June 6, 2014 Corinthians II Chapter 2

2nd Corinthians Chapter 2

Originally posted Tuesday July 29, 2008

Chapter 2:5-11 Forgiveness for the Offender

We now learn more about the "offender," (if not the offence), who has caused Paul so much anguish and jeopardized his relationship with the Corinthian community. In the "painful visit" mentioned in 2:1 Paul had been offended by one of the members. Now Paul is concerned about the pain he might cause to the church by "another painful visit" made too soon. Instead of a visit he had written his stern letter related to this offense he perceives to have been against him (2:3). In that letter Paul must have prescribed the appropriate punishment, leaving it up to the community to administer rather than waiting for his next visit. In other words he wants the matter to be resolved before he arrives and has to resolve it himself, which he believes will be even more painful.  

Here he makes a shift in the emphasis. The offender has not caused pain just to Paul but also to the community (vs.5). That being the case, he suggests that the punishment which the community has already administered with the approval of the majority should be enough. Anything more would be counterproductive, driving the offender into "excessive sorrow." It is better if they reach out to him with forgiveness (reconciliation and restoration) and consolation as an affirmation of their continuing love for him. Reminiscent of Jesus' teaching to his disciples, when the community forgives the man, Paul confirms their action with his own forgiveness of the man. His forgiveness has been given "in the presence (face) of Christ," in accordance with Christ's Spirit and not on his own, "so that we may not be outwitted by Satan" who always seeks an opportunity through whatever weakness he can find.

Chapter 2:12-17 Paul's Anxiety in Troas

Paul returns to his reason for the "change of mind" that diverted him directly to Macedonia instead of stopping in Corinth as planned. On his way he had gone to Troas (Troy) in Asia (Minor) expecting to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. However, Titus was not waiting for him in Troas to assist with the missionary work. This was troubling to Paul who, as we often read in Acts, was ever sensitive to these unexpected turn of events. For him, this was the Spirit's work. InActs 16:6-10 we see Luke's version of Paul in Troas. In both Paul  is led (by the Spirit) to leave Troas and to go directly to Macedonia without waiting for Titus, "being convinced that God had called him to proclaim the good news to them (Acts 16:10b).

Paul's work in Macedonia proved to be very fruitful. He bursts into one of his many poetic thanksgivings to God who has led him "in Christ" in this "triumphal procession" as God's servants using Paul and others to spread the good news of Christ ("the fragrance that comes from knowing him). Paul and those who work with him are the "aroma of Christ" (the message of salvation) among those who have believed and those who are yet to believe. In a self-effacing gesture he marvels that God has chosen him, as lowly as he is, to proclaim good news on behalf of Christ. Yet after all, he is not some traveling Stoic or Cynic philosopher peddling he wares. He and his fellow missionaries speak "in Christ" (and of Christ) with sincerity, and as "sent from God and standing in [God's] presence."

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Note on vs. 6: Paul's mention of the majority approval means there were members who stood against him and took the man's side. This division in loyalty, however small, will weigh upon his heart and will lead him to seek a greater harmony

Note on vs. 7: Paul's use of forgiveness does not directly indicate forgiveness of sins, a term never used in the accepted letters of Paul. Rather, forgiveness is an act of healing broken relationships. To forgive the man who has offended him is to restore and reconcile him to the community. On only two occasions is a person "cast out" of the community and even then there is a glimmer of hope that he will be redeemed on the last day. We should not conclude that Paul is not concerned with sin. He takes sin very seriously, seeing sin as Satan's opportunity. But it is not the particular sin which requires forgiveness and therefore restoration. It is being in the "state of  Sin" by virtue of having committed the sin. Forgiveness-restoration-reconciliation, as an act of grace, is meant to lead the offender to repentance.

Note on vs. 14: Note that it is not God who leads the missionaries in the procession. It is "God in Christ." This is an important combination for Paul for he understands that all of what God does God does in Christ. It is God acting in and through Christ. This is very much the same theology as portrayed by Jesus in the Gospels. Even in the high Christology of John's Prologue it is through the Word made flesh (Christ) that "all things came into being [and] what came into being in him was [eternal] life." In one of Paul's most profound observations he will write that "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself." For Paul Christ is not a lone agent doing things for God. All that he does is a reflection of God at work in and through him.