September 10, 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 7 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one…..Continue Reading
let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Reminding myself to stay away from anything that contaminates the spirit. Quite refreshing to see “body” in there too. It makes me think if this has something to do with food? Or anything physical?
II Cor 7:1 Paul says, we ought to cleanse ourselves from the filth of spirit and body. At a glance, I would question how this is not of works, efforts, on our part. Would think, we should simply relent to the Holy Spirit within us. But Paul goes on to say we can achieve this by holiness by fearing God.
We are already freed from sin, it has no power over us, unless we let it. And too often, I do. The lost have not the Holy Spirit, and are fettered to the their own unregenerated spirit.
Would be best for us in Christ to have that reverent fear of God, knowing that He loved us first. And, that we could have opportunity to help others break the chains that enslave them to sin. -gy
There is certainly a balance of us internalizing our responsibility to involve ourselves in the things of God to have the power for living and that power comes from Him, but then the responsibility we have to make the right choices to live by His principles and then remain humble in the process.
Quote, “Consider this well, ye that serve idols with your bodies, and yet think your consciences pure toward God; God will one day smite you for your halting.”
II Corinthians Cha. VII:1, marginal note a. Geneva Bible, 1560
The conflicts Paul speaks of in verses 5. Ensconced in verse 7. Joy was greater than ever. He was so focused on his ministry. Hardships meant hardly anything. Godly sorrows repentance. Worldly sorrow death. Think of Peter. And Judas
I don’t know what ensconced means. But to hear Paul speak of no rest. Harassed at every turn Conflicts on the outside. Fears within. And he continues to push ahead. As he never forgets of God’s promise to comfort the downcast. As Titus gives him the message that Paul’s letters have brought Godly sorrow. Bringing Paul to more joy than ever
ensconced means surrounded by
Ch 8. Paul using the example of other churches who had very little that gave generously. Would urge the Corinthians to give. Giving is a byproduct of love. If you care for someone your last dollar
Would be handed to them with joy. Just came across someone who is broke. Reached out. How dare I say good luck without helping. Never!!
2 Corinthians 7 Paul talks about how the Corinthians should purify themselves by getting rid of sins and turn towards God. Godly sorrow brings repentance that can lead to a change in their behavior but also in ours by turning away from sin. We need to do the same. Don’t let pride get in our way let God in and he will show us what we need to change.
Paul in his letter was comforted that many of the believers repented of their sins with godly sorrow and were now able to also comfort Titus. Looking to God for He is the God of all comfort. We also as believers can look to God for comfort even when others may fail or not be aware that we need comfort. May the God of all comfort encourage your hearts.
A great example of how we can handle confrontation with someone we love that is outside of the will of God for their lives. It can be difficult to confront and we may regret it or avoid it knowing that it may just anger and distance them from us but, as Paul did, we must trust God that when we confront in love with a true desire to bring that person back to God they will receive it as the Corinthians did. The sorrow they felt hearing the harsh words from Titus led them to true repentance instead of anger. Now we know it won’t always end that way but if we are sure to do things according to God’s plan and with God (seeking Him in prayer each step of the way) we can be confident that He will work in the heart of those we need to confront.
2 Corinthians 7
“For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.”
Paul is “sorry, not sorry” about his letter confronting the Corinthians. I think of how today confronting people for their sin is “racist, bigoted, prejudiced” any label that will stick, even if it is totally irrelevant to the particular person. It is ironic that calling out crime is now called “racist”, hmmm isn’t that assumption, right there, racist? It is becoming increasingly difficult to stand for the truth, righteousness and justice in this world, but I believe if we continue to wear the full armor of God we will see fruit. It may entail quite a bit of suffering…but let’s keep the armor on and lets see what He does.
I do hope and pray that the world will see that it just doesn’t work without truth, righteousness and justice, showing God’s word to be true even if they don’t like it…
Human relationships can be messy. It will be interesting when we go to heaven whether we will have insight into just what Paul is referring to here. What we have is the Corinthians did something, Paul corrected them, the Corinthians responded to the correction and now we have Paul here (throughout this letter) explaining his correction and addressing their response to it. It is clear that he does not want to justify himself (taking on too little responsibility for what has gone on) and yet not completely backing off from the truth of the matter and the truth he had given them (so not freeing them from responsibility either). And we see Paul doing the relationship dance were he addresses them with the truth, apologizing for how the truth hurt them, and yet complimenting them on how they have let the truth effect them. All this is a great model for how we would deal with conflict as well. How good it is when each party can see and admit to the log in their eye rather than pointing out the speck of dust in the other person’s eye. It is neat to see just how complimentary Paul is of them in their regard and treatment of him. How feeing it is to go from thinking people you have invested in are against you to realizing they are for you. This is especially true when you are facing opposition from the world. Everyone seemed to be against Paul, he was ensconced by it. But then Titus came and talked about how the sorrow that correction brought had led to repentance and now the Corinthians were more convinced and dedicated to the things of God and grateful for the role Paul played to get them there. May all our interactions in relationships lead to greater godliness in all we do.
And you really can’t leave chapter 7 without talking about 2 Corinthians 7:1. One does wonder if it would be better assigned to chapter 6 than 7. But it is always good to be intentional about the things we are doing and exposing ourselves to that contaminate our body and spirit. When we do so we will be distinct from the world who is driven by passion and desire and has little concern for how it is effecting them in the end….
2 Corinthians 7 done
God is our comforter so we can call upon him and rejoice when we are feeling down. Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. Isaiah 49:13 And when we have sorrow for our sin, instead of wallowing in it with guilt and condemnation (worldly sorrow), we can repent with confidence that God loves us, forgives us, and helps us pursue righteousness and godliness.