Reading: 2 Corinthians 7-8, Psalm 2

Coming off his study in why he has little fear of suffering or death, Paul tells the Corinthians that he has no fear of offending them, either. He references back to his previous statement about the “painful letter,” way back in chapter 2, and here says that he does not regret it. Paul loves the people of Corinth enough to correct them when they get off course. He wants them to understand that his position on death and suffering is their position too. Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Paul expresses his delight at the results of the “painful letter.” While he was not happy to cause them distress, he is fine with it because of the outcome- repentance. This is worth paying careful attention to. Paul sees the outcome of repentance as worth the risk of his relationship with the Corinthians. He is laser focused on the gospel message: repentance and life in the name of Jesus. Everything else comes after that. It is not a comfortable choice to make, but it is the right one. One might consider that the alternative really isn’t any better. By ignoring the destructive behavior of the Corinthians for the sake of the relationship, Paul would put the relationship at just as much risk so long as he chose to stick to his preaching of the gospel. In the end, Paul has to either call out the sinful behavior of the Corinthians until they repent, or stop preaching the gospel that calls them to repent. In this case, there was repentance, and Paul is absolutely delighted by it.

That is not, however, to say that this is the end of the story. Paul has some other things to say about the Corinthians behavior. The city of Corinth was pretty well off in the ancient world, and the church there did not face the kind of persecution that many of the other churches did. One in particular that had intense persecution was the church in Thessalonica, where the people opposed to Christianity were so committed that they traveled to other towns to attempt to stamp it out, as we read about in Ephesus. Paul takes the church in Thessalonica- the Macedonias referenced in chapter 8- as an example of how to live a generous life. Paul uses the generosity of these persecuted and poor people to, in a sense, shame the Corinthians into acting as they should. Just as risking the relationship for the sake of repentance was worth it to Paul, using shame was worth it for him to demonstrate correct behavior. Finally, Paul tells the Corinthians to listen to good teachers, not bad. He holds up Titus as a good example to follow and listen to, not those who have convinced them to pursue a shiny life.

What does this tell us about the Story that Paul believes, and how we might fit into it? Paul has already talked a great deal in his first letter and the letter to the Romans about how God is both judge and redeemer. He is willing to put everything on the line with the people that he knows and cares about to ensure that they understand and hold these two realities simultaneously. As Paul will say elsewhere, he will become all things to all people in order that by all means he might save some. Paul does not put relationship above truth telling, and does not appear to worry overmuch about what people think of him. He demonstrably does not worry at all about what people do to him. The Story he believes is a one that says there is nothing you can do to me, because I believe in someone who rose from the dead. From physical suffering to emotional turmoil to public character assassination, Paul is unconcerned with anything directed at him. He cares only for the gospel of repentance unto life in the name of Jesus.