Episode 2861 - Lesson 9 - Monday August 24 - Simplicity and Sincerity

Simplicity and SincerityYesterday, we learned that Paul's love for the Corinthians was made manifest in that he comforted them in their hardships, just as he received comfort from God in his (2 Cor. 1:1-11). Today, we will see that his love for them was also displayed through the integrity that he and his fellow workers manifested toward the church members in Corinth.Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 in the light of 2 Corinthians 2:17, and 2 Corinthians 4:2. How does Paul's sincerity reveal his love for the Corinthians?Second Corinthians 1:12-14 introduces the thesis Paul will develop in the rest of the letter. His integrity and apostleship have been questioned by some in Corinth. They thought Paul had a vacillating and indecisive character, which was not fitting for the apostolic ministry. In response, Paul stresses that he and his colleagues behaved with the utmost integrity toward them.Two words portray the conduct of Paul and his associates: simplicity and sincerity (2 Cor. 1:12). The term "simplicity" comes from the Greek word haplotēs. It is applied here to express personal integrity in speech or behavior; in short, it reveals the purity of motives (Eph. 6:5, Col. 3:22). In turn, the term "sincerity" (from the Greek eilikrineia) also points to integrity and purity of motives.The Corinthians should not have doubted the clarity of Paul's intentions. He makes it clear that his simplicity and sincerity have their origin in God. This idea is well captured by the New English Translation Bible, which mentions "pure motives and sincerity which are from God" (2 Cor. 1:12, emphasis supplied). In the same verse, Paul further asserts that these ministerial qualities are given to us "by the grace of God."It seems Paul's opponents misinterpreted his words, in previous written communications (2 Cor. 1:13-14). Paul guarantees that his intentions were clear and understandable. He was sure that the uprightness of his words, intentions, and actions would be made clear "in the day of the Lord Jesus" (2 Cor. 1:14, NKJV).What has been your own experience with having your motives or intentions, however well-meaning and sincere, questioned or challenged? What should that tell you about how careful you should be when questioning someone else's motives?