2 Corinthians 10:7-11 - Spiritual Authority

Verse 7 shows obviously that the apostleship of Paul was being questioned. Paul’s accusers apparently were using some superficial criteria to evaluate him. So he told them that they were looking at things external to evaluate his apostleship. He maintained that he was as much Christ’s representative as those unnamed critics who claimed to be Christ’s. On that count, he was not afraid to boast about it and would in fact be confident that he would not be put to shame in exercising the authority given to him by the Lord. Why? Because he exercised that authority to build them up and not to destroy them.

 

In verses 9-11, Paul turned again to answer the accusation that he was bold in his letter because he was not present with them, but when in person, he would be weak. Paul told them that in his letter he was not trying to frighten them. As he had written in the letter, he would also be when he appeared in person.

 

In verse 10, we get the feeling that his opponents was being sarcastic. They appeared to be complimenting him for his weighty and strong letter, only to denigrate his authority. They said in person he would be different from the impression given by his letter. They insisted that Paul would be unimpressive in person and his speech would be found contemptible and disgraceful. It seems clear that those who maligned Paul had perceived him to be lacking in public speaking skills. They saw the lack of dynamism and persuasive skill as a lack of the Spirit and authority. So Paul warned those who maligned him that they would find out that his presence in person would correspond with what he had written in the letter.   

 

Spiritual authority can be a complex issue. It requires volumes to deal with everything about it. However, from Paul, we learn that spiritual authority is unlike secular authority. Secular authority is derived from one’s position. But spiritual authority is different. It is not rooted in one’s position or one’s rhetoric. God is the source of true spiritual authority. It is His gift for ministry. He expects it to be exercised in humility and meekness. We should not run into the error of evaluating a person’s authority based on his position or his rhetoric. Let’s realize that true spiritual authority comes from the Lord and has His total backing!   

 

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 – Spiritual warfare

In these 6 verses Paul launched an assault as a Christian warrior. His preference was to appeal to them in meekness and gentleness like Christ. He would rather show this side of him but he would not hesitate to deal with those recalcitrant who were destroying the work of God, which was achieved through him in Corinth.  

Among other things, his opponents were accusing him of being bold only when not present in person but when there was a face to face confrontation, he would be meek. While his opponents used this with negative connotation, Paul turned it for his advantage. Paul must have felt flattered that they would see him to be meek and gentle like Christ. And indeed he would rather be that way but he was afraid he might have to show boldness instead. His critics must have also accused him of operating in the flesh. They had the audacity to accuse him of behaving sinfully. Perhaps Paul here was thinking of the accusations made against him mentioned in the earlier chapters. Things such as Paul vacillated (2 Corinthian 1:17); that he was lording over them (2 Corinthians 1:24); that he was profiting himself from the way he dealt with the finance (2 Corinthians 12:16), and a host of other things not detailed by Paul.

Paul could no longer remain passive and ignore so many negative criticisms hurled against him. He maintained that in this earthly life, he would not fight with his flesh. If he had to fight, the weapon he would use would be spiritual weapon, not fleshly carnal weapons. He was sure that the weapons he used have divine power behind them. They are capable of destroying very strong fortresses built by the enemies, a military metaphor. In using these terms: fortresses, lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God, and captives; he was referring to ideas, opinions and speculations and not people or physical structures. He was afraid that they might turn from the wisdom of the crucified Christ to a lower way of life, disguised as wisdom. The apostle did not assassinate the characters of his opponent but rather their ideas and points of view. His primary objective was to have their lofty thoughts debunked and their thoughts once again brought to obey Christ. Paul was referring only to those errant ones who were disobedient. So in verse 6 he warned that he would not hesitate to punish those who were disobedient.

Today we are still warring against false beliefs and non-biblical practices that trouble the church. With the proliferation of all kinds of erroneous teachings and claims, how should we respond? What weapons should we use to fight this war? We should collaborate with the leadership of the church and seek God and know His truth. This would enable us to know how to use spiritual weapons, divinely empowered to deal with these speculations.

2 Corinthinas 9:10-15 - Giving, benefits the giver as well

In verse 9 Paul quoted Ps 112:9 to refer to the generosity of a person who trusts the Lord. He now turned to talk about the generous God. He said that God Himself is a generous giver who supplies in all kinds of ways. As believers, we should know that God is our source. As He was the source that supplied farmers their seed and food, He will also supply Christians who are cheerful in their giving. He will increase the believers’ seeds and also ensure that they will have a bountiful harvest of righteousness. He wanted the Corinthians, and us today by extension, to know that when we give, we will also be benefited by our giving.

 

Bear in mind that Paul was calling on the Corinthians to give, and discover that giving would benefit them as well. He assured them that there would be a bountiful harvest for those who sow generously. There would be no lack and their resources will be multiplied. Furthermore, their harvest would increase. He told them that they would be enriched in every way.   

Giving is a service to the needs of others. Paul showed that generous givers who give to others has a variety of results. Firstly, the needs of others will be met resulting in thanksgiving being offered to God. Secondly, it would cause the recipients to praise and honor God. Thirdly, it provides the opportunity for Christians to affirm their life of obedience in the gospel. Fourthly, in giving, Christians affirm that faith is not a matter of talk but acting out what one believes. Finally, in giving, the recipients would be induced to pray for the givers. It would cause fellowship to be engendered, barriers removed and prejudices eliminated. Paul then thank God for His indescribable gift, the gift of generosity which the Macedonian demonstrated. God deserves all the praises.  

 

We are reminded of Luke 6:38 that says “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Let us give generously, cheerfully and freely to the praise of His glorious grace!

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 – Attitudes in giving

In verses 6-9 Paul reminded the Corinthians of the principles of giving. Like sowing seeds, the harvest will always commensurate with the amount one had sown. A farmer who sows little reap a meager harvest but the one who sows plentifully will reap a rich harvest.

In giving, one’s attitude and what one considers matters. Everyone who gives must give with a spirit of willingness not grudgingly. He must not give as if he was compelled to do so. So Paul urged the Corinthians to give thoughtfully with due and careful consideration, and then give with the attitude of cheerfulness. Because God loves one who gives cheerfully.

Giving, Paul maintained, ought to be done with trust. In what ways should we trust God in our giving? We trust God to provide, to multiply and to enrich us in everything. He assured the Corinthians that when they stayed open to God, He could provide through them corporately. The apostle wanted them to know that God didn’t just bless them so that they could enjoy His provision. But He blessed them so that they could be His channels of blessings as well.  In so doing, they would abound in every good deed.

In verse 9 Paul quoted Psalm 112:9 which speaks about a person who trusts in the Lord. That person who trusts the Lord scatters his gifts to the poor, and his righteousness endures forever. Paul quoted this verse to show God provides for His people so that through them He could provide for others.

We are blessed to be a blessing. God blesses us daily so that through us He could also bless others. Being self-absorbed and inward looking can cause a person to become selfish, careless and miserable. That’s not what God wants of us. He would rather that we be open, caring and find the joy of being a blessing to others.  

2 Corinthians 9:1-5 – Sustained enthusiasm.

Paul turned his attention to talk about the purpose of the visit of the three messengers he referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:16-24. When Paul first solicited help from the churches for the need of Jerusalem, the Corinthians began to give enthusiastically. So Paul highlighted the enthusiasm of the Corinthians and praised them to the Macedonians. His purpose was to challenge the Macedonians to do what the Corinthians had done. Unfortunately, the Corinthians let him down and did not sustain their giving. Meanwhile, the Macedonians had gone on and out did the Corinthians in their giving. Paul then told them in verse 4, that should some of the Macedonians were to come with Paul to visit Corinth, both the Corinthians and himself would be embarrassed. So in order to prevent this from happening, Paul had sent the three brethren ahead to ensure that the Corinthians would not let him and themselves down before the Macedonians. They were there to ensure that the Corinthians’ contribution would be both ready and worthy offerings. The word gift used in verse 5 is the same word translated as blessing. Paul saw the gift as a blessing not just in words, but money given tangibly to bless the church in Jerusalem.

From these five verses, we learn about the necessity to have a sustained enthusiasm in promises made. To promise something and not fulfill it would discredit a person and caused one to be labelled as untrustworthy.  It is needful therefore to ensure that we carry out what we have promised and show integrity. This reinforces what Jesus said in the Gospel, to let our yes be a yes and no be a no. So let us make sure we are trustworthy people, demonstrating our integrity.    

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 – Giving confidently

Having made the appeal to the Corinthians to financially support the needy in Jerusalem, Paul now made arrangements for the collection and disposal of the gift. For effective accomplishment of the task, he sent three people to do it. So he wrote to explain why he was sending three of them. He didn’t want them to be taken by surprise when the trio came with his letter asking for the money. The Corinthians already knew Titus, one of Paul’s co-worker who had visited them. The other two were not named. Titus who shared the same earnestness as Paul for the Corinthians, accepted the appeal of Paul and even went further. He went to the Corinthians on his own accord.

Verse 18 refers to one of the other two unnamed people he had sent. This person was well-recognized concerning the work of spreading the gospel throughout the churches. Verse 19 tells us that he was appointed by the church to assist in the collection. He could have been appointed either by the group of churches in Macedonia, Asia or Galatia. While we may not know which of the groups had appointed him we know that like Paul, he was involved in preaching the Gospel. More importantly, Paul was not involved in his appointment.

Aware of the risk of being accused by people on the way they handled the fund, Paul made sure that the right people were involved in handling the gift so generously given. Paul was very careful regarding this for he had prized honor highly whether it was before the Lord or before the eyes of people. Paul obviously knew that there were philosophers and teachers in his days who would use their position to swindle others to gratify their own greed. We will learn later from 2 Corinthians 12:14-18 that he had to defend himself of this very same accusation that he was trying to prevent.

 

Verse 22 tells us that the third person of the three sent to Corinth came from among Paul’s group of co-workers. Paul called him and the other unnamed brother messengers. The word messengers in the original is the same word translated as apostles. This word simply mean one who is sent. It is here used in a broader sense. They were sent to help with this commission of handling the fund.

 

As for Titus, Paul re-iterated to the Corinthians that they already knew who he was. Paul’s wish for the Corinthians was that they would give generously, so that as the two unnamed brothers who travelled regularly could report favorably to other churches of their generosity. Paul urged them to prove their love for the needy of Jerusalem and to prevent him from looking foolish for making empty boast about their generosity.

We should learn to give wisely. Seek to know where and who you are giving to. Make sure that the people who are handling our giving are trustworthy. Always give to God out of love not out of guilt. We should be able to give confidently, cheerfully and willingly to honor the Lord. We should excel in the grace of giving. Let’s seek to be exemplary givers for His glory.

Like · · Share

2 Corinthians 8:8-15 - Giving sacrificially like Christ

2 Corinthians 8:8-15 – Giving sacrificially like Christ

Paul must have realized that by bringing up the example of the Macedonians he might cause the Corinthians to close up their purse instead. So he made clear that he was not trying to hold up the Macedonians’ generosity as a standard for them. He brought up the Macedonians by way of example to challenge the Corinthians to prove the depth of their sincerity and love.   

 

In 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Paul had challenged them to give. He had also provided some instructions on how they ought to go about it. Here in 2 Corinthians 8:11, he gently brought them back to that situation and reminded them of how they were the first to show enthusiasm about giving. That happened a year ago. That enthusiasm must have vanished in that one year of their tense relationship with Paul. So he urged them now not only to do it but to complete it.

 

In verse 9 Paul gave the ultimate example of giving. He cited the Lord Jesus Christ who though He was rich, became poor for our sake. Christ gave without expecting to receive anything from the people that he came to give. When Christ came He did not consider all the inconveniences that He would have to face. He only considered the great wealth that we would receive: a reconciled relationship with God and all the benefits of that relationship. Paul’s purpose was to induce in believers a sense of giving like the Lord Jesus Christ. They should give without expecting to be reciprocated.  

 

It appears that in these verses Paul was anticipating in his mind some objections that would be raised regarding his appeal. The Corinthians might say that the Macedonians gave more because they had more. Paul already dealt with that in verse 2 when he mentioned their deep poverty. So in verse 12 he told them that giving should commensurate with what one had. He did not expect them to give what they did not have. Hence the same amount for everyone was not fixed. There could be a possibility that the Corinthians had made a promise of an amount but realized they could not meet the pledge they had made, and so they drew back altogether.    

 

In verses 13-14, Paul probably anticipated another objection in his mind. He could have imaging them saying “The situation at Jerusalem (the ‘others’) was not so bad off and if we were hit by affliction, would they help us?” Paul might have other reasons for soliciting the collection but he was in no doubt about the poverty of the church in Jerusalem. He was not about to create poverty in the Corinthians so as to ease the church in Jerusalem. Paul was talking about equality in terms of mutual assistance. He felt that financial assistance between the churches should be mutual. This time it was the Corinthians meeting the needs of the church in Jerusalem. But it could also happen the other way around when the church in Corinth had needs. Strangely Paul summed up his argument on equality by citing Exodus 16:18. Regardless of how much each had gathered everyone had enough. Those who tried to gather more would find the extra rotting away. Here is implied that if the Corinthians clutched tightly to the extras that they had, it would not benefit them in the end.

 

Our example in living and giving sacrificially should be Christ Jesus, our Lord. We love because He had first loved us. We give because He had first given to us. Make Christ the prime consideration of your living and giving, and we shall not live or give in vain!

2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – Be generous in giving

In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul touched on a very sensitive issue: money. This is such a tricky subject because money is what we use often used as a yardstick to measure a person’s worth, success, power, security and status.     

When Paul heard about the generosity of the Corinthians from Titus, it sparked off his appeal by recounting to them about the generosity of the Macedonians. At that point, there were at least three communities of Christians in Macedonia. They were Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Despite their hardship, trials and poverty, they gave generously. A survey of the letters to the Thessalonians and Philippians will tell us that theses churches suffered persecution for their faith in Christ. Christians then often underwent economic boycott. Furthermore, more converts came from the slaves and those in lower economic situation. Fewer converts came from the upper class.

Paul revealed that the Macedonians’ spirit of generosity was not stifled despite their poverty and all their hardship, trials and persecution. When they heard about the collection, they begged Paul for the opportunity to participate in giving to the saints, even though they were poor and were facing great ordeal of afflictions themselves. They did not just give, they also gave joyfully. And they gave not just what was reasonably expected, they even gave willingly beyond their means. No one coerced them to give, they contributed out of their free will. What was more wonderful was that they first gave of themselves to the Lord. In other words, they did so by first committing and surrendering themselves to the Lord. They even gave to support Paul, according to the purpose of God. 

One key thing to note is this. The Macedonian churches did not give because they became aware of the needs. Paul tells us that it was because of the working of God’s grace in their lives. Seeing the example of the Macedonians’ generosity, Paul was motivated to encourage the Corinthians to do the same. So as a result, he urged Titus to help bring this grace of giving in the Corinthians to its completion. Titus had spoken to the Corinthians about this while he was there. And he would return to them to supervise the giving and to complete what he had started before the arrival of Paul. Here the apostle reminded them that since they had started the collection, they needed now to complete it. In verse 7 he motivated them, by praising their progress in their faith, speech, knowledge, in living earnestly for the Lord and their love. So he told them to add to the list of progress, this grace of giving. Paul was in essence telling them that they were doing well, so keep it up.

There are three things about giving that the Macedonians had taught us by their examples. They gave joyfully and generously. They gave voluntarily and counted it a privilege. That’s the attitude we need to adopt in giving. Then they gave as much as they could and even beyond themselves. In fact they sought for the opportunity to give. They took the initiative and didn’t wait to be asked. Finally before anything else, they first gave of themselves to the Lord. They knew what priority meant. They knew they belong to God, hence whatever they had was at His disposal. What about us? The next time we put our money into the offering bag, let’s ensure we have the right attitude, the right manner and the right priority!

 

 

2 Corinthians 7:13-16 – Being affirmative

We catch a glimpse of how Paul felt toward the Corinthians in this closing of chapter 7. He sent Titus to them with a positive attitude. It shows us that although he was distressed by the Corinthians, he did not give Titus a negative image about them. In sending Titus to Corinth he seemed to have said some very positive things to him about the Corinthians. This short three verses also tell us that the Christians in Corinth were also capable of positive response. So Titus came back to Paul with very heartening reports about them. And for that reason Paul was comforted.   

 

If Paul had bad-mouthed the Corinthians to Titus he would have gone there with a very negative outlook of them. Titus would have approached them with guardedness and would be wary and mean towards them. But this passage tells us that he did not. Instead he received a joyful reception from them and was comforted, and his spirit refreshed by them.

 

Apparently Paul had boasted about the Corinthians and he felt vindicated by the positive way the Corinthians had responded to Titus. Whatever positive things Paul told Titus about them came to be true. Paul had a magnanimous heart. Though he had a hard time with the Christians at Corinth, he gave Titus a good account about them. That must have created in Titus an affection for the Corinthians even before he ever set foot in Corinth.

 

Titus started on the right footing. He went to the believers of Corinth without any aversion but only affection. And after the warm reception by them, he was even more affectionate towards them as he recalled their obedience, and how they reverently accepted him. So Paul rounded up by saying that he was glad that he had placed his confidence in them Corinthians for they did not disappoint him.

 

No matter how badly we feel about a person, it would be more helpful to look at the positive side of that person. It is always better to be affirmative and encouraging, than being injurious in our remarks about others, more so when we have been hurt by them. What we sow is what we’ll reap. What goes around turns around because the rooster always returns to crow!

 

2 Corinthians 7:8-12 - Godly sorrow and repentance

When Paul learned about the Corinthians change of heart, he rejoiced. He rejoiced not because they were humiliated but that they realized their faults and were changing. Paul did temporarily regret the hurt he had caused, by his strongly worded letter to them. However, he now no longer regret because of the positive outcome it had brought on the Corinthians. Although he wrote to correct them, he actually felt the hurt it must have caused them.  

Apparently, Paul’s letter brought grief to a point that it produced repentance. That’s what caused him to rejoice. In other words, Paul did not rejoice because of the grief the letter brought, but the repentance that it finally produced in them. The result of grief can be unpredictable. Some when confronted by it, change for the better. Others regret and won’t forgive themselves, allowing their minds to dwell on the wrong. This type of response eventually lead into a life of depression. Some rationalize what they have done and begin to justify their action and would become self-righteous. Then there’s the grief that leads some to face it squarely, repent and make drastic changes in their lives. This was what happened with the church at Corinth.

 

However, it did not take place straightaway. Paul did not give up on them, no matter how difficult. He wrote several letters to them, he visited them, and even sent his co-worker till they repented. For repentance to take place there must be a recognition of the sin, a strong sense of dislike of the sin and a willingness to disown the wrong. If only one of these three processes takes place, it is not repentance. If a person recognizes his wrong and stops there, he would become defiant. If he just sorrows over his sin, he becomes depressed and suicidal. And if he just abandons the sin and not hates or disowns his sin, he’s only doing what is correct without demonstrating change. So all three must be evident.

 

In verses 10-11, Paul then defined what true repentance really is. It is not just being remorseful. True repentance requires the reorientation of one’s life. There is a necessity to forsake sin. But just as necessary is the willingness to adopt a new attitude. And what happens to the person inwardly must be seen in the outward practice. It is not only turning from the wrong and old ways but also a turning toward God and accept His new standards.

 

We need to revisit the backdrop in order for us to fully appreciate what Paul was saying in verse 11. There was an offender in Corinth who had a sexual relationship with his step mother. The church there was nonchalant about the sin. Paul wrote to address that attitude. They changed and had that person disciplined. And when that person had changed and repented, they refused to accept him into fellowship again, allowing him to be grieved beyond himself. Paul was saddened so he wrote to them again. Perhaps Paul did not know the effect of his letter to them till the coming of Titus. From Titus report, he felt a bit embarrassed and wrote to affirm their right action. Paul was sure that it was the godly sorrow that produced those changes in the hearts of the Corinthians. They truly recognized their wrong and repented, hence the godly sorrow. Here Paul listed seven items to prove it. Their anger against the offender was aroused. They had punished him and were able to vindicate their nonchalance, and so free themselves from the guilt of being passive to a wrong. They had taken full responsibility and hence proven guiltless in that matter.

 

So in verse 12 Paul revealed that his motive in writing the stern letter was out of his love for them. He wrote not only to correct the offender but also the one who had been offended. He was concerned that they should suffer no loss spiritually. His stern rebuke was motivated by love for the good of every one and for the glory of God.  

 

We have a forgiving God. To have a truly connected relationship, repentance and change must be a sincere and regular part of life. Here is what the Apostle John said, ^“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9). Wrong must be acknowledged so that changes could be effected. God would be pleased every time we recognize our wrong and change. Glory to His name!

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 - God always brings encouragement

 

In verse 5, Paul picked up from where he left off in 2 Corinthians 2:13. He had arranged to meet Titus in Troas to find out how things were going with the church in Corinth. But he could not find Titus in Troas. Although there were evangelistic opportunities, he left and went to Macedonia hoping to find him there.

 

Here in verse 5 Paul talked about his anguish. He was besieged by troubles outside and mental torture within. He was physically fatigued. He said, “our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without and fears within.” Paul felt harassed as if he was a grain of wheat being crushed. From without his pressure came from the opposition he had been receiving, from within the Macedonian environment. It was a tough area for the apostle. At Philippi, described in Acts 16, he was beaten and jailed. At Thessalonica, he stayed only three weeks and was ordered out. Acts 17:9 tells us that there the Christians posted a bond, as if to guarantee that Paul would not come back into the city. When Paul went to Berea, some Jews from Thessalonica followed him to stir and agitate the crowds against him. These were his external pressures. His anxiety was also compounded by the fact that he could not find Titus there.

 

“But God” these two comforting words changed the whole outlook of his life. It is a timely reminder that God always shows up at the critical moment of our lives. And so Paul finally met Titus whom he had sent to Corinth and was greatly comforted. In verses 6-7 Paul went on to share how he was relieved by the report that Titus brought. Firstly he was encouraged by the reception Titus had from the Corinthians. Secondly he was comforted because Titus told him of the Corinthians’ longing to restore their good relationship with Paul. Thirdly he was encouraged by their mourning, implying that they had realized that they were at fault. And finally, he was encouraged by their renewed zeal toward him, although they had been highly critical of Paul. In these the apostle was greatly encouraged and he rejoiced greatly.

The arrival of Titus was a source of great comfort to Paul. In verse 6 we can sense that Paul was downcast. But when Titus, his co-worker met him, he brought along with him news that brought Paul great relief. As Christians we ought to be an encourager to one another. We should bear each other’s burden; stir up each other to good works and faith; and minister to each other’s needs. So when was the last time we were instrumental in positively impacting another brother or sister in the Lord with our encouragement?

2 Corinthians 7:2-4 - Paul appealing for reconciliation

In the last few verses we were told that the Corinthians could have been participating in the activities of the local cult. Paul then made the appeal for them to be separated from the ritual uncleanness of the cult. Immediately after the call, he resumed his appeal to them to be reconciled to him personally and to his ministry. He began by asking them “…to make room for us” by picking up from 2 Corinthians 6:1-11.  There he said his heart was wide opened to them. Here we see a series of three reasons why they should be reconciled to him and his ministry. He said: we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, and we took advantage of no one; indicating that he was not the offending party but the offended party. Paul’s intention was not to malign anyone but to give them reasons why they should accept him and be reconciled to him.

 

In verse 3 Paul tells us that he didn’t want to be misunderstood. While his words clearly pointed to the wrong of some people, he was not writing to condemn them. For the Corinthians were very much in his heart. He was reaffirming his love for them in Christ. For Paul, if life or death could not separate him from Christ’s love, neither could they separate the Corinthians from his love. Hence he couldn’t have taken advantage of them as purported by his accusers. His love for them gave him the boldness to speak to them openly.

 

While Paul might have pointed out their faults, he however, was still confident in them. For he knew that they would endure as Christians.  Paul was proud of them and would openly boast about them. This showed the kind of relationship Paul had with the Corinthians. In thinking of them, Paul was also able to find comfort and be encouraged in his affliction. From here Paul would launch in to deal with other major issues in Corinth.

Paul showed that he was a balanced person. He knew joy and sorrow. They co-existed in his mind and life. He could be deeply joyful in the midst of experiencing sorrowful circumstances. He knew how to show love despite being wronged. What an asset in ministry! Like our Lord and Paul, we must learn to have joy in God and love people despite of and not because of

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 6:14 -7:1 – Living a separated life for Christ

This instruction not to yoke together with unbelievers was quite a problem for the new converts in Corinth. They all came from backgrounds where no gods ever demanded exclusive worship. Each person had the right to choose whoever and whatever he or she wanted to worship. They usually had more than one whom they would give their allegiance to. Hence apart from being committed to Christ, many Corinthians would also give their devotion to other gods. As religion was a part of everyday life, it was easy for them to continue in their idolatrous past. So Paul had to address the issue.  

 

In verses 14-16 Paul asked a series of five rhetorical questions. Every question presupposed a no for an answer. Paul used five words: partnership, fellowship, harmony, common, and agreement to help the Corinthians see the need to separate themselves from their pagan past. Having been separated unto God and become righteous through Christ, they must choose between their idols and Christ.  

Then picking up from the idea that the Christian community formed the temple of God, Paul gave his thoughts on what they should do to be the dwelling place of God. In them we also see God’s promises to His people. While Paul did not use specific Scriptural references, the thought came from the Scriptures. Here God promised that He would live among them and walk with them. He would be their God and they His people. Verse 17 urged them to be separated from their past. This is because while the Corinthians may have left their pagan idols, there was a continual need to be cleansed from their defilement because of the ingrained past. God demanded that they should not touch the unclean things, idols precisely, so that He could welcome them. When they had done that, God would be a father to them and they would be His sons and daughters.

 

Bear in mind that paganism had deeply penetrated the society and culture of the Corinthians. Paul was writing to a people widely influenced by it and because of that, the ease of walking back into their past. So in the first verse of chapter 7, Paul climaxed by calling the people to be separated unto Christ. Since the Corinthians had received those promises of God, they should act upon the conditions stipulated in them. They should not be influenced by those things that could affect their walk with, and service to God.

Today God is still calling us to be His sanctified people: to perfect holiness by setting aside ourselves to God, to let His priorities be ours. Just as Paul instructed the Corinthians, we ought to do this out of fear or reverence for God, Who had called us to Himself. We are to be set apart continually unto God. We must commit ourselves to live like Christ for His priorities and purposes. So let’s obey His command, “Be ye separate.”

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 - A plea for reiprocal love

These verses tell us that Paul and the Corinthians seemed to have a breach in their relationship. They have had a thoughtless appraisal of the apostle as indicated in verses 8-10. He told them that he had been frank and had spoken to them freely. In speaking to them, he had not hidden anything from them nor did he speak in riddles and hint to them. He had been honest and open with them. Not only did he speak frankly with them, but his heart was also opened wide toward them. The heart indicates his love and feeling toward the church.

Verse 12 pick up what he meant by his opened heart. Paul knew within himself, the extent of his love and affection toward them. The Corinthians, on their parts, were restrained in their affection towards Paul, whereas the apostle on his side did not hold back his love and affection toward them. He expected them to reciprocate his love toward them. So in verse 13, he pleaded with them, as a father to his children, to show him the same concern and love.

How have the Corinthians not shown affection toward Paul? By not recognizing the legitimacy of his ministry, and how the death and resurrection of Christ had actually shaped his thoughts and ministry. And also by being influenced by the peddlers and strayed from the truth he had presented to them. The best way to demonstrate their affection toward Paul was to live a separated life and be reconciled to God and the apostle.

Here’s a lesson on loyalty. While we need to remain loyal to God, we also show loyalty to His servants who had diligently and faithfully fed and guided us. Servants of God need to know that their ministries are appreciated by the people they love, and whom they have spent their lives building. Let’s be true to God but also the leaders he has sent to teach and guide us.      

 

 

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 – Serving steadfastly

In 2 Corinthians 6:3 Paul resumed talking about his ministry. Here his emphasis was about his approach to the ministry entrusted to him. He never shirked from doing what was needful to advance the message no matter how tough the circumstances were. Paul was not complaining because doing so would have put a hindrance to his work. His attitude was to give no avenue for anyone to take offence in anything that he was doing, so that his ministry would not be discredited.
 

Here Paul commended himself, denying that he had caused any offence to anyone. On the contrary, he had acted in a way that would easily commend him as a servant of God. A look at his life would reveal that he had shown exceptional endurance in the face of various sufferings. Whether it was in afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, tumult, labors, sleeplessness or hunger, he endured them all.
 

In verse 6 and the first part of verse 7, he further said that his ministry was accomplished in purity of motive. Not only that, he also shared and ministered with a deep appreciation of what God had called him to do and not in theoretical knowledge. And he did so with great patience, kindness, and in the Holy Spirit and genuine love. He also gave them the word of truth in the power of God. 
  

In the later part of verse 7 to verse 8a, He talked about his weapons. He referred to them as weapons of righteousness. Regardless of the conditions, he practiced righteousness. “Right hand and the left…” was a way of saying in good or bad condition. Besides, whether he was honored or dishonored, in good or ill repute, or being regarded as deceiver, he remained true. He remained undeterred by upholding truth and righteousness. 
 

From the last part of verse 8 to verse 10, Paul made contrasts between the perceptions people had of him and the divine realities of his life. Some viewed him as an impostor because he failed to honor his traveling schedule dealt with in 2 Corinthians 1:15-18. But yet before God, Paul lived with a good conscience, and maintained that his apostolic call and ministry were of divine origin and true. There were those who wouldn’t recognize his apostleship but God would, and many Corinthians also accepted his ministry. While not all would recognize his work, God did. Paul also contrasted death with life. From all outward appearances, the whole array of suffering intended to bring an end to his life, but instead the all surpassing power of God was at work in him, bringing the resurrected life of Christ. When Paul said “…punished yet not put to death…,” he was probably thinking of his earlier days when he persecuted Christians and consented to Stephen’s death. For that he ought to be punished but thanks to the mercy of God he was spared.  Paul had experienced sorrow and grief. For one, the Corinthians had given him many things to grief about, yet Paul remained joyful. Like Christ Who made Himself poor in order to make others rich, Paul also gave of himself in order to make others rich in the Lord. Unlike the peddlers of the Gospel who worked for personal financial gain, Paul offered himself free of charge to the ministry. Finally, he asserted that while he did not own anything on earth, having given up all to serve Christ, yet in God he had inherited all things.
 

Paul was focused and steadfast in serving God and His people. Although he had undergone much, yet he didn’t vacillate. What was the secret of his tenacity? He learned to look past the earthly dimension to the heavenly. Paul had the end in mind. Are we beginning with the end in mind? It will keep us from meandering. Forgetting what lies behind, let’s press towards the marks of the high calling of God!

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 - Being sanctified daily

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Paul had established that God had given him the message and ministry of reconciliation. So in chapter 6 he began by saying that he was working with God. He saw his ministry as a collaborated effort between him and God. So he urged the Corinthians not to allow the grace of God that they had received be made of no effect, by neglecting to live the way Christians should live.  Verse 2 is a parenthesis. How do we know? The two dashes, one at the end of verse 1 and one at the end of verse 2 tell us so.  In the parenthesis Paul quoted Isaiah 49:8.   

The apostle was using the quotation rhetorically. He added the word “now’ twice to the quotation. Bear in mind that he was writing to Christians. This being so, we can conclude that he was pointing to Christians on the necessity to live life daily, demonstrating the effect of God’s grace working in our life. To Paul there must be a continual and daily application of the work of God’s grace in our life. The effect of God’s grace working in our life, changing and transforming us, should be a “now” event. Why? It’s because our salvation is not just an instant event, it is a continuing process. We are progressively being saved from the effect of sin through the continual sanctifying work of the Spirit.

The removal of our sin nature takes place instantly when we accept Christ into our hearts. But the effect of that sin nature needs to be dealt with through the process of time. This progressive process is known as sanctification. Through daily events and circumstances that we encounter, God brings to light areas in our life so that we can deal with them. And we must deal with them with the help of God whenever they surface. That’s the reason Paul said, “‘now’ is the day of salvation.” As we co-operate with God instant by instant, He transforms us. For areas where we would not co-operate with God and deal with them, they keep coming back time and again. Our growth in grace in our daily living depends largely on how much we will collaborate with God in our day to day living. The pertinent question is: Are we willing to be transformed?     

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 - The ministry of reconciliation

What Christ had done should bring about correct responses from us. His obedience on the cross should make us want to live for Him. Christians should desire to live for Christ. So from verse 16 to verse 21 Paul showed us we could live for Him by serving others. What does serving others entail?

Firstly, there’s a need to have a right value of others. People should be seen from the perspective of what Christ had done for them, not merely from their outward appearances. Paul knew that at one time of his life, referring to his pre-conversion days, he saw Christ from only his own human perspective. Hence he was not able to recognize Who Christ really was. As a result Paul was not able to serve Him as he ought to. In the same way we can never serve Christ and others well if we do not have a proper perspective of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Secondly, Paul shows us that it is needful to also have a proper evaluation of ourselves if we are to be effective servants of Christ. Verse 17 tells us that we need to know our new status in Christ. We are new creations in Christ. Our old life, our past, whether good or bad, had passed away. We no longer operate from our old perspective. Christ had given us a new beginning to life. With the new status, we should operate with a new mindset and not the old one. In Christ, our old motives, our self-centered life, our old way of valuing people, old way of valuing Christ, and our life of being separated from God, were all dealt with and done away

Thirdly, in verses 18-19, Paul wants us to know that as Christ’s New Creation, believers have a responsibility. As with all privileges, this one also comes with a responsibility. We are privileged to be reconciled to God through what Christ had done on the cross. God is the one who had reconciled us to Himself through Christ. He had put our sins and guilt on Christ at the cross and forgave us and drew us to Himself. Now He entrusts us with a responsibility, i.e. to be involved in the ministry of reconciliation, of directing people to Christ. We are to tell people that in Christ God forgives them, and do not hold their sins against them. Now as God’s representative, we are required and expected to share this word of reconciliation with others.  

Fourthly, in verse 20, Paul tells us that we are now God’s representatives in the World today. An ambassador is one who is sent to relay the message of the emperor. An ambassador is one who would act in place of the emperor. And he does not act independent of the emperor or speak about himself. His sole purpose is to relay what the emperor wants. He is a carrier of the emperor’s message. It is God, the supreme emperor, who has made us His ambassadors in the world. We must now act in His place, to relay His message and desire to the world. God expects every Christian to do this task and not just the pastors and fulltime workers. God is now making His appeal to the people through all of us, His believers.

Just in case there are people who may feel that they are not qualified to be God’s ambassadors, Paul in verse 21 dealt with that. In this fifth and final point, Paul showed that Christ had given every Christian a new righteousness. In Christ, God had dealt with our sins, acquitted us of all of them. The word “righteousness” is a legal term, meaning that we are just and right as far as God is concerned. And we are not only acquitted but cleansed, and now to be the instrument to reflect that righteous state God had offered in Christ.  

The issue that confronts us in these verses is this: how should we function as God’s ambassadors today? How we value people, self, the Gospel message, our roles in this message and God’s expectation of us, are critical elements that will make us effective representatives of Christ. What now should we do? The call is ours to make and He is waiting!     

 

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - Motivated by HIs love to serve

In verse 14, Paul revealed the factor that controlled his life: the love of Christ. It was this love that had motivated him. In everything that Paul did for God and the Church, his one controlling or governing factor was Christ’s love.  The word control or constrain could also mean to restrain. Paul was saying that it was the love of Christ that restraint him from acting for himself but for God and the church. Like Paul, we recognize the love of Christ. We know that He took on human flesh to die for us. Being affected by His great love, we make obeying His will and living for His glory the controlling factor of our life.

Paul was convinced that Christ’s death for him as well as for us Christians, made it the overpowering reason for us to devote ourselves to love and serve Him. For He had offered Himself as the sacrificial lamb to die for us, once and for all. There would not be another sacrifice required for our redemption. He took our place in death so that we could be saved from death.

As human beings we were affected by Adam’s sin because he is the head of humanity. We inherited his sin nature and had to die. But now as Christians, we participate in Christ’s substitutionary death for us. What Paul is saying is this: We who have a relationship with Christ should feel the effect of his vicarious death for us. We should no longer live for ourselves but for Christ, Who had died on our behalf. Paul’s assertion here is that our Savior is alive and we are not serving a dead Savior. He is our risen Christ seated at God’s right hand interceding for us. He must be the object of our love and the reason for our service. It is to Him that we dedicate our life and offer our allegiance and service.  

As Christians, living and serving Christ is not just our obligation but also our desire. His love has compelled us to think, say and act congruently. We are bought with a price. We are not our own. Therefore we must honor Him in everything we think, say and do in life.  

 

2 Corinthians 5:11-13 - Motivtaed by the fear of the Lord

Conscious that everyone would have to give account of the responsibility entrusted by Christ, Paul gave everything he had to serve the people. He lived his life conscious of that impending judgment before Christ. Paul had no fear for he had always lived his life with a healthy respect for the Lord. Paul was sure that if they, the Corinthians, could realize that he gave great consideration for the coming judgment of Christ, they would be able to see that he ministered according to God’s desire and not for personal aggrandizement.

As far as he knew, Paul was sure that he had diligently persuaded everyone to be a Christian and to remain one.  As believers in Christ, who could appraise for themselves, Paul didn’t see why the Corinthians should not be able to accept him and be satisfied with the way he had discharged his ministerial obligation. They knew about his traveling, his miracles and his suffering, and also the coming judgment seat of Christ, and how his life was controlled by Christ’s love. Thus he was sure that they could be proud of him and be able to vouch and defend him against the criticism leveled at him by his critics. Paul would rather not boast about himself but let the Corinthians boast about him.

We do not know what the critics were saying, but the Corinthians did. Verse 13 implied that his critics boast of their position probably because they were emissaries of the Jerusalem council.  But to Paul, what’s important is the heart. For that’s what Christ would be examining on the judgment seat. Paul wanted them to know that when his work and ministry seemed crazy and outrageous to them, it’s because of his devotion to God. But as far as his concern toward the Corinthians, he had always ministered with the right attitude and mind. He had always acted sensibly, rationally and soberly toward them, and hence worthy of their confidence.  

Let’s develop a healthy respect for God. And as proverbs said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.” When we honor God the way He should be honored, we will serve Him and His people the way He would love us to offer our service. As a reminder let’s hear what Paul said in Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” 

2 Corinthians 5:6-10 - Living by faith,not by sight

Being assured that believers in Christ would receive a new body and live eternally with Him, Paul adopted new perspectives in life. The phrase “…absent from the Lord” in verse 6 should not be mistaken as if the Lord was absent in Paul’s existence while he was physically living. He was actually borrowing a concept that was prevalent with the people in his day. They thought of death as living with great ones of the past like Socrates. For Christians, the Lord Jesus had promised to be with us always. So for Paul whether alive in this body or alive in the new body, he was in fellowship with the Lord. He was talking about the Heavenly presence of the Lord. While in his earthly existence, the fellowship of the Lord would not be as complete as it would be in eternity.

 

Paul knew that he was still functioning in the earthly body. While functioning in this body, he remained courageous and confident. Why? He lived by faith and not by sight. He saw not just the present, he saw the future as well. Like Paul, seeing the future will also help us shape the way we live in the present. One may encounter difficulties in this present life but when viewed with eternity in perspective, the difficulties will all just pale in significance. Like Paul, the difficulties encountered in life should not discourage us.  

Paul’s preference was to be with the Lord in eternity, free from all the present encumbrances. But he would not allow that desire to be an excuse to cop out from living for the Lord on earth. In whatever environment, whether in heaven or on earth now, his goal was to please the Lord. This was the same goal that motivated him in service. Paul said that all would ultimately appear before the judgment seat of Christ. This would not be a judgment for sins but for the services rendered in their earthly bodies. Our judgment will be based on our fruit in life and not just our root in Christ, because our fruit is determined by our root.     

We should not be sitting around waiting for that climatic rapture. The Lord expects us to be actively engaged in Christian service to lost humanity. We must serve people as Jesus did. We must touch both Christians and non-Christians with the love of God. We need to invest our lives into that of others. We know that our dwelling in this present “house” won’t be forever. The Lord’s words to us is still this: Work while it is yet day, for the night will come when no man can work.