Paul’s Change in Travel Plans
Introduction:
In our last lesson, we were reminded of the fact that Paul had to deal with difficult people. Many of these people were in the church.
Some questioned the authenticity of his apostleship, some questioned his character and integrity.
Paul had travel plans that had changed. On this slight ground, his enemies in Corinth complained that he said one thing and meant another.
Paul’s opponents seemed to have made this an occasion for charging him with similar inconsistency in doctrine. If his word could not be depended on in small matters, what dependence could be placed on his preaching?
Paul shows there was no insincerity involved in this change of his plans and no inconsistency in his preaching.
2 Corinthians 1:15-22 (NLT)
15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— 16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
Examine the scriptures:
15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— 16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
Paul had proposed a journey from Ephesus that would have permitted him to visit the Corinthians twice. The two visits were meant to express Paul’s affection for them. He wanted to see them as often as possible.
Corinth first, travel on to Macedonia, then back to Corinth (current passage of scripture)
Paul changed his plans. Macedonia first, then Corinth.
1 Corinthians 16:5-7 (NLT)
5 I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. 7 This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me.
Paul chose to make just one trip. (Details to follow in the next lesson)
2 Corinthians 2:1 (NLT)
So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.
- Paul had changed his plans of making two trips to Corinth to making just one trip to Corinth.
17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”?
Paul’s opponents argued that since he changed his mind about his travel plans, he had been careless in his planning.
Since he was careless in his planning he could not be trusted to do what he said he would do.
Since he could not be trusted to do what he says, his words cannot be trusted.
Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”?
“Do you think I say one thing and mean something else?”
If his words cannot be trusted, the gospel he teaches cannot be trusted.
- Paul changed his mind about his itinerary, and his opponents said his vacillating was a sign of a fundamental unreliability,
- affecting not only where he went
- but what he said.
Paul fervently denied this.
Paul’s argument was that he not make plans in a self-serving manner altering them for reasons of self-interest. Nor did he talk out of both sides of his mouth to further his own ends. He would explain the reason for his change in plans, but for the moment he was more concerned with the accusation that his message was equivocal or unreliable.
18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.”
Paul argued that his word was not ambiguous and unreliable.
- Paul took unfounded accusations seriously.
- Paul argued that his word was not ambiguous and unreliable.
Paul argued that the Gospel was not ambiguous and unreliable.
19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says.
Who was really under attack?
For the critics to attack Paul’s authenticity was like tearing down God’s work, and destroying the unity in the church.
- Not only was Paul under attack, but more importantly, Paul knew that the person and work of Christ were under attack from the false teachers at Corinth.
- Paul, knowing that Jesus Christ always does what He says He will do, was able to preach without vacillation or uncertainty.
20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
- Paul did not allow these unfounded accusations against his character and the accusations that questioned the reliability of his message go unaddressed.
- All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ.
- All the promises of God are sure and positive.
- Jesus always does what He says He will do.
- A proper response from us to God for all He has said and done is “Amen” (so be it).
21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,
- It is God who enables us to stand firm for Christ.
1 John 2:20&27 (NLT)
20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. … 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
- God enables us to know the truth.
22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)
13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.
- We (believers) belong to God and the Holy Spirit living inside of us guarantees this relationship.
Nothing is unclear about what Christ did for us.
God has shown Himself to be faithful to His promises and to His people.
