THE REASON WHY PAUL DID NOT RETURN TO CORINTH
Chapter 1: 23 until chapter 2: 17
Introduction – chapter 1, verses 23 to 24
In Acts 18 we read about the founding of the church in Corinth on Paul's first visit to that city. The church grew, but many ills emerged, which the apostle reprehended in his first Epistle, in which he also said he would visit this church again after passing through Macedonia (1st Corinthians 16:5-6). However, he had not returned to Corinth, as he said, and this was taken as levity or insincerity, as we saw in the previous study.
In this passage, Paul explains that it was for their good that he changed his plan. Paul says he could not control their faith, that is, the conduct that would show their faith. He wanted them to be happy, which would not be possible if he had soon returned to Corinth, for the reality of their faith was put in doubt by their conduct, which had been revealed and condemned by him in his first letter.
The reasons for his first letter – chapter 2, verses 1 to 4
He did not write it just to leave them sad, but how could they gladden Paul (as he wished) while they were sad? Therefore he had written the first letter with much sadness, hoping that they would understand the great love he had for them.
The forgiveness of the guilty – verses 5 to 11
It seems that here he refers to the adulterer of 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, who, having been disciplined by the church, had shown sincere repentance and desired the forgiveness of the church. Paul agrees with that, adding that he himself would forgive him, to show his communion with them and so that Satan would not have the victory.
Note: The discipline imposed on a believer by a local church should be done with sorrow and not with the spirit of personal revenge, but always in the hope of repentance on the part of the disciplined, aiming towards his restoration to the fellowship of the church.
Another trap of Satan – verses 12 and 13
Another example of the "satanic wiles" is mentioned here, when the devil caused anxiety in Paul for the delay in the expected arrival of Titus in Troas (Acts 20:6 - about a week?). How many times through similar fumble Satan tries to prevent the evangelical work!
The Gospel and its preachers – verses 14 to 17.
Here is a note of triumph and gratitude on the part of preachers, because they are messengers of God, representing for Him something of the glory of Christ, both in the saved and in the lost. For these, the message brings destruction; for those eternal life. Only preachers sent by God can reveal these things (14-16).
Paul and his helpers in the Gospel are not selling the benefits of the Gospel to their own advantage, as others were doing among the Corinthians (and in some places even today). But the apostles and true Christians preach the Word of God as being in the presence of God and authorised by Him.
Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)
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.
2 Corinthians chapter 1, verses 23 and 24
1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
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 so abundantly for you.
5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.
6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,
7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
2 Corinthians chapter 2