2 CORINTHIANS: DEFENDING GOD'S SERVANT TO HIS CRITICS

Part XIV: Edifying Disciples Following Their Severe Correction

(2 Corinthians 7:2-16)

I. Introduction

A. 2 Corinthians was written "to defend the authenticity of" Paul's "apostleship and his message" to a church of believers who were susceptible to heeding false teachers who critiqued him, Bible Know. Com., N. T., p. 552.

B. Due to the severe wrong being done toward the truth he taught, Paul had had to practice a severe corrective on his readers, requiring that he follow up that corrective with edifying encouragement lest he discourage them.

C. 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 records his expression of loving acceptance, and we view it for insight and edification:

II. Edifying Disciples Following Their Severe Correction, 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 NIV.

A. The history behind 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 is full of stresses and strains in Paul's relationship with his Corinthian readers all caused by his directive that they exercise holy disciplinary measures, what they finally did:

1. Due to special problems of sin in Corinth, Paul had written a sharp letter to them in the early stages of his ministry there, a letter that has since been lost, and the Corinthian readers had "misunderstood" it, Ibid.

2. Having learned of this misunderstanding along with other problems in the Church, Paul had written First Corinthians, what was actually his second letter to them, seeking to address their various problems, Ibid.

3. However, the problems in Corinth had still not been resolved (Ibid.), so Paul had visited the Church again, the "painful visit" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:1 "apparently because of the action of the man mentioned in 2:5 and 7:12 and the failure of the Corinthians to support Paul" in handling this sinner, Ibid.

4. After this painful visit and Paul had returned to Ephesus, he had sent a third letter which has been lost like the first letter, a letter that grieved Paul deeply to send it due to its "stark disciplinary nature (7:8-9)," Ibid.

5. Paul had then gone to Macedonia seeking Titus who reported the "good news about the general well-being of the Corinthian church but bad news about a group opposed to Paul," Ibid.

6. Paul had then written his fourth letter, the book of Second Corinthians, from Macedonia, Ibid.

B. Thus, Paul needed to edify his readers lest he discourage them due to the great strain that had occurred in their rocky relationship past, and Paul expressed it in 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 (as follows):

1. Paul first asked his Corinthian readers to make room for him and his ministry team in their hearts, for he and his team had wronged no one, they had corrupted no one nor had they exploited anyone, 2 Cor. 7:2.

2. The apostle was aware that his readers who had already suffered pain from his past several disciplinary directives might take these words about his not having wronged them as a critique, so he assured that he was not condemning them with such words, 2 Corinthians 7:3. To the contrary, he had great confidence in them, he was greatly encouraged by them and he experienced great joy over them regardless of the difficulties that had made their relationship up to them a rocky one, 2 Corinthians 7:4.

3. He explained why he had such unusual joy in spite of their past challenges in relationship by noting that he and his team had been restless upon arriving in Macedonia due to their ignorance of how the Corinthians fared, but that God had comforted them by Titus' arrival and report of the Corinthians' welfare, 2 Cor. 7:5-6. Also, Titus' report that he had been comforted by the Corinthians' expression to him of their longing for Paul, their deep sorrow over their sin and their ardent concern for Paul greatly overjoyed Paul, 2 Cor. 7:7.

4. Paul stated that even though his severe disciplinary third letter had caused his readers sorrow, though he temporarily regretted having had to write it, he rejoiced that their sorrow had led to their repentance in contrast to how ungodly sorrow leads to death, 2 Cor. 7:8-10. The edifying result of Paul's disciplinary letter coupled with its renewal of his readers' relationship with him had worked to expose the devotion of Paul's readers to him, what proved to be very encouraging to Paul's ministry team, 2 Cor. 7:11-13a.

5. Paul added that besides his being encouraged, his ministry team was happy that Titus was so encouraged, so refreshed in spirit by Paul's readers, what also enhanced Titus' affection for them, 2 Cor. 7:13b-15.

6. The apostle summed that he was happy he could have confidence in the vitality of his readers, 2 Cor. 7:16.

Lesson: Paul expressed loving acceptance to his readers when they heeded his discipline, and he encouraged them by noting God's work to make them spiritually vibrant following their repentance as seen in their devotion to Paul.

Application: After exercising painful but productive discipline on subordinates, overseers must express love, acceptance and recognition of God's work in them to make them spiritually healthy so as to edify them. Thus, overseers must be OBJECTIVE in administering painful discipline to keep loving and edifying those who repent!