Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians: Paul's Change of Plans, 1:23-24

Paul's change of Plans

23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

Paul does not deny the charge that he said one thing about his plans to the Corinthians and then did another. Rather, he seeks to give reason that it was necessary for him to do it so that he could spare his converts more grief. He does not deny previously causing his converts sadness through his severe letter, but he claims he did it for the sake of producing repentance. When we repent, we are restored in our faith and in joyful relationship with the Lord. Paul wants them to be firm and joyful in their faith.

Holy and eternal God,

give us such trust in your sure purpose,

that we measure our lives

not by what we have done or failed to do,

but by our faithfulness to you.

New Zealand Anglican Prayer Book