8 June 2021
As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been ‘Yes and No.’ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not ‘Yes and No’; but in him it is always ‘Yes.’
2 Corinthians 1:18-22, NRSV
Paul was put in the position of having to defend his own integrity and that of his co-workers Silvanus and Timothy. Paul had intended to visit Corinth but changed his plan when the messenger he sent was rejected and insulted. If Paul’s visit had gone ahead as intended, then the community at Corinth would have been on the receiving end of another stern rebuke. Paul judged that it would be better to delay his visit. However, some of his opponents used this apparent change of plans to imply that Paul was not to be depended on in his ministry. For Paul this was a serious accusation – he felt bound to be faithful because of God’s faithfulness. Paul called on God as his witness and insisted that he had not said one thing when he meant another.
- Why was it important for Paul to be known as trustworthy and dependable?
- What place does honesty and integrity have in our lives as Christians?
Pray today for those who have been hurt and let down by failed promises.
