Verse By Verse Devotional On 2 Corinthians By Pastor Jack #21

The Sinful Student

1:13-14a "For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; for we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand."

The first thing to do here is figure out what Paul is saying. The NASB translation doesn’t make it easy. There are definite advantages and safeguards to a strict and accurate translation, but sometimes it is very difficult to understand what something means. These two verses are a case in point. The NASB translators have translated accurately in terms of the words, but unintelligibly in terms of the meaning. Though there are dangers and disadvantages of a translation that prizes meaning above accuracy, in verses like this one sure comes in handy. Here is how the NIV translates this:

"For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully."

(The Greek word translated "the end" in the NASB can also mean "fully," and in this case I think it probably does. Perhaps it means both of these here.)

It seems that there were complaints that some of what Paul said in his letter (probably the "severe letter" he wrote between First and Second Corinthians) was not understandable. Paul responds by saying that his letter IS understandable and that he hopes they will come to understand fully what they now only understand in part. But he is speaking with much grace and patience to folks, some of whom are arrogantly and disrespectfully charging him with being incoherent.

Two points:

1- There are some things the teacher communicates that the student doesn’t comprehend which are not the fault of the teacher but of the student. For instance, just because a person doesn’t understand a sermon or a passage of Scripture, etc. doesn’t mean it isn’t that person’s fault that he doesn’t understand. There might be a sin of inattentiveness, or laziness, or stubbornness, or not really wanting to understand. There might be a critical spirit that is looking for things to complain about. There might be a pattern of not loving God with the mind that has resulted in intellectual dullness toward the things of God. When we don’t understand a teaching we should ask first if it’s our fault. It usually is, at least to some extent.

It is safe to say that there are many things that each of us should know that we don’t know because of our sin. Jesus was such a diligent student of the Scriptures and such an attentive synagogue attender that He confounded the experts in the Law when He was but 12. This was not because He was God (He was clearly using His human mind in this), but because He was sinless. It is often our sin that holds us back from understanding things we could well have understood otherwise.

2- When someone doesn’t understand us, we must maintain a gentle and patient attitude toward them, EVEN IF WE ARE CONVINCED THAT THEIR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING IS A RESULT OF THEIR OWN SIN. One big part of sin is not listening to God. We should not be surprised or offended when others don’t listen to us.

"The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth." (2Tim.2:24-25)

Dear Father, forgive me for all the things I don’t know that I should know. And please help me speak Your word and explain Your ways to others in a clear and understandable manner. Help me not to be impatient or quarrelsome, but to graciously and lovingly deal with those who do not listen. Lord, please make my life reflect both the truth and the love of the Lord Jesus.