CHRIST, THE ETERNAL YES

Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Key verse: 20

NIV

Paul’s Change of Plans

12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience(A) testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity[a](B) and godly sincerity.(C) We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom(D) but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.(E)

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you(F) first so that you might benefit twice.(G) 16 I wanted to visit you on my way(H) to Macedonia(I) and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way(J) to Judea.(K) 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner(L) so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?

18 But as surely as God is faithful,(M) our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God,(N) Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[b](O) and Timothy(P)—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always(Q) been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises(R) God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen”(S) is spoken by us to the glory of God.(T) 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm(U) in Christ. He anointed(V) us, 22 set his seal(W) of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.(X)

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Many manuscripts holiness
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:19 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul's Change of Plans

12 For our boast is this, (A)the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity[a] and (B)godly sincerity, (C)not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did (D)partially understand us—that (E)on the day of our Lord Jesus (F)you will boast of us as (G)we will boast of you.

15 Because I was sure of this, (H)I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have (I)a second (J)experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you (K)on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans (L)according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as (M)God is faithful, (N)our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For (O)the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, (P)Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but (Q)in him it is always Yes. 20 For (R)all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our (S)Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and (T)has anointed us, 22 and who has also (U)put his seal on us and (V)given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.[b]

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Some manuscripts holiness
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:22 Or down payment
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Plans can change; not the gospel (12-2

)

Paul had planned to go to Corinth directly from Ephesus, but he had to change his plans because of the problems in Corinth. His travel plans seemed to be full of vacillation, and his opponents criticized him. He made no excuse, but rather reminded them that the gospel of Jesus is unchanging. Paul may not be able to keep promises sometimes, but all God's promises are fulfilled in Jesus. He is God's eternal 'Yes.' No matter how many promises God has made, they are all 'Yes' in Christ. So we who believe in Jesus say 'Amen,' --'so be it,' through Jesus to the glory of God.

2. The Holy Spirit is his guarantee deposit

God is the one who makes us stand firm in Christ. He does this by giving us the Holy Spirit, who dwells in our hearts by faith. This gift is God's seal of ownership--we belong to him. He guarantees what is to come--and makes a deposit to seal his guarantee.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for keeping your promises. Let your Spirit control our fellowship so that we may live as your people.

One Word: God keeps his promises