2 Corinthians (Written)

Sunday, 21 June 2015

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

In the previous verse, Paul mentioned his arrival in Troas for the purpose of transmitting the gospel. While there he noted that “a door was opened to me by the Lord.” However and despite this, he says he “had no rest” in his spirit. The thing that usually brought him the greatest joy was telling others the news of Christ. He worked tirelessly in this and took every advantage of it. And yet, even with a door wide open before him to walk through and share the news, he was in anguish to hear about the state of affairs at Corinth.

He then notes the reason behind the anguish. It was “because I did not find Titus my brother.” It is apparent that the two had intended to meet up and either he was late in arriving, Titus was late in arriving, or circumstances had changed Titus’ original plans. It was Titus who would carry news about the affairs at Corinth, but for whatever reason, he now had no way of hearing how things had transpired there. And so he left this great field of harvest at Troas in order to hopefully find Titus in Macedonia.

The entire thought is one which shows the immense care that Paul felt for this church which he was so closely tied to. It was a burden that he felt for all of his children-churches, so much so that he almost couldn’t endure not knowing how they were faring in their lives and doctrine. The same general sentiment that is expressed now towards Corinth is also seen in his first letter to the Thessalonians –

“For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.” 1 Thessalonians 3:5

We are shown in these letters of Paul that sometimes correcting doctrine of current believers is to be considered on the same level as evangelizing new ones. The importance of correct doctrine for believers is because if they get off course, then those whom they evangelize will never come to know the truth of the gospel message. Paul felt this burden in the most intense way.

Life application: There are only so many hours in a day and there are only so many avenues we can pursue with this small amount of time we have been given. Let us make sound choices as to where we will focus our attention, redeeming the time as best we can.

Lord, I know that there are only so many hours in a day. How will I use them to most effectively serve You? Help me to be wise and discerning about events as they unfold before me and to prioritize them to be the most advantageous for Your kingdom. Let me not be slack in my efforts to bring the good news to those around me and to minister to those who reach out concerning whatever needs they face. I guess what I am asking Lord is for You to direct my steps according to Your wisdom and not mine. Amen.

Saturday, 20 June 2015

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
2 Corinthians 2:12

Paul now returns to the sequence of events that he left off with in verse 4. Verses 5-11 were an insert thought which have now been completed. He had determined to not go directly to Corinth for the reasons previously stated. On his journey to Macedonia, he came to Troas, which was on the route between Ephesus and Macedonia.

On the way, he says, “when I came to Troas.” There is an article in front of “Troas” which leads scholars to think he is referring to the general area and not specifically the city. There, in that area, he notes that concerning Christ’s gospel, “a door was opened to me by the Lord.”

This terminology is quite similar to the words he used concerning Ephesus in 1 Corinthians 16:8, 9 –

“But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹ For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

As this journey was from Ephesus to Macedonia via Troas, it becomes apparent through his use of this same term in such close intervals that the Lord was carefully directing his steps for the furtherance of His gospel. In this, we can see that even the anguish of the situation at Corinth was used to further the gospel elsewhere. Nothing happens by chance and all things are being directed by the infinitely wise Lord.

Despite this, there will be a conflict in Paul that will cause a change of plans in his work in Troas. This will be seen in the coming verse.

Life application: At those times when it seems that the Lord isn’t there with you, He is. He may be working on something entirely unexpected by you, so trust that He truly will never leave you nor forsake you.

Lord, how many times have I thought You weren’t there with me as I faced some difficulty or trial. And yet, when I got through it, I saw that You were there working it out and accomplishing other marvelous things at the same time. How faithless I was to think I had been abandoned! Help me to remember this when the next trial or difficulty comes along. Don’t let me forget that You are with me. Instead, help me to wisely look for Your hand in the events as they unfold. Amen!

Friday, 19 June 2015

…lest Satan should take advantage of us; 2 Corinthians 2:11

Paul has been addressing forgiveness and now he gives a very important reason for it – “… lest Satan should take advantage of us.” Here he gives the devil’s proper name, Satan. It means “an adversary,” “an accuser,” or “an enemy.” The devil (Satan) is this adversary, accuser, and enemy of both God and man. Paul had first recommended that the Corinthians “…deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). However, because of the circumstances, he was now taking the avenue of forgiveness and reconciliation.

This path is taken so “lest Satan should take advantage of us.” The verb for “take advantage of” indicates to “overreach.” In essence, it is “a game against the Tempter, in which the souls of men are at once the counters and the stake” (Ellicott). A spiritual match of wits and strategy was being waged and Paul wanted to ensure that the devil would not succeed in his efforts to harm the souls of either the man in particular or the congregation in general.

His reason for this is given, “…for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Paul had a great amount of experience in waging this battle against the devil. In Ephesians 6, he writes concerning the spiritual warfare around us and specifically “the wiles of the devil” in verse 11. He also notes later in this letter that “a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan” (2 Corinthians 12:7). In writing to the Thessalonians, he notes that Satan actually hindered his way in visiting them.

In these and other instances, it is apparent that Paul knew well that Satan is a powerful adversary and that he needed to stay ahead of him always.

Life application: The spiritual battle is real and we need to be aware of it. Keeping in the word, staying close to God in prayer, and remaining united to other believers in close fellowship are all ways that this battle can be effectively handled and won.

Lord, I know that the devil is a real adversary and that he has his schemes set to bring down any one of us at just the right moment. Help me Lord to be strong in You and to stay close to You through Your word, through prayer, and through fellowship with other believers. I know that only in this way will I be able to stand against his work. Help my morals to be upright, my tongue to be pure, and my heart to be soft toward righteousness that I might not sin against You. Amen.

Thursday, 18 June 2015

Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 2 Corinthians 2:10

Paul is speaking in a rather general way here concerning forgiveness of an offender. Though it is vague and roundabout, he is certainly referring to the person mentioned in verses 3-8. In other words, the general principle can be applied to the specific individual. He is affirming the right of the congregation to forgive an offense and that he will, in turn, support their decision. In essence, he is saying, “I have confidence in you to make the right decision in such cases and I am supportive of your decision when it is made.”

To shore up this thought he adds, “For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes.” His words are in the past tense, stating as an accomplished decision his support for what was or will be decided upon by the church; it was for their sake that his forgiveness was granted. He is showing solidarity with them in what they have resolved concerning the particular matter.

To finish his thought he adds that it was “in the presence of Christ.” The Greek literally reads, “…in the face of Christ.” It is as if Christ was literally present and watching what occurred. His words then are intended for those in Corinth to understand that, “I have acted with Christ watching me, to whom I am accountable.”

The whole verse speaks of a process which is intended to bring reconciliation, ensure harmony, and yet uphold the strictest standards of integrity, knowing that the Lord has His eyes on the situation.

Life application: One aspect of Christian life that should be remembered is that we are in the presence of the Lord at all times. Our words, our actions, our interactions, and etc are all known to Him. Some day we will stand before Him and give an account of our lives. Judgment is coming, so let us act as if we believe it now. But the good news is that our judgment in Christ is not for salvation or condemnation, but for rewards and losses. Let us work for the former so we do not receive the latter!

Lord God, I am so grateful that the judgment I will face is not one for salvation or condemnation, but only for rewards and losses. Because of having received Christ, my salvation is secure. Now Lord, give me the wisdom to work for rewards, shun that which would end in loss, and do all of it for Your glory. Thank You for Jesus who has made all of this possible! Thank You for the cross and the shed blood of the Lamb. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, 17 June 2015

For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
2 Corinthians 2:9

Greek scholars debate whether Paul is writing here about his first letter or this letter. The verb is in the aorist tense and so either is possible. If he is writing about his first letter, he indicates that the instructions for disciplining the man were included in that letter rather than him coming to the church personally to test the obedience of the Corinthians “in all things.”

He had given them a directive to “put away from yourselves the evil person.” By writing, he would then have been testing their obedience to his authority as an apostle, even when he was separate from them. In essence, it was a test of compliance to his directive. It is easy to be obedient when one in authority is present, but it is less so when that same authority is absent.

The second opinion is that he is using the tool known as an “epistolary aorist” in this verse which concerns this same letter. In essence, “For to this end I also write (this letter), that I might put you to the test (concerning forgiving the man who has been disciplined), whether you are obedient in all things (both in punishment and in restoration).”

In the end, the challenge is the same for the Corinthians: Will they be obedient to Paul’s directive concerning a very sensitive issue even though Paul is not personally present. Whichever is the case, Paul was trusting in their faithfulness to his directives as an apostle of Christ. As this letter has become a part of the Bible, the exact same premise carries over to each one of us.

His words are written under apostolic authority and thus carry the weight of having come directly from the Lord. Are we willing to accept his (and thus the Lord’s) authority and be obedient to his prescriptive writings, or will we be disobedient to them? How easy it is to go to verses outside of Paul’s writings in order to justify disobedience! But it is Paul who is the apostle to the Gentiles during this dispensation. Thus it is his letters which set the standard for the church age. Let us be willing to accept them and be obedient to them.

Life application: The book of Acts is a descriptive account of the establishment of the church. It is not intended as a tool of instruction for the establishment of doctrine. Rather, Paul’s words are given for that purpose. If something occurs in Acts which seems contrary to one of Paul’s directives, there is a reason for it. The variation then is not for doctrinal use, but to show how the church was established. Once it was, we are to prefer Paul’s commands over the narrative found in Acts. Taking everything in its intended context will keep the congregation from confusion and faulty doctrine.

Heavenly Father, I have come to realize that the world speaks about “God” in such general terms as relationships, expectations, and hopes. And yet they are just individual preferences without anything to back them up. They have created a “god” in their image rather than searching You out as You have revealed Yourself to us in Your word. Help me to be wise and discerning and never to make up my own “god” in Your place. Reveal Yourself to me through Your word and only when ideas about You match it will I accept them as valid. Let me be obedient only to the truth of who You are. Amen.