2 Corinthians 1:15-22
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
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Our world is full of ideas that push God aside. Many people think religion is old-fashioned, rigid and useless. Christianity is often mocked as nonsense. We hear it on social media, at work during casual conversations, and even in school among friends. Questions like “How do you know the Bible is true?” or “Is Jesus really who He says He is?” are common. These are questions that the Corinthian church was hearing. This is exactly what Paul is addressing.
Paul is facing persecution from false teachers in Corinth (1:8, 11:12-13). They accused him of being unreliable, attacking his character because his travel plans changed. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. They are saying, “If Paul cannot keep his word about visiting us, how can we trust anything he says?” Paul is accused of being a fickle-minded and unreliable hypocrite. The false teachers are trying to undermine Paul’s ministry and, in turn, the gospel he preached.
If you were Paul, you might be quick to defend yourself, by proving the false teachers wrong. But Paul does something unexpected.
Instead of arguing about himself, he points the church back to Christ. He says that his message has always been consistent, never wishy-washy. He was not making his plans “according to his flesh” (v.17), but for the sake of the gospel. He says, “As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.” (v.18) His travel plans may have changed, but the gospel he preached never did. It has always been “Yes”. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (v.20).
Paul is reminding the Corinthians that the heart of his ministry is not his own reliability, but the unchanging truth of Christ. In Jesus, every promise of God is fulfilled. In Him we find forgiveness for our sins, strength to endure trials, the gift of the Holy Spirit who seals us as God’s own, the hope of the resurrection, and the assurance of eternal life. All of God’s blessings come together in one clear answer—His “Yes” in Jesus Christ.
That is why Paul could stand firm even when others attacked him. His confidence did not rest in himself but in Christ. His words are true and trustworthy, because Jesus truly came, died, rose, ascended, and he will return. That is why we too can have confidence today. In a world filled with doubt, criticism, and unbelief, we do not need to be shaken. God has given us His true Word, and He has sealed us with His Spirit as a guarantee. Because of this, we can say “Amen” with confidence, knowing that every promise of God finds its fulfillment in Jesus.
So when the world tempts us to doubt, when people mock our faith, or when questions make us feel uncertain, we can rest assured, because we have true words from the one true God about our Lord Jesus Christ. In a world steeped in God-rejecting ideas, we can have full courage in Christ. The gospel is not a shaky “maybe,” but a firm “Yes” in Christ. “That is why it is through him that we utter our amen to God for his glory.” (v.20)
Reflection:
• Have you heard anything that the world has been saying that has made you doubt the gospel of Christ?
• How has God’s word strengthened you to trust in his gospel?
• Consider sharing this with a church family member, that we might strengthen one another!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the assurance we have in Jesus, and the example we have in Paul. We praise you, for in Christ every promise you have given to us is fulfilled. Help me to stand firm with unwavering faith in a world that often tempts me to doubt the gospel. Help me Lord, to cling tightly to the gospel truth and rejoice in all that I have in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Click to read
Our world is full of ideas that push God aside. Many people think religion is old-fashioned, rigid and useless. Christianity is often mocked as nonsense. We hear it on social media, at work during casual conversations, and even in school among friends. Questions like “How do you know the Bible is true?” or “Is Jesus really who He says He is?” are common. These are questions that the Corinthian church was hearing. This is exactly what Paul is addressing.
Paul is facing persecution from false teachers in Corinth (1:8, 11:12-13). They accused him of being unreliable, attacking his character because his travel plans changed. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s true. They are saying, “If Paul cannot keep his word about visiting us, how can we trust anything he says?” Paul is accused of being a fickle-minded and unreliable hypocrite. The false teachers are trying to undermine Paul’s ministry and, in turn, the gospel he preached.
If you were Paul, you might be quick to defend yourself, by proving the false teachers wrong. But Paul does something unexpected.
Instead of arguing about himself, he points the church back to Christ. He says that his message has always been consistent, never wishy-washy. He was not making his plans “according to his flesh” (v.17), but for the sake of the gospel. He says, “As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.” (v.18) His travel plans may have changed, but the gospel he preached never did. It has always been “Yes”. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (v.20).
Paul is reminding the Corinthians that the heart of his ministry is not his own reliability, but the unchanging truth of Christ. In Jesus, every promise of God is fulfilled. In Him we find forgiveness for our sins, strength to endure trials, the gift of the Holy Spirit who seals us as God’s own, the hope of the resurrection, and the assurance of eternal life. All of God’s blessings come together in one clear answer—His “Yes” in Jesus Christ.
That is why Paul could stand firm even when others attacked him. His confidence did not rest in himself but in Christ. His words are true and trustworthy, because Jesus truly came, died, rose, ascended, and he will return. That is why we too can have confidence today. In a world filled with doubt, criticism, and unbelief, we do not need to be shaken. God has given us His true Word, and He has sealed us with His Spirit as a guarantee. Because of this, we can say “Amen” with confidence, knowing that every promise of God finds its fulfillment in Jesus.
So when the world tempts us to doubt, when people mock our faith, or when questions make us feel uncertain, we can rest assured, because we have true words from the one true God about our Lord Jesus Christ. In a world steeped in God-rejecting ideas, we can have full courage in Christ. The gospel is not a shaky “maybe,” but a firm “Yes” in Christ. “That is why it is through him that we utter our amen to God for his glory.” (v.20)
Reflection:
• Have you heard anything that the world has been saying that has made you doubt the gospel of Christ?
• How has God’s word strengthened you to trust in his gospel?
• Consider sharing this with a church family member, that we might strengthen one another!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the assurance we have in Jesus, and the example we have in Paul. We praise you, for in Christ every promise you have given to us is fulfilled. Help me to stand firm with unwavering faith in a world that often tempts me to doubt the gospel. Help me Lord, to cling tightly to the gospel truth and rejoice in all that I have in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.