2 Corinthians 1:23-24 (KJV) Don’t Wait For Your Preacher

2 Corinthians 1:23-24 (KJV)
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

The believers in Corinth expected Paul to visit them. He had said he would, they desired him to do it but he hadn’t done it yet. Instead he wrote this letter. Paul said he did not come for two reasons I can see:

To spare themIt might have been he wanted to spare them of the rebuke they deserved based on his first letter. Waiting gave time for them to make corrections and for any “frustration ” on Paul’s part to subside.

If Paul gave them opportunity they might repent, turn things around and then a future visit could be a joyful reunion rather than a stressful confrontation.

That their faith would growPaul’s hesitation provided time to allow them to work things out without him. They were growing believers. They surely could deal with these issues without Paul’s presence. They must be able to do so. Their faith could not rest in him. It must be on the Lord.

It is far too easy for believers to grow dependent upon their preacher to an unhealthy level. Like the student who would rather ask his teacher for the definition of a word instead of looking it up for themselves, sometimes a Christian would rather call for the preacher rather than wait upon the Lord.

The teacher makes for a good illustration here; a student needs a teacher to guide their education. Early in the learning process that teacher will very likely look up answers right in front of the student. This is meant to give that student an excitement for learning and show them how to find answers. The teacher is vital to the student but the student must not lean too heavily on the teacher or he will never learn to find answers for himself.

Similarly a preacher is there to help guide the believer’s walk with God. He is not there to replace God. Every Christian needs a preacher. Thank God for them! But no Christian is healthy who must have his preacher’s presence to sense the presence of God.

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2 Corinthians 1:23-24 (KJV) Don’t Wait For Your Preacher

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