IBS Application for 2 Cor. 1:12

“For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely toward you.”

This passage was a a bit difficult for me to discern. It’s not easy to figure out how it connects to the first section, in which Paul discusses the terrible struggles that he and some other disciples experienced while they were ministering in Asia, and how God provided them the comfort they needed to get through it.

Then, Paul goes on to say what he says here in this selected passage: That he has only ever acted genuinely towards the Corinthians with gospel-driven love for them. He also clarifies to them that none of the wisdom he used to preach the Gospel to them was that of the world, but wisdom that came from the grace of God. He presented it simply and sincerely to them. He added nothing to the message, nor did he take away from it.

He brings all of this up because the Corinthians were expecting him to visit them for the sake of not only providing further clarity concerning certain doctrinal disputes they had been getting wrong, but also because he wanted to partake in more fellowship with them. He loved them dearly and wanted to see them grow in their walks with Christ. But unfortunately, he wasn’t able to come when he said he would.

According to Paul, this was because such a visit would have warranted a major rebuke on Paul’s part to the church there. So instead, he wrote them a letter to rebuke them so that they wouldn’t be caught up wondering about whether or not Paul actually cared about them or not. He wanted to be able to visit them in fellowship, not in harsh exhortation.

It is suggested later on in the letter that there was at least one dissenter amongst the church that suggested that Paul wouldn’t come back out of disgust or something like that. He calls for them to forgive such people, and doesn’t name names out of integrity. So, in order to reestablish his apostolic authority and assure them that he only desires the best for them, he reassured them by saying what he says in this passage.

What stands out to me in this passage is that Paul is basically saying that he and Timothy didn’t rely on underhanded manipulation to convince them of the Truth. They just presented it to them in simplicity. This was enough to change their hearts, repent, and be saved by Christ. I think that so often we try to change the message of the Gospel in some way so that it will be easier to convert nonbelievers. I know that I at the very least have a tendency to want to do this. But I think that it’s not demonstrating faith in the power of God’s Word. There is no wisdom in trying to manufacture some artificial means of getting the message down their throats. Even if the core of the message is unchanged, I believe that if we try to put our own spin on how it’s delivered to the hearts of those who do not know Christ, we’ve made a grave mistake.

The wisdom of men is foolishness compared to the wisdom of God. The crazy, yet amazing thing is that the Spirit can give us the words to say when we minister to the people around us. This isn’t to say that we shouldn’t think something through before opening our mouths, but some of us, myself included, rely too heavily upon our ability to analyze what we ought to say or do. In my case, I consider the potentially negative consequences of what I say too much, and it hinders me from effectively ministering to those around me.

But reading this passage, I’m reminded of the statement Pastor Mike made to us the first day of class here regarding how we sometimes approach God when it comes to doing ministry for Him. We say, “Show me what to do, Lord, and I’ll do it.” But He often says to us, “No. Do it and I’ll show you.” He wants us to step out in faith, feeling rather than getting caught up in thinking too much. I certainly think too much. I don’t do what I know in my heart is right because my head is telling me to stop.

For my application, I will put in an effort to let go of my need to think through a situation if it is hindering me from doing what I know is right, letting God work and speak through me in those moments, which I know will come. I will pray for wisdom in these times as well, because if I tackle a situation based solely on my sinful human feelings, I will fail to do what is pleasing to God.