The Importance of Integrity (2 Cor: 1:12-2:4)

Today we consider what I think is a very important aspect of the Christian ministry life: The importance of integrity.

You see, when a messenger’s integrity is questioned, the message itself often comes under suspicion. I remember the first time I notice this happened was sobering. 

The integrity of the messenger is deeply tied to the credibility of the message.

So, let me ask you: have you ever had your integrity questioned? Has someone ever doubted your character? Or perhaps you’ve wrestled with whether a leader you once trusted was truly living what they preached?

And one of the clearest examples comes from the life of the apostle Paul, in and around this church he planted in the city of Corinth.

Initially he spent about 18 months there to help it get established, but then he moved on. But after he left, serious problems arose among the believers. Paul then wrote a strong letter—what we know as 1 Corinthians—to confront those issues. At the end of that letter, he told them he planned to come back and visit.

But during this between time false teachers crept in. They began attacking Paul personally. They questioned how he handled discipline in the church. They pointed out that he had promised to visit, but hadn’t yet arrived. “See?” they said, “You can’t trust this man. He says one thing and does another. He doesn’t really care about you—he’s just in it for himself.”

Have you heard accusations like that before? Paul certainly had. And so, he wrote another letter—what we call 2 Corinthians—to defend both his ministry and his message.