2 Corinthians 1:24

Dominion over your faith. The expression “to spare you” (v. 23) might have been misunderstood by the Corinthians as an effort on Paul’s part to lord it over them. Paul desires to leave them no excuse for thinking that he aspires to stand in the place of God toward them. No man — not even Paul the apostle — has the right to exercise authority over men’s consciences. To do so would be to usurp divine authority. How impressive is Paul’s humility, in contrast with the arrogance of later leaders of the church who, in the name of the apostles, usurped divine jurisdiction over the consciences and souls of men (see Additional Note on Dan. 7). In administering the affairs of the church today, or in counseling church members, leaders should always beware of interposing between the conscience and God. Every man is accountable directly to God for his own conscience, as he is for his actions.

Helpers of your joy. What Paul had done he did as their friend, not as their master.

By faith ye stand. The majority of the Corinthians had stood firm in the faith in spite of the winds of doctrine and disaffection that had blown over the church like a storm and shaken it to its foundations.