(Chap. 1:12-24)
Paul continues to explain his movements in service and to address (indirectly) the allegations that were levelled at him. In doing so, he brings forward another characteristic that should mark a true minister of Christ—consistency.
His detractors were saying that he was an insincere and undependable person. The example they pointed to was that he had said that he was going to come to them before winter, but he didn’t come (1 Cor. 16:4-6). Wanting to find fault with him, they saw it as a broken promise. They accused him of vacillation and duplicity—of saying one thing, but doing another. They said that he was a man who didn’t keep his word, and insinuated that he couldn’t be trusted. Apparently, they had forgotten that he had qualified his intentions of coming by saying, “If the Lord permit” (1 Cor. 16:7). In any case, in verses 12-24, Paul explains the reason for his change of plans. At the same time, he takes the opportunity to show another great feature that should mark a minister of Christ—he must be consistent in all his dealings in life.
Vs. 12—It is hard to believe that the Apostle could be accused of being wishy-washy. These charges cast doubt on his honesty and integrity. To remove these misgivings and suspicions that the Corinthians had, Paul begins with a positive and emphatic affirmation of his sincerity, saying, “Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” Paul’s “conscience” bore witness to the fact that his conduct had been characterized by absolute sincerity. His whole life was that of “simplicity.” This is an old English word that means single-minded. He was not a double-minded person; he was a man of integrity and “godly sincerity.” His purpose to come to them was not a “fleshly” thing that would change from one day to another; it was what he had purposed “by the grace of God.” This was his normal conduct with men “in the world” and toward Christians.
Vss. 13-14—He said, “We do not write other things to you but what ye well know and recognize [acknowledge].” He didn’t have a hidden meaning to his words when he wrote in regard to his intentions to come to them. The meaning of his words were plain and obvious—he said what he meant, and had no thought of doing anything other than what he intended to do.
He was thankful that they acknowledged the contents of his first epistle, and trusted that they would continue to do so, as long as they lived (“even to the end”). But he adds sorrowfully, “Ye have acknowledged us in part.” It was only “in part” because there was a faction among the Corinthians who didn’t appreciate Paul and his fellow-workers. By saying this, he let them know that he was aware that there were certain ones among them who were against him.
Vss. 15-16—With this kind of purity of purpose, Paul was “minded to come” to them. In fact, so transparent were his motives that he had no qualms telling them that he had really intended to come twice, so that they would have “a second benefit.” He wanted to come to them on his way north to Macedonia, and then to visit them again in returning from Macedonia on his “way toward Judea.”
Vss. 17-18—He asks them, “When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?” This could be answered with a resounding, “No!” (“Lightness” is an old English word that amounts to being flippant.) He insists that his plans were not yes, yes, and then on a whim he’d change them to no, no.
Paul used their criticism as an opportunity to show that the servant of the Lord must be as good as his word in all of his dealings. His dealings with people must be consistent with the character of God Himself. He insists that such was the case with him, saying, “As God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.” See also James 5:12.
Vss. 19-20—In keeping with this, the gospel that he, “Silvanus,” and “Timotheus” carried among the Corinthians at the first was “not yea and nay, but in Him was yea.” Everything that God promises in the gospel He delivers in Christ. Moreover, “all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” Not only was the “yea” found in Christ, but the “Amen” also. The Lord not only assents to the will of God as expressed in the promises of God in the gospel, He carries them out to completion. Furthermore, He secures a people through grace who become His servants for the carrying out of the will of God. This is indicated in the two words “by us” at the end of verse 20.
Vss. 21-22—Everything that God does is concrete and dependable. He establishes souls in Christ by the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God who confirms that divine work in us. The effect of this work gives us absolute certainty of all that God has promised. He speaks of three things in particular: “Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” These are three different operations of the Spirit in us when we are saved. They enable us to live intelligently, with a sense of security, and happily in the Lord:
The anointing of the Spirit is for power and discernment (1 John 2:18-21, 24-27).
The sealing of the Spirit is for our assurance (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).
The earnest of the Spirit is for our present enjoyment of what is coming in the future (Eph. 1:14).
Paul mentions this to show that since everything God says and does can be counted on forever, His ministers must display that same character of unchangeableness and dependability in all their dealings with men, so that they properly represent God.
Vs. 23—If the integrity of Paul’s dealings was sterling in character, then why didn’t he come to them as planned? Paul now answers this. To show the absolute sincerity of the explanation he was about to give, he calls God to witness, saying, “Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul.” This showed that his conscience was clear before God, and that he was telling the truth. He proceeds, saying, “To spare you I came not as yet to Corinth.” Had he come when he intended, he would have had to inflict severe discipline on them because of the many evils and disorders which were in that assembly! He wanted to “spare” them the judgment that certainly would have come upon them, so he delayed his coming to give them time to repent and set things in order. So, it was not that he was careless; it was quite the opposite—it was because he cared for them! It was wholly out of consideration for them as an assembly that he didn’t come! Their charge of fickleness, therefore, was simply unfounded. Learning this must have humbled the Corinthians further.
Vs. 24—Having to step in and exercise his apostolic authority in Corinth (if things had not been set in order) might have been construed that he was looking to have mastery over them, and control their faith. Therefore, he adds, “Not for that we have dominion [rule] over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” This, he hoped, would allay their suspicions of him wanting to dominate their consciences. He had no thought of lording over their faith; he only wanted to increase their happiness and to be a “helper” of their “joy.” He did not want to override their consciences in this matter, but rather to have them act for the glory of God in setting things right. Since no one has apostolic authority today, when there are disorders in an assembly, all that a servant of the Lord can do is to instruct, encourage, and guide the saints in local matters that may be troubling them, and leave their consciences to act before the Lord.
Since we are all in the ministry in one way or another, this principle of consistency applies to all of us. Let us, therefore, take care to be consistent in all our dealings in life; it will give weight to our ministry.