2 Corinthians 1:1-2:13 “The Hostility of the Corinthian Church Towards Paul”

READ: 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:13

Verses chosen for meditation: 2 Corinthians 1:16-18

¹⁶ I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. ¹⁷ Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? ¹⁸ As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.

REFLECT

This letter was written after Paul’s 2nd visit to the Corinthians (and roughly a year after he wrote 1 Corinthians), to prepare the church for his 3rd and final visit. Paul wrote this just as his intense struggle with the church was coming to a head, revealing him in one of his lowest, most vulnerable moments.

Paul was under strong criticism from the church. They felt he lacked honesty and transparency. Their complaints largely stemmed from the changes Paul made in his plans to visit them. After writing 1 Corinthians, he made a “painful” visit due to a problem. During that time, he said he would return to them before going to Macedonia (v16). Unfortunately, circumstances changed. Instead of going to Corinth immediately, he wrote them a letter (another one that’s lost to us now), and went first to Macedonia, then Achaia.

For that, they accused him of being a vacillating man (irresolute, wavering between different opinions/actions) (v17). Now, what’s the big deal? For us, change of plans due to circumstances is common. We’re easily forgiven for rescheduling. In ancient times, plans changing do happen, but things were way harder to coordinate. The Corinthians took this issue more harshly because Paul represented Christ. However, was this fair to Paul?

Firstly, the problem that required his “painful” visit was not resolved by the time he left Corinth. There was much confrontation in that visit, causing much pain. If one visit failed, would another visit, that soon after, help? They needed some time to cool off and Paul decided against his initial plan to spare them more pain (2 Corinthians 1:23, 2:1).

Secondly, a crisis happened in Ephesus which put Paul’s life at risk, contributing to the change of plans. It was such an ordeal that he was “utterly burdened beyond his strength that he despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Those changes were not made lightly, as he acted according to God’s will. He had conducted himself with simplicity and godly sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:12), and is not someone who says “Yes” and “No” at the same time, based on who he was talking to and how he was feeling at that moment.

RELATE

We see two contrasting attitudes here: the church’s lack of love for Paul and Paul’s love for the church. The Corinthian church was cynical, thinking that people were motivated by self-interest. They thought Paul had bad motives, acting according to his own interests. Their cynicism might be a result of dealing with too many minsters operating like that, calculating and manipulative.

Then there’s their sheer lack of love. Paul was kind not to mention, but the Corinthians were wrong in this. Instead of showing loving concern for his immense ordeal in Ephesus, they added to his pain. Without properly finding out the reasons, they falsely accused him. What happened in Corinth is something common in the modern church or the workplace.

We can become cynical towards leaders or whoever’s in greater spotlight, often assuming their motives. Sometimes, these people take actions we don’t agree with, in our point of view. Sometimes, there’s no opportunity for explanation. Often, people then jump to conclusions without getting the full picture. Then there’s the failure of seeing the pain and meeting the needs of these easy targets, replacing love with a preoccupation of proving them wrong. Let our response in such situations be tempered with meekness and gentleness, which were the mark of Paul’s ministry (2 Corinthians 10:1).  

Despite the Corinthians’ hostility, Paul took pains to clarify, not fight. He did not do it for his own image or popularity, but for the sake of the gospel. With scarce ink and paper in those days, Paul must choose his words concisely. Burdened with indignation and betrayal, what would we have chosen to write? If it was me, I might go on a full rant, with the bulk of my letter expressing anger and proving them wrong.

Paul, however, was vulnerable to them, admitting how much he needed them for his ministry, expressing much concern for them, encouraging them and seeking to work with them, not Lord over them with his authority. Love was clearly his motivation behind the letter. This is not normal behaviour for a person being falsely accused, hurt by the very community he poured his sweat and blood into.

REST

Paul loved the church very much. I wish and pray I could love the church the way Paul did, regardless of how cynical the church may be. Instead, I find myself being more the cynical one, rather than the loving one. God help me.

Chris Chong