2 Corinthians - session 1
There were those in the church in Corinth who were in conflict with Paul. We can only imagine how distressing this was for him. He showed his genuine love for these Believers, as he began this personal letter with a wonderful description of the God of all comfort. He called for forgiveness in chapter two, verses 5-11. This is a wake-up call for all Christian Churches. He expressed the need not only for the act of forgiving, but for the giving of comfort for the forgiven person. He wrote of his own disappointments, but he gave a valuable phrase to memorize and treasure:
Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphant procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. (2 Cor. 2:14)
Chapter five, verse 1-10, reminds us of Paul's letter to the Romans, when in Rom. 14:8 he wrote, "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord, so whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." These are comforting words.
In chapter twelve Paul told about his amazing visit in the Spirit to the "third heaven". He mentioned this in the third person, but we believe he was speaking of himself. He must have gleaned much wisdom, yet much of what he learned were "things that man is not permitted to tell" (2 Cor. 12:4). Then he added,
In chapter twelve Paul told about his amazing visit in the Spirit to the "third heaven". He mentioned this in the third person, but we believe he was speaking of himself. He must have gleaned much wisdom, yet much of what he learned were "things that man is not permitted to tell" (2 Cor. 12:4). Then he added,
To keep me from becoming conceited . . . there was given me a thorn in my flesh . . . to torment me.
He pleaded three times for this to be removed. God gave him a profound answer: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Paul was never healed of this handicap. (It could have been poor eye sight; he does not describe it.) This helps many Christians who have prayed for healing to no avail. One can grow even more dependent on God's Grace, as He gives strength and courage to continue in spite of suffering. Paul gave us a graphic example of how much he depended on the faithfulness of God in all that he attempted to do for Him.
Paul worried that the church in Corinth would be in discord when he came to visit.
Paul worried that the church in Corinth would be in discord when he came to visit.
I fear there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. . . . I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and not repented. (2 Cor. 12:20,21) Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith: test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you? (2 Cor. 13:5)
Schisms in churches turn out to be nothing new! Who ever said that the Bible was not relevant? It behooves us to refresh ourselves--to examine ourselves in the light of Paul's letters!