In 2 Corinthians 6:11, Paul calls on the Corinthians to “open wide your hearts.” He returns to that theme here, having in the meantime noted the promises God has made to us – to dwell in us, be our faster and cleanse us of our sins.
This is why Paul is writing – not to change their behavior or make them agree with him, but to bring them to salvation and transform them.
This chapter also marks a transition from talking to those opposing him to those in his camp. In verse 2, he asks the Corinthians to receive him, or to make room in their hearts for him. This is not just a pleasantry, but something he is specifically seeking from those Corinthians who are defending him. They, he goes on to say, are in his heart. In Paul’s mind, this association is a serious business, a distillation of the greatest commandment, and the deepest form of friendship. They will die together, in Christ, and live together, in Christ. The mutual connection in Christ brings them into each other’s hearts.
Paul here, as he acknowledges, is being very bold in his statements of affection, given his tumultuous history with the Corinthians, but, as he will go on to say, that history and the repentance he has seen, has in fact served to strengthen that bond.
Specifically, their response to the Severe Letter Paul sent previously brought him joy. Paul’s confrontation of the Corinthians is a model of confrontation, making the confronted feel valued, being intentional about the method, and clear about the issue that needs addressing.
Paul knew that his letter would provoke grief, but he also knew that the grief would be temporary. Not only that, but the repentance of the Corinthians and grace of Christ would redeem even their sin such that there would be no regrets but only joy in their transformation.
Now, not all grief is necessarily Godly grief. Worldly grief brings death – we see contrasts in this grief between Judas and Peter. Both betrayed Christ in one form or another, but Judas’ grief brought him to suicide while Peter’s brought him to repentance and his place as the rock of the church.
Godly grief will cause indignation at our behavior, eagerness to make things right, and a deep desire for justice.
Paul is not out to get anyone, nor is he even seeking to directly restore those wronged (the repentant Corinthians will take care of that) but rather to demonstrate to the Corinthians the unity that exists in the body of Christ. He seems them to be as confident in that unity as he is.
Titus serves as another illustration of this, and his joy is ultimately the fruit of the repentance of the Corinthians, itself the fruit of Paul’s confrontation and the open hearts of the Corinthians.
This open-heartedness, this prioritization of other’s physical and spiritual needs, this unity, is how we are supposed to live. But so often, we don’t. Why is that? For one, it’s difficult. For another, we are, today, told to invite Jesus into our hearts, with very little attention given to commands like these to open our hearts to others. Opening our hearts also opens ourselves to being hurt – especially if you are in an environment where godly confrontation is not happening, but rather worldly confrontation bringing worldly grief. Though Paul himself clearly opens himself up to the Corinthians himself before knowing if they would react in a godly or worldly manner.
When we feel justified in living with closed hearts, we should understand that we are depriving the community of the fruits of our own hearts. Remember the promises from the previous chapter – God wants not only to be our personal savior, but to join us together in unity as His people.
– Sermon Notes, Sean Davern, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, April 22, 2018
2 Corinthians 7:1-16
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