誤會
哥林多後書一章12至24節
12我們所誇的是自己的良心，見證我們憑著神的聖潔和誠實；在世為人不靠人的聰明，乃靠神的恩惠，向你們更是這樣。
13我們現在寫給你們的話，並不外乎你們所念的，所認識的，我也盼望你們到底還是要認識；
14正如你們已經有幾分認識我們，以我們誇口，好像我們在我們主耶穌的日子以你們誇口一樣。
15我既然這樣深信，就早有意到你們那裡去，叫你們再得益處；
16也要從你們那裡經過，往馬其頓去，再從馬其頓回到你們那裡，叫你們給我送行往猶太去。
17我有此意，豈是反復不定麼？我所起的意，豈是從情慾起的，叫我忽是忽非麼？
18我指著信實的神說，我們向你們所傳的道，並沒有是而又非的。
19因為我和西拉並提摩太，在你們中間所傳神的兒子耶穌基督，總沒有是而又非的，在他只有一是。
20神的應許，不論有多少，在基督都是是的。所以藉著他也都是實在（實在：原文是阿們）的，叫神因我們得榮耀。
21那在基督裡堅固我們和你們，並且膏我們的就是神。
22他又用印印了我們，並賜聖靈在我們心裡作憑據（原文是質）。
23我呼籲神給我的心作見證，我沒有往哥林多去是為要寬容你們。
24我們並不是轄管你們的信心，乃是幫助你們的快樂，因為你們憑信才站立得住。
信息分享
人與人之間的誤會，特別是信徒之間的誤會，往往是教會生活中最難處理的一個問題。有些時候，我們是因為誤解了別人的話而產生誤會。另一些時候，是因為對事情一知半解而引起。而且，我們在沒有真憑實據去證明某人做錯某件事之前，往往不肯先信任他，這也會造成嚴重的誤會。
哥林多信徒不明白保羅為甚麼要改變行程。他曾答應會探訪他們，但最終卻沒有實踐承諾，究竟是甚麼原因呢？
保羅之所以改變計劃，是因為他相信那是神的旨意要他改道而行。然而，哥林多教會的某些信徒卻不接受這個解釋，結果便產生嚴重的誤會。
保羅其實有三大理由要改變行程。第一，正如之前所說，保羅相信這是神的旨意。第二，他不想再責備他們（23節）。第三，他希望他們自行處理教會紀律的問題。他向他們保證，他並非言而無信；反而，他因基督的緣故，要自己做一個有信用的人。神是信實的（18節），倘若保羅不守信用，就只會羞辱神和基督。我們今天也是一樣，倘若別人覺得信徒是不守信用的，他又怎會願意相信神呢？
聖經其中一個要旨，就是要說明神的信實。很多經文都是關乎神的信實，例如：「我們儘管失信，但神是信實的，祂不能背乎自己。」（提後二13）
這對我們有甚麼教訓呢？就是要言而有信，言出必行。倘若你不能實踐承諾，就必須讓有關人士明白你的理由。不要因為失信於人而羞辱神的聖名。
他人如果信任你，他們也比較容易相信你所宣認的神。
MISUNDERSTANDINGS
2 Corinthians 1:12-24
12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
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.
15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit—
16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.
17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?
18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.
20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
Message
Misunderstandings, especially in church life, are often among the most difficult problems to deal with. Sometimes they arise from a wrong construction on what someone has said. Other times they occur because of only partial knowledge of the facts involved. Not giving a person the benefit of a doubt can also cause serious misunderstandings.
The Corinthian church could not understand Paul's change in his travel plans. He had promised to visit them but he had not kept his promise. Why?
Paul had changed his plan because he believed it was God's will to follow a different path. But some of the Corinthian Christians could not accept that explanation and a serious misunderstanding had arisen between them and Paul.
Paul had three reasons why he had changed from Plan A to Plan B. First, as he had said, it was the Lord's will. Second, he didn't want to hurt them again (v.23). The third reason was that he wanted them to deal with the matter of church discipline themselves. He assured them that he was not breaking faith with them. He wanted to be faithful for the sake of Christ. God is faithful (v.18) and if Paul acted in an unfaithful way, it would reflect on God and on Christ. It is still true today. People are not likely to trust God if they can't trust His children, are they?
The faithfulness of God is one of the great themes of the Bible. There are many verses which speak of this - "I am the Lord, I change not." "If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He cannot deny himself."
What is the lesson for us? Be true to your word. If you cannot do what you have promised, make sure that those concerned know the reason. Don't bring shame to the name of Christ by not living up to your promises.
IF PEOPLE CAN TRUST YOU THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRUST YOUR GOD.