2 CORINTHIANS 12
17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
– 2 Corinthians 12:17-21
2 CORINTHIANS 12 CONCERN FOR UNREPENTANCE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
A true servant of God is tenacious and relentless to expose evil
He does not tolerate or open doors for the works of the devil
A true believer’s purpose is to build up the church of Christ
He is bold to expose and rebuke other believers in their sinfulness.
In this letter, Paul confronts the Corinthian church boldly. He is unapologetic about his concerns for their dwindling faith. Paul bombarded them with questions regarding their suspicion about the apostles’ integrity when it comes to the collections they have received from other churches.
The letter gives us an idea how immature the believers in Corinth were. In verse 20, these were the sins that Paul was concerned about: quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. From other commentaries, we hear that Paul has had a year and a half with the Corinthian church to teach them about God’s requirements for his people. From the tone of this letter, we hear that Paul was quite apprehensive about the progress of their faith. There weren’t any fruits of the Spirit manifested in their lives. They continued to live in their sinful nature as if Jesus never died for them.
REFLECTION
- Why should we be concerned if there were unrepentant people in our church?
