There are many pieces that have to be put together when you read 2 Corinthians. Apparently the chronology is something like this:
- Paul spends 18 months in Corinth and establishes a church there around AD 50 (Acts 18).
- The church has problems, specifically with immorality, and Paul writes a brief letter to them regarding keeping company with sexually immoral people (see 1 Cor. 5:9).
- More problems develop in the church and Paul writes 1 Corinthians to address them (~AD 55).
- Paul plans to visit Corinth twice after writing 1 Corinthians but on his first visit things do not go well. Paul is challenged by a particular contingent in the church and the visit ends up being a painful one (see 2 Cor 1:23-2:1). Thus Paul decides not to return again…which his critics pounce upon as further evidence that Paul is wishy-washy.
- Instead of returning to Corinth, Paul writes a very strong letter to the church delivered by Titus (see 2 Cor. 2:3-4, 7:6-12).
- Paul eagerly awaits the return of Titus with a report on how things were received. Titus returns with good news and Paul is relieved. This is the occasion for writing 2 Corinthians (~AD 57).
Hopefully that helps you understand the basic history behind Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1-2.
Here are the verses that struck me this morning:
1So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4For I wrote 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. (2:1-4)
Paul is emotional. He is not a Stoic who takes everything in stride. He is not a rock. His rejection at Corinth brings pain. The fact that his words grieved the Corinthians grieves him. He feels their distress. And he confronts them only with “anguish of heart and with many tears.”
This is a far different man than the one who stood by and watched Stephen get stoned to death. The former Pharisee and persecutor has become a tender-hearted, emotional apostle.
Sometimes I think that the more I mature in Christ, the less emotional I should become. I should take things in stride. Be less impacted by others. Be a little thicker skinned. Cry less. Feel less. Let my mind control my emotions.
I am not so sure that is the picture of spiritual maturity.
Paul becomes more emotional not less. He feels pain more deeply. Relationships impact him more. His eyes shed more tears.
It is not surprising. Jesus is described by Isaiah as a “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3). And the Gospels portray Jesus as a man who was moved with compassion when He saw people’s weaknesses, wept at the impact of death, and cried at the hardness of men’s hearts.
A healthy heart cries. A hardened one doesn’t.
I will never forget hearing my Dad give his testimony at a men’s breakfast several years ago. He broke down into tears. It was the first time I saw my Dad cry. The man who was so self-assured, so strong, so distant to me as a kid stood there in front of a gathering of men and cried. He never appeared so strong in my entire life. His vulnerability before others showed me his strength. It also showed me that the work of the Spirit was alive and well in his heart.
I pray that the same thing is true of me.