Sermon notes for 2 Corinthians 1:12 through 2:4
As I’m putting the final touches on the sermon, I realize that I won't be dealing with a primary issue of the passage. That issue is Paul explanation to the Corinthians why he changed his mind about the visit to them, and why this change of mind is not vacillation.
Paul and the Corinthians aren’t getting along at this point. He doesn’t fit their model of what an apostle should be – he doesn’t look like, sound like, or act like their ideal public leadership figure. So they’re misconstruing everything Paul does and says. They say, “Paul didn’t come like he said and he can’t be trusted.” They say, “Paul blows hot and cold and can’t be trusted.” So Paul finds himself in a position of having to explain to the Corinthians why he did not come as promised. So Paul says, "Don't read between the lines. Don't look for any hidden meanings. I simply mean what I say."
So Paul handles this explanation by appealing to his conscience – "I know what I intended and it was to come." He further defends himself by saying he doesn’t act like people in the world but behaves in harmony with his relationship with God. He also tells them that part of the reason for his delay in coming was to give them the opportunity to grow up so that he wouldn’t have to discipline them. He really wanted his visit be one of joy and not one of correction. Paul further explains he was motivated out of love for the Corinthians as he shows the anguish of his heart over their situation.
I find it interesting that Paul, who is our model apostle today, should have to defend himself. From our point of view we do anything to welcome Paul and would take what ever he had to offer with delight. It certainly is a historical role reversal.
