Call to Commitment

 

Ruins of ancient Corinth (my personal photos)

Greeting and Introduction

       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 who are in all Achaia: 

2.     Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 A. R. Faucett of Jamieson, Faucett, Brown comments: “The Time of Writing was after Pentecost, a.d. 57, when Paul left Ephesus for Troas. Having stayed in the latter place for some time preaching the Gospel with effect (2 Co_2:12), he went on to Macedonia, He wrote this Second Epistle, and then went on to Greece, where he abode for three months. Macedonia was the place from which it was written (2 Co_9:2) where the present tense, “I boast,” or “am boasting,” implies his presence then in Macedonia. Philippi, as being the chief town of the province, was probably the place to which all the collections of the churches were sent. Ancient tradition, too (as appears from the subscription to this epistle), favors the view that Philippi was the place from which this Epistle was sent by the hands of Titus who received, besides, a charge to prosecute at Corinth the collection which he had begun at his first visit (2Co_8:6). Paul sent Titus back forthwith with this Second Epistle, which is addressed, not to Corinth only (1Co_1:2), but to all the churches also in Achaia (2Co_1:1).

 Paul knows a divine calling, according to the will of God, to be an apostle of Jeus Christ. What is happening in his life has been born in eternity above any importance that men could be planning in any high government congress, to take place on this earth. This calling is according to the purpose of God to touch the heart of men with the power that there is in the message of the gospel, which transforms lives and prepares them for eternity.  This is with which God was concerned and with which He continues to be concerned in this century. For this reason, He sends missionaries out, as he sent Paul.

 Timothy is with Paul, since Paul desired him to leave his own city and dedicate his life to the gospel. He has joined the great family of God and is a brother of all who will read Paul’s letter. In a special and personal way, he is Paul’s spiritual son, because the seed of the gospel was sown by the apostle in him. John Wesley wrote: “Timotheus our brother - St. Paul writing to Timotheus styled him his son; writing OF HIM, his brother.” It was a mighty work, even more real than the physical seed, which brings babies into the world. It is forming the spiritual family of God and an eternal brotherhood.

 Paul addresses the church in Corinth, which is the entity that is near to the heart of God and with which He is creating a bride for His Son. From this one principal church, many others have formed all over the territory of ancient Acaia.

“Grace and peace” is Paul’s standard greeting in his letters, as it is Peter’s, and sometimes John’s, However, when we are considering New Testament-inspired Scripture we are seeing something more than a greeting. The Holy Spirit is conveying the blessing of the godhead, speaking the perfect will of heaven upon God’s people here on earth. Upon them, the Lord wills to shed His grace… favor that can only come from Him and exceeds all the best wishes of humanity to humanity at their highest level. Peace, that comes from God, is also superior to any earthly peace and reigns in the heart of a Christian, when the earth is in turmoil around about him. We are talking about the blessing from the Father and the Son, upon a Holy-Spirit-filled church (v. 2)

  

God of All Comfort

3.     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

4.     who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

5.     For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 

6.     Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 

7.     And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. 

8.     For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 

9.     Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 

10.  who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 

11.  you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. 

 Above all the unequaled good that can come from the apostle to his fellow man through the Holy Spirit, it is his highest purpose to give praise to God. Above all, he writes, let us bless God, the Father, for two of His multiple attributes, that shine from His person especially upon His people - His mercy and His comfort.  The Lord is righteous and just; yes, He reveals that He possesses a fearful anger. However, we praise Him, because of His mercy, but notice how David describes it: “The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Ps. 145:9). Paul said that He is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. Mercy is His offspring and comfort originates in Him. Blessed are you Lord, for Your mercy overcame Your anger and condemnation, which we so righteously deserve (v. 3).

 Jesus assured His disciples that “in the world you will have tribulation,” (Jn. 16:33). He allows this, because He is the Father of our spirits, our inner man, and knows that bodily suffering alone can produce positive inner character traits (Heb. 12:9).  The apostle knew this also, and outlined for us the process that would work these good things into our lives in Romans 5:3-4: “Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

 However, our text teaches that God comforts us in our tribulation. This is a very special, heavenly comfort, not human or natural, so that we have to learn it. It is not an amount of comfort; it is a kind of comfort. Therefore, He lets us have tribulation, so that in it, we experience His comfort. We get  to know His comfort and we then can comfort others. This verse 4 instructs us, very plainly, what we need to know, in all our ministry in the church, and that is that we can only serve God and others, through supernatural, divine qualities and never by human goodness. Look at the verse again: “That we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Do you see it? 

 Comfort has the same Greek root as the word Paul gives us in verse 5 – consolation (paraklēsis and parakaleō). It is also the same root for the word that Jesus gives us in chapters 14 – 16 of John’s gospel for the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (paraklētos). We are talking about Holy Spirit comfort! Tribulation is no match for it, though it comes in heavy doses to our lives. We have an unbounding consolation from the godhead to counter all the tribulation that comes our way.

 So, Paul reasons, if he and Timothy are receiving affliction, they are also receiving comfort or consolation from God, which will profit the Corinthians, whom they will, in turn, comfort. Through the comfort of the apostles, the Corinthians will receive godly comfort, so that they can endure the suffering that they go through (v. 6).

Gallio's judgment hall

  Paul sees this to be guaranteed, practical truth, which will work in their situation. Steadfast hope hecalls it. Suffering is certain in the life of the Christian, but so is a sure and greater consolation (v. 7). In verse 8, Paul expresses a principle, which we need to take a moment to contemplate… “We do not want you to be ignorant…” In Romans 11:25, he does not want us to be ignorant of the mystery of Israel. In 1 Corinthians 12:1, he does not want the Christian to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, he does not want him to be ignorant about the rapture of the church and in this place, he does not want us to be ignorant of Paul’s experiences in life. Most people enter into the Christian life very ignorant… “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise”, but He does not want this foolish ignorance to continue as we mature in Christ. The Holy Spirit is our Teacher to give us understanding of His ways.

 The Christian is to be informed concerning the brotherhood of Christ. He should be reading the biographies of men of God, to learn how to confront the same situations that others before him have encountered. We have the book of Acts, in order to study the apostle’s experience in Christianity and measure his life accordingly. He should be aware of the life of his contemporaries, especially those who are suffering throughout the world… “Weep with them that weep…” (Ro. 12:15) and pray for them. Paul and Timothy’s suffering was very severe, beyond human endurance to the point of desperation. But this was not without purpose and when impossible situations come into our lives, God also has purpose for us.

 The apostle and Timothy came to a place of desperation. Verse 9 is classic, because it points to an extreme -even death - and the reason that they are exposed to death without earthly help, is so that they must trust in God. This is what He wants us to do, above all else. He is trustworthy, because He is able to deliver us, from all opposition, even death. So the two companions look away from themselves and focus on His help in their life-threatening situation (v. 9). This verse is a favorite of mine, because I have been in enough life-threatening situations to make it real to me. I sit before my laptop, writing to you, knowing that it is only because, God has given deliverance to me.

 And God delivered Paul and Timothy; it was history for Paul. He had a point of reference to look back on. It was personal experience, therefore he had confidence in the present tense that He would deliver and in the future, He will always deliver. That’s what God wants from us, that we learn to trust Him, and it is tremendously comforting to us that He always delivers. Paul is closing up his argument, which is God is the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort. That is wonderful truth for our Christian walk and in this truth, we glorify Him (v. 10).

 Peter was freed from prison and probably death, because his brothers and sisters prayed for him (Ac. 12:5). Paul looked for prayer from the Roman church (Ro. 15:30), the Ephesians (Eph. 6:19), the Philippians (Ph. 1:19), the Colossians (Col. 4:3), the Thessalonians (1 Th. 5:23 and 2 Th. 3:1) and Philemon (Phl. 1:22). So in verse 11, he is depending on prayer from the Corinthians, as he did from all Christians. In this instance, especially, he asks for prayer, that there will be a grateful response to the gift  given to those in Jerusalem.

 

 Paul's Change of Plans

12.  For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 

13.  For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 

14.   (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

15.  And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— 

16.  to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 

17.  Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 

18.  But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 

19.  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—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 through us. 

21.  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 

22.  who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 

23.  Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 

24.  Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. 

 Boasting in this portion can probably be defined as a right to rejoice. In this sense, there is a legitimate place for boasting in the Christian mentality, based on a good and true evaluation. “If anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.   But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” (Gal.6:3-5). First of all, we eliminate false, fleshly boasting. This is based on natural abilities and accomplishment and is a deception. In a correct observation of a work of Christ through our lives, there is a legitimate place for recognizing and appreciating the fact that He was able to work through us for His glory. To come to a place, where we are not only talking about what He has done in our brothers and sisters, but in our own experience, that is a satisfaction, in which we can legitimately rejoice. That person is carrying his own ministry and finding his own place in Christ.

 This work in Christ has two characteristics: 1) It is simple. It is not sophisticated or complicated. 2) It is sincere in a godly sense. It is what it appears to be and there is no need for a hypocritical pretending, which is not honest. It is sincere, with no desire for anything that is not truly a manifestation of His ability, accomplishing His purposes. Notice, “not with fleshly wisdom,” it is a work of grace, which is a way of describing a work that is beyond human ability, specifically human wisdom. Paul sees it as directed towards the Corinthians (v. 12)

 Paul defines the work further in the next verse, and directs it toward his teaching. It can be taken literally, without a “deeper, hidden meaning.” This fact gives us a good rule for interpretation of Scripture. It means what it says! A little girl listened to the preacher in this way, but her father commented to her. “Well, that is what Jesus said, but that is not what He meant to say.” After a few more similar responses from her father, she finally asked, “Why didn’t Jesus say, what He meant?” Yes indeed, my frind, He did. Avoid complicated explanations, which usually favor some prejudicial doctrine, to which an individual adheres. I have determined to believe the Bible for what it says, and not try to complicate it to serve my favorite position. My conclusions have to die, when the word of God contradicts it.

 To serve as a clarification of what I am saying, here is one example: I read in John’s gospel that “God so loved the world (cosmos)” or in John’s epistle, “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (cosmos).”  There is no other simple definition for cosmos than that it means the entire world. Those who advocate for a limited work of Christ on the cross towards chosen believers only, have to go through a great deal of explanation to say that the cosmos is something other than its obvious definition. I have chosen not to go in any other direction (v. 13).

 As it pertains to his subject of boasting, there is a contrast between in part, and in the day of the Lord Jesus. The Corinthian’s boast that it was Paul, who came and delivered the gospel to them, and Paul’s boast that the Corinthians received the gospel, which was preached to them, is something that the two parties cannot fully appreciate during this age. However, when Christ returns, they will have a full appreciation of what it means to preach the gospel and to believe it. John Wesley comments: “That we are your rejoicing - That ye rejoice in having known us. As ye also are ours - As we also rejoice in the success of our labors among you; and we trust shall rejoice therein in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (v. 14).

 Paul explains former plans that he had to first of all visit Macedonia, which he actually now was doing. He intended before to go from there to Achaia, including Corinth. The benefit that Paul imparted to the church was again heavenly in nature, or what we have previously defined as grace, having nothing to do with his abilities. It is the result of divine anointing on his ministry to the churches, which was a huge benefit to Corinth (v. 15). This was an earlier intention, to go from Corinth to Judea, which he did not fulfill (v. 16).

 This did not happen, as before planned, and now Paul has to defend his divine guidance. He first of all must show the importance of there being divine guidance, not according to human plan, lightly carrying out personal intentions. No, as Christ sometimes stated, “My hour has not yet come,” showing that He had a time schedule, construed by His heavenly Father. So did Paul. It was not a haphazard plan, that might or might not be carried out… a maybe plan, maybe yes or maybe no. That is not the way of a servant of the Lord (v. 17).

  God is faithful and therefore, we desire to be faithful to keep our word, as His ambassadors (v. 18). Do you see how important it is that our gospel be a “yes” gospel? We are not to leave a doubt in the minds of the hearer that what we are preaching is absolute truth and what it promises will happen in their lives, if they believe and receive it. Paul affirms that what he, Silvanus or Silas, and Timothy preached was a sure, unfailing gospel. They preached Jesus Christ, Who, different then all the world’s policies, would positively keep His promises (v. 19).

Temple of Apollos

 In verse 20 comes the sure eternal principle behind all these statements. The promises of God in Christ are 100% reliable, not in one case, yes, and in another, no. In your life, reader, you have a guarantee without a doubt. I repeat that what God promises is true. Now we look at the second part of the principle. God always confirms his word. There is an amen, an absolute confirmation to the principle. Amen should be seen as a heavenly word of absolute authority, given to Israel and no earthly word can come close to translating it. I propose that the sure promises of Jesus Christ were AMEN and in John’s gospel repeated twice, AMEN, AMEN, and cannot be translated as “most assuredly” or “truly, truly” or “verily, verily”. No, it is AMEN and AMEN! It is heaven’s word around the world without translation in the church.

 Look again at verse 20 and see, that the word of God is YES, and the AMEN, the absolut confirmation, is through the believer. It can just as well be stated this way: “All the promises of God in Him are yes, and amen through us to the glory of God by Him.” God has given to the church the amen. Our word in Him is amen, the absolute confirmation to the absolute yes from God. I cannot explain it further.

 Now, this heavenly word and its heavenly confirmation has been established in human beings. He and the Corinthians are fully established in Christ. He has established us and as Christ is the Anointed One, so we are anointed in Him… we are Christians. This is who we are from the time that we believed in Christ, not something that we arrive at. The anointing comes from the beginning, when He breathes the Holy Spirit into us, when we become a New Creation (v. 21). He has stamped His seal, the Holy Spirit, upon our lives. His seal means that we are His possession and it was no time limit. It is eternal; we are eternally His. The eternal, unique seal proves it to be so (v. 22).  

 Finally, Paul writes the reason that he did not fulfill his intention to come to Corinth the second time. It was not because of a weak intention and not because of a carnal, human plan, and he calls upon God to witness of the motivation of his inner man. His heart is pure and his intentions are sincere. Speaking from his soul by the Spirit, he did not come to Corinth, because the Corinthians needed more time for sanctification, for in their present state, Paul would have to deal with them severely. He was being compassionate and he was 100% in the will of God (v. 23).

 He could not rule over your faith, nor could anyone else, but he was a gentle helper, encouraging them to continue to move in the direction of repentance and maturity. He was leading them towards Christian joy. It was not a matter of dominion over them, but as an older brother, he gently prodded them along, trying to help. There is no ill will involved, he is leading them in love (v. 24).