Paul's deep concern for the Corinthian Church comes through many times in this epistle. In this chapter he was trying to remind them of the happy relationship he had once enjoyed with them. Now he certainly regretted that something had happened to break the friendship. What could Paul do to mend the relationship? How can anyone mend a broken friendship? Do you try to determine what has caused the rift? Is it enough to remind the one concerned of the past? That is what Paul tried to do. He spoke of what he had done for them and with them. In v.2 Paul said, 'I gave you to Christ as a father gives his daughter to her future husband.' The marriage customs then demanded that the girl's father was responsible to see his daughter being kept from any other attachment until her promised wedding day. Paul felt he had tried to do this spiritually for them. However, somehow their commitment to Christ had been upset by false teachers. These men had also put down Paul's reputation. Consequently the close relationship between Paul and the Corinthian church had been broken. Many of us know that experience, don't we? Something comes between us and a close friend. When it happens, what can we do? Sometimes confrontation is needed. Always it can mean heart- searching. Any action, any approach must be covered with prayer and made in love. If this is your position just now, don't put off doing something about it. The longer the delay, the harder it is to act and to restore. What did Christ say? 'This is my commandment, that you love one another. 'Do it now. Do it today. Pray first, and then act as you are led. |
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