The Testimony of Conscience
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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2 Corinthians 1:12-14
2 Corinthians 1:12-14
Read 2 Corinthians 1:8–11 as context.
Then read: 2 Corinthians 1:12–14 now we get to pick this apart.
The New King James Version Chapter 1
For our boasting is this:
Boasting is a word we normally frown on, but Paul here uses it in reference to the praise of Godly behavior, normally in others, but remember, he just attributed he & others being delivered, having help, everything to the blessing of Corinth, their gifts, prayers, and especially the blessing from God. He boasts on Corinth. But that’s not his own.
in the greek, Boasting here is kauchaomai, to boast; kauchēma, grounds of boasting; kauchēsis, boastfulness, here its kauchesis. This isn't bragimony. It’s Paul revealing some of the truly Spirit lead things that are happening with Corinth and himself.
If one boasts in human achievements, then it is sinful. If one boasts (or glories) in what God has done, then it is good.
David E. Garland
The New King James Version Chapter 1
the testimony of our conscience
First we need to fill in a few things - our syne-de-seos, is that conviction that how we acted, appeared, etc is in line with our worldview/morality, etc. You act like you believe.
Testimony is the same word we get Matyr from. Its a witness.
But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
Paul says we have behaved by everything we preached. He then says:
The New King James Version Chapter 1
we conducted ourselves
our daily life is conducted ourselves. The acts that affect that conscience. when we truly are dependent on His grace, we can truly find an ease of conscience difficult to obtain otherwise.
how did they conduct themselves? Well first :
The New King James Version Chapter 1
in simplicity
ha-pa-loteti simple. not as one deceived. We are told elsewhere that we no longer “walk” as we did in the world. We were that, we have had a heart transplant and we must care for it. Its an honorable singlemindedness.
most of us lived lies filled with constant lies and deception. now in Christ, we can live openly, honestly and trust that Jesus will have his way in us. one greek writer said that someone who lived in this manner had the, “characteristic of the psyche of heroes,” which i doubt paul thought himself a hero though he is to many of us. this is coupled with, secondly
The New King James Version Chapter 1
godly sincerity,
Sincerity is of the essence of the life of godliness.
Iain Murray
biblical sincerity is purity of motive. even thugs can be sincere. often times we are sincere about a philosophy, ideology, worldview. but we can be sincerely wrong. the modifier Paul adds is
Theou, godly. its a pious, devotional sincerity because sometimes we have to purpose to do it. Our old habits or natures sometimes try to reassert and we have to act rightly. Its hard to walk in Godly sincerity, because it can make us feel vulnerable. To be plain. Doesn't mean rude, blunt or mean. But truthful, honest.
We don’t manufacture it, we realize that its what we are supposed to be behaving like and do it. not fake it till you make it, our former life and world was one fake to another, this is how we are living within this. Sometimes we need to discipline ourselves to do this.
If you sincerely believe these things, the world should know it, turn to:
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
Thirdly about his conduct was:
The New King James Version Chapter 1
not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God
Turn to 1Co. 2, You cannot operate as a believer by using human wisdom and experience. there is an inherent requirement to study to show ourselves approved so that we dont walk in earthly manner. Had Paul come in earthly wisdom, we might not be reading what we are.
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
This is the effect of the power of God at operation in a man. It enforces what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
But do you see it? Do you see His grace at work in you? Do you realize that in your conscience is where the work of Gods grace is on display. Paul says that he is sure beyond anything of what he has lived out, and they are witnesses to it as well because he has given so much of himself to them. That more abundantly toward you.
We always thing the abundant life is for us, when we see the abundance that Paul lives out, is in giving his life to others.
2 Corinthians 1:13–14 (NKJV)
For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Explain the verse. (boasting from 12)
Paul, has written to them as he lived. simply, sincerely, and with a good conscience. He hopes they live out what they do understand, and eventually would in the light of full revelation know what he taught them.
We don’t have to read between the lines to understand Paul, we just need to do what we get/understand. He can see they mostly got what he wrote them, but again, we always want to see more than what is just plainly there. We almost want it to be harder than it is. So we feel better about not doing it ;-)
He trusts that they will boast about him as he does them in the end.
I like how the NLT translates this:
Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.
It’s not being proud per se as being open and forthright about the work that God is doing in someone. I see it in many of you. Even when you don’t see it yourselves. When Jesus comes back, I plan to tell Him how awesome most of you are. Paul is moved constantly that our redemption (Jesus) draws closer every moment, of every day.
Also, if you’re conscience isn't clear, get it clear. Conduct yourself with, Godly single-mindedness, not selfish, fleshy worldliness. But by grace. And not just for yourself, but toward others!
And if you don’t understand, struggle for that, seek to understand, thats my prayer and vision for this church, for you, is that you comprehend the scriptures better. That you see how you can read inductively to understand this amazing book God has given us. The more we study, the more we understand, the deeper our walk with Him!