FEBRUARY 3, 2013 II CORINTHIANS 1:12-24
PAUL DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY
INTRODUCTION:
1. We are aware from the concluding chapter of the first epistle that Paul’s intention and hope was to come and visit the church at Corinth. (I Cor. 16:5-7)
2. It appears from our present passage that Paul’s original plan was to go directly from Ephesus to Corinth, and from there into Macedonia, and then back to Corinth, and from there to Jerusalem. (Verses 15, 16) But, he then decided that, God willing, he would go to Macedonia before going to Corinth. (I Cor. 16:5)
3. So eager were the false teachers at Corinth to find reasons of complaint against him, that they made this change of plan a grievous offence, and a proof that he was not to be depended upon either as to his purpose or his doctrine.
4. Thus, we have in these verses a vindication of himself and his fellow-laborers. First, he will attest to the integrity of himself and his companions in ministering the Word. Their ministry was according to truth, and their lives were consistent with what they preached. Secondly, he vindicates himself against charges of undependability. Any changes in his travel plans were not due to levity, or inconsistency on his part, but rather to the will and providence of God.
I. HE ATTESTS TO HIS AND HIS FELLOW-LABORERS’ COMPLETE SINCERITY AND INTEGRITY IN PREACHING THE GOSPEL. (VERSES 12-14)
A. THEIR INTEGRITY WAS ATTESTED TO BY THE SINCERITY OF THEIR CONVERSATION (BEHAVIOR). (VERSE 12)
1. This he does in a most humble manner, not by way of boasting, but as appreciative for the help of their prayers. (Verse 11; Heb. 13:18)
2. This they had done by God’s grace. “Not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world.” (Verse 12b)
3. It is essential for ministers of the Gospel to demonstrate in their daily walk of the sincerity of their ministry. For this they must have God’s grace; and for this they earnestly ask for the prayers of God’s people.
4. The Apostle could heartily attest that they had walked honestly toward them that were without, and toward them. “We have had our (good) conversation in the world, and to you-ward.”
B. HE APPEALS TO THE TESTIMONY OF CONSCIENCE. (VERSE 12) “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience…”
1. It was a matter of rejoicing, for his conscience testified that his life was of a singular purpose, and with all sincerity he had kept to that purpose.
2. Paul could say, “My joyful confidence consists in the consciousness of sincerity.” Paul was aware of his integrity, and his conscience, the guardian of his soul attested to the fact.
3. His conscience bore witness that his was “godly sincerity,” as opposed to “fleshly wisdom.” Literally, “the sincerity of God,” as distinguished from mere natural sincerity as a moral virtue.
C. HE APPEALS TO THE CORINTHIANS THEMSELVES FOR VERIFICATION, BASED ON WHAT THEY HAD OBSERVED. (VERSES 13, 14)
1. The conduct of Paul and his companions fell, in part, under the observation of the Corinthians, and they knew how well these men had behaved themselves.
2. In this, he could say “we are your rejoicing.” When the church is blessed with ministers who conduct themselves holily and justly and unblamably (I Thess. 2:10), it is reason for rejoicing.
3. Likewise, the saints, in the same way give cause for their pastors to rejoice, when they know that the people are walking and holiness. “As ye also are ours.” (Verse 14c; III John 4) this joy shall be complete “in the day of the Lord Jesus,” that is, when the Lord Jesus shall come.
II. HE VINDICATES HIMSELF FROM THE IMPUTATION OF LEVITY AND INCONSISTENCY. (VS. 15-24)
A. HIS CHANGE OF PLANS WERE NOT DUE TO LIGHTNESS, FOR HIS INTENTIONS WERE SINCERE. (VERSES 15-17)
1. It was “in the confidence” (Verse 15a), of their good opinion of him, i.e. that they rejoiced in him and he in them (Verse 14), that he was most desirous to come to them. (Verse 15)
a) He was not fearful of coming, for he did not doubt that the great majority of the church would warmly receive him.
b) The troublemakers were only a small minority in the church. They were no doubt loud and very visible, but nonetheless a minority.
2. Paul had sincerely desired that they, by his coming first to Corinth before going to Macedonia, and then back again to Corinth after going to Macedonia, should receive “a second benefit.”
a) They, according to his first intention, would have had the benefit of seeing him twice.
b) By “benefit” is meant as the term is generally used in Scripture, religious blessing. Paul desired this for their spiritual good. This shows that he had the heart of a true minister of Christ.
3. His original plan also included being helped on his journey to Jerusalem by them. They would have, had not only the pleasure of helping him, but some of them may have had the blessing of escorting him part way. This was a common custom. (Verse 16c)
4. Could they possibly have thought that he had lightly considered these things? “When I was thus minded, did I use lightness?” (Verse 17a)
5. Would they accuse him of acting in the flesh? “Do I propose according to the flesh?” Was Paul in the habit of being governed by the flesh? (Verse 17b)
6. Was he in the habit of contradicting himself? Did he affirm and deny the same thing? “That with me there should be yea, yea and nay, nay?”
B. HE WOULD NOT HAVE IT INFERRED BY THE CORINTHIANS THAT HIS GOSPEL WAS UNCERTAIN. (VERSES 18-22)
1. His preaching was never contradictory. (Verse 18) He did not preach one thing and then another. His sudden transition from the question about his veracity to defending his consistency as a minister of Christ shows two things.
a) First, his enemies had brought both charges against him, basing the latter on the former. This is why we must be above reproach, lest our inconsistencies reflect badly on the Gospel.
b) Second, Paul was more concerned for the Gospel then for his own reputation. Thus he aggressively denied these false charges, for the Gospel’s sake.
2. His preaching was true, because he preached Christ and Christ is true. (Verse 19, 20) There is no contradiction, no yea and nay in him, therefore there was no contradiction in Paul’s doctrine, because it was a trustworthy exhibition of the Person and work of Jesus Christ, Who is the Son of God. As the Son is one in nature with the eternal Father, Who is immutable.
a) There is no yea and nay in either the Father or the Son. (James 1:17; Heb. 13:8)
b) To this truth all of his readers could testify. (Verse 20) Christ was preached to them consistently, not only by Paul, but also by Silvanus, and Timotheus (this refers to the first visit to Corinth) as the way, the truth, and the life; that he was made their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. (I Cor. 1:30) In all these things there is no uncertainty, but all things are yea in Christ.
3. His preaching was perfectly consistent, for Christ is yea, and all of the promise of God in him are yea, because they are made in Christ. (Verse 20)
a) “All the promises,” literally, “as many promises,” that is, as many promises as had been made from the beginning concerning Messiah.
b) “In Him are yea.” Literally, “in Him were the yea,” for in Him they had their affirmation and accomplishment.
c) “And in Him the Amen.” This is simply repeating the same, using the Hebrew equivalent of yea, which is “Amen.” Christ is the Amen, the faithful and true witness.” (Rev. 3:14)
4. It is by the preaching of the gospel that men are brought to say “AMEN” to the divine promise to the glory of God. “Unto the glory of God by us.” (Verse 20c)
5. That which was wrought in them through Paul’s ministry (and other faithful men) was the work of God the Father in Christ Jesus the Son, which work had the seal of the Holy Spirit. (Verses 21, 22)
a) How could any recipient of such grace and power doubt either their source or the One in Whom alone they are received? (Verse 21; II Pet. 1:3, 4)
b) God has put in every true believer the Person of the Holy Spirit, Who bears witness to the truth, and Who is Himself the earnest of all that is promised Him by way of inheritance. (Verse 22)
III. HE SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT THAT HIS NOT COMING TO THEM AS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED WAS DUE NOT TO LIGHTNESS, BUT RATHER TO LENITY. (VERSES 23, 24)
A. IT WAS THAT HE MIGHT SPARE THEM. (VERSE 23)
1. He knew that there were things amiss among them, and such things as deserved censure, and he desired not to come with the rod, but in love and tenderness. (See I Cor. 4:21)
2. He assured them that this was the true reason in a very solemn manner. “I call God for a record upon my soul.” Even his harshest critics would not think he would call upon God to countenance or bear witness to a lie.
3. As he further explains this reason in the next chapter, we will learn that, for his own sake, he wished not to come to them with the rod of discipline, but rather as a loving father, so that his own soul might be made glad. This reflects a true pastor’s heart. As with God, judgment is his strange work.
B. HE ASSURED THEM THAT HE HAD NO AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE UPON THEM ANYTHING BUT WHAT GOD HAD REVEALED. (VERSE 24)
1. Even an Apostle was not to try and become “lord over God’s heritage.” (I Pet. 5:3)
2. Paul and others who labored in the Word were simply “ministers by whom they believed.” They had no dominion over their faith, but were helpers of their joy.
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