Christian Living: 2 Corinthians 1:12-20, especially vs. 12:
"...we have conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you."
First Corinthians was a letter of guidance from St. Paul to a troubled congregation. Second Corinthians has quite a different tenor, for the Apostle was seeking to resolve a troubled relationship between himself and that same community. Readers of the Second Epistle find the great Apostle repeatedly defending his manner of life, his personal integrity, and his Apostolic authority. For this reason, Second Corinthians becomes an excellent source for studying the foundations and assumptions upon which one should build a Christian way of living. So, for instance, one will find in today's passage the true source for living as a Christian and the authentic measure of Christian living.
The King James translation of the first phrase of verse 12 reads, "For our rejoicing is this...." Rejoicing is not what one finds in many current English translations: "For our boast [or boasting] is this...." The Greek original supports the meaning, "an act of rejoicing" rather than in a moment of "boasting." Why is St. Paul rejoicing? It is "the day of the Lord Jesus" (vs.14). The Lord's return serves as his reference point for living, a hope he shares with the Corinthians.
Observe the significance of having the great Day of the Lord as a reference point which sets and corrects the whole movement and course of one's life. A focus on the Lord's return teaches that for which the Divine Liturgy also pleads: "a good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of Christ." That Day and our appearance before the Lord are sure and certain, and a practicing disciple has cause to rejoice - as the Apostle did for himself and for the Corinthians.
The Apostle rejoices personally at the approaching Day of the Lord because his conscience assures him that he is conducting his life in "simplicity and godly sincerity." When he united himself to Christ, he repudiated a myriad of false reference points urged on him by the purveyors of "fleshly wisdom." What a difference this single point makes. One knows towards what he is striving! Actually, we may look upon the Day of the Lord as a blessing, for we have in hand a very clear map for guiding us to that day. We know what pleases the Lord Jesus: "being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:10).
One may object that pleasing the Lord is not so simple and that it requires strength and resources beyond human capacity. That is true. However, notice what St. Paul says: "Our rejoicing is...by the grace of God" (vs. 12). The Apostle depends upon the grace of God. He reveals the true source of rejoicing for anyone who lives, using the Day of the Lord Jesus as his reference point. What source of strength and renewal can match "the grace of God" as a basis for daily choices, for taking action, or for developing plans?
It is one thing to know where one is headed in life. It is another matter to have the resources for reaching the goal. Beloved of the Lord, we have both. Further, as the Apostle suggests, we also have the means to measure our progress along the way until the Day of the Lord. St. Paul asks rhetorically: "when I was planning...did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh?" (vs. 17). Note his negative answer: the Christian acts "soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3). Let us not plan, choose, nor live according to the flesh, but according to illumination from the Holy Spirit, for there is "no condemnation to them which...walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). At all times to "walk after the Spirit" provides the greatest ground for rejoicing and living.
Let all them be glad that hope in Thee; they shall ever rejoice, for Thou shalt dwell among them.