II Corinthians 12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
That little word “but” is an important word in the Bible. At times it is used to speak of the wrong response to what God says. Sometimes it is used to speak of God’s actions.
In our text Paul is using it to remind the Corinthians that he did not burden them. They could not accuse him of costing them anything. He was a benefit to them, even though they did not see it that way.
The false teachers had accused Paul of using trickery to lure the Corinthians in. They were the ones using trickery. They were deceivers. Paul was the one who was teaching the truth. Paul was the one who had pure motives.
Today as well, oftentimes, people fail to see where real help comes from.
Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
It takes humility to listen to God. Pride works against the truth. Pride exalts the flesh. Humility opens the person up to listen to God. He speaks through His Word. You will never know the truth if you only want to pick and choose some particular verses. God gave His Word in an orderly manner. It needs to be read and studied the same way.
In verse 17 Paul asked the saints if they could show him where he made a gain off of them. Did any of those he sent to them, make a gain off of them? He and his companions operated under the love of God. Love tells the truth. Love does not deceive. Love is often not appreciated but God’s love is real.
John 3:16 speaks of the love of God in a very clear manner. Who would give His only begotten Son to suffer and die on the cross of Calvary for people who do not even care about Him?
We sometimes do nice things for people who treat us nicely. Often we despise those who teach us the truth. The Truth is God’s Word. God knows us inside and out. He knows what is right and what is good. He shows us that over and over again in His Word. Too often people are just like the Corinthian saints. They listen to lies, rather than to the Holy Spirit Who is showing them the truth.
In verse 18 Paul spoke of Titus. He sent Titus and another brother to the saints in Corinth. Could they honestly accuse them of taking advantage of the saints in Corinth? If the Corinthians were honest, they would see that Paul and his companions all operated in the same manner. They did not charge a fee. They did not withhold truth from the people. They loved them and they wanted to help them.
In verse 19 Paul stated that everything he and his companions did was for their edification. They were trying to build them up in the faith. Again, pride says ‘I am alright on my own, I can figure things out.’ Pride says, ‘I do not need someone to explain the Bible to me’. Pride blinds the person to the truth because it uses faulty judgment to determine truth. There are thousands upon thousands of people in hell now because they refused to believe the truth.
In verse 20 Paul pointed out the ways of the flesh. The way most people get along is if they do not talk about the things that really matter. They do not want to talk doctrine. They just want to share opinions. If any reference to Scripture is made, it is taken out of context and used to defend sin, rather than being reminded of the holiness of God.
God is love and He does forgive. He provides the only means of forgiveness. Those who are forgiven are made new creatures. They walk in a new way, in the way that is spoken of in the Bible.
Paul had an obligation before God to teach the Truth. He did not want God to look upon him and judge him for compromising the truth. They were in danger of making it appear that way. They were trying to dismiss Truth and they were trying to substitute Truth for feelings.
There were still people in Corinth who called themselves saints, but they were still holding on to the sins of immorality. As we have already mentioned, God offers forgiveness. When a person is forgiven, they have the power to turn away from their sin. The true child of God does not want to be in bondage to sin. He/she wants to be free from that bondage.
It is important to let God define bondage. Obedience to God’s Word is not bondage.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Liberty is found in knowing Christ and walking humbly with Him. That is freedom. Bondage is accepting the many lies of the devil and being crippled by sin.
Faith in God will set the captive free. That is not just empty talk. That is Bible fact. God is not the author of confusion. That is from the devil. God is the author of Truth and the Truth makes the repentant sinner free from bondage. Be sure you are following the Truth.
Pastor Bartel