December 4: 2 Corinthians 1-4

December 4, 2 Corinthians 1-4

2 Corinthians. Side note, for the intro on 1st Corinthians, click here… Introduction here of this letter by the ESV Bible, “Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians discusses some of the things previously addressed but also deals with new issues. While 1 Corinthians called for believers to be unified with each other, in this letter Paul urges the church to be unified with him in his ministry. Paul’s opponents were undermining his work, claiming that his suffering (11:24–29) proved he was not a true apostle. Paul responds that his suffering highlights his dependence on Christ, as it points to Christ’s strength rather than his own. Second Corinthians includes stirring perspectives on gospel ministry (chs. 2–5), encouragements to holy living (chs. 6–7), and instructions about giving (chs. 8–9). Paul wrote this letter from Macedonia a year after writing 1 Corinthians, about a.d. 56.”

2 Corinthians 1 Paul opens the letter letting the Corinthian church know that it was Paul & Timothy that wrote this to them by God’s grace and will. Paul reminds them that it is only God who offers comfort in times of despair and that they are in this together. They were made aware of all the suffering and hardship that Paul and his companions went through and that they relied on the power and help of Jesus Christ through the Spirit for God’s glory.

Paul’s Change of Plans. Paul had planned to visit the Corinthians and then head back to Ephesus, but the plans changed and Paul had received a fair amount of criticism for it, which he is now explaining. Paul was simply being obedient and he was a man of his word - he was obedient to where God was leading him.

2 Corinthians 2 Paul’s apostolic ministry. Paul continued to explain why he didn't come to them. His last visit was painful because of their disobedience and he had written them about that in a letter, which we do not have, but it is referenced here. He in no way wanted to cause them pain, but to steer them in the right direction towards Christ Jesus. Paul also called them to forgive some guy who had greatly sinned against them and for them to be obedient in that. Why should they forgive this guy? “…so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” One of Satan’s tricks is resentment and it can tear people apart. God calls us to forgive to be in freedom and receive His forgiveness. 

Triumph in Christ. Paul & Titus were going to meet in Troas to preach, but Paul got there and Titus was not, so Paul left because his spirit was at unrest… In this case, there was lots of ministry opportunities available for Paul, but he was uneasy about it (trust the Lord’s leading…). But Paul praised God for leading him and God is the one who saves. Paul used the analogy of aroma in the teaching of Christ. To those that understand Jesus, it is a great smell, for those who do not, it is the fragrance of death. He adds, that while some are peddlers for profit in God’s word, Paul & his companions are not. God is not a money making scheme. 

2 Corinthians 3 Ministers of the New Covenant. Some are requiring that Paul needs to now show them letters of recommendation as to his role and calling. Paul basically tells them that his letter of recommendation are the lives in Corinth that have been changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ - that is proof enough that Paul is doing what God has called him to do. Bakers Commentary explains the rest of the chapter for us today, “The apostle states that God has given him and his associates competence in the ministry of the new covenant. He posits the contrast of the letter that kills and the Spirit who gives life. The letters engraved in stone belonged to the ministry of the old covenant. As a minister of this covenant, Moses radiated God’s glory. Paul asks whether the ministry of the Spirit is not even more glorious than Moses’ ministry. The first ministry brings condemnation but the second righteousness. The ministry of the old covenant passes away and is obsolete, but the ministry of the new covenant is glorious and permanent.

Paul takes a passage from the Old Testament that relates Moses covering his radiant face with a veil at the request of the people of Israel. A veil covering their hearts and minds prevented them from understanding the message of the old covenant. Only when someone turns to the Lord is this veil removed. When the veil is taken away, writes Paul, there is freedom, which the Spirit of the Lord provides. He concludes by saying that all believers reflect the glory of the Lord when they are transformed in his image. They gradually increase in glory, which they derive from the Lord through the work of the Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 4 The Light of the Gospel. After just explaining that the veil that is lifted allows people to see the truth of Christ, Paul continued to explain it. “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Satan does his best to keep the veil on and keep people imprisoned and it is Jesus who frees people. 

Treasure in Jars of Clay. Paul moves on to talk to them (and us) about the treasure that we have in Jesus and the power that only Jesus brings. It doesn't matter how hard it gets, God is still good. Paul had endured many hardships, and yet keeps focused on Jesus Christ. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” Jesus is at work in us when we are remembering what He did for us and living it out - that helps us keep focused on Him and our purpose and lives in Him. So don't give up, don't lose heart. Why? “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” The best is yet to come - the eternal things are what is coming and when we live with and for Jesus Christ, we will be with Him in Glory, forever! Stay the course and don't lose hope!!!

To sum it all up: 

• We can make all the plans in the world - but we must be open to God for His leading. Plans change when God moves… stay with God! Yes, be a man or woman of your word, but if God is telling you something, obey. 
• We are to forgive and overwhelm people with the love of Jesus
• Our hope is in Jesus Christ and what was covering our eyes from seeing His truth has been lifted. Without Jesus in our lives, we will not be able to see the trruth