II CORINTHIANS 2:1-17 FEBRUARY 17 / FEBRUARY 24, 2013
REVISITING THE CASE OF DISCIPLINE MENTIONED IN THE FIRST LETTER
INTRODUCTION:
1. In our last lesson we observed Paul answering charges of inconsistency and lightness that were leveled against him by some at Corinth because of alterations in his plans to visit Corinth. (Ch. 1:15-17)
2. His sudden transition from defending his veracity as a man, to asserting his consistency as a preacher, shows that his enemies had applied the former charge to his doctrine.
3. These charges he refuted soundly by reminding them that his doctrine was that of Christ with whom there is no yea and nay, only yea. Christ, the Son of God, whom he preached is the yea and the amen of all divine truth. Plus, through Paul’s ministry God had worked in them His grace, and sealed it by the Holy Spirit. (Verses 18-22)
4. Having set the record straight, he gave the real reason why he had not come to them in keeping with the original plan. It was to spare them. He did not wish to appear among them as a judge, which would have been unavoidable, seeing what the state of affairs was at the time. (Verses 23, 24)
5. As we now come to the beginning of Chapter 2, there is no change of subject. To what he had said before, he here adds that he had determined not again to visit Corinth under circumstances which could only give pain to them and to himself.
I. TO HIS STATED CHANGE OF PLANS FOR GOING TO CORINTH, HE HERE ADDS SOME AMPLIFICA- TION. (VRS. 1-4) Paul had stated that the real reason why he had not come to Corinth at the time he had intended was that he would spare them. He wished not to come as a judge among them. There were many things amiss in the church, as the first letter testifies, but here it is implied that the matter of greatest grief and concerned was the case of incest. This situation was intolerable. For this reason, he did not come in person, but instructed them by letter what must be done and why. (I Cor. 5:1ff) They had apparently received his instructions, and acted upon them. This was well pleasing to Paul, and since their actions had had the desired effect on the guilty party, he will go on to instruct them in their duty to forgive and restore the brother.
A. PAUL HAD DEFERRED HIS VISIT BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT COME IN HEAVINESS OF SPIRIT. (VERSE 1)
1. This, Paul had determined with himself, that is, for his own sake. Thus he delicately intimates that in sparing them he was also sparing himself much pain.
2. It is here implied that Paul had already made a visit to Corinth under painful circumstances. There is evidence that Paul had been twice to Corinth before this letter was written. (Ch. 12:14, 21; 13:1) Having gone once to correct abuses, he was anxious not to have a second painful interview, so he delayed the visit, and waited for Titus to return to report what effect the letter had.
B. PAUL WISHED HIS NEXT VISIT TO BE ONE OF MUTUAL JOY AND REFRESHING. (VERSE 2)
1. Paul realized that unless his visit should cause them joy, it would bring no reciprocal joy to himself.
2. It is wonderful and precious how inspiration leaves in full play the characteristic peculiarities of the inspired writers. We learne through their writings, not only the mind of the Spirit, but also the personality of the writers. Paul’s refinement and courtesy are just as plainly revealed in his epistles, as his intellectual power and moral courage. In no other epistle of Paul is this more evident.
3. Paul here asks, “How can I receive joy for one to whom I bring sorrow?”
4. There were many Saints at Corinth who would have needed no reproof, and they were indeed Paul’s joy and crown, but if he came on a mission of judgment, where would be the rejoicing?
C. THE PURPOSE OF THE FORMER LETTER WAS THAT HE MIGHT THEREBY ADDRESS THEIR SIN, RATHER THAN COMING IN PERSON. (VERSE 3)
1. Safe to say, those who condemned his not coming, and used it to impugn his character and ministry, would not have been glad had he come.
2. But also, as he reiterates again, he would have had sorrow from them of whom he ought to rejoice.
3. Paul was satisfied that what made him happy would make his beloved brethren at Corinth happy too. “Having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.”
D. HIS LETTER TO THEM FLOWED FROM A BROKEN HEART. (VERSE 4) His great grief here spoken of was apparently (as indicated by the context) over the case of incest in the church. He was deeply grieved over the fact of the sin, but also for the lack of action by the church respecting the matter.
1. He was compelled to write and insist that they deal with the situation in a proper manner.
2. In this, he would have them know, that it was out of love for them that he acted so aggressively.
3. The preacher’s motive for reproving and rebuking God’s people must ever be love, just as the parent the child.
II. REGARDING THE PERSON WHO HAD BEEN UNDER DISCIPLINE, HE NOW DIRECTS THEM TO RE- STORE HIM, AND GIVES THE REASONS WHY. (VRS 5-11) From what follows, we can conclude most happily that the ordered discipline of the person guilty of incest have had its desired effect, and therefore the church must be as aggressive in their forgiveness and reinstatement as they were in their censure of him. (See I Cor. 5:5)
A. HE TELLS THEM OF THE GRIEF THAT THE MAN IN QUESTION HAD BEEN TO HIM. (VERSE 5)
1. “But if any have caused grief, he hath grieved me, but in part.” This statement has been variously interpreted.
a) That the man’s sin was only part of his grief. That his grief was also over some who did not mourn, but were zpuffed up. (I Cor. 5:2)
b) That the sin was a grief to him but in part because many of them were grieved also.
c) That his grief was but in part because the church had followed his instruction, and the man had repented.
d) That he was grieved but in part, because it was not the whole church that had grieved him.
2. Of these interpretations, the last seems most likely, because of the next words that are added, “that I may not overcharge you all,” that is, that I may not load you all with the imputation, as if you were all involved in it.
B. HE TELLS THEM THAT THE PUNISHMENT WHICH HAD BEEN INFLICTED UPON THE OFFENDER WAS SUFFICIENT. (VERSE 6)
1. The church had been obedient to Paul’s directions.
2. The desired end was achieved, in that, the man had repented, and shown proof of it.
3. There was no more reason to continue the censure. There was now reason for rejoicing.
C. HE DIRECTS THEM TO RESTORE THE MAN WITH ALL SPEED. (VERSES 7, 8)
1. They were to forgive him. They could not remit the guilt (only God can so forgive sin), but it was their duty to remit the punishment. It appears that this they had not done.
2. They were to comfort him. This meant to receive him again into full fellowship.
3. Otherwise, Paul feared the man might be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Paul clearly had intelligence that the man had experienced godly sorrow. This was good, but it is the Christian way to comfort the brokenhearted.
4. They were to now confirm their love to him.
a) Paul beseeches them to see to this, lest the man be swallowed up by overmuch sorrow.
b) The word “confirm” properly means to ratify with authority by some formal public act. The Apostle is apparently calling on them to reinstate this man into the Fellowship of the church by some formal act.
D. HE PERSUADES THEM TO THIS DUTY BY SEVERAL WEIGHTY ARGUMENTS. (VERSES 9-11)
1. For sake of the penitent person, as already considered. (Verse 7)
2. For their own sakes, that they prove themselves obedient in all things. Just as they had obeyed the Apostle in deal- ing with the offender, now they must prove their obedience in restoring the penitent.
3. Paul was ready to concur with them in the matter. “To whom you forgive, I forgive also.”
a) This he would do for their sakes, out of love for them, and for their advantage.
b) This he would do for Christ’s sake, or in Christ’s name, as an Apostle, and in conformity to His doctrine an example.
4. He adds another reason that is most weighty: “Lest Satan get an advantage against us.” (Verse 11)
a) To indulge sin is on the one hand, to allow Satan an advantage.
b) But, on the other hand, to have an unforgiving spirit, is to give advantage to the enemy.
c) Satan has many devices (stratagems), and we must not allow ourselves to fall prey to any of them, for we are not ignorant of them.
III. HE REPORTS TO THEM OF HIS TRAVELS AND LABORS IN THE GOSPEL, HIS SUCCESSES, AND ALSO SOME CONCERNS THAT HE HAD. (VERSES 12-17)
A. HIS UNEASINESS IN NOT FINDING TITUS AT TROAS HAD CAUSED HIM TO GO FROM THERE TO MACEDONIA. (VERSES 12, 13)
1. In execution of his plan to go from Ephesus through Macedonia to Corinth (I Cor. 16:5) Paul came to Troas.
2. There, the Lord had opened to him an opportunity to labor successfully in the Gospel, yet he had no rest in spirit, because of concern for Titus. Titus was supposed to meet Paul at Troas and report to him of the state of things at Corinth, and especially the effect produced by his former letter.
3. We can see how he considered this to be a turning point in the history of the church. If they submitted to his authority, and corrected the abuses which he addressed in the letter, then he would be greatly relieved, and hope- ful for their stability and progress. But, if they refused to regard his injunctions, then he could foresee their com- ing destruction.
B. HE BLESSED GOD FOR THE SUCCESSFULNESS OF HIS LABORS EVERYWHERE. (VERSES 14-16)
1. God caused Paul and his fellow-laborers in the Gospel to triumph in every place. (Verse 14) In spite of fierce opposition at every turn, God was making manifest the savour of his knowledge by them in all places where they went. That is, men were brought to a knowledge of God through the preaching of the Gospel. They were given a heart to know the Lord.
2. However, the Gospel did not always have that same good effect on all who heard it. (Verse 16)
a) In every place it brought some to a knowledge of God and salvation, but not all.
b) Although to some the savour was that of life, to others it was the savour of death.
3. But, in either case, the faithful preacher of the Gospel is a sweet savour to God. (Verse 15)
a) The preacher’s job is to faithfully preach Christ. It is God Who must make it effectual. (I Cor. 3:6; Psa. 110:3)
b) The faithful steward is pleasing to his master on the basis of faithfulness. (I Cor. 4:1, 2)
C. HE PROFESSES HIS FAITHFULNESS TO THE WORD OF GOD AND HIS SINCERITY IN STRIVING TO PLEASE GOD. (VERSE 17)
1. Though many did corrupt the Word of God, the Apostle’s conscience witnessed to his fidelity.
2. It is not our business to add our notions to the doctrine of God. We must not either add to it, or diminish ought from it, but declare it as it is.
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