II Corinthians 1:15-2:4: "Paul Defends Himself"
Paul, continues to defend himself and his ministry to his readers, so they may completely trust in him and all he writes to them. He begins, "In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing". Paul had originally told the Corinthians that he would go to Macedonia, then come to them to spend the winter to be encouraged by them. Now, he is explaining to them that he had desired to visit them before he went to Macedonia, and then on the way back to visit them again. His confident intentions to them was truly to see them twice. He clarifies, "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". We can see Paul's loyalty to the Corinthians by wanting to take an extra stop and see them once before heading to Macedonia, and then see them again as he had originally promised. We will later find out that Paul had to cancel this first visit and go back to his original statement of seeing them after Macedonia. It is no surprise that the false teachers tried to take advantage of this and falsely accuse Paul of being untrustworthy. Trying to defend himself against these lies Paul writes, "Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I?" Paul assumes the negative response. Based on Paul's character it can be easy to see that Paul was not being dishonest or flaky, he merely was unable to do the additional visit to them that he wanted to do. He still stuck to his original word of coming to see them after Macedonia. Paul did not just make rash decisions and follow his every whim. Paul carefully sought out direction from the Lord as had been previously stated in the first letter to them. He is careful to point out to them that he does not make decisions based on his human desires, but rather by the leading of the Lord. He writes, "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?" MacArthur writes, "Paul did not make plans in purely human fashion. He did not seek to please himself, to make decisions to suit his own selfish interests. He did not talk out of both sides of his mouth; his words were not yes, yes and no, no at the same time. After closely observing Paul's life during his more than eighteen months in their city, the Corinthians had plenty of reason to affirm that he was an honest man". Paul desperate for them to trust him and his words toward them, he writes, "But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no". He is basically saying, just as God is faithful, as much as we can trust in Him and His words, you can also trust what I am telling you. I did not tell you I wanted to come see you before I came to Macedonia with no intention of coming. When I tell you something you have to believe that is what I mean. Paul was careful not to be deceptive in anything he said. You could count on the fact that if Paul was not able to make it, it was because of a circumstance beyond his control.
Paul continues, "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". Most likely the false teachers in Corinth were trying to use this small change in travel plans by Paul to make him out to be untruthful and unreliable. They would then use this base to build a case against his teaching about Christ as false. Paul here is telling them that everything he and Silvanus and Timothy had taught to them about the Son of God, Christ Jesus, was most assuredly true and should not be taken any other way. Paul wants them to understand everything about Christ's nature was true, and every single promise and command that they preached to them was absolutely true. Paul writes, "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". MacArthur points out, "The congregation had affirmed that the preachers reliably spoke God's truth about Christ when they believed the gospel message Paul and his companions preached, and it transformed their lives. How utterly absurd, Paul argued, to accept and experience the gospel message as reliable, but consider those who preached it unreliable. How ridiculous to trust Paul's word about eternal things, but no about mundane things like travel plans". Much like we can doubt the promises of God when we focus on the temporary circumstances we are in, we must look to focus on God's character and understand that everything He has promised us will come true.
Trying to appeal to their hearts, most importantly Paul wants to point out to the Corinthians that it is the testimony of Christ in each of their lives that authenticates Paul's integrity before them. He writes, "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is god, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge". Here we can see the work of God in each of their lives doing the work He had promised to do. First we can see that God establishes believers in Christ. This is the work of saving grace in each of our lives when God no longer looks on our sin, but we are forever righteous based on the work of Christ. Second, God anoints, or commissions us to service. God empowers each of His children to go out and do His work through the Holy Spirit. Third, God seals each of His believers when He gives them the Holy Spirit. Evidence of a true believer is the presence of the Holy Spirit who authenticates that person as a child of God. Lastly, God gives the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a pledge that He will one day return and redeem us. We have an eternal inheritance in Him.
Continuing his defense, Paul writes, "But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth". Here, we can see Paul's deep desire for them to really believe what he is writing. Taking all that Paul had preached and taught them about God, there could be no greater witness that Paul could call to authenticate what he was saying then God. As God as judge, Paul was being in honest when he said that the reason he did not make the original trip out to Corinth was to spare them. MacArthur writes, "It was to spare the Corinthians the rod of discipline (cf. 13:2, 10; I Cor. 4:21) that Paul came no more to Corinth. He mercifully wanted to give them time to correct the problems he wrote of in I Corinthians. Also, some at Corinth were guilty of being led into mutiny (the mutiny that prompted Paul to write the 'severe letter' referred to in 2 Cor. 2:4) against him by the false teacher who had come to the church, and he wanted to give them time to repent". Paul's heart for them was to see them at a time when they had had a chance to digest and act upon the strong discipline he had given them in the 'severe letter'. In no way was Paul trying to gain power or prestige or hold the sins they had committed over them in anyway. His main desire and goal was to see them come to the joy of repentance. Paul writes, "Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm". MacArthur writes, "Paul was confident that in their faith (their salvation) the Corinthians were standing firm (cf Rom. 5:2; I Cor. 15:1; Gal 5:1; Phil. 1:27). He claimed no authority over their faith, which was a private matter between them and God. Saving faith is a personal matter between the believer and the Lord. No one but the Lord has authority over that relationship". Therefore, Paul came to the conclusion that it would be best for everyone if he not take the trip based on the sorrow that visit would bring. Paul had previously made a visit upon the arrival of the false prophets and it had not turned out well. MacArthur explains, "The visit was a success; in fact, someone (possibly one of the false apostles) openly insulted Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 2:5-8, 10; 7:12), and the Corinthians did not defend him. It was that painful visit that had prompted Paul to write the 'severe letter' he referred to in 2:4". Giving them some time before he returned was Paul's desire to give them time to repent and avoid another sorrowful visit. "But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again". Paul desired to return to them at a time when they could have a more uplifting and encouraging time with one another. His desire was for his soul to be refreshed by them, not to be made sorrowful again. For Paul writes, "for if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad bu the one whom I made sorrowful?" Paul had invested so much time into the Corinthians that what they felt, Paul felt. Paul's sensitivity shows here as he reveals his heart to them. His desire to see them grow in purity and take care of the issues Paul wrote to them about. MacArthur writes, "If he did, the only thing that would make him glad would be the repentance of those whom he made sorrowful. It was his concern for purity in the Corinthian church that prompted the letters he wrote them (cf. 2:9; 7:8)". Paul continues to explain to them why he did not come, "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". Paul's heart could not stand coming to see them again and be sorrowful over the sin he might see in them. Rather, his heart longed to see them at a time when their actions would make him rejoice. In fact, those thoughts he know would be reflected by the Corinthians, as he writes, "having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all". They could mutually enjoy one another's company as they could encourage one another through their love of Christ. Paul needed a "timeout" or a breather from them at this time, so that he could return at a time when they would have been able to correct the issues he confronted earlier.
Here Paul describes the 'severe letter' that he wrote to them, and explains its purpose. "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". Paul's heart once again exposed to his readers he wanted them to see how hard it was to write such a harsh corrective letter to them. Paul wanted to make sure they understood, he was not merely writing these things to be hard on them or to hold their sins over their heads. He would much rather enjoy in hearing about their love for Christ and their obedience to Him. MacArthur writes, "It took real love, not sentimentalism, for Paul to confront the Corinthians' sin. Writing 1 Corinthians and especially the 'severe letter' caused him much affliction and anguish of heart and many tears. Nothing is more painful for a pastor than confronting sin in his beloved congregation. But Paul's goal in writing was not so that they would be made sorrowful, but that the Corinthians might know the love which he had especially for them".
Paul continues, "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". Most likely the false teachers in Corinth were trying to use this small change in travel plans by Paul to make him out to be untruthful and unreliable. They would then use this base to build a case against his teaching about Christ as false. Paul here is telling them that everything he and Silvanus and Timothy had taught to them about the Son of God, Christ Jesus, was most assuredly true and should not be taken any other way. Paul wants them to understand everything about Christ's nature was true, and every single promise and command that they preached to them was absolutely true. Paul writes, "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". MacArthur points out, "The congregation had affirmed that the preachers reliably spoke God's truth about Christ when they believed the gospel message Paul and his companions preached, and it transformed their lives. How utterly absurd, Paul argued, to accept and experience the gospel message as reliable, but consider those who preached it unreliable. How ridiculous to trust Paul's word about eternal things, but no about mundane things like travel plans". Much like we can doubt the promises of God when we focus on the temporary circumstances we are in, we must look to focus on God's character and understand that everything He has promised us will come true.
Trying to appeal to their hearts, most importantly Paul wants to point out to the Corinthians that it is the testimony of Christ in each of their lives that authenticates Paul's integrity before them. He writes, "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is god, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge". Here we can see the work of God in each of their lives doing the work He had promised to do. First we can see that God establishes believers in Christ. This is the work of saving grace in each of our lives when God no longer looks on our sin, but we are forever righteous based on the work of Christ. Second, God anoints, or commissions us to service. God empowers each of His children to go out and do His work through the Holy Spirit. Third, God seals each of His believers when He gives them the Holy Spirit. Evidence of a true believer is the presence of the Holy Spirit who authenticates that person as a child of God. Lastly, God gives the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a pledge that He will one day return and redeem us. We have an eternal inheritance in Him.
Continuing his defense, Paul writes, "But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth". Here, we can see Paul's deep desire for them to really believe what he is writing. Taking all that Paul had preached and taught them about God, there could be no greater witness that Paul could call to authenticate what he was saying then God. As God as judge, Paul was being in honest when he said that the reason he did not make the original trip out to Corinth was to spare them. MacArthur writes, "It was to spare the Corinthians the rod of discipline (cf. 13:2, 10; I Cor. 4:21) that Paul came no more to Corinth. He mercifully wanted to give them time to correct the problems he wrote of in I Corinthians. Also, some at Corinth were guilty of being led into mutiny (the mutiny that prompted Paul to write the 'severe letter' referred to in 2 Cor. 2:4) against him by the false teacher who had come to the church, and he wanted to give them time to repent". Paul's heart for them was to see them at a time when they had had a chance to digest and act upon the strong discipline he had given them in the 'severe letter'. In no way was Paul trying to gain power or prestige or hold the sins they had committed over them in anyway. His main desire and goal was to see them come to the joy of repentance. Paul writes, "Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm". MacArthur writes, "Paul was confident that in their faith (their salvation) the Corinthians were standing firm (cf Rom. 5:2; I Cor. 15:1; Gal 5:1; Phil. 1:27). He claimed no authority over their faith, which was a private matter between them and God. Saving faith is a personal matter between the believer and the Lord. No one but the Lord has authority over that relationship". Therefore, Paul came to the conclusion that it would be best for everyone if he not take the trip based on the sorrow that visit would bring. Paul had previously made a visit upon the arrival of the false prophets and it had not turned out well. MacArthur explains, "The visit was a success; in fact, someone (possibly one of the false apostles) openly insulted Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 2:5-8, 10; 7:12), and the Corinthians did not defend him. It was that painful visit that had prompted Paul to write the 'severe letter' he referred to in 2:4". Giving them some time before he returned was Paul's desire to give them time to repent and avoid another sorrowful visit. "But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again". Paul desired to return to them at a time when they could have a more uplifting and encouraging time with one another. His desire was for his soul to be refreshed by them, not to be made sorrowful again. For Paul writes, "for if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad bu the one whom I made sorrowful?" Paul had invested so much time into the Corinthians that what they felt, Paul felt. Paul's sensitivity shows here as he reveals his heart to them. His desire to see them grow in purity and take care of the issues Paul wrote to them about. MacArthur writes, "If he did, the only thing that would make him glad would be the repentance of those whom he made sorrowful. It was his concern for purity in the Corinthian church that prompted the letters he wrote them (cf. 2:9; 7:8)". Paul continues to explain to them why he did not come, "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". Paul's heart could not stand coming to see them again and be sorrowful over the sin he might see in them. Rather, his heart longed to see them at a time when their actions would make him rejoice. In fact, those thoughts he know would be reflected by the Corinthians, as he writes, "having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all". They could mutually enjoy one another's company as they could encourage one another through their love of Christ. Paul needed a "timeout" or a breather from them at this time, so that he could return at a time when they would have been able to correct the issues he confronted earlier.
Here Paul describes the 'severe letter' that he wrote to them, and explains its purpose. "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". Paul's heart once again exposed to his readers he wanted them to see how hard it was to write such a harsh corrective letter to them. Paul wanted to make sure they understood, he was not merely writing these things to be hard on them or to hold their sins over their heads. He would much rather enjoy in hearing about their love for Christ and their obedience to Him. MacArthur writes, "It took real love, not sentimentalism, for Paul to confront the Corinthians' sin. Writing 1 Corinthians and especially the 'severe letter' caused him much affliction and anguish of heart and many tears. Nothing is more painful for a pastor than confronting sin in his beloved congregation. But Paul's goal in writing was not so that they would be made sorrowful, but that the Corinthians might know the love which he had especially for them".
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