II Corinthians 2:1-11
So, is there a lost letter or a lost visit? I’ve chatted around this topic the past few days. I sense that the majority of scholars tend to believe that yes, there is a lost letter and an unreported visit. There is clear evidence for an unreported visit later in II Corinthians, at II Cor 12:14 and I Cor 13:1, where Paul mentions visiting them for a third time. The only reports that we have of his visits to Corinth are when he first visited during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1, ff, which we read before we read I Corinthians) and on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:2-3), which we have not yet read. So there does appear to be a missing trip by Paul to Corinth. As to when that occurs, most speculation centers on a short visit from Ephesus during his three-year ministry there, between his writing of the two Corinthian letters.
As to that lost letter… There is some evidence of a missing letter in today’s reading: And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain… (v. 3a) and For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears… (v. 4a) I don’t see anything that we read in I Corinthians that would have been painful for Paul to write. Much of the letter was about Paul answering questions that the Corinthians had asked. The chapter 5 incident (a man living with his father’s wife) was a rebuke of one person’s behavior. So I see Paul writing that first letter calmly, much like a teacher counseling a student. I don’t see the harshness that would have caused pain for either Paul or the Corinthians.
Finally, a quick word on the bulk of today’s reading, II Cor. 2:5-11. It appears that someone within the Corinthian church was guilty of some serious sin – perhaps the man I mentioned above from I Corinthians 5. However, whatever this person had done, he had been punished by the church to the point where he was repentant and remorseful, such that Paul’s advice was to receive him back into the body with love and full forgiveness. It’s hard to imagine such a person ever being universally fully received, but I suspect that Paul may have had himself in mind, in that he persecuted the church mightily until the Lord met him on the road to Damascus. And if everyone at St. Andrew’s knew our deepest sins… Ouch.
Slava Bohu!
Notes in my Bible on it quite clearly support another letter, or two. 🙂
The past few days I’ve thinking about my dentist. Rereading 2 Cor 2:5-11, I’m nowhere near forgiving her for the almost 2 years I complained of problems with my upper jaw, but she failed to realize the severity of the unusual changes that were occurring. At the time, she had my complete confidence. My dentist sent me to an oral surgeon to extract a tooth, who immediately recognized the growth and told me I needed a biopsy. If my dentist had acted sooner, I would have had less of my jaw removed. I think about this almost every morning as I drink coffee as some of it drains out of my nose. If you have dinner with me, you would be wise not sit across the table from me.
I have found it difficult to rid myself of anger towards my dentist and anger at myself for not obtaining a second opinion as the tumor grew. The forgiveness in 5-11 must have been difficult for many, as is the situation I now find myself in. But, Paul’s words woke me up, so to speak, so I can get on with forgiving.
A really good application for those few verses – but unfortunately a difficult issue for you to deal with. I wonder if the Corinthian “sinner” had substantially hurt anyone in the congregation or if his actions were just personal (like engaging with a cult prostitute). If the latter, forgiveness is less a problem. But if the former, when something is really personal, as it is with your dentist, then yes, forgiveness can be hard to come by.
Good application. Thanks for sharing that with the rest of us!
Wow, Jim,
That is a huge issue! I cannot even imagine the prayer and faith it would take for me to forgive in your situation.
But I am glad you shared it—gives me a lot of food for thought…
Thanks for sharing.