2 Corinthians 2 Commentary
News of sin in the church should cause “great distress and anguish of heart”. There should be “many tears”. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was written from this position. We fully understand it. We also appreciate the effect the letter had on the church.
The letter served its purpose. Confrontation is never an easy route. But when the glory of the LORD is at stake, Paul won’t be stopped. We know him as a man with a deep love for the LORD. He also loved God’s people. The energy to confront a brother or a sister comes from your love for them.
The purpose is to glorify the LORD in every situation. Paul is aware of this and doesn’t want the confrontation to be an end by itself. The devil will have won the battle – God forbid it! Let the erring brother be forgiven and let there be restoration.
Church discipline results in punishment. Punishment should eventually lead to restoration. That is the goal! But mortals are happy with punishment. They make it an ‘end’ rather than the ‘means’ to an ‘end’. That’s how the devil outwits the church!
Verses 12 and 13 are interesting. At Troas, there is an open door for ministry. But Paul’s lack of peace of mind changes everything. He bolts! How do we connect the two? Can the LORD provide the two elements at the same time? An open door for ministry and a lack of peace of mind?
Some would argue, an open door came from the LORD and a lack of peace of mind came from Paul. Does the LORD allow us to conduct His business with our accessories such as emotions? Can the following scripture help us answer these questions: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37 verse 23. Ponder.
Verse 14 may give us a lead. Regardless, God leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession. God wins, always. Let not this statement sound tyrannical. Consider another important fact: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”
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