2nd Corinthians – Pastoring the Corinthians

February 28, 2009

Though the constitution of the Church cannot change, the Corinthian church is extraordinarily different than the average American parish. An community of converts founded by Paul himself, the factionalism among those Christians in this multicultural trade hub presented the apostle, Timothy, and Titus with a series of daunting pastoral challenges.

The first chapter of Second Corinthians contains many doctrinal nuggets amidst Paul’s response to chaotic situations. One should note contextually that Paul wrote a total of four letters to the Corinthian Church. Additionally, one must bear in mind that Paul traveled north to the Troas in order to determine the outcome of Titus’ mission to Corinth.

Paul’s religious language is not rhetoric, it is the truth expressed through tough love. He explains his reason for the delay in coming to the Corinthian church by way of Macedonia. Seeking to establish his credibility through precise, direct language that is neither flowery nor verbose (at least not for one with a rabbinical education). Although heresy, wild immorality and revolt are almost certainly not the issues Paul addresses here, he is nonetheless a father addressing important issues within his family. He addresses them with a clear conscience, reminding them that he is proud of them and never toiled among them for selfish reasons, perhaps in response to criticisms laid against him.

Paul did not change his mind and postpone his visit to Corinth for any selfish or mixed motives. He knows that the promises of God are absolute and that he who serves Him must have the same integrity. Never one to vacillate on ‘’yes and no,’’ his ‘’yes’’ holds the full weight of an ‘’Amen’’ before God Himself.

Finalizing his argument of his apostolic credibility, he states, ‘’But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me–it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith’’ (v. 21-24).

Music: Gerard Satamian’s Chansons sans paroles op. 2 Berceuse, from the album Dry Fig Trees. www.magnatune.com

  • /
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.

Download MP3 (51:50; 29 MB)

Matthew Lecture 3 – The Most Important Gospel, Part III

February 28, 2023

Matthew Lecture 2 – The Most Important Gospel, Part II

February 21, 2023

Matthew Lecture 1 – The Most Important Gospel, Part I

February 14, 2023

David Lecture 24 – The Accession of Solomon

January 17, 2023

David Lecture 23 – The Last Acts of David

January 3, 2023

David Lecture 22 – The Imprecatory Psalms

December 27, 2022

David Lecture 21 – Sins of the Father

December 20, 2022

David Lecture 20 – Absalom, Part II

December 13, 2022

David Lecture 19 – Absalom, Part I

December 6, 2022

David Lecture 18 – David and Bathsheba, Part II

November 15, 2022

David Lecture 17 – David and Bathsheba, Part I

November 8, 2022

David Lecture 16 – David Victorious

November 1, 2022

David Lecture 15 – The Ark Retrieved

October 25, 2022

David Lecture 14 – David Becomes King, Part II

October 18, 2022

David Lecture 13 – David Becomes King, Part I

October 11, 2022

David Lecture 12 – The Death of Saul

September 27, 2022

David Lecture 11 – David in Exile, Part II

September 20, 2022

David Lecture 10 – David in Exile, Part I

September 13, 2022

David Lecture 9 – David at Court

September 6, 2022

David Lecture 8 – David and Goliath

August 30, 2022

David Lecture 7 – The Anointing of David

August 16, 2022

David Lecture 6 – King Saul

August 9, 2022

David Lecture 5 – When Samuel Became Old

August 2, 2022

David Lecture 4 – The Death of Eli

July 26, 2022

David Lecture 3 – The Birth of Samuel

July 19, 2022

David Lecture 2 – Order out of Chaos, Part II

July 12, 2022

David Lecture 1 – Order out of Chaos, Part I

July 5, 2022

Acts Lecture 54 – The Martyrdom of Paul

May 10, 2022