Open Rebuke or Hidden Love - 2 Corinthians 7

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I heard this verse this morning before I opened 2 Cor 7, and it is the perfect wrapper of what Paul is communicating in both his letters to the Corinthians. But as we process open rebuke, let us be honest, it’s not the easiest thing to do. We also can get wrapped up in hidden love, thinking that we are loving someone by no calling them out, rebuking them, or bringing the challenge or discipline need. I think all parents can completely relate to this. As our kids get older and enter the later stages of youth, it gets even more complicated. Robin and I have many friends walking through some tough times with their kids, and living out this verse is hard and not always black and white. 

As you dive into 2 Corinthians 7, you will read and find Paul expressing his love again to the Corinthians, and celebrating the joy he has knowing they have received his rebuke, expressed Godly sorrow, and have come to repentance. 

“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul loved the Corinthian church and people so much that he openly rebuked them! Paul caused them deep sorrow and pain, and he did not regret it. But I LOVE how Paul expressed his humanness next. He then said he did regret it, he felt terrible he hurt them. Did you see that he didn't regret it until he did? My guess is Paul questioned himself, did he do the right thing...should I of hidden my love and not rebuked? If you are struggling today and having concerns bringing rebuke, read Paul's words, and receive the comfort that he wrestled with this as well. 

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The place where transformation happens is in Godly sorrow. The pure and repentant heart. This is where the Corinthians found themselves. They were rebuked by Paul, found repentance through Godly sorrow, comforted by Titus, and then Titus brought the news and comfort to Paul.  

A beautiful circle that has a happy ending. But, I want to make sure that if we read this, we do not forget that this didn't happen overnight, and I can only imagine the pain and agony in the days and months between communication. The concern in the unknown and silence. Let’s transition and close with these verses and an important thought. 

“By all this, we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well.” - ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the midst of all the concern, rebuke, and challenges, Paul was boasting about the Corinthians. Paul didn't speak poorly of them; he didn't bad mouth them or rebuke or call them out with other leaders - Paul believed in them. Wow, this hit me square between the eyes. If you go back and read or think about 1 Corinthians, Paul was so frustrated and upset at them, but here we read that to Paul's leader Titus, Paul was boasting and building up the Corinthians, speaking positive and I am sure praying intensely for them. 

Open rebuke or hidden love. Let’s not confuse those, and Lord give us the wisdom and strength to bring the open rebuke when we need it. Father, draw us closer to you, so we have the strength and courage to step into the conversations we need.