Paul’s Change of Plans
Tuesday: Today’s devotional is from 2 Corinthians 1:12-23. As we continue, we find that Paul has struggled with how to help the Corinthian church in its difficulty. He has written letters; he has made a short painful visit but still the problems persist.
LISTEN TO TODAY’S READING
In the following scriptures, he explains his change of plans to them and the reasons for the change. Paul affirms his sincerity in his relations with the Corinthians. Their current leaders manipulated and exploited them, but Paul reminds them that he didn’t do this.
Paul’s demeanor towards the Corinthians has been characterized by openness and selflessness. He employs two words to indicate this. The first conveys the idea of singleness of motive (simple love), the second of being unmixed with other motives (sincerity). Paul is seeking restoration of a relationship to the point where both he and the Corinthians admire each other so much that they are proud of each other. Paul tells them of his previous plans to visit them, not because of some selfish motive, but to benefit them.
His motive was pure, but now he feels he has to defend even his change of plans to his opponents in Corinth, who might take this as a pretext to criticize him for being indecisive and vacillating. Then Paul reinforces his sincerity and clarity of purpose by pointing to the clear, unequivocal message of Christ that he had brought to them.
2 Corinthians 1:12-23
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
DAILY DEVOTIONALS are biblical based mini studies to encourage you, help you grow on your journey, and to inspire you to share with others!
- Sunday: Video teaching with a variety of teachers, bishops, and pastors.
- Monday: Hearing from God Each Morning (365 Daily Devotional) Joyce Meyer
- Tuesday: Study of a book in the bible along with scripture readings (II Corinthians)
- Wednesday: Jesus Calling; Enjoying Peace in His Presence (365 Daily Devotional) Sarah Young
- Thursday: Becoming A Vessel God Can use; Ten Week Journey, Donna Partow
- Friday: Our Daily Bread; that tiny little monthly booklet that reaches people around the world with the life-changing wisdom of the bible
- Saturday: Created For Excellence; 12 Keys to Godly Success, Kevin Baerg
