Growth in Sanctification

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Declaration of Innocence

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Here Paul says that sense we have the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and are now the "Temples" of God, we should cleanse ourselves. Seek to remove all unrighteousness, everything that defiles the body and spirit. He's suggesting that we should do this out of fear, if nothing else. This we call Sanctification, or growing in Christian Grace.

Two "defilements" are spoken of here. Defilement of the body and defilement of the spirit. The sins of the flesh, defile the body and false doctrines defile the spirit. To do this we must "make holiness perfect" as Paul puts it, never being satisfied with our selves for self-satisfaction is a deadly sin.

The second part, verses 2 thru 4, has to do with Paul's defense of himself. Paul warns that any disrespect of God's ministers is disrespect for the Gospel itself. Here he seeks to find out why some of the Corinthians had grown to dislike him and even seek to discredit him.

Notice how he defended himself: "I have wronged no one. corrupted no one and have not taken advantage of any one." It was hard for Paul to understand these people who were seeking to discredit him. He certainly was seeking only what was best for them and had done so, in love. His only wish was to live with them in complete harmony. Paul would have been content to have lived out the rest of his life in Corinth. He had great confidence and pride in them in spite of their efforts to discredit him. Only God can install that kind of love and forgiveness in a person.

The Good Effects of Paul's First Letter

As we read before, Paul left Ephesus and went north to Troas where he had hoped to find Titus. He wanted to send Titus to Corinth to replace Timothy who did not seem to be able to resolve the problems there. He was disappointed when he did not find Titus there and after some missionary work, which the Lord richly blessed, he continued on over into Macedonia.

His being unable to find Titus even over in Macedonia, caused great distress for Paul within. This coupled with the problems that he found everywhere that he went, caused great distress from without. So when Titus finally does show up, Paul was comforted and delighted. Now, where had Titus been. Well from these verses it seems that Titus had gotten word that Paul was looking for him and that he wanted him to go to Corinth. So Titus went to Corinth. When he finished his work there, he then went and found Paul.

This is where we are in these verses. When Titus found Paul he found him in a state of great despair, but his presence and words of comfort was a quieting presence for Paul. Also Paul was much encouraged by the report from Titus that he had, indeed, been to Corinth and that they had received his first letter and that it had brought good results there at the church. This pleased Paul very much. Titus also told Paul that the Corinthians were longing to see him and were concerned about his problems and were very enthusiastic about his work. This to brought great comfort to Paul and he rejoiced with the news.

Notice the effect that Paul's first letter had upon the Corinthians. It caused them to "grieve". They were angry with themselves for what they had done that caused Paul to have to write the letter. What effect did the grieving have upon them? It caused them to repent. Godly grief produces repentance. Paul's letter was like a mirror reflecting the evil that was in their lives and allowing them to see themselves as Paul saw them.

Summing up the effects of Paul's first letter upon the Corinthians, we see first of all, they didn't get angry with Paul for writing the letter. They saw the wisdom in it and immediately sought to improve themselves. It really disturbed them when they realized how much evil had become a part of them, so they repented and with great zeal, sought to improve themselves.

Titus told Paul that they had improved on every point and were sincerely seeking to take care of the problems that he had written about. This pleased Paul, but, then he began to have "mixed" feelings. "I do not regret writing the letter, well, maybe I do, a little." Mixed emotions. Glad they had repented and were improving, but sorry that it had to have been him that had to condemn them.

In this second letter, he reminds them that it was not a personal vendetta, but rather an exercise in love for them seeking their own good, and sense it would appear that it had accomplished his purpose, he was glad that he had written it and comforted that it was over.

Timothy Failed but Titus Succeed

As we saw in the last section, Paul had sent Timothy to Corinth to help them in resolving their problems. Timothy had not succeed, probably because of his youth and inexperience. When Titus found out that Paul wanted him to go to replace Timothy he went and apparently with the help of Paul's letter and the Holy Spirit, he succeed. The Corinthians had received Titus with fear and trembling and was obedient to all that he suggested.

Paul ends the chapter by telling them that he now has complete confidence in them.

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