SO I. Acts does not mention this _painful visit,_ but see 2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1-2. Paul implies that he made up his mind not to come, only after some very serious consideration of the matter. Instead of making another painful visit, he sent Titus with a strongly worded letter (whic... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF I. Paul was so much a part of the churches which he served, that their sorrow was his sorrow!!! It would give him no pleasure to make them sad, because he himself would share their sadness!... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT IS WHY. Compare 2 Corinthians 13:10. If he came in person, he might have to use harsh methods to deal with the problems. Compare Acts 13:9-11.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREATLY TROUBLED AND DISTRESSED HEART. This is how Paul himself felt as he wrote the strongly worded letter. [_Johnson_ thinks this letter is First Corinthians, but there is no evidence that Paul wrote it in grief or that First Corinthians was to "spare" its readers. Scholars now believe that the... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW. This is probably not the incestuous man, since this _anyone_ seems to have attacked Paul's work as an apostle, in an insulting way! In doing this, the _anyone_ has insulted the entire messianic community (church) at Corinth which is built on Paul's work as an apostle! But Paul does not want to... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS ENOUGH. The Corinthian church followed Paul's instruction in the letter, and the majority punished the offender (see 2 Corinthians 7:8-11). When punishment has brought the desired change, it is enough!... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW, HOWEVER. Christians must not hold grudges! When the offender repents, the Christian response is to forgive him and encourage him! Evidently Paul had heard through Titus that the offender was almost at the point of giving up completely in despair.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HIM KNOW. Paul does not use his authority to demand it, but he gently begs them to do this thing. Not only are they to officially accept him back into their fellowship, but by their _actions_ they are to let him know that they really do love him!... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS VERY REASON. Paul says that their treatment of the offender was a test of them! Paul will not DOMINEER (2 Corinthians 1:24), but he will demand their obedience to the message of the Good News.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN YOU FORGIVE. They had joined with Paul in punishing the offender, now Paul joins with them in forgiving the man. IF, INDEED, I NEED. "You as the messianic community must do the forgiving. I, Paul, can only confirm it!... [ Continue Reading ]
TO KEEP SATAN FROM. "A harsh, unforgiving spirit, will allow Satan to get an upper hand over us! Satan, making us think it is a matter of duty and loyalty, tempts us to adopt harsh measures, to drive offenders to despair and make them give up completely, and to turn outsiders away from the Good News... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I ARRIVED IN TROAS. Paul does not give us details of his recent plans and travel. He must have gone to Troas after the riot at Ephesus. [But the visit in Acts 20:6 must have been at a later time.] Titus was supposed to meet with Paul there, but did not arrive. THE LORD HAD OPENED. Note that Pau... [ Continue Reading ]
DEEPLY WORRIED. Perhaps Paul was afraid Corinth had rejected his letter and that some special problem kept Titus there. It certainly was the Lord's will that Paul move on, and so he said good-bye to the friends there and went on to Macedonia.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THANKS be TO GOD! Paul is jubilant when Titus brings him the good report from Corinth! [Paul returns to the theme of his meeting with Titus in 2 Corinthians 7:5.] WE ARE ALWAYS LED BY GOD. Army commanders led their captives in a victory parade after a successful battle. Paul uses this symbolism... [ Continue Reading ]
A SWEET-SMELLING INCENSE. "We are by our preaching a sweet-smelling incense which Christ offers to God!" This is still the symbolism of the victory parade. The incense announced both death to the prisoners and life to the victors! In the same way, the Good News which Paul preached had differing resu... [ Continue Reading ]
A DEADLY STENCH. The Good News hardens some in their sin, and it is to them the stench of death! A FRAGRANCE. The Good News brings a response in others that opens to them the blessings of God! WHO, THEN? "Since this is in fact a matter of life and death, who is qualified to do such a work?... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IF IT WERE CHEAP MERCHANDISE. Paul is qualified to God's work by his union with Jesus Christ (Galatians 2:20). In contrast to true servants of God are those who peddle the Good News like it was cheap merchandise. Paul uses a word which means "hucksters who cheat people by peddling worthless merch... [ Continue Reading ]