2 Corinthians, Day 2
2 Corinthians 2
Estrangement Is Strange for Believers
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:22 – 24).
Apparently, Paul was attacked by some in the Corinthian church; not physically (for once!), but his reputation as an apostle was besmirched. His authority was challenged, and it seems no one stood up for him in this messed-up congregation. He was tempted to revisit them to straighten them out, but he thought it better to send a letter first and see how they respond, so as not to cause them pain. He then waited for his buddy Titus to meet him and bring him news of the church’s reaction to the letter.
Paul was so concerned about their response to his instruction that he forsook an opportunity to preach the Gospel in Troas in order to find Titus.
Was Paul trying to prove his authority as an apostle by a show of raw power? Although this letter — 2 Corinthians — is a defense of his apostleship, his aim was not to be king of the hill, but a humble agent of reconciliation.
The church had followed the procedure of church discipline with the offender, as given by its Head (Matthew 18:15 – 20), and now it was time to forgive him and welcome him back to the fold, lest his sorrow and shame overwhelm him. Reconciliation would prove their love for the offender. After all, if Paul, the offended, could forgive him, how could they withhold fellowship from him? The only thing that does not get better when nursed is a grudge. The fact that they obeyed Paul in confronting one of their own displayed their love for the apostle as well.
Division is the death knell of a church. It is one of Satan’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Division can exist between church leadership and the congregation. Even if there is a major disagreement with, or grudge against, leadership from one person, that “root of bitterness” tends to grow as the disgruntled member gathers a poisoned posse about him or her. Soon, it’s Splitsville for the church. And yes, leaders can become embittered against members as well. No matter what direction it comes from — whether it’s disparaging the leadership or disregarding the laity — estrangement is evil and must be dealt with.
Friction can come between members of the church, too. This is also a recipe for division in the church, as the Holy Hatfields and the Moral McCoys feud and fuss and divide over something or other and refuse to either reconcile or remove themselves. Church discipline was instituted not as a means of punishment or revenge, but as a path to forgiveness and reconciliation.
An even greater, eternal sin, is estrangement between God and man. The Gospel, where Jesus took the shame and pain for us, was instituted so man could be reconciled to God.
Like Paul, when we know there is sin in the camp, we should not rest until it is biblically dealt with — in love. Like Paul, leave your sacrifice at the altar, as it were, willing to stop what you are doing, and make every effort to seek or foster reconciliation.
From the foot of the cross,
Alan Allegra