“May 28, 2024 - Yes and No”

Monday, May 27, 2024

Yes and No

Reading:  2 Corinthians 1:15-24
    
    Here we get our first indications that some of the Corinthians are unhappy with Paul.  He insists that he has behaved “with simplicity and godly sincerity”(2 Cor 1:12).  The issue is his travel plans: either the plans he had to visit them (1 Cor 16:5-7) or some other plan fell through.  The Corinthians, stung, accuse him of being dishonest; his “yes” is not “yes”(see Matt 5:37).  “I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.  Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this?  Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say ‘Yes, yes,’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time?”(2 Cor 1:16-17).  Some in Corinth are implying that Paul has lied or is perhaps scared to come see them.

    Paul gives several explanations.  His plans involved multiple visits that just didn’t work out (2 Cor 1:16).  He did not actually commit to coming (2 Cor 1:18).  He defends his honesty, which they have benefited from:  “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes”(2 Cor 1:19).  Paul is trustworthy in preaching the gospel; changing travel plans are a different matter.  But the most important reason why Paul did not visit them:  “But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth”(2 Cor 1:21).  He changed his travel plans because he did not want to reopen fresh wounds prematurely, causing “another painful visit”(2 Cor 2:1).

    Jesus teaches us honesty and forthrightness.  He wants us to keep our word.  Yet it is also essential that we not impugn our brothers’ motives simply because plans change.  These verses remind us that even in the time of the apostles and the early church, relationships have always needed patience and maintenance.

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One Thing to Think About:  How can dishonesty hurt others?

One Thing to Pray For:  My “yes” to be “yes” 
 

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