2 Corinthians 7

Monday, 14 September 2015

Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 2 Corinthians 7:6

There is an emphasis which is unfortunately lacking in many English translations in this verse. God is put in an emphatic position at the end of the verse in the Greek – “The Comforter of the humble comforted us, even God” (Pulpit Commentary). Paul is taking what occurred in his own experience and he is assigning it, as it were, to being an attribute of God. It would be like someone finding a large nugget of gold on the side of the road and exclaiming, “The Giver of grace has lavished His grace upon us, even God!”

Paul’s acknowledgment of God’s comfort upon the downcast is uttered because of “the coming of Titus.” In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul had noted that his spirit lacked any rest because of not finding Titus –

“I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” 2 Corinthians 2:13

Now, five chapters later, he reintroduces the narrative to explain to the Corinthians the immense comfort he found at the arrival of Titus. The reason for it will be explained in the verses ahead, but it centers on the message he brought concerning those in Corinth. Paul has skillfully and masterfully organized this letter in a way which would bring a slowly-emerging display of his personal feelings for the Corinthians, and his desire for them to be in a like-minded harmony, as a father to a son.

Life application: When you are downcast, where is it that you will turn? If the Bible reveals the heart of God for His children, then turn there. For times of true disheartenment, try the 42nd Psalm.

Heavenly Father, at those times when I am downtrodden and in dire straights of my soul, where am I to turn? I know already! You have provided us with Your word as a message of love to Your children. Why should I look for solace in a bottle? Why should I look for it in an illicit relationship? No! The place I can always turn to for renewed joy is to your superior word. Opening its pages and looking into Your heart, I find true comfort for my weary soul. Thank You for the Bible which sustains me until we meet on that glorious Day! Amen.

Sunday, 13 September 2015

For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 2 Corinthians 7:5

As you read this letter from Paul, there is a journey that he refers to and then digresses from to insert key theology and personal notes. He noted this first in Chapter 1 –

“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” 2 Corinthians 1:8

After this, he diverted until Chapter 2 –

“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, ¹³ I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” 2 Corinthians 2:12, 13

He now resumes this journey here with the words, “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia…” He has a story to tell, but he also has doctrine to relay and heartfelt notes of petition and encouragement to fill in as he does. There in Macedonia, he says that “our bodies had no rest, but were troubled on every side.” He and his traveling companions were constantly harassed at every turn. And because of this, he says that, “Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.”

It needs to be remembered that italicized words are inserted for our clarity, but these words of Paul are more emphatic – “outside conflicts, inside fears.” It is an explanation of “our bodies had no rest.” They faced trouble on every side and they were fraught with turmoil in the very fiber of their being, fearing their safety as they traveled. Such was the life of an apostle. But the message of Christ impelled them forward.

Life application: Paul explains the plight of an apostle in today’s verses. In the verses to come, he will show that the Lord was with them and directing them. Let us each be confident that the Lord is also with us in our own trials. He has a plan for us and he is working it out in a marvelous way, even though it may not seem like it at times. Be confident that it is.

Heavenly Father, life is filled with such difficult trials. It seems as if everything goes wrong at once and then more goes wrong on top of that. Troubles don’t come in manageable little divisions, but they come in heaps. And yet, I know that this is necessary to mold me. Help me in those times of stress to realize this. Instead of getting angry or upset, help me to see the barrage of grief as an opportunity to mature in who I am as a person and as a follower of You. Above all, thank You for the fantastic assurance that You are there with me in this. Amen.

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 2 Corinthians 7:4

It should be noted that thus far Paul has been speaking in plural terms, “we this, and we that.” However, he now changes to the first person singular for the first time. In his words, which pertain specifically to himself, he begins with “Great is my boldness of speech toward you.” This isn’t an apology for the boldness of his words; instead it is a confidence that he is using his words appropriately and in a sound manner. It is the same type of thought that is conveyed in 1 Timothy 3 –

“For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:13

After this, he again uses the first person singular and states, “…great is my boasting on your behalf.” Paul has already boasted of the Corinthians in his letters, and he certainly boasted of them in his words to others as well. He was confident that they were on a sound path, even if doctrinal correction was necessary. He was sure that his admonishments would be taken in their proper light and be acted upon accordingly. Thus he knew he could continue to greatly boast in them.

Next he says, “I am filled with comfort.” Paul was consoled in the fact that they were ready and willing to listen to him. He didn’t fear that they would reject his words, but rather respond to them favorably. In verses 5-7, he will continue to explain this particular thought to them.

Finally, he finishes this verse with, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” It seems like a paradox to say such a thing! The Greek word “exceedingly” is huperperisseuó. It is found only here and in Romans 5:20. It is a superlative way of saying that his joy is abounding to the highest measure. The words of this clause then are given based on the two preceding clauses.

To be exceedingly joyful in affliction is something unique to the Christian experience. Others may claim they have it, but it cannot compare to that which the Christian possesses. There is a hope which transcends the earthly afflictions we face and which are grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have the same guarantee and thus we can rejoice even in such times of trial. He gives a note of such joy during affliction in Philippians 2 –

“Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:17, 18

Life application: If we are truly sure of our salvation, then why should we despair over anything which comes against us in this life? Sadness, trials, and woes may come, but they should never rob us of our highest joy. Instead, we should have something more deeply instilled in us which allows us to look to the future with hope and joy.

Lord God, with all certainty I can look to the future in hope and in expectation because of what Christ did for me. Times of trial and sadness are natural, but nothing can steal my inner joy because I have an eternal hope which is grounded in the truth of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. How thankful I am for Your marvelous assurance, granted to me because of His work. No fear here! Amen.

Friday, 11 September 2015

I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 2 Corinthians 7:3

Paul just said to the Corinthians, “Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.” Having said this, he must have suddenly thought, “They may misperceive these words as a note of condemnation, assuming that I meant that I am responding to specific accusations against us.”

To ensure they take his words in a general rather than a specific manner, he says, “I do not say this to condemn.” Some translations (like the KJV) insert “you” at the end of this thought (I do not say this to condemn you), thus making is sound specific. However, “you” is not in the original, nor does it seem to be the intent. Instead, he is leaving his words vague in order to avoid specificity, and so they are to be taken in a general sense only.

Continuing on, he says, “…for I have said before that you are in our hearts.” He could be referring to his first epistle, or even to his words spoken directly to them while he was with them. However, he gives a general sense of this thought twice so far in this letter –

“You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men…” 2 Corinthians 3:2

&

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. ¹³ Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.” 2 Corinthians 6:11, 12

He also conveyed this same thought to those at Philippi –

“…just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.” Philippians 1:7

Paul carried his flock with him wherever he went and he treasured them in his heart like a father who loves his own son, so much so that his love for them extended to the thought that they were “to die together and to live together.” Paul was willing, if necessary, to give up all for his beloved brothers. If it meant spending the rest of his life with them and eventually dying with them, he would even do that in order to establish them in Christ.

Certainly, he felt that his letters and occasional visits would suffice, but he was willing to go to whatever extreme in order to prove his love to those he had evangelized. He writes a similar note of affection to the congregation at Thessalonica –

“So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Life application: To what extent are you willing to go to ensure that Christ is properly proclaimed? Missionaries need to be funded. If good ones lose their means of support, it may mean that only doctrinally unsound missionaries remain. Has the Lord possibly called you to give something up in order to ensure that a Bible study need is met? Is there a task which needs to be accomplished on Sunday morning left undone because you are unwilling to help out? Continuously evaluate the circumstances around you and be aware of the things that are lacking and which you could help with to be met. You are serving the Lord, so serve the Lord!

Heavenly Father, help me to search myself out and determine if I am using my full potential to help with the ministries I am connected to. Have I helped out the missionaries that our church is connected to enough? Have I overlooked something at the Bible study or church gathering that could be of benefit to those meetings? Help me not to be stingy in the time or talents I have been given, but instead help me to use them wisely for Your glory. Amen.

Thursday, 10 September 2015

Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.
2 Corinthians 7:2

Paul now makes a most emotional appeal to his beloved brethren at Corinth. He begins with the words translated here as “Open your hearts to us.” The words “your hearts” are inserted by the translators. The word “open” means “to make room.” And so, the thought is “Make room for us (in your hearts).” They had once made sufficient room for Paul and the other apostles, but through infighting, divisions, etc. they had closed them off. Paul is begging for this to be undone.

Following this appeal, he justifies his request by stating three thoughts in rapid succession. In the Greek, each begins with the term “no man.” Thus “no man” is in the emphatic position. In essence, “No one we have wronged, no one we have corrupted, no one we have cheated.” By stating it this way, he is intentionally showing that no individual can lay a charge against them, much less the whole. They have acted in a blameless manner toward all people and each person.

His first of the three thoughts is “we have wronged no one.” This may be a refutation of any charges of greed which had been levied against him or any of the other apostles, as if having swindled them in some way. They also proclaimed only the truth of the gospel without adding in anything which would defile it. Each person was treated in the same caring way, and no individual could come forward and state that they had been individually mistreated by them.

Secondly, he says that “we have corrupted no one.” This word carries the sense of defilement. There was nothing impure in how they acted towards any person. There were no sexual advances made, and there was only that which could be regarded as pure and undefiled in their attitude and treatment of each and every person they encountered.

Finally, he says that “we have cheated no one.” The word used here for “cheated” is used only by Paul, in 2 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians. It adds in the concept of seeking gain or exploiting another which isn’t specifically implied in the other two verbs. There was no hint of acting in a deceptive manner in order to obtain personal gain.

In these three examples, Paul has wisely placed “no one” in the emphatic position to show that no individual could come forward and say that. “I may not have been cheated, but I’m sure he cheated someone else.” If that were true, then “someone else” would have the ability to come forward at the reading of the letter to show that he had been wronged. In writing to all, he has also addressed each individual personally.

Life application: How good it would be if we could all make the same claim that Paul has made. This is especially true with our spiritual leaders. Instead of defrauding the flock, pastors and other spiritual leaders should be building them up and tending to them with gentle care.

Heavenly Father, I pray for wisdom in how I handle my interpersonal relationships with others. Give me the ability and the heart to never cheat, wrong, or corrupt another for the sake of personal gain. Instead, give me wisdom in how to build up and tend to their needs, putting them ahead of myself in all matters, but especially the spiritual matters that they may need help with. Keep me from any impure or wicked attitude as I serve them in Your name. Amen.