2 Corinthians 7:3,4 - I have spoken with great frankness

7:3

“I do not say this to condemn you...” Often our first reaction when it is pointed out that we are doing something wrong is to assume we are being condemned. Paul wanted to assure the Corinthians that he was not condemning them, he wasn’t out to get them! He has already said that they were close to his heart and he meant it. He wanted to be united with them, in life and in death. People react the same way to God, and it leads to tremendous misunderstanding and wrong reactions, both in the church and in the world. We know that God loves the world and loves people, therefore we think that we shouldn’t talk about sin! Yet the whole of the Bible talks about sin, and it does so because we are a fallen race, we have sinned against God and this is our biggest problem. So the gospel tells us that sin is our biggest problem (and if we omit this part then we not preaching the gospel at all). But it also says that through the cross and resurrection God has dealt with the problem in Christ and we can be set free. God dealt with the problem entirely at His own expense. If we neglect sin then we actually have nothing to say.

7:4

Paul had great hopes for the Corinthians. He acted and spoke with boldness because he loved them, he also had great pride in them, and was filled with great comfort. Paul was suffering much, but he was also filled with overflowing joy because he knew that his sufferings were benefitting the Corinthians.