"For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. . . . But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?" (NKJV)
Verse 8 in chapter 1 begins a section of writing that is understood by verses 1-2 of chapter 2. Paul begins explaining why he didn’t make a previously promised trip to the Corinthian church: after the rebuke in 1 Corinthians regarding the sexual sin of a church member, he didn’t want to come to them again with only rebukes. He put off his visit in order to give them time to process his letter and to deal with the issue. There is a wisdom that we can learn from Paul’s delay.
People process differently. They take different amounts of time and they use different methods. Not everyone can deal with an issue right now nor can most people respond appropriately within a short period of time. They need time to think about things before changing their opinions or how they do something.
Paul talked about this in both Romans and Philippians, acknowledging that there are believers who have differing viewpoints:
"Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you" (Philippians 3:15 NKJV).
Paul was completely confident that his "point of view" was God’s will. Paul didn’t give the same weight to differing opinions: "Well, you can have your opinion and I’ll have mine." He knew that what he believed (and what he had written) was God’s will. Paul had spent sufficient time in prayer that he was totally convinced that what he had written was exactly what God wanted; therefore, the reason that Paul wasn’t giving room for differing opinions wasn’t because he believed everyone had the right to their own viewpoint. Paul completely understood that those who disagreed with him would eventually agree with him as the Holy Spirit worked in their lives. He characterizes those who agree with him as being "mature" and those who disagree as still needing God’s revelation in this area of their lives.
People are at different places in their lives and need time to grow and mature. When faced with change or difficulties, they will likely process differently and at different rates. Paul understood this unique characteristic of the human psyche and made allowances for it while refusing to give way to a sinful opinion or position.
Paul takes a similar, but even more patient, stance in Romans 15:
"We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1 NKJV).
Matthew Henry expands on Paul’s words:
"We all have our infirmities; but the weak are more subject to them than others-the weak in knowledge or grace, the bruised reed and the smoking flax. We must consider these; not trample upon them, but encourage them, and bear with their infirmities. If through weakness they judge and censure us, and speak evil of us, we must bear with them, pity them, and not have our affections alienated from them. Alas! it is their weakness, they cannot help it. Thus Christ bore with his weak disciples, and apologised for them. But there is more in it; we must also bear their infirmities by sympathizing with them, concerning ourselves for them, ministering strength to them, as there is occasion. This is bearing one another’s burdens." (Henry, M. 1996, c1991. Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Ro 15:1). Hendrickson: Peabody)
Matthew Henry uses the word "infirmities" from the original King James. This word is asthenema (Strong’s G771) and means "those scruples which arise through weakness of faith."
We are surrounded, in the Body of Christ, by believers who are at different stages of spiritual maturity, who mature at different rates and in different ways, and who are going through the spiritual growth process perhaps differently than we did. Some may be greatly hurting. Some may be defensive or brash. All need our support and love.
Paul tells us that we aren’t here to please ourselves, but rather we are here to minister to those around us, being strong to bear with their opinions without beating them down. The place of the mature believer is to pray for those less mature, to befriend them, to gently minister to them. In everything that we do, we are to consider the welfare of those around us, pouring out our lives for them as Christ poured out His life for us. This is truly showing love to the brethren: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16 NKJV) and "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35 NKJV). We love each other when we allow others to process at their own rate, to grow as the Spirit leads them, and to love even when we fail to agree.
© 2015 Robin L. O’Hare. All rights reserved. Permission granted for nonprofit and church groups to use this article in its entirety (including this notice). For other uses, please contact servinggodalone@yahoo.com.
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