December 11, 2005

GREAT BOLDNESS OF SPEECH

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

 

   "Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I do not speak to condemn; for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die and live together. Great is my boldness of speech to you, great is my boasting of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Cor. 7:2-4). Paul's relationship with the Corinthians had suffered great misrepresentations. He had done nothing worthy of anything but praise. How could they fail to see the total dedication and self-sacrifice in his life and service toward them. Paul had the love of Christ in his heart just as he had the love of saints at Corinth. He had great boldness, great boasting, great comfort, and great joy: All this was while enduring great persecutions!

   While anxiously waiting to meet Titus, Paul left Troas and came into Macedonia , he had no rest whatever. On every side were troubles. Outwardly were fightings. Inwardly were fears. In all this distress God, who comforts those who are sinking under the load, finally comforted Paul by the coming of Titus; and not only his coming, but by the comfort which Titus was comforted by the Corinthian saints. He told Paul of their earnest desire, their mourning, their fervent mind toward him, so that Paul rejoiced all the more!

   Had Paul caused them grief by a letter sent to Corinth? At first he regretted sending it, but not after hearing Titus tell of the godly result, repentance the church. He perceived it had grieved them for a little while, but what results! Paul rejoiced, not that they were grieved, but that their sorrow worked repentance in a godly manner, and that they were not injured by him in anything!

   Their godly sorrow had worked repentance. This was in not to be regretted. The world's fleshly sorrow works death. Paul was glad that even though at first it worked sorrow, then it worked a carefulness, a clearing of themselves, and indignation because of their previous attitude toward him. And toward the offender in their midst who had instigated the opposition against Paul, what fear, eager desire, zeal and vengeance. These were now clear of fault.

 

Ivan L. Burgener