2 CorinthiansSample

Paul closes his letter with a final appeal and the announcement that he wants to visit the church soon. He greatly hopes that the Corinthians will stay on the good path they have taken since his so-called "tearful letter." Paul hopes that his visit will be a joyful reunion—and not a painful attempt at clarification.

Unfortunately, history would show that in the course of the following decades, the Corinthians would repeatedly fall back into their old patterns of factions and disputes. Around 40 years later, the church father Clement also wrote a letter to the Corinthians. In the 47th chapter of this letter, he writes:

1. Take up the epistle of the blessed Paul the Apostle. 2. What did he write to you at the beginning of his preaching? 3. Truly, inspired by the Spirit, he instructed you concerning himself and Cephas and Apollos, because you had formed factions even then. 4. But that factionalism brought less guilt upon you; for you were partisans of apostles of proven reputation, and of a man approved by them. 5. But now consider what sort of people have perverted you and diminished the majesty of your famous brotherly love. 6. It is a shame, beloved, a great shame, and disgraceful to your conduct in Christ, that it should be heard how the most steadfast and ancient church of the Corinthians, for the sake of one or two persons, is in rebellion against its presbyters. 7. And this report has not only reached us, but also those who are disaffected from us, so that the name of the Lord is blasphemed through your folly, while for yourselves danger is created.

Thus, the pattern of comparisons, disputes, and factions continued through the church and the following generation…

For us, the Corinthians remain a warning. They started out magnificently with Jesus, they had everything they needed (1 Corinthians 1:4-6), but human vanities led them astray again and again.

How good is what Paul wrote: "If I wish to boast, I will boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:31 ESV)

All glory be to God! - Soli Deo Gloria!