The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians.
Introduction: 1:1,2
I. The Explanation of his actions. 1:3-2:13
A. Rejoicing in the blessings of God. 1:3-7
B. Rescued from danger by God. 1:8-11 (the prayers of the saints)
C. Rebutting the accusations. 2 Corinthians 1:12-24
1. His conscience. 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

His conscience was clear! Today we will be looking at chapter 1:15-24
Paul stated that he was also honest and steadfast in –

2. His confidence. 2 Corinthians 1:15,16
What was he referring to that he would have confidence in? Note that he wrote –
“…that we are your rejoicing…”

Paul sincerely believed that the people appreciated the Lord’s ministry to them through him! Their lives had been changed because of his preaching and teaching. He was not boasting in pride – he was rejoicing in the change in their lives wrought by God through His Word. It was this confidence that we see –

a. His pleasure. To visit them again and preach the the truth again. 1:15
Note his zeal in the calling of God to him as the apostle to the gentiles.

Romans 1:10-12 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

God had given him, the Apostle to the Gentiles, to them and he was excited to
preach to them –

Ephesians 2:20-22 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

b. His plan. 1:16 His initial travel plan was to visit them from Ephesus, then continue on into Macedonia. He changed these plans for reasons we will come to later. The important thing that he wanted them to know is that he counted them as close to his heart and he had reasons for the changes in his plans.

Paul stated that he was also honest and steadfast in –

3. His convictions. 2 Corinthians 1:17-2:4

The turmoil in the church caused Paul to consider carefully the outcome of an immediate visit.

a. His consideration. 1:17

Paul declared that when he changed his mind about visiting them, the decision was not made lightly, without good reason. The word he used “lightness” means levity (not being serious) or double minded. The decision was not based on his own convenience, making life easier on himself. He made the decision carefully, in accordance with –

b. His character. 1:18-21 Paul sets forth that he was steadfast due to the character of –

1). God the Father. 1:18 He is truth and in Him is no falsehood.
2). God the Son. 1:19,20 He is truth and without falsehood.
3). God and Father and God the Son gave them the ministry of truth. 1:21
4). God the Spirit ministered the truth in them. 1:22

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

The unity of the truth as spoken of by Paul is testified of by the Lord Jesus Christ –

John 16:13-15 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

c. His concern. 1:23,24
Paul had no intention of being the conscience of the church. He had no desire to take the place of God in their lives! His desire was to direct them in the truth, the Word of God, and encourage them to submit to the Lord and walk worthy of Him.

Paul was a truth teller. He told the truth and acted accordingly. We, as believers, are also to be truth tellers and have this testimony for the Lord in the world. The world system operates upon a lie –

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

We are to be truth, a light, in this world of darkness. Jesus has commanded us so –
“Ye are the light of the world…” We are to reflect Him that He might draw men to Him for salvation –

John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Paul’s desire was not to command them, but to direct them to their Lord and that they would confess and turn to Him for restoration of fellowship –

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

He wanted them to walk according to the Word of God and had given them time to read, study, believe, and become what God would have them be.