Managing Conflict 2 Corinthians 1:13 – 2:5

Context 2 Cor. 1:23-2:4 But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth. [24] Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

Context 2 Cor. 1:23-2:4 [2:1] But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. [2] For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? [3] This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all. [4] For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

Historical Context

How To Maintain Closeness? Historical Context [2:1] But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again… [4] For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you. Conflict How To Maintain Closeness?

Secular Basis for Closeness: Alienation! Arbitrary Authority Model Dog Eat Dog Model The Truce Model: Parallel Lives

Christian Basis for Closeness: Foundational Assumptions God’s Authority Ego Not on the Throne Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Philip. 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Christian Basis for Closeness: Foundational Assumptions God’s Authority Ego Not on the Throne Tools 2 Cor. 2:6-8 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, [7] so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow such a one be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. [8] Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

Christian Basis for Closeness: Luke 18:10-14 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] "The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' [13] "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' [14] "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Foundational Assumptions God’s Authority Ego Not on the Throne Tools Grace (charizomai) “Easy To Please” Forbearing: “Let It Ride” Philip. 4:5 “Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”

Matthew 18:21ff [21] Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Ephes. 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

Christian Basis for Closeness: Matthew 18:15-17 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. [16] "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. [17] "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Foundational Assumptions God’s Authority Ego Not on the Throne Tools Grace Discipline Romans 15:14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.