This week is a short study on 2 Corinthians 1:12-22. I also referred to the question from last week which had been left hanging.
Notes are below. The material is made available so that any may use it, adapt it and preach it.
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Sermon 2 Corinthians 1:12-22
Yes & No
Introduction
Last week concluded with a question: Pass this comfort on? How? How do we comfort? What did Paul mean?
From an email sent to me:
The foundation for an adequate response to the rhetorical question you posed this morning is to be found in an appropriate understanding of the root meaning behind the Greek paraklesis which, as you rightly pointed out, literally means ‘to call beside’. The comfort this brings is experienced by way of a combination of encouragement and alleviation of grief. In the context of the question, there are two (possibly more) ways in which this can be achieved:
- in the simple sense of knowing that someone is genuinely concerned (fatherly, pastoral, shepherd);
- by way of personal testimony to God’s grace, having previously endured similar circumstances (sheep to sheep).
Some of my answers:
- See Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
- Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. (Gk = ‘buttress’).
- 1 Cor 14:3 and the definition of prophecy (”But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort”).
- Prayer.
This week:
“Sticks and stones can hurt my bones but words can never hurt me.” Untrue! Though we should take into account the motivation of the speaker and not be too quick to take offence.
See Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
In this opening chapter Paul has been speaking of their prayers and the comfort he has received from them in the previous verses, yet now he hints at how some of them they have also wounded him.
1) A Clear Conscience
And a life that can bear further scrutiny v14.
2) A Clear Yes and a Clear No
He had planned to visit them. He is subject to delays and unavoidable changes of of plan. However that does not mean he is dishonest or cannot be trusted. He defends his honour yet draws a distinction between himself who is imperfect and God who is entirely trustworthy. See verse 23.
We should be merciful with those who disappoint us.
What of our ‘yes’ and ‘no’? The ‘yes’ of covenant and commitment. The ‘no’ of resistance to temptation.
3) A Sufficient Empowering
It is God, verse 21. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us …
It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Seal of ownership. Deposit and guarantee. See Ephesians 1:13,14.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to the praise of his glory.
