2 Corinthians 1 and 2 — A Return Visit
Introduction: Paul wrote this second letter to the church at Corinth as he was planning to return there for another visit with them. Paul had a very special relationship with that church, but felt it necessary to send a letter to address some matters he had heard about to be better prepared for that visit. He opened with praise to the God of all mercy and comfort. Paul also gave some explanation of why he had delayed his return.
NOTE: Bible passages are from the American KJV.
A — Comfort Others by the Comfort You Have from God in Christ
2 Corinthians 1 “1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”
Comments: Paul began his letter by clearly stating that it was by the will of God that he was an apostle of Jesus Christ, and included greetings from Timothy and from all the saints in all Achaia. During all tribulations experienced by believers, the God of all comfort is the God of great mercy. Saints can offer comfort to fellow believers who are in the midst of troubles, by sharing ways God had brought comfort to them when they also had difficulties. If by faith we hold in our heart the truth that the suffering of Christ was in our place, then we can be certain that our compassionate comfort of eternal life also is abundantly supplied by Christ. Romans 8:17–18 “If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Hebrews 12:2 “Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
B — Our Trust Is in God Who Raises Believers from the Dead
2 Corinthians 1 “7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation. 8 For we would not, brothers, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 You also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed on us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”
Comments: Paul wanted the church at Corinth to know that both his sufferings and his times of comfort give him greater ability to comfort them. In Asia when Paul had expended his own strength and despaired even of life, the reality was very prominent in his mind that believers have the sentence of physical death in themselves because every person born in the flesh is a descendent of Adam. Therefore, we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead. The Lord delivered Paul from that dangerous situation in Asia, and Paul continued to trust that the Lord would yet deliver him. Paul then acknowledged the help from the Corinthians by prayer, and that the gift bestowed by the means of many persons would result in thanks being given by many other people.
C — Paul Did Not Claim Sovereignty over the Faith of the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 1 “12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward… 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yes and no, but in him was yes. 20 For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; 22 Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts… 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.”
Comments: We can rejoice when the testimony of our conscience is that our personal conduct before others in simplicity and godly sincerity is of God. We do not need to depend upon worldly wisdom because our faith is by God’s grace. Paul had spent quite a few months with the Corinthians and had written much in his first letter, and Paul said he had not changed from what he had shared in person or through writing. God has established us in Christ, anointed us, and sealed us with the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Paul said he had delayed coming to Corinth to spare them — but that was not because he had dominion over their faith; but rather he was a helper to the joy they had as those who stand by their own faith. All the promises of God in Christ are yes, and amen to the glory of God.
D — We Must Forgive in Christ Lest Satan Take Advantage of Us
2 Corinthians 2 “1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness… 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly to you. 5 But if any have caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part… 7 So that contrariwise you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Why I beseech you that you would confirm your love toward him… 10 To whom you forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Comments: Paul did not want to visit Corinth with the feelings of heaviness, because if he caused them to be sad, they would not have the joy they should share when together as fellow believers. He felt affliction and anguish in his heart as he wrote with tears, because he wanted them to know the abundant love which he had for them. Since the punishment they had rightfully given to one in the church had brought repentance, he now wanted them to accept that person back into fellowship with loving comfort. This is part of our obedience to forgive in the manner of Christ, otherwise Satan could get an advantage of us. Ephesians 6:11–12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world.” 1 Peter 5:8–10 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour… But the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus… make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.”
E — Paul Spoke Sincerely of Christ Because He Knew He Was Always in the Sight of God
2 Corinthians 2 “12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me of the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from there into Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the aroma of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are to God a sweet smell of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the smell of death to death; and to the other the smell of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”
Comments: When Paul was at Troas there was a door open of the Lord to preach Christ, but since Titus was not there to give a report about the Corinthians, Paul left Troas and went into Macedonia. Paul then wrote in this second letter that he was giving thanks unto God, which always brings triumph in Christ, as God made the aroma of knowledge about Christ obvious and clear by Paul and his companions in every place where they shared the Word. Paul used the metaphor of being to God a sweet and pleasing aroma of Christ: to those who are saved the aroma of life to life, but to those who are perishing in their sin we are the putrid odor of death to death. In humility Paul said who could have sufficient means for this strong message. But it was his purpose not to be as many others who corrupt the Word of God, but to have sincerity, knowing he is always in the sight of God when he spoke of the gospel of Christ.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you that Paul was guided by your Spirit to draw my attention to the way I can have fellowship with you through my sufferings. And I can also encourage others who suffer by telling of the comfort you had given to me in those times. The final consolation for believers will come through the resurrection to eternal life with God. As Paul said every person has the sentence of death in the body, and that is because all are descendants of Adam. Thank you Lord, for the gift of eternal life which is a sweet fragrance of your grace and of your abundant love. Help me to have a joyful fellowship with other believers, and to have discernment in any case that involves me in the discipline of another person in my local body of believers. Make me always ready to forgive in love when there is repentance on the part of one who had openly sinned. Keep my mind and heart continually in the study of Scripture; and do not allow me to speak or act out of pride, but rather to be humble before my Lord whenever I am in discussion with others. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Amen and Amen!
Published 29 October 2020