September 5, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Corinthians 2 (NIV)
1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy.…..Continue Reading
Paul asks the people to forgive and understand. He wants them to forgive a man who is obviously unnamed but seemingly has done something of great offense. But again in the simplicity of his ministry he is trying to show them the importance of forgiveness and being aware of the schemes of Satan when we harbor anger or bitterness and how He will use that to destroy our relationships and walk with God.
He also askes them to understand in his travels patterns. He reminds them that he is following God’s path for him, not man’s. So if they feel his travels should have included other stops or in a different order that was outside of his control because he was obedient to god first unconcerned about man’s expectations of him….again a simple and yet powerfully, effective way to live our lives!
2 Corinthians 2
2 Corinthians 2 done.
2 Corinthians 2; Joshua 19 – 24
Chapter 1 tells us of the comfort of God. It’s. Hard concept to grasp as we think when we go before God and tell him our troubles that they will go away. We receive strength and hope to deal with our struggles as we realize God will comfort us through our hardships and in turn we can comfort others. Paul. Tells them he suffered greatly in bringing them the gospel message and as he suffered and was comforted they also would be comforted The hardships Paul suffered in Asia not sure what they were. Verse 11. Help us by your prayers. Great picture of how a church should operate. Paul wanted to return to Corinth. But he changed his plans thinking that his appearance would somehow make matters worse. So he wrote this letter instead. So some people said he could not be trusted. He affirms them my yes is always yes. And my No is always no. Love verses 21. 22. 2 gifts. Seal of ownership. Love that!! And the Holy Spirit as a seal. Guaranteed eternal life. That’s overwhelming why God chose me!!! Chapter 2. Paul did not want to make another painful visit. He didn’t enjoy reprimanding his fellow believers but he cared for them as to address their wrong doings. Forgiveness for the sinner. His punishment from being banned from the church was enough. Let him return so satan would not outwit us There is a time in church to confront and a time to forgive. Great analogy in verse 14. As a triumphant entry as In victory of war. The victors in Christ the fragrance of life. Unbelievers the fragrance of death Chapter 3. The letter kills but the spirit gives life. What a statement. That the Old Testament laws you will
End up in death. But through the Holy Spirit believing in Jesus receive eternal life. Verse 17. Trying to keep the commandments and rules. Impossible!! Holy Spirit gives us freedom from sin and law. Nothing better in this life!!!!
2 Corinthians 2
Paul is reminding the believers to forgive the offender and not let unforgiveness dwell in their hearts for Satan will use it to destroy their own walk with God and the offender. We are commanded not to have bitterness in our hearts. How much did God forgive us by dying on the cross. Are we not to follow Him as He has forgiven us shouldn`t we forgive those that have wronged us. [ Ephesians 31,32] [ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ`s sake hath forgiven you.] Paul reminds the believers that himself and those with him are not teaching and preaching for corrupt reasons but are being sincere for he speaks the word of Christ. As he and the others with him spread the word of God they are a sweet aroma in Christ. Some are being saved and some are perishing but they are doing the will of God. May the peace of Christ dwell in us.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul rebukes the Corinthians for tolerating sin (of a particular man) in their midst. From inference, we gather that the man has repented and Paul sees the punishment put upon him was sufficient and now it is time to forgive him and extend comfort.
I think it is so very necessary that this is in the Bible. It shows us how we engage with someone in the church who has committed a grievous sin, but has repented, sincerely. It appears that there was some punishment – He was put out of the congregation – but that with the person’s appropriate humility and repentance, there is restoration. I do think we need to be careful and discerning….because nowadays the church is tolerating and approving the sin, and instead of disciplining, is embracing the sin and allowing the “leaven” to work through the whole lump.
2 Corinthians 1and 2
In this second chapter, Paul shows his concern for the Corinthians and his sensitivity to their needs by continuing to explain why he did not come and visit them. He had written them the truth but it had grieved them for what Paul confronted them with, and he did not want to grieve them more by coming to them personally when such a reunion should have brought them joy. There is a point to be made that there is a time to confront and then a time to back off, but in the context of that to affirm the motive of love for all that was/is done. And one of the things Paul had challenged them with was dealing with the man living a sinful lifestyle. After accepting it, they followed Paul’s direction to discipline the man, but now that he has accepted the correction and has repented, it is fitting for him to be forgiven and restored to fellowship. It is all a reflection of what Jesus shares in Matthew 18 and a right practice for any church to follow.
And you just have to appreciate Paul’s passion for the gospel and ministering wherever He sensed God was leading and there was an open door. Paul also reveals here his dependence on his close associates as well. And I really like this picture given here that for some we are the fragrance of life and to others the fragrance of death. I don’t know about others, but I know exactly what Paul is talking about. Some people we talk to, welcome us and the things we have to share…they appreciate it. Where as others show their discomfort or rejection, squirming in their seats or looking for opportunities to exit or express some derision. But it is good to be able to say that the dynamic does not make a statement about who we are, but rather who they are. We are not the problem, necessarily, rather it is in their openness to God and His Spirit. It is so important to recognize as we share our faith in Him.
2 Corinthians 2
Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to speak wisdom into our lives and into the lives of others.
The Holy Spirit that lives within us knows God’s Spirit and it reveals it to us. People who do not have the Holy Spirit cannot recieve spiritual truths spoken to them by people who have it. It all sounds foolish to them, and they don’t understand it.