paul is. This progresses to the point that they even question the very essence of his faith.

I believe there is a lot to learn here as Paul deals with this in the church of Corinth.

Verses 8-11 Paul really pulls the readers in with his emotional experience of what he is going through.

I like this because we often try to pull through things without asking for help. We have to be tuff and not let anyone know what we are going through.

Paul lays out the afflictions he has faced and says you can join in by praying for us. Not only can they share in the prayers but we want you to share in the thanksgiving as well when the gift comes through the prayers.

Let me pause for a second and encourage you to share the trials with those who are close to you in the church. Let them pray with you about this. Children share the struggles you are walking through with your parents so they can pray with you and share in the thanksgiving when the prayers are answered.

v.12

Boast: This is used here in a positive manner. Essentially it means confidence based upon what God has done and enabled one to do.

Conscience:

For Paul the conscience was a human faculty whereby a person either approves or disapproves his or her actions (whether already performed or only intended) and those of others. The conscience is not to be equated with the voice of God or even the moral law, rather it is a human faculty which adjudicates upon human action by the light of the highest standard a person perceives.

Kruse, C. G. (1987). 2 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 8, p. 71). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Conducted ourselves in the world and especially toward you

God given sincerity

Purity

Not fleshly wisdom

God’s grace

Someone at Corinth is questioning who Paul is because of his change of plans and he says I have confidence that the Lord has empowered me to make every decision in sincerity, Purity, not fleshly wisdom and in God’s grace.

The goal would be for us to have this confidence in every decision and to have confidence in this when others start to question.

13-14

You have partially understood us

rather than question us we are your reason for pride.

You are our reason for pride as well.

Paul reassures them even as he walks through this process. He says in the day of our Lord Jesus, that is when Jesus returns and we bring Glory to Him you are our reason for pride and we are your reason for pride.

As some question Paul, he reassures them that they are on the same team and when Jesus returns they will both bring Glory to the Lord.

(Sports teams and kids playing on the same team)

The church all too often starts to look like this and we forget that we are on the same team.

Paul reassures them of this.

v.15-16

Paul explains what he had planned to do. He expected to see them twice.

v.17-18

Paul is building his case. Remember they are starting to question who Paul is because his plans changed and he did not visit like he had planned.

Do I plan in a purely human way so that I plan to say yes yes and no no at the same time. I planned to change my plans. In a human way, I would intentionally tell you one thing and do another.

Verse 18 He says God is faithful and we do not say yes and no at the same time.

This is very encouraging to me as a leader. Often my motives have been brought into question. Sometimes it has been question so much that it has caused people to leave the church.

Pastor said he would do this but he never did. This hurt and I am not leaving.

The progression of this humanly or toxic thinking leads us to question every aspect of our beliefs at times. The pastor hurt me and now I won’t go back to church.

This encourages me not because people get hurt but because in Corinth Paul was dealing with this and experiencing what is all too common today!

v.19

Watch the progression. The yes has come about in Him.

Who is Him speaking of?

Jesus

v.20

This is a big deal

Everyone of God’s promises is Yes in Christ. Christ fulfilled all the promises of God.

All the promises of God pointed to Christ.

Some argue that Christ was not the Messiah and others argued that it was Christ plus works for salvation.

Paul says all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ.

Amen: Let it be so

The only response is Amen or let it be so that all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus.

It is in Christ that our lives bring Glory to God

v.21

God establishes us in Christ, and God anoints us to be set apart and

gifted by God for His purposes.

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Christ also means “anointed one,” so for us to be anointed as well, it is

a play on words, showing that we too are anointed for God’s good purposes.

V. 22 – I love the “seal” imagery. It is what kings would use to show ownership. This verse shows us that we are God’s.

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The Holy Spirit present in our lives (our hearts) is the guarantee (down payment) for us that we are God’s. That we are a chosen people. A royal priesthood. A holy nation. A people for God’s own possession (1 Peter 2:9).

Making the best decision for the sake of others but others believing that decision was intended to harm them.

Swooping up a kid that is in danger get mad at you for rescuing them.

v.23

I did not come to Corinth to spare you.

v.24

I am not a dictator of your faith but we are workers for your joy.

V. 2:1 – when Paul refers to a painful visit, this is some of the background

happening:

Paul’s visit, however, turned out to be very “painful” as a result of the church’s open rebellion against him (2:1, 5–8; 7:8–13; 11:4). At that time,

Paul decided it was best to suffer humiliation and leave, without retaliating, in order to extend mercy to the Corinthians (1:23–24). Once back in Ephesus,

Paul sent Titus back to Corinth with a tearful and severe letter (now lost), warning the church of God’s judgment if they did not repent (2:3–4; 7:8–16).

So Paul wrote them a letter, calling them to repent. We do not have this letter, but from context clues, it was very hard for Paul to write, and pretty difficult for the Corinthian church to receive and obey.

I am challenged by Paul’s patience with believers choosing to sin and he maintained his Christlikeness even when it was so difficult.