Key Verse: Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. (2 Cor. 1:23)
Have you ever been involved in a church split, or have you seen factions develop in a church? It’s not a comfortable situation in either case. Both breed tension and suspicion, and there are always hard words—usually words that people replay in their minds long afterwards. Or have you faced rejection in some ministry you were involved in? Have you been rejected by those you were seeking to serve, or were you criticized and condemned by other believers?
The Apostle Paul found himself in this kind of situation, and it grieved his heart. Some who opposed his ministry had apparently come to the church in Corinth and stirred up animosity against Paul. There were those in the church who sided with them, and others who supported the apostle. Paul had apparently made a “painful visit” to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1). Then he had written to them (2:3-4)—a letter he regretted having sent, but which apparently had the desired effect (2 Cor. 7:8-9). These are only glimpses into a complex process of working through a serious case of conflict and rejection. However, in our passage today, the apostle demonstrates by his own behavior several sound principles for dealing with rejection.
First, Paul takes the time to explain his actions. He writes, “I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke (1:23). He explains that the reason for canceling a previous visit was for their sake, not his. He felt it was not right at that time to confront them and possibly aggravate the problem.
Second, he explains the depths of his love for them when he writes in 2:4, “I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.” He had not written in anger but with many tears.
Third, he recognizes their pain: “I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me (2:5). In fact, writes Paul, they experienced greater hurt than he did. Paul was the one being criticized and rejected by some, but he uses this kind of language to express his love for the Corinthians.
Fourth, he goes much farther in expressing his love for the one who had apparently led the opposition. He writes, “Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.” (2:6-8) Paul was the one who had mainly been offended, but he is the one to initiate forgiveness.
Finally, he recognized the hand of Satan behind the conflict: “When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” (2:10-11) The apostle sees the broader context.
These words not only give us a glimpse into the heart of the apostle; they demonstrate to us a pathway through conflict and rejection. They show us that the man who had been God’s primary instrument in founding the church at Corinth was willing to subject his own feelings to those of the church. In the face of rejection, he was willing to put down his own pride for the good of the body of Christ.
If you have already, or when you do, face rejection or criticism, you have a good example in the apostle Paul. You can accept his instruction, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ “ (1 Cor. 11:1).
Prayer: Lord, help me when I face rejection or conflict to take the biblical way, to follow your example and to follow the examples of your servants who have shown how to do that. Thank You for their leadership in this.
Author: Lindsay Hislop was raised in southern Scotland and southern Ontario and now lives in the southern United States. He worked in the engineering field for 15 years (mostly in Canada) before pursuing an academic career. He has taught for over thirty years at Columbia International University. He also serves as an elder in his church, where he teaches and preaches regularly. He is married to a wonderful wife Pam and has two terrific children, Holly, who lives in Canada, and Doug, who lives in Columbia. His four grandchildren, Isaac, Madeline, Lindsay, and Dolan, are also pretty special. He likes doing carpentry and odd jobs around the house.
