The "Severe Letter"

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 970)
Psalms 56, 57, [58] (morning) 64, 65 (evening)
Deuteronomy 30:1-10
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Luke 18:31-43

One of these days I want to re-read 2 Corinthians and change the order of reading. I want to start either with this section we begin today (chapters 10-13), or possibly with the previous two chapters (8-9) that discuss Paul's fund drive on behalf of the Jerusalem church. Most scholars believe that 2 Corinthians as we now have it is a combination of several shorter letters which reflect a conflict that Paul experienced with the congregation in Corinth.

A linear version of the story might go like this. Paul was the first Christian leader to reach Corinth. There he continued his strategy of visiting the synagogue and teaching about Jesus as the Messiah. With great heart and passion, he proclaimed Jesus as Lord, and he invited the Gentile god-fearers into a new form of Jewish fellowship that did not require circumcision and adherence to many of the kosher and ritual practices that were especially peculiar to Judaism and challenging for Greeks who were otherwise attracted to the high ethics and the monotheism of Judaism. Paul's basic gospel was the message of justification by grace, apart from the law.

Paul worked long enough to establish a congregation that followed Jesus as Lord and Messiah. It may be that the Jewish members who joined his group became alienated from the synagogue. There was some natural tension within Paul's congregation as it combined into a single fellowship people from two very different origins and worldviews -- Jews and Greeks. After a while, Paul left to pursue his collection for the Jerusalem church and to visit Ephesus, an important center for the early church and major city in the Mediterranian. He promised to return to Corinth, but troubles in Ephesus delayed his return.

During the delay, some other apostles came into Corinth and something happened. Maybe they talked the congregation into using some of the money they had been saving for Paul's Jerusalem collection and turned it toward local use. In some ways these new apostles criticized and challenged Paul's authority in the congregation. Paul considered them to be rivals who had invaded his ecclesiastical territory and believed that they threatened the work he had begun.

So Paul made a visit to Corinth to confront the situation. He challenged an unnamed rival. Paul left again, returning to Ephesus, but it appears that Paul believed his trip to Corinth had been unsuccessful, maybe even a disaster.

That's where we pick up with chapter 10. Chronologically it may be the first letter that is the collection we now call 2 Corinthians. Chapters 10-13 are often identified with the "severe letter" Paul references in 2:4.

Paul is angry. He defends his ministry. He attacks his rivals. He promotes his authority as the founding apostle of the Corinthian Church. He says that these late-comers have invaded his territory. Paul blasts with both barrels. We can imagine his anxiety, as he wonders how this missive will be received.

Good news! Titus visits Corinth and discovers that the letter has had its intended effect. Overjoyed, Paul writes what we now have as Chapters 1-7, a thankful and conciliatory message. Now that his rivals have been defeated, Paul advises a process for forgiveness and reconciliation.

It's a little bit like the Star Wars movies. They were released in a non-chronological order, so you have to remember the whole plot to follow some of the characters and conflicts in any particular movie you are watching.

So right now, we are reading part one of 2 Corinthians. Things have gone bad. Paul is angry, defensive and on the attack. Since we've already read the thankful letter, we know how things will turn out. But it helps the drama to suspend our memory and put ourselves back into the anxiety of Paul when the direction of the Corinthian church was at stake. Will these outsider "super-apostles" take away his authority, and the money that has been collected under Paul's direction? Will Paul lose his standing as the patriarch of the church he founded? How will Paul address this challenge to his territory? It's going to be an ugly fight. Paul is determined to win.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

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The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas