Paul’s painful relations with the Church in Corinth and the attempts to overcome them in the light of 2 Cor 1:15–20

Abstract

Paul, while appointing his strategy towards Corinthians’ accusations, does not intend to simply assure them of his honesty and credibility. Instead, he decides to edify his self-defence on absolutely credible theological groundwork. Applying there numerous theological terms in relation to God and His actions in Paul’s apostolic and believers lives, appoints Him as a source of his personal honesty and credibility, taking both words and actions into account. He does not do it directly, however, knowingly guides his adversaries to the right final conclusions and full agreement with the Apostle. Presented arguments cannot act against Paul as he, leaves the Corinthians beyond any doubts that his every single action and word are only from God, are inspired and directed by Him. In no case are they a human verbal excuse or a human action aiming to gain any egoistic personal matters or goals. Thus, it is still the same God who acts in him and in his life, as well as in them, making it the most reliable guarantee of their future salvation. Believing this, simultaneously he wants them to understand that the conversation with him is based on the most credible, divine groundwork, also when he changes his plans towards them. As a consequence, they are not allowed to impute him with flightiness because of the changes in his visits, as his personal whims, if any can be arrogated, have no influence on his apostolic ministry among them.