2nd Corinthians Chapter 1
Originally posted Monday July 28, 2008
2nd Corinthians Chapter 1:1-11 Salutation and Thanksgiving
Paul has previously
written to Corinth and this Salutation omits wording characterizing the recipients'
spiritual credentials. Here we have a simple self-identification, noting that
Timothy is with him. In the address he adds the interesting phrase
"including all the saints in Achaia." His letters were meant to
be distributed throughout the province to the churches Paul started as well as
others that were the result of missionary work based in Corinth. He uses the
usual pronouncement of grace in the standard coupling, from "God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
The Thanksgiving
focuses on a theme of consolation. We read of Paul's affliction in
Ephesus in1st
Cor. 15:30-32a. Here he writes of his thankfulness
for God's continuing consolation through the trials he and his coworkers
have experienced. He also gives thanks to the Corinthians for their prayers
which he receives as their consolation. His wording about the sharing of
consolation for each other's suffering is an example of Paul's acknowledgement
that in the united Christian community when one suffers all suffer and when one
rejoices all rejoice (Rom.
12:15). This is part of what it means to be within
the body of Christ. No member stands alone outside the circle of mutual love
and caring. So, God consoles Paul so that he may console them. We do not know
the extent of the suffering Paul and others experienced during their two year
mission in Ephesus. However we can piece together the brief statement
noted above with the longer Acts
19:11-41. There were conflicts with the Synagogue
community and a major riot ensued when the artisan tradesmen felt threatened by
Paul's message of opposition to pagan deities, of which Artemis was the most
popular and profitable. This led to general pandemonium which finally had to be
quelled by a city official to avert a possible Roman intervention. There is no
mention in Acts of Paul fighting with wild animals, but we might expect a
bit of hyperbole from Paul now and then. It is also possible that the wild
animal reference is Paul's characterization of the rioters who had
been in such frenzy over what they considered blasphemy against Artemis they
were ready to do them violence.
2nd Corinthians Chapter 1:12-2:4 Paul Postpones His Visit to
Corinth
We are at a
disadvantage in understanding this passage because it refers to an unreported
visit, an unknown letter to Corinth, and a serious issue
regarding one or more church members who are speaking against Paul.
This is made more difficult with the chapter division placing the issue in chapter 2 and
Paul's initial response to it in chapter 1.
The time line seems
to be as follows: Paul had already made plans to visit Corinth (1:15-16) and
had informed the members of his coming. However either a letter or a messenger
arrived from Corinth to inform him of an issue requiring his prompt attention.
He responded to Corinth's message with his own strong letter of reproach (1:13;2:3). In that
letter he informed Corinth that he had decided to postpone his
planned visit (2:1).
The first part of the current passage is Paul's defense of this decision (vss. 12-22).
Paul's concern is
that the Corinthians will see his change of mind as breaking his word that he
is not acting toward them in a godly way. The comments of "Yes"
and "No" relate to the concept of making oaths and being faithful to
them. As with oaths made in the Jerusalem Temple, to break an oath is to sin
against God. In Vss.
12-14 Paul points to his consistency of
actions toward the Corinthians in presenting the Gospel. He boasts that he
has always acted "in the world" (controlled by Satan) with
"holiness and godly sincerity," not by earthly standards. If he acts
in this godly way in the world, certainly they know he will act even more
so toward them. He can boast on both fronts - the world and in Corinth, because
it is by God's grace that he acts in this way, not by his own earthly
wisdom. Paul's conscience is clear in this matter.
Referring to the
stern letter he had written to Corinth (unavailable to us), he
affirms that he would not write in words they cannot read and
understand. The close relationship they share allows him to write plainly
and frankly to them, Paul presses the point of their understanding (the letter)
in the present to an ultimate understanding. He hopes that "on the
day of the Lord" his actions toward them have all been done in a
godly way. It will be at that time, then, that they will be able to boast of
one another.
Paul is sure that
this will be the case, that they will have confidence in one another. Here he
itemizes his actions relating to the promised visit. He had wanted to come to
them twice: once on his way from Ephesus to Macedonia and then directly back to
Corinth. This is the itinerary he has changed. He denies that he made his
original plans "according to ordinary human standards," in which
one's "yes" (commitment) is meaningless. His "yes" is
by no means meaningless. There was no vacillation, no "yes" and
"no," but only "yes" when he proclaimed Christ to them. In
Christ "it is only "yes" because all of God's promises in and
through Christ are faithful, they are all "God's yes" which God
will by no means change. It is this same God whose promises are all "yes"
who has established Paul's relationship with Corinth in Christ. It is
this same God who has anointed, placed his seal on and placed his Spirit
in Paul.
Paul conveys the
"yes" of God. It is this same God to whom he appeals as a
witness to his godly behavior in this matter. Paul "made up his
mind" not to visit Corinth according to the original schedule in order to
"spare" them "another painful visit." It was to avoid such
a painful visit that he had sent the stern letter (1:13;2:3). Paul's hope is that this letter will
prod the Corinthians to act swiftly against those who have spoken against him.
If they will do so he will not have to "suffer pain from those who
should have made [him] rejoice." He has written this letter with
"much distress," "anguish" and with "many tears"
in the hope of not causing them any further pain and so they will know of
the great love he has for them. It will all hinge on their willingness to take
appropriate action against those who stand against Paul, for to stand against
Paul is to stand against the Gospel he has proclaimed.
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