2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4 Lesson 341

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Lesson 341

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Is Paul fickle?
Paul changes his plans and is attacked by critics.
Sparing the Corinthians (1:23-24).

Paul

By Belgian artist Joseph Barthelemy Viellevoye (1788-1855).

Who was -
Silvanus -
He was also called Silas. Silvanus was a Jewish convert to Christianity. He was a Roman citizen (Acts 16:21; 16:37) who became a "faithful" believer (1 Peter 5:12), prophet (Acts 15:32), leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:22), and missionary (2 Corinthians 1:19). Silvanus replaced Barnabas on Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 15:37-40), and helped Paul establish the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4). Silvanus also helped Peter write "1 Thessalonians" (1:1), "2 Thessalonians" (1:1), and he delivered "The First Epistle General of Peter" (1 Peter 5:12). While in Philippi, Silvanus and Paul were stripped, beaten, chained, and imprisoned for their Christian faith (Acts 16:19-24). There are Bible scholars who believe that Silvanus became the bishop of Corinth. However, this cannot be proven.

Study Tip:

Whenever you encounter a difficult passage, scroll back and forth
between the "King James Version" and the "New Living Translation" below.

The Second Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Be full of joy

12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

13 For we write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

Acts 2:1-4

1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

Margin notes:

"In simplicity." (1:12) - Means "in holiness."

"Not with fleshly wisdom." (1:12) - "Not with worldly (secular) wisdom."

"We have had our conversation in the world." (1:12) - "We conducted ourselves in the world (with holiness)." Paul devoted his life to God (Acts 23:1; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 1:3; Hebrews 13:18).

"More abundantly to you-ward." (1:12) - "More so towards you."

"We write none other things unto you, that what ye read or acknowledge." (1:13) - "We write nothing to you that you can't read and understand."

"Ye have acknowledged us in part." (1:14) - "You have accepted part of our preaching."

The day of the Lord Jesus." (1:14) - Refers to the day Jesus returns to claim His church, the Second Coming.

"I was minded to come unto you." (1:15) - "I had planned to come visit you (1 Corinthians 16:5-7)."

"That ye might have a second benefit." (1:15) - Paul planned to visit (benefit) Corinth twice, once on his way to Macedonia and again on the return trip (1 Corinthians 16:5). But his plans were revised (Acts 19:22) and Paul's opponents used the change to criticize him (1 Corinthians 4:18-21).

"Macedonia." (1:16) -A Roman province in modern-day northern Greece on the Aegean Sea north of Achaia. It became part of the Roman empire in 168 BC.  This important province included the cities of Amphipolis, Apollonia, Neapolis, Thessalonica, Berea, Illyricum, Epirus, Philippi, and Ephesus. Mount Olympus is also in Macedonia. Paul visited Macedonia twice, once during his second missionary journey and again in Acts 20:1-6. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians while in Macedonia near the end of his three-year stay in Ephesus.

"Brought on my way." (1:16) - "Helped on my way."

"Did I use lightness... nay." (1:17) - Means, do I take you lightly? Am I fickle? Do I say no when I mean yes, and yes when I mean no? Paul changed his plans to visit Corinth and then had to defend himself from his critics.

"All the promises of God in him are yea." (1:20) - All God's promises in the Old Testament about the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus, proving that He is the anointed one the world has been waiting for.

"Amen." (1:20) - To say "amen" is to agree with what was just said.

"Hath anointed us." (1:21) - "Has consecrated us."

"He which stablisheth us." (1:21) - "He who strengthens us."

"The earnest." (1:22) - "The deposit, down payment." See "Today's Question" number two below.

"I call God for a record." (1:23) - "I call God as a witness."

"To spare you I came not." (1:23) - Paul delayed his visit to Corinth to spare his critics a rebuke.

"Not for that we have dominion over your faith." (1:24) - "We don't control (dominate) your faith." Paul and the other apostles were not "lords" over believers. Instead, like Jesus, they aspired to be servants and good role models (1 Peter 5:3).

"By faith ye stand." (1:24) - See Romans 11:20.

"I would not come again to you in heaviness." (2:1) - Paul is referring to the tension between him and his critics in Corinth.  His last visit was painful. Returning to Corinth to soon might have been counterproductive.

"If I make you sorry." (2:2) - "If I make you sad."

"I wrote this same unto you." (2:3) - Paul wrote a third letter to Corinth sometime between the first and second letters to the Corinthians.  This lost correspondence is referred to as the "tearful letter" because it rebuked the church in Corinth. Paul also refers to this letter in verses 7:8-9.

"I wrote unto you with many tears." (2:4) - Another reference to the third letter Paul wrote to Corinth.

New Living Translation

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Paul's Change of Plans

12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.

13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can't understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us,

14 even if you don't understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.

15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice-

16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say "Yes" when they really mean "No"?

18 As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between "Yes" and "No."

19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between "Yes" and "No." He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God's ultimate "Yes," he always does what he says.

20 For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for his glory.

21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,

22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn't return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke.

24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

1 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.

2 For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.

3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won't be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful.

4 I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn't want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's questions:

1. What were Paul's original travel plans? (1:15-16)

2. What does "who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts" mean? (1:22)

Study the word of God daily; the Bible has much to teach us.

Answers: (Do you agree?)

1. Paul's original travel plans were to visit Corinth on his way to Macedonia and again on his way from Macedonia.

2. This short verse is packed with important information. Who placed a seal on us and filled our hearts with His holy spirit? It is God!  Just as a deposit (earnest money) put down on a major purchase shows the buyer's good faith and their commitment to return and take full ownership, God has infused the hearts of Christians with His holy spirit to give a glimpse of what is to come and as a guarantee that we shall inherit it. It is a binding deposit that assures believers they will receive everything our heavenly Father promised come the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).



Application thought for the day:

This lesson teaches joy, love, and the will of God.
What have you learned from this passage that can be applied to your life?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2022 evolke

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