Paul’s accusers had impressed the Corinthian believers with their eloquence in public speaking. But Paul’s boast was his godly sincerity in his conduct and in their relationship which relied on God’s grace rather than worldly wisdom. He wrote them in simple language. They were beginning to understand. He hoped they would soon fully realize they could boast of one another before the Lord.
Paul also addressed the accusation that postponing his plans showed fickleness and lack of genuine concern. Paul explained that the message he, Silas and Timothy preached didn’t waver but was always “Yes” in Christ. Every promise of God is faithful. And God he is able to make all of them stand firm in Christ by his anointing, and has placed his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Thank God that he is able to make us stand firm and serve him regardless of what some may think or say about us.
Paul testified before God that his change of plan was only to spare them another painful visit. Instead, he wrote to them a letter of correction with anguish and many tears so that his next visit would be one of joy, believing they would take it to heart. Paul expressed a tough but true love that they would ultimately recognize.
Oct 17, 2026
SERVING WITH GRACE AND TRUTH
Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
Key verse: 1:12
NIV
chapter 1
12. Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
13. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that,
14. as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15. Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice.
16. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea.
17. Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both "Yes, yes" and "No, no"?
18. But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No."
19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us - by me and Silas and Timothy - was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes."
20. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
21. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,
22. set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
23. I call God as my witness - and I stake my life on it - that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
24. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
chapter 2
1. So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.
2. For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?
3. I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy.
4. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord, help me to rely on your grace and truth to serve even when maligned.
One Word: Serve relying on God’s grace and truth