(A) Introduction. (Read the reference)

This is a lengthy exposition - too long for a sermon! However the passage has an essential unity. In it Paul deals with criticism of his methods, his writings and his decisions.

It isn't clear how or when Paul learned of these criticisms. He may have heard some members of the church at Corinth express reservations of his methods and first letter during his second visit. He could only have found out about criticism of his decision not to visit Corinth as promised from either a visitor from the church, a letter or from Titus when he returned to Ephesus from that city. The latter seems most likely as Titus was probably the one who let the Corinthians know about Paul's change of plans.

(B) Criticism of Paul's methods.

(1) The criticism.

It would appear from verse 12 that the Corinthians accused Paul of employing worldly methods. Paul's policy of being all things to all men so that by all possible mean I might save some (1Cor9v22) invited criticism.

I can imagine traditionalists in Corinth considering Paul little better than a cheap huckster - peddling the gospel at any price and at the cost of all principle. Some would be appalled at Paul's inconsistent behaviour - acting one way when among Jews and in a very different manner with his Gentile friends. Paul ran with the fox and hunted with the hounds. See exposition on 1Cor9v19to27.)

Many Christians question the methods used by evangelists. In the 19th century the early Salvation Army workers offended many respectable Christians because they were uneducated, vulgar and 'in your face'. Anglican Bishops were horrified by the Hallelujah lasses with their banjos, concertinas and tambourines singing such songs as:

Elijah was a jolly old man
And was carried up to heaven in a fiery van.

Shout aloud Salvation, boys, we'll have another song
Sing it out with spirit that will move the world along
Sing it as our father's sang it many millions strong
As they went marching to glory.

The fact is God used the singing of the Hallelujah lasses and the testimonies of converted drunks from the East End to save souls. As Paul wrote in his first epistle to the Corinthians: But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1Cor1v27.

When Billy Graham was conducting his great campaigns in Britain there were some strict Protestants who did not support him because he co-operated with Roman Catholics. Billy was just following Paul's example of being all things to all men to save some!

One of the Grace Baptist churches of our association has a young evangelist who arranges the occasional football evening in his home where men meet to drink a few beers and watch a match. He does so to forge links with the unsaved. Some would condemn him for allowing beer to be drunk! However, the evangelist is, unlike many of us, reaching out to the lost.

(2) Paul's response.

It might help if I paraphrase verse 12. Paul wrote something like this: We are proud to say with a clear conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world and especially toward you perfectly properly depending, not on worldly wisdom, but God's grace(help).

(3) Comments.

(a) People's consciences vary. Our conscience informs us if we live up to the standards of which we approve. Paul had very high standards informed as they were by Old Testament values and Christ's teaching. So even though his standards were high Paul could still affirm that his conscience was clear over the methods he used to evangelise and his conduct toward the Corinthians.

It is something if we can review our contribution to our churches with a clear conscience. We can do so if we have served to the best of our ability and used to the full the opportunities we have been given.

(b) The importance of integrity. Paul claimed that he behaved at Corinth with holiness and sincerity that are from God. v12. In some early versions 'simplicity' is used rather than 'holiness'. This would be my preference.

At Corinth Paul behaved with godly simplicity with no intention to deceive anyone. What you saw was what you got. He was like the product Ronseal which is advertised with the slogan: 'Ronseal, it does exactly what it says on the tin.'

Paul also acted with godly sincerity. His motives were pure - perfectly transparent for all to see. He had the best interests of the Corinthians at heart. Paul didn't use the believers there for his own purposes - to acquire wealth, a following, status or adulation. The little apostle wasn't on an ego trip. He preached Christ and him crucified.

Christians should always put the well being of the church they attend before their own. We should be prepared to make way for the talented, encourage the gifted, pull our weight and be conciliatory rather than confrontational. Paul gave good advice when he wrote: be of one mind, live in peace. 2Cor13v11.

(c God's help is better than worldly wisdom. When Paul ministered at Corinth for eighteen months he did not rely on worldly wisdom or his own wisdom. He preached: Christ and him crucified - a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 1Cor2v23.

Paul relied on God's help when he took this message to wicked men and women in Corinth. He needed the Holy Spirit to enlighten, guide and empower if success was to accompany the gospel message. Paul acknowledged this when he wrote: My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1Cor2v4.

This is how everyone in God's service should proceed. If we trust in our strength like Sampson we shall come unstuck as surely as he did. We must rely on God alone for effectiveness in service. I have proved this true. God has helped me on many occasions: to conduct funerals, speak at school assemblies and preside over difficult church meetings. He has never, never, never let me down. We certainly need to rely on God's grace if we ever have speak to fellow Christians about their conduct.

(C) Criticism of Paul's writings.

(1) The criticism.

Paul wrote: For we do not write to you anything you cannot read or understand. From this it seems the Corinthians criticised Paul's letters in two respects:

(a) They were not easy to read and consequently were hard to take in. Plenty of Christians since would agree with the Corinthians. Paul dictated his letters and was inclined to pour out long, involved sentences. He also had a tendency to go off at a tangent.

(b) It was sometimes difficult to discern Paul's meaning. This was Peter's experience. He wrote: His(Paul's) letters contain somethings that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 2Pet3v16.

I expect the Corinthians found Paul's teaching on an apostle's rights in 1Cor9 unsatisfactory. Paul argued that God's servants should be paid but refused to accept payment himself. On the subject of meat sacrificed to idols he told the Corinthians not to eat it if by so doing they would offend the susceptibilites of another but then asserted: For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience. 1Cor10v29. Paul's teaching on a woman's role in the church was also ambiguous and confuses some Christians to this day.

In all probability one of the reasons the church at Corinth criticised Paul for changing his travel plans was because they needed his presence to clarify matters. (See story about microwave.) I should like to question him on what he meant by Romans9!

(2) Paul's retort.

(a) He accused the Corinthians of making excuses. Paul implied that with a bit of effort they should be able to take in what he wrote and by trying hard would eventually fully understand it.

During my career as a teacher I found that if I set a difficult and demanding homework several children would give up without really trying. The excuse was always the same: "I couldn't understand it."

As a boy I used to go to A level Mathematics lessons to help me with my Physics. I was by no means the best mathematician in the class! One Friday our teacher set us for homework some complicated trigonometry questions to solve. I was the only member of the class to achieve any success. I rate it as my finest hour at school. What was the reason for my success? I spent the entire weekend - hour after hour - puzzling out the answers. Some would say I was a very foolish and sad individual to waste so much time over a homework. However, I am proud of my achievement to this day!

Some Christians need spoon feeding. Teaching must be like a breakfast cereal - easy to take in and readily digested. Many internet sermons are like this - little attempt is made to get to the actual meaning of the text. Too often a passage of Scripture is just a convenient peg to hang a few homespun truths on.

It is wrong when we come across a difficult passage in the New Testament not to make a concerted attempt to understand it. For example in Ephesians1v1to14 we have a statement of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in the matter of salvation. Many preachers would point this out and proclaim it a mystery that they are not going to attempt to solve. However, the onus is on the Bible teacher to reconcile the two because failure to do so leaves two groups - Arminians and Calvinists - at one another's throats.

If Paul were alive today he would accuse many Christians of being lazy and tell them to try harder!

(b) He expressed the hope that the Corinthians would come to know him better. And I hope that, as you have understood us in the part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1Cor1v13and14.

Here we have an example of Paul going off at a tangent! The Corinthians should have been proud of Paul. I'm proud of him! I'm proud of him for all he taught, all he achieved and all he was.

It is something if our fellow Christians are proud of us. I am proud of my brother Paul and his wife Ruth for all they achieved in the ministry at the Grace Baptist church in Courland Grove, Clapham. I am proud of my friend Pastor Joseph Hewitt for his undiminished enthusiasm for Christ's service notwithstanding his 80 years of age. I am proud of my other friends, Marion and John Skull, for their unstinting efforts in whatever church they find themselves to further the work of the gospel. I was proud of my fellow elder, Edward Underwood, for his tough love and willingness to do hard things for Christ. I think my own people were proud of me when I cared for my father!

Paul assured the Corinthians that on the Last Great Day he will be proud of them - in spite of their imperfections. They will be his boast - the stars in his crown.

In the strength of the Lord let me labour and pray,
Let me watch as a winner of souls,
That bright stars may be mine in the glorious day
When His praise like the sea-billow rolls.

Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown,
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest,
Will there be any stars in my crown.

(1) Reason for the criticism.

It is evident from 2Cor1v15 to 2Cor2v4 that Paul made a promise to visit the church at Corinth on his way to Macedonia and then on his way back from Macedonia. Instead Paul travelled to Macedonia via Troas. He deliberately postponed visiting them to a later date.

(2) The nature of the criticism.

The Corinthians criticised Paul bitterly for changing his plans and breaking his promise. William Barclay wrote in his commentary: They said that he made frivolous promises with a fickle intention.

An element in Corinth concluded from ONE change of plans that Paul was untrustworthy. His yes was not yes and his no was not no. So Paul's integrity was questioned. He stood accused of indecisiveness, vacillating and unreliability. Perhaps his chief opponents even questioned whether his teaching could be trusted. Did he mean what he said?

It is very easy to condemn a person for one small mistake. I know of an old farmer who was mortally offended because an acquaintance never attended his wife's funeral. Anthony Trollop was deemed unsuitable for a peerage because he spoke in a loud voice. I can remember when I was about 16 contradicting my father when a neighbouring pastor was visiting. My mother said afterwards, "Pastor X disapproved of you, John." He did! I believe he went back to his church and let people know his opinion. 50 years later I have still to preach in that church even though the pastor is long since dead. I made one mistake. I was misjudged because I dearly loved and respected my father. I can recall another occasion when preaching at a church in Dovercourt saying in the course of my sermon that there were worse sins than smoking the odd cigar. At the end of the service the church secretary was like a spluttering fire work. He was choking with wrath. It was the last time I spoke at that church! We all need to exercise a little charity when a person makes a mistake.

(3) Paul's defence.

(a) He assured the Corinthians of his good intention. I planned to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. v15.

(b) He made his plan after careful consideration - not on a whim or to curry favour. When I planned this, did I do it lightly? v17.

(c) He asserted he wasn't the sort of person to make a promise with no intention of keeping it. Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, "Yes, yes" and "No, no"? v17.

I am afraid many do make promises with no intention of keeping them. I have old pupils tell me they will write - even take me out to lunch. I am still waiting to be taken out to lunch! People say that they will visit but they never do. Perhaps after meeting someone by accident and having a chat we will say, "We must do this again sometime", but we don't. Innumerable folk have been invited to a special church service only to reply, "I'll come if I can." You know from that response that they will not come!

(4) Paul explains why he can be relied upon.

Paul gave four reasons why the Corinthians were wrong to question his integrity:

(a) The message he preached was neither uncertain, nor ambiguous nor untrustworthy. He asserted: But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not, "Yes" and "No".

(b) The one he served was trustworthy. He reminded the Corinthians: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No". God fulfilled all his promises in Jesus. For not matter how many promises God has made they are "Yes" in Christ. Jesus is God's great big "Yes". It is in Christ that God confirms his love and commitment to mankind.

Paul emphasised as strongly as he knew how the absolute, rock solid integrity of Jesus and his total trustworthiness by pointing out to the Corinthians that they presented their prayers to God in the name and for the sake of Jesus and ended with a resounding "Yes" for that is what "Amen" means. And so through him(Jesus) the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Our prayers only carry weight insofar as Jesus can be relied upon. He validates our prayers.

(c) God was the guarantor of Paul's integrity. The apostle wrote: Now it is God who makes us and you stand firm in Christ. God did this for Paul and every Christian by:

• Anointing us with his Spirit. At conversion God gives new life to all believers by his Spirit.

• Putting his seal upon us. In the old days a man would attach his wax seal to a document to identify it as coming from or belonging to him. It was like a brand. The gift of the Holy Spirit identifies believers as belonging to God. He puts his royal seal of approval upon us.

• Making a down payment as a guarantee of better things to come. The gift of the Spirit is akin to the deposit paid on a house. It shows intent. In the Christian's case God's intent of giving far more in the future.

These three things bore testimony to Paul's genuineness. They also bear testimony to ours. There are several true tests of a Christian's genuineness and the gift of Holy Spirit is one of them. It is not so much our doctrine that validates us as what God has done for us.

(E) Paul explains his decision.

As far as I can judge Paul paid a visit to Corinth after they received his first epistle. This visit was obviously painful. He wrote: So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2Cor2v1.

Paul wrote his first letter in the hope that the Corinthians would repent and reform. I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. 2Cor2v3.

It cost Paul a lot to write his first letter. He didn't enjoy taking the church to task for errors and malpractices. For I wrote to you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears. 2Cor2v4.

Paul's confidence that the Corinthians would respond positively to his letter was misplaced. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 2Cor2v3. Instead Paul's visit was painful and brought him grief because some of the Corinthians found it difficult to come to terms with everything he wrote. Certain issues remained unresolved and disagreements persisted. So Paul was left with the firm impression that if he made a return visit it would be another painful one.

So Paul decided not to return to Corinth to spare them more grief. I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 2Cor1v23. He also admitted with commendable honesty that he postponed his visit to spare himself more unhappiness. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved. 2Cor2v2.

SOME OBSERVATIONS:

(1) No denial of faith.

Paul does not deny that the Corinthians have faith. He does not question their belief in Jesus notwithstanding all their faults. He wrote: Not that we lord it over your faith ..... because it is by faith you stand firm. v24. Paul does not belittle the Corinthian's faith. he accepts them as true believers.

There is an important lesson here for Christians. There are some who are far too ready to question the faith of those who differ from them. Paul asserted his genuineness but also accepted the Corinthian's genuineness. He wrote: He anointed us Paul would certainly have been in communion with the Corinthians.

One of the worst features of Roman Catholicism that is shared perversely by some exclusive Protestant denominations is a failure to recognise those who do not belong to 'their' church as Christians. Roman Catholics are forbidden to take communion with non-Catholics. Why? It can only be because non-Catholics are not recognised as 'proper' Christians. This is very wrong insofar that Jesus himself made it abundantly clear that anyone who believes in him will recieve eternal life. Salvation is not dependent upon belonging to the Roman Catholic Church or any other church.

(2) Joyful fellowship.

Paul longed to be in joyful fellowship with the Corinthians. He wrote: But we work with you for your joy .... . 1Cor1v24. The Living Bible puts it like this: I want to make you happy not sad.

Paul did not enjoy conflict one little bit. He didn't revel, like some, in being authoritarian. The great apostle took no pleasure in exerting discipline. He wrote to the Corinthians with many tears. 2Cor2v4.

As a schoolteacher I came to hate having to discipline my pupils. I desired us to be happy together - working in harmony with unity of purpose. During my career there were classes of whom this was true. It was an absolute pleasure to teach my last A level set of grammar school girls.

This is the sort of spirit most church leaders long for. No pastor will perform at his best if beset by trouble makers!

(3) The need for discipline.

Parents, teachers and pastors who really love those over whom they exercise authority have to exert discipline. Paul wrote: For I wrote to you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. 2Cor2v24.

Teachers who are soft, who long for popularity, who never punish because it is so negative - do not love their pupils. Parents who never correct their offspring, who let them do as they please - do not love them either. Any Christian leader who loves his flock will graciously correct any who are going astray. (See exposition on God's discipline: Heb12v4o13.)

(4) Was Paul right?

Paul unlike Jesus was not perfect! To read some of the commentators you would think he was! So we need to ask whether Paul was correct to break his word and stop away from Corinth because another visit would be painful for both him and them. It certainly had some bad repercussions - a salutary warning to any Christian contemplating breaking a promise.

Some commentators say Paul was right to give the Corinthians and himself a cooling off period. However, the apostle does not seem to have made this clear to them.

Was Paul right to send Titus as an envoy to Corinth and then a second letter rather than visit the church in person?

The Corinthians considered Paul's letters were more impressive than his ministry in the flesh. See 2Cor10v10. This indicates that Paul was by nature conciliatory and disliked confrontation and conflict.

As a general rule it is better to resolve conflict face to face than resort to letter writing. This was the advice Jesus gave to those who considered a brother had sinned against them. He didn't advise the aggrieved party to write a letter.

A letter is an imperfect instrument because it can be easily misunderstood. No one can tell how you look when you write a letter. The Corinthians never realised Paul wrote his first epistle with many tears.

Paul admitted that he broke his word and changed his plans because he couldn't bear any more unpleasantness. This is understandable but not the best of reasons for not going to Corinth. By making this admission Paul revealed a weakness.

But let me say in conclusion that a letter might be the only way a person of Paul's temperament and disposition can properly communicate their distress. And it was surely in the providence of God that Paul wrote his letters because for 2000 years the church has been in possession of them and they have brought boundless blessing.