QT 5/9/2025 2 Cor 2:1–4, Treating people with dignity

2 Corinthians 2:1–4 (ESV) —

1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

 

NOTE: So Paul believed that a visit at the time would have only resulted in pain. Apparently, some visit or recent confrontation has caused a lot of distress among the members. Instead Paul writes a letter, that is not recorded (unless it is 1 Corinthians). The letter is better than a verbal visit, because the words could be read, analyzed, and compared against scripture. I believe there were one or two major leaders who were the cause of most of the problems. The letter allows the whole body to discuss the issue. Also, through prayer and the Holy Spirit, there is a change in heart either in the leaders or the church members or both, such that when Titus visits, the disagreements have been resolved.

 

Today, there is quite a bit of disagreement in some churches that refuse to take God's word as authoritative. Those issues exist in homosexuality, gender, transgenderism, and sexual relations outside marriage. The conservative position is not to treat those who disagree with ugliness, but to gently seek to lead them back to the truth. They are not different that those who sin by drunkenness, gossip, lying, or cheating on taxes. They are human beings made in the image of God and deserving respect and dignity. But they cannot choose to say that God's word is wrong.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I pray for those caught up in some sin that is accepted by the culture, but not by God's word?
2. Am I gentle in my relationship to all people, even when we disagree?

 

1 Peter 3:15–16 (ESV) — 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

 

PRAYER: Father, I pray that even in disagreement, I would treat others with gentleness and respect. Protect me from the sinful desire to attack back.