Why Paul Cancelled His Trip to Corinth.
Introduction:
How did Paul feel about the Corinthian believers?
1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT)
2 I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
2 Corinthians 2:4 (NLT)
I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
Paul loved the Corinthians, and he couldn’t leave things as they were, fearing his enemies would destroy the work of the gospel among the church.
- Paul loved the Corinthians so much that he couldn’t allow them to continue to live in sin.
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 (NLT)
1:23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
2:1 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. 2 For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. 3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. 4 I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 (NLT)
1:23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth.
Paul really wanted the Corinthians to trust him and believe him.
His reasons for changing his travel plans were legitimate.
Paul knew that the Corinthians needed to trust him and believe him before they could listen to his words of correction.
The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke.
2 Corinthians 10:1-8 (NLT)
Paul Defends His Authority
10 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
Paul needed to:
Knock down the strongholds of human reasoning.
Destroy false arguments.
Destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.
Capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
- Sometimes it is necessary to discipline (rebuke, correct) those we love.
Hebrews 12:11-12 (NLT)
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Proverbs 3:12 (NLT)
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
- As painful as it may be to you, you must follow through with the appropriate discipline for those you love.
- Paul, as an apostle, had the authority to rebuke Christians who had a sinful nature.
Paul had used this authority in the past.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5 (NLT)
4 in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. 5 Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.
1 Timothy 1:19-20
… For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.
Paul would use this authority again if he feels it is necessary.
2 Corinthians 13:2-3 (NLT)
2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.
3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.
- Paul wanted to avoid using this authority with the Corinthians at this point in time.
24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice.
- Authoritative domination is not the way of Christ and in the long run, it is counterproductive.
1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT)
Advice for Elders and Young Men
1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
Matthew 20:25-26 (NLT)
25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy,
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
Divisions in the Church
10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
- Work together. Live in harmony with each other. Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
Practical application:
Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.
Lead by your own good example.
for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
And it is impossible to please God without faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Make your faith your own
Mark 9:24 New Living Translation (NLT)
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
Romans 10:17 (NLT)
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
- It is by your own faith (not someone else’s faith) that you stand firm.
2:1 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. 2 For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad?
Romans 14:19 (NLT)
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Certainly not someone I have grieved.
- Aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy.
Paul wanted those who were living in sin to repent before he arrived in Corinth.
Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful.
There were individuals in Corinth living in sin and needed to be forgiven before they could have a right relationship with God (and with Paul).
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
1 John 1:9 (NLT)
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Psalm 97:11 (NLT)
Light shines on the godly,
and joy on those whose hearts are right.
Paul’s joy came from seeing “his children” in a right relationship with God through Christ.
- Real joy comes from seeing those we love come to a right relationship with God.
4 I wrote that letter (calling for repentance) in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
- Paul loved the Corinthians.
