Calling Out Corinthians
1 Corinthians was a letter the Apostle Paul had written to a congregation that needed instruction. They had unnecessary division, sexual immorality, and even those with spiritual gifts were using them vainly. Because of this, he had to come down on them hard by way of correction. He wasn’t being mean, but with right judgement was diagnosing their condition and offering corrections.
Later, Paul would hear about how his letter had cut to the heart of this congregation and would send another letter (2 Corinthians) as a way to offer comfort.
Feeling Guilty
The congregation in Corinth had undeniable issues. It wasn’t like Paul had been unreasonable. What he said was going on they knew better than he did was accurate. They were guilty and they felt the weight of it. Certainly, they weren’t feeling great after his first letter.
He wasn’t being heartless. The fact that they had been grieved by his letter grieved Paul as well.
For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.
2 Corinthians 7:8
That is why he had some regrets for a time, though he now no longer does.
Meaningful Shame
The reason he no longer regretted sending the letter by the time he sent the second is because of the fruit the first had produced.
As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
2 Corinthians 7:9
Though his letter had grieved them it was a good sort of grief. Repentance was the result and therefore it had all been worth it. It’s not that he would have been wrong to have sent the letter if they didn’t repent, but if they had experienced worldly grief that led to a souring of the relationship between the Corinthians and Paul rather than a healthier relationship between the congregation and their God it would have been a shame.
This is instructive to keep in mind as we deal with the relationships in our lives. It can be very easy, under the effects of pride, to be offended when people point out our besetting sins. However, at that point, it is up to us if we let it damage our relationship with that person or if we let it guide us into a better relationship with our Lord. It is up to the one who receives the rebuke whether they suffer a loss through it.
When the charges are accurate and our sins are revealed, the guilt we feel is real because we have been guilty. We can either unjustly hold that against the one who revealed it or seize the opportunity to grow in our relationship with God. Those who choose the latter suffer no loss and grow in relationship with both their God and the friend who was faithful enough to inflict a few light, necessary wounds (Proverbs 27:6).
Every call to repent of sin is a loving act. Let us take full advantage of them!
