2 Corinthians 1

Friday, 29 May 2015

…(as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:14

This thought is the continuation of the previous verse. Taken together, they read –

“For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end ¹⁴ (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

His words “in part” may be speaking of the Corinthian’s knowledge concerning Paul (that it was limited), or it could be speaking of those in Corinth who agreed with Paul (being only a portion of them; the others still not accepting his apostleship). Either way, there was an understanding of him by the church at Corinth. And this understanding was “that we are your boast as you also are ours.”

Paul is indicating first and foremost that his boasting is in those whom he has raised up to be Christians who are mature in their faith. When he stands before the Lord, he would be able to boast in a life which was served for His honor and glory, knowing that he had not frittered away his time or somehow done less than his very best for those under his care. This same sentiment is found in other epistles as well. Two examples are –

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20

&

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16

In his words concerning himself which say, “…that we are your boast” it is certainly speaking in the same context. It is a future boast when they stand before the Lord as well. As Ellicott states it – “I trust that you will one day recognise that you have as much reason to be proud of me as I have to be proud of you.”

At that wondrous moment when believers are to stand before Christ, Paul looked forward to the Corinthians saying, “We were trained by a godly and Christ-centered man named Paul.” This is certainly the case because Paul finishes with the thought, “…in the day of Christ Jesus.” It is a future hope that Paul is writing about, one that each believer will face at the Bema Seat of Jesus Christ.

Life application: Will there be boasting by others of your work for the Lord? Will they say, “This person led me to Christ”? Will they say, “This person mentored me to become a strong and competent disciple”? And likewise, will those who ministered to you be able to boast over who you became as a believer in the Lord, or will they be embarrassed at how you wasted your few short years in Christ?

Heavenly Father, I have just a few short years to walk in Your presence. I know that I will stand before Jesus and give an account for how I spent those years. Will those who led me to You be satisfied with how I used the instruction they gave me? Will my Lord be pleased with the life I lived for Him? Or will I just receive the Gift and then fritter away my years in back-sliding? Which will it be? Lord, give me the desire to walk rightly before You, redeeming the time and focusing on the glory to come, not on the temporary, earthly life I now live. Amen.

Thursday, 28 May 2015

For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end… 2 Corinthians 1:13

This verse has been translated and analyzed in a variety of ways showing the difficult nature of the words that Paul has written. And yet, it seems to be an appeal to the Corinthians that his letters to them are clear and without ambiguity.

It may be inferred that Paul was told that the some of the Corinthians accused him of writing things in such a way that he would have an “out” when challenged on the intent of what he wrote. If this is so, Paul is defending his letters as clear and concise and without ambiguity or equivocation.

In order to convey this he says, “For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand.” Said another way, “The message is clear on the surface and as you have read it, that was its intent.” In the Greek, there is a play on the words which cannot be reproduced in our English language. The words “you read” are anaginōskete, and the word “understand” is epiginōskete. Ellicott gives his analysis of the wordplay –

“I have no hidden meaning in what I write and you read. What you read you read aright in its plain and simple sense. I hope” (the very hope implies that it had been otherwise) “that the more you know me the more will you so read me and judge me even to the end, the great day when the Lord shall come and all things shall be made plain.” Charles Ellicott

As he noted, Paul’s continued words of, “Now I trust” implies that they had felt what he had written was not plain and simple. In order for them to reconsider that, he fully states, “Now I trust that you will understand, even to the end…” He is asking them to trust his words unfailingly, even to death itself, which is implied in the words “the end.” For all times, and in the life of any believer who reads his words, it is his intent to properly explain and clearly word every precept needed for proper conduct, holy living, and right doctrine.

If we consider that the words of the Bible are given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can then further contemplate the truth of this message. God may hide intricate details, patterns, and pictures in His word, but He will never give us a word which is ambiguous or unclear. It would be contradictory to His very nature to do so. Therefore, we can read the Bible, taking it at face value, but always remembering context. To some, things may seem contradictory when taken out of context. However, by keeping things in their proper place we will always see God’s word clearly presented and fully reliable.

Life application: When someone challenges the Bible’s reliability, it is because they have misapplied some portion of it. Instead of doing the hard work and searching out its truths in a methodical fashion, they will take it apart in unintended ways, thus making it out to be a faulty source of wisdom. Don’t be fooled by such people. They have already fooled themselves, and there are enough fools in the world because of this.

Lord God, in understanding Your word a bit more each day, I am fully convinced that it is clear, accurate, filled with truth, and having no contradictions at all. It is a perfect word for my mind, a useful tool for gaining wisdom, a source of joy in times of trouble, and a precious gem more valuable than gold or silver. It is the lamp for my feet and the light for my path. I thank You for this precious, superior word! Thank You for the Holy Bible. Amen.

Wednesday, 27 May 2015

For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 2 Corinthians 1:12

In the previous verses, Paul spoke of the great trials he had faced and the prayers lifted up for him concerning that ordeal, as well as his on-going trials, all leading to his deliverance. Based on that, he now offers this thought. Beginning with, “For our boasting is this…” The word for “boasting” is translated by some as “rejoicing,” “pride,” “confidence,” and “glory.” It is a boast, but it is one directed towards God. And so “glorying” is a good word to help transmit that idea.

What he and those he was with “boasted” or “gloried” in was “the testimony of our conscience.” In the book of Acts and in his epistles, Paul uses the term conscience as a most important aspect of this life. It was a conscience filled not with his own attitudes and desires, but one filled with living for the Lord. He says it this way in Acts 23:1 –

“Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘“Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.'”

This “conscience” that he speaks of now toward the Corinthians is “that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity.” He knew that their actions were in line with the truth of God and with the good of others in mind at all times. There was nothing pretentious or showy about their conduct. Instead, there was humility and honesty instilled by God in it.

In further explanation, he notes that it was “not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God.” In 1 Corinthians 2, he wrote this –

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. ³ I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. ⁴ And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

In the same fashion, he is again telling the Corinthians that he and his companions words and actions were those of people living “in the spirit” and not “in the flesh.” Instead of following the way of the world in their conduct, they attempted to live by the grace of God. And finally, he notes that this grace was “more abundantly toward you.”

His love for those in Corinth is evident in these words. The first letter that he wrote to them addressed divisions and conflicts in the congregation. He knew that his life and actions towards them had to reflect the highest character and godliness in order that they may not become disenchanted with a seeming “hypocrite” in their presence. For this reason, he endeavored to be completely holy before them. In this, he could then glory in God who bestowed such grace as to live in this manner.

Life application: Eyes are watching our actions at all times. Our non-believing neighbors and co-workers see us and make value judgments about Christ based on what we do. But also those in the church are watching. If one weaker in the faith sees that our actions aren’t the epitome of character and godliness, they may also decide that the walk isn’t worth the effort. Let us always attempt to walk in holiness before the Lord and in the presence of others.

Heavenly Father, I know that others are watching my life and actions and are then making value judgments about the faith I possess in You – Is it true? Is it noble? Is it honoring of God? Help me to be cautious with my words, careful with my actions, and circumspect in how I live my life before others. I know that their ultimate end is based on a relationship with Jesus. And so help me to reflect a person who will lead others to Him, not from Him. This I pray that You will be glorified. Amen.

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

…you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. 2 Corinthians 1:11

Paul’s writings show that he truly believed in the effectiveness of prayers on behalf of others, meaning “intercessory” prayers. For example, in Philippians 1:19, he says –

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…”

Here he shows the same belief to those at Corinth. In the previous verse, he had just noted the great deliverance which was received for him and those he was with. This also included the belief that they would have continued deliverance. And so in a delicate way of asking for prayer, he writes as if they had been in prayer all along by saying, “…you also helping together in prayer for us.” If they had been praying, he knew it was a help to them. And their continued (or newly-initiated) prayers would be heard for their on-going delivery.

And he gives the reason for this help through prayer by saying “that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf.” The word for “persons” here is prosopon which literally means “faces.” It is an expression which is found many times in the New Testament and which carries over from the Hebrew’s pictorial way of describing a person. Thus, the mind is given an image of many faces jointly being lifted to God in thanks. Ellicott notes an interesting concept concerning this word –

“The use of the word prosopopœia, however, for “personifying,” and of prosôpon for the characters in a drama, indicates that the noun was beginning to be used in a different sense, and this must clearly have been well established when it came to be used in theological language for the three “persons” of the Godhead. It is interesting to note, however, as a fact in the history of language, that, if this be its meaning here, it is probably one of the earliest extant instances of its being so used.”

In other words, the term “persons” of the Godhead has always seemed cumbersome because we think of persons as distinct and separate without any true unity of essence. However, the use of the word prosopon for “person” may make the concept easier to grasp than some other word indicating an individual person as we think of it today. It wouldn’t mean God is one Person with three faces, but three persons in one essence, just as those in prayer are united in a single way even though they are individuals.

Regardless of this though, Paul notes that these many faces, because of their united prayer, would give thanks “for the gift granted to us through many.” The gift refers to their delivery from death, something the many would be thankful for because of knowing that their prayers had been heard and responded to.

Life application: On several occasions, Paul notes the effectiveness of prayers, including the greater effectiveness of united prayers on behalf of a given person or issue. Therefore, it is right and proper to jointly lift up individuals or specific issues to God. And we should do so with the confidence that these prayers are heard and they are responded to according to His wisdom and in accord with His plans.

Lord, thank You for the time of prayer that I have each day. There are quiet moments alone with You, there are prayers united with others that are close by, and there are prayers united with like-prayers by others around the world. Sometimes I make short, spontaneous prayers of praise or petition which come from my heart and roll off my tongue at any given moment. And I know that every one of these prayers is heard by You and will be responded to according to Your wisdom. And so I will continue to pray without ceasing, knowing that Your ear is attentive to each one I make! Amen.

Monday, 25 May 2015

…who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 2 Corinthians 1:10

In the previous verse, Paul spoke of the sentence of death which loomed over him and those he was with. He took this to heart. Knowing this, he said that they “should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” Now he continues by telling the Corinthians that it was God “who delivered us from so great a death.” He has taken the extreme possibility of death that he faced and equated it to death itself in order to more effectively communicate the dire situation they faced. It is as if they had actually been resurrected in their deliverance, so sure was the sentence that hung over them.

And not only had they been delivered, but they continued to be delivered as he wrote his letter. The victory was not just in the past but ongoing. And more, he believed that it would continue into the future, stating “in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.”

The word “trust” here is not the same Greek word as was in the previous verse. That word communicated the sense of “to have confidence.” This word, elpizo, conveys the idea of hope. In essence, we are not to have confidence in ourselves, but we are to place our hope in God. No matter what we face, we can only rely on God and His promises for us. If we are to die, we have hope in the resurrection. If we are to live, it can’t be because of our control over whatever the situation is, but only because of God’s hand being in it. As the hand is unseen, it is a hope that we possess.

Life application: Can we honestly say that we will be alive in five minutes? Our heart could stop, our house could be struck by a meteorite, or we might get bitten by an unseen spider. We truly have no control over a single moment in time. Therefore, let us place our souls in the capable hands of the Lord and know that whatever we face, He is tending to it. We shall be delivered in life and through death because of the work of Jesus our Lord.

Lord God, having seen people around me die, I know that it can come at any time and in the most unexpected of ways. I cannot honestly count on being alive five minutes from now. Anything could happen and it would be arrogant of me to believe I had any control over the future at all. But I have a greater hope than this temporary life. I have the surety of the resurrection and the prospect of eternal life safely guarded in my heart. I have Jesus! Amen.