Tag: Book of 2 Corinthians

Hendricksen said, “For this particular person, the punishment inflicted on him by most of you is enough.” The church had to deal with a sinner who had committed an offense that affected the entire congregation and hampered its work. We assume that the church applied the rules for discipline that Jesus prescribed (Matt. 18:15–17).”¹

William MacDonald observed, “The event that made his visit painful (v. 1) and prompted the severe letter seems to have centered around the action of a certain man at Corinth. Whether he was a member of the Corinthian church or someone visiting them is not clear. Paul did, however, regard him as a Christian. What this individual did to cause grief is uncertain.”

The Apostle Paul agonised and with many tears as he penned the words of this necessary epistle to direct the church in Corinth to the godly path. He speaks of the anguish of his heart as he sought to express his thoughts because the gospel’s progress was at stake – Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The Apostle Paul sought to encourage and seek a right way for the church in Corinth by his writing. It is his prayer and desire that the faith of God’s people remains steadfast. His desire is that they experience spiritual progress and victory in the trials and temptations that came their way. It is his joy to see the church thrive spiritually. He says, “my joy is the joy of you all.”

The Apostle Paul is said to “spare” the church of Corinth of the disciplinary actions that he would otherwise have to take against them had his trip not been delayed. He knew that when his planned trip to Corinth did not come to pass, it has caused some distruption as they were expecting him.

He further said insightfully, “People do not know that we are Christians by some badge we wear, but only by the evidences of a Spirit-filled life. God has also given them the Spirit in their hearts as a guarantee or downpayment in pledge that the entire inheritance will follow. When God saves a man, He gives him the indwelling Holy Spirit. Just as surely as a man receives the Spirit, so surely will he enter into the full inheritance of God. The same kind of blessings which the Holy Spirit makes real in our lives today will be ours in full measure in a day yet future.”

Truly, we praise God for His guidance in directing mission work. And the converted souls were painstakingly nurtured in the Word of God that their faith may be established. Looking back, it was God who enabled and blessed that the work was established.

The Apostle Paul proved the veracity of God’s promises when he by faith obeyed the will of his Master Jesus Christ to fulfil the Great Commission. It resulted in the salvation of many souls and the establishment of local churches in these places. Corinth was one such city.

Acts 18:9-10 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

The Apostle Paul’s ministry of the word in Corinth was effectual. Souls were saved. And the clear preaching of the truth that salvation comes by Jesus Christ, the Son of God was plainly and clearly expounded. This is the good news that brought hope and joy and peace to the people in Corinth. It was an undeniable miracle that souls were converted and lives were transformed.

Indeed, the infant church was established, nurtured by the hands of God’s servant for a prolonged period of time. The gospel work continues in the other local churches established in the other cities of Macedonia like Philippi. There was also the church of Ephesus in which the Apostle Paul spent prolonged periods of spiritual nurturing. But the plan to visit Corinth did not come to pass when the Lord led him otherwise.