Epistles (written)

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

…in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 2 Corinthians 6:5

In this verse, Paul continues with his list of what the apostles were willing to endure in order “that our ministry may not be blamed.” He begins with “stripes.” These would have come from both Romans and from Jews and the method in which each conducted them was different. Either way, it was a most painful procedure which was intended to humiliate and degrade the offender as if they were really scandalous people. Paul notes later in this epistle (verse 11:23-25) that he was scourged five times by the Jews and that he was beaten with rods three times. In Acts 5:40, other apostles were beaten by the Sanhedrin. Certainly other such “stripes” were to be found among the other apostles at other times as well.

Next is noted “imprisonments.” Peter and other apostles are noted as having been imprisoned in Acts. Paul is also so noted on several occasions there. Similarly, Paul was later imprisoned at the end of Acts. He wrote some of his epistles from prison. Roman prisons were dirty and smelly. If it was cold, they were very cold. If it was hot, they were very hot. The prisoners were often bound in chains so that they could hardly move. Sanitation was completely lacking. And yet, the apostles are recorded as having endured this for the name of Christ.

The word for “tumults” is described by Vincent’s Word Studies – “This is one of the words which show the influence of political changes. From the original meaning of unsettledness, it developed, through the complications in Greece and in the East after the death of Alexander, into the sense which it has in Luke – political instability. One of the Greek translators of the Old Testament uses it in the sense of dread or anxious care.” From this word, we can assume that Paul is speaking of any time they spoke and which was met with a great unsettling because of their words. The book of Acts is replete with such instances.

“In labors” is indicative of the constant work the apostles engaged in as they conducted their ministry. Paul was a tent maker and supported himself as he also labored in the sharing of the gospel. In order to feed themselves and live, it was not considered shameful to also work hard in labors. This is something almost foreign to the idea of being a “pastor” today. Jets and expensive hotels often await many as they travel around sharing watered-down messages to people. However, there are also many faithful pastors out there who are willing to show up on Sunday to preach and also do what is necessary to keep the home well fed during the week.

The words “in sleeplessness” are obvious. The days were long, the nights were filled with instruction, traveling was difficult and even dangerous if by land or by sea. The apostles endured long hours as they moved throughout their regions of evangelism in order to share the wondrous news of salvation through the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

Finally, today’s list includes “fastings.” There are probably two types of fasting referred to here. The first would be voluntary. The apostles would forego meals in order to continue sharing the gospel. They would fast in order to petition the Lord for His favor. They would fast so that they could travel without being heavy with food. For whatever reason, they would have voluntarily fasted. However, they would also have faced involuntary fasts. They would face a scarcity of food due to a lack of money, a lack of availability, or even because they were facing the “imprisonments” where they may have been denied proper food. For these and certainly other reasons, the apostles faced fastings which were hard on the body but good for the soul.

Life application: How easy we have had it in the modern world. But we must remember that there are, even to this day, faithful Christians who are in the mission field who are facing similar difficulties that the apostles faced. Let us pray for our missionaries and be thankful that there are such faithful people who are out doing great things in order to bring the message of Christ to a lost and dying world.

Heavenly Father, today I’d like to lift up the missionaries around the world who are faithfully spreading the message of Jesus to a lost and dying world. I know many of them are in most difficult places and are sharing a message which could even cost them their lives. And yet, they are willing to go forth in order to tell about Your giving of Jesus. Thank You for these people. Be an ever-present help and comfort to them as they serve You. Amen.

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 2 Corinthians 6:4

The word “but” is based upon what he just said in the preceding verse. It was the aim of the apostles to give no offense in anything in order to keep the ministry from blame. Instead of allowing this to occur, he notes that in all ways they commended themselves “as ministers of God.”

The word “commend” isn’t meant in the sense of “a pat on the back” but rather “how to behave.” Their actions and behavior were constantly being subordinated to the importance of their ministry. It was as if they had a subprogram running in the back of their mind, constantly reminding them of the solemnity of their work. Therefore, they were always ensuring their behavior was kept in line with the expectations Christ would have of their ministry.

After noting this, he now begins a lengthy list of such expectations beginning with “much patience.” This is perfectly in line with what he said to the Corinthians in his first letter. In his great discourse on love in 1 Corinthians 13, he says that “love suffers long.” This is something then that would be expected of an apostle. The demonstration of much patience, especially with those who were lost in sin, was necessary to bring them from their darkened state to the light of Christ.

He next says, “…in tribulations.” This is the same word used in 2 Corinthians 4:17. It indicates a “narrow place that ‘hems someone in’; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, ‘without options’).” The apostles, particularly Paul, as is documented in Acts, faced such pressures as they ministered to others.

His next description of them is “in needs.” It indicates “calls for timely help, i.e. strong force needed to accomplish something compulsory (absolutely required). This kind of situation is typically brought on by great pain or distress.” Again, the life of the apostle was frequented with such hardships.

Finally, this verse ends with “in distresses.” As with the previous two words, HELPS Word Studies gives us a clue concerning what Paul is trying to relay. This word means “properly, a narrow place; (figuratively) a difficult circumstance – which God always authorized and hence only produces a temporal sense of confinement. Through Christ’s inworking of faith, internal distress (sense of pressure, anguish) is ironically the way He shows His limitless work – in our ‘limitations’!”

Such was the life of the apostle as they endeavored to keep their ministries free from scandal. It was their heart’s goal and desire to glorify Christ and not bring any scandal upon His glorious name.

Life application: We live in a world of comfort and ease. But should that end for whatever reason, let us remember our testimony as bearers of the title “Christian” and endeavor to never bring discredit upon that glorious title.

Lord God, my heavenly Father – I bear a name and a title which has the highest honor of all. I bear the exalted name of Jesus and the title of Christian. Help me to always endeavor to remember my place and to never bring discredit upon either. Rather, grant me the grace to always bring glory to my Lord and to the faith which I possess in Him. This I pray to Your honor and glory. Amen.

Monday, 24 August 2015

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 2 Corinthians 6:3

The construction of this verse is in the participle form and thus it is a resumption of the thought from verse 6:1. Verse 6:2 then was a parenthetical insert. In verse 1, he had admonished his audience to not receive the grace of God in vain. After that came the parenthetical thought that implores acting on that grace today. And now, to bolster the thought that the apostles were pleading with God on our behalf (also from verse 1) he says, “We give no offense in anything.”

It would be futile to “plead” with someone over a matter while at the same time offending them. In fact, it would be contradictory to do so. In order to have their pleas responded to favorably then, they ensure that no offense was coming from them. The word for “offense” is proskopé rather than the more common word skandalon. This is its only use in the NT and it comes from another verb which indicates dashing something to the ground. The idea then is that they have determined no to allow anyone to fall because of their actions.

And the reason for this is then explained, “…that our ministry may not be blamed.” The purpose of their ministry was to bring people to a saving knowledge of the Lord and to properly train them in the ways of the Lord. If they were causing people to fall instead of being saved, their ministry would be blamed for its inappropriate handling of their responsibilities.

This word for “blamed” is mómaomai. It is used just twice in the NT, here and in 2 Corinthians 8:20. However, it comes from another similar word which is found in 2 Peter 2:13 when speaking of “those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority” (2 Peter 2:10).

The apostles’ desire was to be above reproach in all ways so that they would be effective ministers of the word of salvation and so that their ministries would be a light for others to see and draw near to. How good it would be if all pastors and teachers of the Bible were so motivated!

Life application: Though we are not apostles, each of us who bears the title “Christian” is a representative of the One who bestows that title on us. Let us remember this as we conduct our lives in the presence of others. Their perception of Jesus may be limited to how we present ourselves.

Heavenly Father, I cannot thank You enough for the great salvation You accomplished in me. And yet, I feel as if I let You down so often. When people see me, they are supposed to see someone who represents Christ who saved me. I know for sure this isn’t always the case. Help me to be a faithful minister of Your glory, giving no offense as I speak about the gospel. And help me to keep from bringing blame upon the glorious name of Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, 23 August 2015

For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

In verse 1, Paul said that they (meaning the apostles) as “workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” Now to show the importance of calling on Christ at the present moment, whatever that moment may be, he goes to Isaiah 49:8 to demonstrate that even the Old Testament showed there would be an acceptable time for both Jew and Gentile to reach out and be saved.

His quote is from the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), but even the Hebrew version carries the idea that he is conveying –

“Thus says the Lord:
‘In an acceptable time I have heard You,
And in the day of salvation I have helped You;'” Isaiah 49:8

“For He says” then is speaking of the Lord, who is God. As Jesus is one and the same with the Lord of the Old Testament, it is again a note concerning the deity of Christ (as was explained in verse 1). It is He who says, “In an acceptable time I have heard you.” There was to be found a time of special grace upon the world. That time came at the advent of Jesus Christ. He, born without original sin, lived under the law perfectly, and gave His life up in exchange for the sin of the world.

His resurrection proved that this was so. Fifty days later, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all who believed. This is that acceptable time. It is a period of grace where man’s sins are not counted against them. As Paul continues, he writes, “And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Where we cannot help ourselves, Christ stepped in to help us. We already bear Adam’s sin and thus stand condemned before God. We cannot traverse time and undo what Adam has done and so we stand helpless to do anything about our miserable plight. But at the coming of Christ, and in the completion of His work, He has helped us. There is now a way of being reconciled to God. But there is something important attached to this that Paul informs us. He says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

The urgency of his words shows us at least two things –

1) There must be an obligation upon us. If not, then there would be no need to worry about God or the apostles pleading for us to act.

2) There is a point when this “accepted time” will end.

Christ’s offer is exactly that, an offer. It can be accepted and it can be refused. Further, it is not forced upon anyone. No person is “regenerated in order to believe.” Rather they are given an offer of peace and they must accept it. “The day of salvation” then is any day that we have. As we only have “today” (as Hebrews chapters 1-4 so minutely explains), then we need to understand that Today is in fact the day of salvation.

There is a day when we will die, or at least become incapable of choosing Jesus. At that point, Today is over and our fate is sealed. Paul’s words in this verse are a sobering reminder to all that our days are numbered, but that this set number is unknown to us. The first chapter of Proverbs shares the same thought with us –

“Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
²⁵ Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
²⁷ When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
²⁸ “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.” Proverbs 1:24-28

Life application: If you have heard His voice, don’t rebel against it. Receive Jesus Christ and be reconciled to God. Truly there is no Tomorrow that we can count on. Call on Jesus Today.

Heavenly Father, I remember seeing what happened on Sept 11, 2001. I remember seeing people make a choice, “Will I stay where I am and burn to death, or will I jump…” Watching those people jump to their deaths reminds me that we don’t know our last day. Not one of them thought, “I will go to work and die today.” Surely You called to each one of them. Some may have chosen Christ; some may have refused Him – only You know. None of us know our end and so I would pray for any who have never called on Jesus. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day of Your favor. Turn their hearts to you Today. Amen.

Saturday, 22 August 2015

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 Corinthians 6:1

Again, as in 2 Corinthians 5:20, this verse clearly demonstrates the incorrect theology of Calvinism which excludes free-will. One has to read right over such verses, ignoring their intent completely, in order to develop such an unsound systematic theology (which then isn’t very systematic).

Paul begins the chapter with, “We then…” He is speaking of himself and the other apostles, as he has even from the first chapter of this epistle. As apostles and “as workers together with Him” his petition will be made. The words “with Him” are inserted, but they are implied based on the use of the compounded Greek oun, meaning “with” which is found in the word synergountes. The word sunergeó means “to work together” or “cooperate.” Therefore, when compounded with oun, it means “to work together with.”

The question some scholars debate is whether “Him” then refers to “God” or to “Christ.” The reason for this debate is because “with” is certainly referring back to verse 20 of the previous chapter –

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

It is actually a bit silly to argue this, but for clarity we should analyze it. Paul said in this verse that the apostles are “ambassadors for Christ.” An ambassador speaks for the one who sent them. However, it is “God” who is said to plead through the apostles. Therefore, either option is a possibility if one wants to divide Paul’s thought into two different entities. But if we understand that Christ is God, then the debate is unnecessary. God is pleading through Christ, because Christ is God’s revelation of Himself. Further, Paul says the same thing concerning God in the book of 1 Corinthians –

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9

Understanding that we, as the church, are “living stones” in this temple (1 Peter 2:5) and that the church is Christ’s body (Ephesians 1:23), then we can see that these are ultimately one and the same. It then is the apostles, together with Him, who “also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” The grace of God he is writing about can be nothing other than the message of salvation, the gospel. It is the message of pardon leading to reconciliation with God which is found in the sacrificial giving of Christ for fallen man.

And so the question must be asked, “Why would God/Christ plead along with the apostles for us to “not receive the grace of God in vain” if free-will were excluded from the equation? One can see how dangerous this type of theology is. If someone is expected to make a volitional act of the will in coming to Christ, but they are told this isn’t necessary because God has elected them already apart from their free-will, then they could end up never making such a decision. Thus, they will be excluded from the very hope which God is pleading for them to possess.

Life application: If you have never simply received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, calling on Him as Lord, then do so today. The choice is an eternity-deciding decision and the choice is yours.

Heavenly Father, I am thankful that I live in a time when the word of God was spoken often enough to me that I finally realized I had to do something in order to be saved. I realized that the choice is mine and that I had to call on Jesus. I thank You first for the offer of pardon, and I thank You also that You gave me the sense through multiple callings to make the free-will decision to receive it. You certainly are a gracious and patient God! How I love You. Help me now to continue to speak to others about this wonderful offer of peace and reconciliation. Amen.