The Courage of Paul in 2 Corinthians

I have enjoyed so very much our time as a church in 2 Corinthians. There has been much that I have learned and been challenged by as I have slowly worked my way through the epistle along with Pastor Ray’s sermons. One thing that has really struck me recently has been the courage displayed by the apostle Paul in the writing not only of 2 Corinthians, but also the other letters presupposed in the book, including Paul’s so-called ‘sorrowful’ or ‘difficult’ letter.

Last night I was watching the Helen Keller story with the kids and took particular interest in Helen’s teacher, Annie Sullivan. Despite tremendous opposition from Helen’s parents, siblings, and her own peers, Ms Sullivan never gave up on Helen and had the courage to say some very difficult things to her parents. She was able to put the good of Helen above her own concern for how she would be received and liked by everyone else. The result was a deaf and blind little girl who could interact with the world and others in way that no one thought was remotely possible.

That Jesus commands us to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ does not always translate into ‘being liked’ by everyone. Sometimes the best way to love someone is to speak the truth (with love) into their life because you love them to the point that you are willing to risk scorn, disapproval, and even a friendship for their sake.

Paul exemplifies this selfless love in all of his writings to the Corinthians. Can you imagine putting yourself in Paul’s position where you had to rebuke a fledgling church that you gave your life to get off the ground knowing that in so doing you risked your reputation and relationship with many whom you loved dearly? Paul did just this.

The apostle Paul had the courage to say the difficult things because he loved the Corinthians too much not to. This is especially true in chapter 7 of 2 Corinthians.

‘Though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it – for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while – I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance...’
-- 2 Corinthians 7.8-9

As I thought about Paul and then Annie Sullivan, I couldn’t help but think about how they are tremendous models for the Church. It is so easy to fall into the trap of trying to protect ones feelings only to allow them to retain patterns and behaviors that are detrimental to them and others. We think that we are being ‘loving’ to them, while in fact we are failing them, failing to love them.

The Christian life certainly demands courage to do what is right.