| Salutation and Explanation (2 Cor. 1:1-2:13) |
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Paul begins by greeting the Corinthians
with joy and an important section of thanksgiving to God for them. We see
the Pastoral side of Paul here as he is both affirming and encouraging the
Corinthians in their faith. He speaks of the reciprocal nature of God's
comfort and compassion among believers. As we share in the sufferings of
Christ and the gospel, we are moreover encouraged by sharing in the
sufficiency of His comfort, not merely comfort that is adequate for
ourselves, but an abundance that overflows to encourage others as well. He
challenges them to take refuge in this and to press on enduring the
despair through their hope in Christ. Due to his promise in the previous
letter the Corinthians had been expecting him. Therefore at this point, he
offers an explanation of the unforeseen change in his travel plans. Paul
did not want to come to them in grief again over the labors of the
ministry Christ had called him to. Paul uses this to transition to
indicate the importance of forgiving those who have wronged you.
Paul then begins to praise God and offer a
lengthy account of the nature of his ministry. He reminds them that he was
ordained by God, that he has received this commission by the mercy of God,
and that he is committed to integrity in proclaiming the gospel. In
contrast, this ministry is not about him. He is not concerned with his own
pleasure or the applause of men, but rather his ultimate motivation is
pleasing Christ for it is he who suffered as a sacrifice for his sins. He
challenges them to endure hardship as he has and to avoid being bound in
any sort of covenant with unbelievers, for this is a hindrance to their
relationship with God. He finally appeals to them to have open heart
toward he and his faithful partners for he takes great joy and
encouragement in them that has risen above all their troubles.
Paul explains further that this
encouragement comes through the report of Titus that they had received his
first letter well. He takes great joy in the eagerness of their hearts as
displayed in their response to its instruction as they were moved to Godly
sorrow and repentance. He tell them of the confidence that he now has in
them after they had confirmed his image of them as he had boasted to Titus
of their faith. He extends to them his desire to have them found equally
faithful in playing their part in generous giving toward the collection
for the church in Jerusalem, just as the Macedonians gave - beyond their
ability. He informs them that he is sending Titus in preparation for his
coming. They should receive him in love as an example of the unity of the
body to the whole church. This section concludes by instructing themof the
results of their generous hearts. They are not merely meeting the needs of
God's people, but their gifts overflow in praise to God as others rejoice
of their obedience and partnership in the gospel.
This final section is a stern response by
Paul to some of the opposition that had surfaced in the church, not only
to him, but to progress of the gospel. He took great offense in this
opposition and was ready to take it head on. He first wants to establish
the importance of faith obedience by the Corinthians in the midst of these
new 'apostles' who were boasting in themselves and slandering him. They
have exposed themselves as false apostles in their actions as this not the
way of service and allegiance to Christ. While they boast in their own
strength, Paul responds ironically by boasting in his weakness. For it is
through the weak that the power of the gospel operates. He turns to the
Corinthians and their responsibility for taking action. He appeals to them
to reevaluate their position toward these offenders and forewarns them of
the action he will take if necessary upon his visit.
