Second Corinthians 1 and 2

Monday, April 13                                                                    2 Corinthians 1:1-11

“God is the sourceof all comfort”

     These verses give us a wonderful statementabout divine comfort (vv. 3-7) and divine deliverance (vv. 8-11).  First, we see that even the most devout ofGod’s people can become discouraged. Paul had experienced outstanding success in his ministry in Ephesus, butthat was followed by a time of great pain. He tells us that as Christians we share the kind of experiences thatChrist had.  We live in the same kind ofworld in which he lived and face the same forces of evil he faced, and if weare faithful to Christ we will get the same reaction he received.  But all who share Christ’s trials can alsotap the resources of comfort that were his, for true comfort always has adivine source.

     Second, Paul reminds his readers that theGod who comforts can also deliver.  Paulknew what it was to be stripped of all confidence in his own strength, and hestates that in our difficult times we learn that we should not trust inourselves but in God.  For Paul, histrouble was like Calvary and God’s rescue was like Easter Sunday morning.

You comfort me in my trouble, Lord, and itis well with my soul.  Amen.

Tuesday, April 14                                                                 2 Corinthians 1:12-16

“We depend on God’sgrace”

     In this letter Paul engages three groupsof people.  His first concern is for theCorinthians themselves, who are divided into those who have already repentedfrom their rebellion against Paul and those who are still questioning hislegitimacy as an apostle.  In addressingthe Corinthians as a whole, he seeks to encourage the former while trying towin back the latter.  At the same time,Paul needs to counter the “false apostles” who have recently arrived in Corinthand are trying to turn the believers against Paul.

     Paulhas a clear conscience concerning his conduct toward each of these threegroups, claiming that it is God’s grace in his life that has shaped his ethicalconduct toward them.  For Paul, there isa direct link between theology and ethics, between the dynamic nature of God’presence in one’s life and how one actually lives.  In applying Paul’s example, we too shouldevaluate whether or not our way of life reflects the sincerity and uprightnessthat flow from the presence of God’s grace in us.

Maymy words and behavior reflect the truth, Lord, that you live in me.  Amen.

Wednesday, April 15                                                           2 Corinthians 1:17-20

“You may be asking why I changed my plans”

     Evidently, Paul’s opponents had pointed tohis change in plans regarding coming to Corinth as evidence of his illegitimacyas an apostle.  After all, if Paul were atrue, Spirit-filled apostle, he should be able to rely on the guidance of God,rather than changing his mind concerning his itinerary, not only once, but eventwo and three times!  Paul’s plans shouldreflect the very surety of the God who never changes, his word should be asreliable as the God who never lies, and his authority should be as unassailableas that of God’s himself.

     In response to such accusations, Paulreminds the Corinthians that his first change in plans derived not from a lackof God’s guidance or as an expression of a vacillating character, but from theconfidence that his actions were being carried out in response to God’sever-expanding grace in both his life and in the lives of the Corinthianbelievers.  That such a change in plansdid not reflect a lack of the Holy Spirit is evident in Paul’s purpose for theextra visit: that the Corinthians, not Paul, might “receive a double blessing”(see verse 15).

I am available toyou, Lord, to change my plans as you choose. Amen.

Thursday, April 16                                                              2 Corinthians 1:21-24 

“I didn’t return so as to spare you a severe rebuke” 

     Paul’s secondchange of plans was in order to extend mercy to them.  In his first letter (13:1-10), Paul statedthat he is both willing and able to exercise his authority to judge those whoclaim Christ but live in sin. Nevertheless, before judgment comes mercy.  God is long-suffering.  Just as God has extended one more opportunityfor repentance and restoration to the world by separating the two comings ofChrist, Paul too wanted to extend this same opportunity to the Corinthians.

     The gravity ofwhat Paul is saying is reflected in his willingness to confirm it by a solemnoath, which calls God to be his witness, as in a court of law, thereby invitingdivine judgment on himself should he be lying. Paul is testifying in the most earnest way possible that it was not hisfear of rejection that kept him from returning to Corinth (as his opponentswere claiming), but his wish to spare them the judgment of God.  Had Paul come to them in the midst of theirrebellion, he would have been compelled to pronounce God’s condemnation and toput them out of the church.

We praise you,Lord, that you give us opportunity to repent and be forgiven.  Amen.

  Friday, April 17                                                                       2 Corinthians 2:1-4

“If I cause yougrief, who will make me glad?”

     Paul canceled his return visit because herecognized that his own happiness as an apostle was wrapped up in theCorinthians’ progress in faith, not in their judgment and ensuing grief.  Paul was willing to deny himself theimmediate pleasure of his own vindication for the greater satisfaction ofseeing the Corinthians experience the joy of a renewed faith.  In this sense, Paul changed his plans notsolely for the sake of the Corinthians, but for his own sake as well.  Moreover, in making this decision, Paul hadthe confidence that his mercy toward the Corinthians would have its desiredresult: The Corinthian would repent and once again share Paul’s joy inChrist. 

     The very existence of 2 Corinthians isitself testimony to the fact that Paul’s confidence was not misplaced.  Paul’s love for the Corinthians, expressed inthe severe warnings and calls to repentance of his previous letter, was theinstrument God used to bring the majority of the Corinthians back to Paul.  Paul’s hope is that his present letter willdo the same for the rest.

There are times when tough love is neededto bring us back to you, Lord.  Amen.

Saturday, April 18                                                                  2 Corinthians 2:5-11

 “It is time to forgive”

     Paul does notgive us the specifics of the “trouble” that this particular man had caused, butit must have involved some sort of slander against him and his apostolicrelationship with the Corinthians, resulting in both they and he being hurt.  Perhaps the offender had been a person ofinfluence who had sided with Paul’s opponents and led the opposition againstPaul.  Whatever the case, most of theCorinthians had initially sided with this slanderer.  Later, after the majority had repented, theypunished the offender, most likely by excluding him from the fellowship of theChristian community.

     The punishmenthad its intended impact.  The offender repented,and he wanted to rejoin the congregation. In response, Paul calls the Corinthians to follow in his footsteps notonly in punishing those who deserve it, but also in showing mercy to therepentant.  Paul’s purpose is theredemption of the man, not the clearing of his own name.  The same mercy that Paul had showed to them,they were now to show to one another.

Forgiveus our sins, Lord, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.  Amen.

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Second Corinthians 2 and 3

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