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2 Corinthians 1:1-2:17
By Laura Leathers
What comes to your mind when you hear the name George Washington? What about Moses, Judas, Billy Graham, or a man named Saul? A name is given at birth, passed down through generations, and at the end of life it might be engraved upon a stone. It is natural for people to associate a person’s name with their character. Character represents who you are and what you believe. The Bible reminds us, “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth (Proverbs 22:1a).” When a black mark is checked against a name, the integrity associated with that name begins to erode.
Saul brought persecution to the early church. What a reputation he had! His name brought fear—that is until he met Jesus on the Damascus Road (Acts 9). His life was radically transformed and so was his name—to the Apostle Paul. Now, several years later, we find Paul “in the heat of battle against those attacking his credibility (MacArthur Study Bible).” This meant his ministry and relationship with the Corinthian church were frayed. This second letter to the Corinthians is very personal and hones in on establishing integrity in relationships. This principle is essential to the church’s ministry and it begins with focusing on how to . . .
Where do you turn for comfort in the midst of disappointing relationships, afflictions, and difficult circumstances? Paul knew firsthand what affliction meant—it was his middle name. His ministry and life were always being threatened. Where did he turn? He turned to the “God of all comfort” (vs. 3). Usually when we think of giving comfort to someone we think of providing softness and ease, but here the word comfort means to give courage, strength, and boldness (vv. 4-10).
Throughout these verses listen to Paul’s heart as he shares passionately about the God of all comfort who knows our afflictions so we can help those who are in affliction, the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance and so is our comfort through Christ, and as we are sharers of our sufferings so we are to be sharers of His comfort. This is how we live for others.
We do not know what the circumstances were which Paul faced in Asia, but it was severe. Paul wrote that he didn’t want the Corinthians to be unaware of ‘our affliction’ and ‘we despaired even of life’. “Paul faced something that was beyond human survival and was extremely discouraging because he believed it threatened to end his ministry prematurely. The Greek word for “despaired” literally means “no passage,’ the total absence of an exit (MacArthur Study Bible).” Through this experience he tells his readers “we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead . . . on whom we have set our hope.” Later in this Epistle Paul writes, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’ . . . therefore I am well content with weaknesses . . . for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10, NASB)
This passage ends with “so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” Relationships are strengthened when we understand what others are going through, offer intercessory prayers and then watch and wait to see how God is glorified through the situation.
Do you seek man’s approval or God’s approval? After further discourse about his circumstances, Paul turns the corner from being disheartened to being joyful. He writes, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” His proud confidence was in the grace of God (1:12); he had a joyful perspective and he was grateful for the privilege to be an influence to other others (2:14).
Life is to be lived for God’s approval and for His glory. “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Living a life God approves means being a faithful servant and being an influence for the gospel—“enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21). This is living a life of integrity!
Leathers is a member of First Church, Durant.
