Sunday School August 6th, 2006 2nd Corinthians 2(5-11)7(2-15)
Second
Epistle to the Corinthians (Smith’s Bible Dicitonary)
was written a few months
subsequent to the first, in the same year --about the autumn of A.D. 57 or 58
--at Macedonia. The epistle was occasioned by the information which the
apostle had received form Titus, and also, as it would certainly seem
probable, from Timothy, of the reception of the first epistle. This
information, as it would seem from our present epistle, was mainly favorable;
the better part of the church were returning to their spiritual allegiance to
the founder, (2 Corinthians
1:13,14;
7:9,15,16) but there was still a faction who
strenuously denied Paul’s claim to apostleship. The contents of this epistle
comprise, (1) the apostle’s account of the character of his spiritual labors,
chs. 1-7; (2) directions about
the collections, chs. 8,9;
(3) defence of his own
apostolical character, chs. 10-13:10.
The words in (1 Corinthians
5:9) seem to point to further epistles to the church
by Paul, but we have no positive evidence of any.
2nd Corinthians 2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
Disgraceful conduct
The occasion Paul is speaking about is given to us in 1st Corinthians. Here it is: 1st Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” I’m amazed at how sometimes people who call themselves Christians can commit the worst sins. They are not Christians, but are hypocrites of the worst kind. This man had sexual relations with his father’s wife. It is disgraceful conduct and the worst part about it was that the church had not done anything about it. Paul instructs them to ex-communicate this fellow and “turn him over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.” Don’t misunderstand this. This does not mean that Paul is condemning this man to hell. What he is asking the church to do is to pray that God allow Satan to bring problems upon him in order that he might see his conduct is wrong and repent. That is what is means by the phrase “that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” God can used Satan to accomplish His desires. He can use tribulation to get the attention of disobedient Christians. The language is a little tough for us to understand, but what is meant by “he hath grieved me but in part” is that this fellow didn’t just hurt Paul, but he hurt the entire church. When people claim to be Christians and live worse than sinners, they bring disgrace on the church they attend and for that matter on Christ Himself!
2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
Forgiveness
This man’s punishment was ex-communication from the church. Evidently he repented because Paul is advising them to now forgive this fellow and comfort him. We must not hold a grudge. If a person falls into sin it is our job to restore that man. His soul is important also. We don’t want to see a person “swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” This means driven to the point of suicide or turning permanently from God. We want to make him aware the sin is not condoned, but then show love and forgiveness when repentance occurs. When we act that way, we demonstrate the heart of God. That is how He treats me. He never makes light of my sin, but He is always ready to forgive and show mercy. Let us seek the mind of Christ. Paul wants to “know the proof” of them which means he wants to see them demonstrate their Christianity with forgiveness. A heart that refuses to forgive is lacking in godliness. We are commanded to love and forgive. We must be obedient in this matter.
“Inflicted of many”
It is very important that we realize this ex-communication was not done by a bishop, the pope, or the board of elders. It was done by the “many.” The word literally means the majority. This is the proper way for church discipline to be handled. When a man is overtaken in a sin it the obligation of “ye which are spiritual” to attempt to restore that man to Christ. If that fails, he is to be brought before the church and dealt with by the entire body of the church. That prevents anger and charges of partiality. The entire body is charged with maintaining the purity of the church. Please remember the phrase given by Paul in 1st Corinthians 5(7): “purge out the old leaven.”
2:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Unity
There are no differences between Paul and this church at Corinth. They forgave this man; Paul forgave him also. They are on the same page. Please do not read too much into the phrase “forgave I it in the person of Christ.” Paul is not claiming any authority like that of a Pope or any other such thing. He is not claiming to have Christ like authority or to being the so-called Vicar (in place of) Christ. The word translated person literally means face. The phrase means “in His name or by His presence.” Paul is sincerely forgiving him and doing it in the name of Christ. The man did not sin against Paul, but against Christ. Paul was an Apostle and held a special calling in the hierarchy of the church, but he does not claim the authority to direct others without question. There is no claim of infallibility.
7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
Welcoming a minister of Christ
Paul asked them to “receive” him. The word means to makes space to hold onto something. Paul is requesting them to welcome him into their hearts and homes. I know some will claim I am saying this for my benefit, but it is good for a Christian to be a blessing to a minister of Christ. They have a tough job. Whatever you can do to make them feel needed and uselful is certainly welcome. There is a reward for aiding them in their cause also. Consider this verse: Matthew 10:40”He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” When you are good to a minister of Christ, Jesus regards it as being good to Him. He takes it personally. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. I’m not talking about a million dollars or a new car. Consider this verse: Matthew 10:42 “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Just a cup of cold water will guarantee a good reward. The modern church has kind of walked away from this type of living, but I think it would be a good “old path” to return to. Be good to the prophets of God!
7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
To live and die with the saints
Paul values his fellow believers in Christ. He “lives and dies with them.” Their prosperity and happiness are his concern. He endures the hardships of this life to preach the gospel to them. He prays for their sicknesses and wins their children to God. He teaches them the principles of Christ. Because God loves Paul; Paul loves God’s people. It is the same for us. We love each other because God first loved us. He places that love down into our hearts. Love is of God. God is love.
7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
Proud of them
Paul was proud of this church. He was comforted by their faith despite the great tribulations that both he and they faced. We are always comforted when we think of the faithful in our midst. It gives us courage to go on. It helps us endure hard times.
7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Troubled
Sometimes we think the Apostles never walked in fear. We imagine them as giants who were beyond temptation and doubt; that opinion is not based in reality. Paul admits to being troubled on every side. He fought the forces of evil from without and the fear which came from within. He was comforted and strengthened when Titus came and informed him that the Corinthians still loved him. They evidently prayed for Paul and kept him in their thoughts. I have asked people to keep me in prayer. How excited and satisfied I am when someone tells me they have been lifting my name before God. It is a token of their love.
7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.7:12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
Godly sorrow
It broke Paul’s heart to have to write a critical letter to them, but now he was able to rejoice because the letter caused Godly sorrow. Consider the wonderful words of verse 10: Godly sorrow worketh repentance. It is Godly sorrow that the preacher brings when he delivers a message which breaks the heart of a sinner. He is not trying to offend or hurt the sinner’s feelings. He is trying to break up that stony heart and cause the person to desire to change his ways. Worldly sorrow causes someone to get drunk, kill themselves, or wallow in despair. Godly sorrow causes repentance.
7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 7:15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
Paul boasts to Titus
Paul had boasted to Titus about the folks at the Corinthian church and now Titus had seen their good hospitality for himself. They had made Titus welcome and listened to his messages. Paul is bragging on them as if they were his children. It is a close relationship between a Pastor, or someone who has served as an evangelist and planted a church, and the folks he has won to the Lord. The special bond between them is a loving, caring bond. Paul would never forget their acceptance of him.
New Living Translation (recommended as a commentary only)
2nd Corinthians 2(5-11)
5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt your entire church more than he hurt me. 6 He was punished enough when most of you were united in your judgment against him. 7 Now it is time to forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover. 8 Now show him that you still love him. 9 I wrote to you as I did to find out how far you would go in obeying me. 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive him (for whatever is to be forgiven), I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes.
2nd Corinthians 7(2-15)
2 Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone. We have not led anyone astray. We have not taken advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts forever. We live or die together with you. 4 I have the highest confidence in you, and my pride in you is great. You have greatly encouraged me; you have made me happy despite all our troubles. 5 When we arrived in Macedonia there was no rest for us. Outside there was conflict from every direction, and inside there was fear. 6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told me how much you were looking forward to my visit, and how sorry you were about what had happened, and how loyal your love is for me, I was filled with joy! 8 I am no longer sorry that I sent that letter to you, though I was sorry for a time, for I know that it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to have remorse and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death. 11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish the wrongdoer. You showed that you have done everything you could to make things right. 12 My purpose was not to write about who did the wrong or who was wronged. I wrote to you so that in the sight of God you could show how much you really do care for us. 13 We have been encouraged by this. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was at the way you welcomed him and set his mind at ease. 14 I had told him how proud I was of you—and you didn’t disappoint me. I have always told you the truth, and now my boasting to Titus has also proved true! 15 Now he cares for you more than ever when he remembers the way you listened to him and welcomed him with such respect and deep concern.
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PASTOR RICK BARCUS
