“Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:” (2 Corinthians 12:19–20, KJV)
As a child my mother and father set down rules in our house. There were many. Here are a few. We were to be respectful of our elders. We would address my mom and dad’s friends as mister and misses and the last name. We were not to address these elders by their first names. We were to behave well and even more so in public. We were to be obedient to our parents. We were to sit quietly and pay attention to our teachers at school. We were not to interrupt others while they were speaking. These and many more shaped us as we grew in our home.
What would happen if we disobeyed the rules? Well, it would not be pleasant. Mom and dad would give us one warning. After that there would be some form of discipline. We learned fast that my mom and dad were serious about this. Why did they set up these rules and enforce them? It was for our benefit. It was so we would grow up to be responsible adults that understood how to relate and function in society with others. These lessons proved valuable in our lives. I fear that the family unit today has lost some of this virtue and, as a result, we see many problems in our society.
Paul saw those in the church at Corinth to be his family, his spiritual children. He set forth rules. Yet they were not his rules, they were the rules of the kingdom of God. The church is to live above the earthly rules and live according to the kingdom. Paul had instructed the church, not for his own benefit but for the church’s “edification.” The word “edification,” oikodome, refers to the act of building (Strong G3619). Paul wanted to see the church built up. Thus, hearing that the false teachers had begun to infiltrate their thinking, he sent this firm warning to them.
Paul had a fear that when he visited the church that he would observe things in the congregation characterized by the flesh. He lists these kinds of manifestations in verses 20 and 21. If he saw those things, he would have to take stronger action, that of discipline in the church.
The work of overseeing a congregation is not an easy thing. Sometimes the overseer must do some things which are uncomfortable. Such things include warnings when the church or members may be tempted from the path of righteousness. Even more difficult is the handling of discipline when parishioners do not heed the warnings given. No pastor or overseer relishes the idea of having to deal with disciplinary issues. However, often it becomes necessary.
Parishioners could save themselves, the church, and their pastor much pain by simply heeding to the warnings given. It would alleviate the severe pain of exerting discipline in the church. In the case of the church at Corinth, it was the false teachers who were likely legalists coming in and teaching things contrary to the Scriptures. The problem with legalism is that it emphasizes human effort rather than Spirit filled living. Any spiritual effort that is man based will eventually run off the rail and fail. This means sin. Anything that is Spirit driven will stay on the right path and align with the will of God. May every congregation heed such warnings and thus stay on the true path of righteousness.
Renewing the Heart 