13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1:13
For
Paul’s opponents in Corinth accused him of lacking genuineness and asserted that he was “deceitful” (2 Co 10:10).
we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand.
Paul’s writings were always simple and clear. No one had to speculate as to what he said. Some in Corinth attempted to misinterpret what Paul wrote. However, he asserted that there was no discrepancy between what he wrote and his conduct. He had no hidden agenda. The apostle made his writing intentions clear. He did not have ulterior motives in the Corinthian correspondence. He was straight and aboveboard in his previous communications with them, especially in his writing of 1 Corinthians. There was no deception in his correspondence with the Corinthians.
Now I trust you will understand,
Paul hoped that the Corinthian church would continue to hold confidence in his ministry. There are always people who will reduce themselves to gossips; Paul desired that this church would not lend itself to this low level of living.
even to the end
The “end” here is the end of Paul’s life.
1:14
(as also you have understood us in part),
The Corinthians realized “in part” that Paul was aboveboard and straightforward in his correspondence with them. They, however, did not fully understand him.
that we are your boast as you also are ours,
Paul boasted in the repentance of the church at Corinth. The Corinthians also took pride in the apostle’s ministry.
in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Paul was confident that the Corinthians would vindicate him at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Co 5:10-11). This event would also make it clear that Paul had been transparent with the Corinthians. The “day of the Lord Jesus” is the Rapture; that is, when He comes again to take the church with Him.
Paul had no fear of what the Judgment Seat of Christ would reveal about his motives in ministry.
PRINCIPLE:
The Judgment Seat of Christ will raise the curtain on all deceit and reveal those who lived with integrity.
APPLICATION:
Christians should be transparent in what they say and do. To veil our intentions is to mislead others. There should be no equivocation by us at all. This is the opposite of carrying a hidden agenda (2 Co 4:2-3).
