2 Corinthians 1
-Paul begins this second letter to the church in Corinth and
all the saints in Achaia that has been preserved by antiquity after sending
Timothy to check their response to 1 Corinthians (Acts 19:22, 1 Corinthians
16:10-11), receiving discouraging news, visiting them with a painful visit, and
writing another letter to them, which has been lost in antiquity. This was a
tearful letter with apparently very severe language warning the church of God’s
judgment if they did not repent (2 Corinthians 2:3-4; 7:8-16). To Paul’s great
joy most of them did repent, which Paul found out about through Titus in
Macedonia (2 Corinthians 7:5-7). Thus the stage is set for this se cond letter
and its myriad of themes and issues that still needed addressing in this local
body with significance to all of the church age.
-Paul begins the letter by defending and asserting his
apostleship of Christ Jesus by the will of God (2 Corinthians 1:1). He blesses
them with the usual words of grace and peace before going into an extended
section of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His mercies and comfort (2
Corinthians 1:3-11). The Lord is the One who comforts in all our affliction for
the purpose of encouraging us to comfort others in their affliction. While
there is abundant suffering, there is the contrast of abundant comfort through
the agency of Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:5). Paul even says his affliction
is for the people’s comfort and ultimately their salvation as they endure (2
Corinthians 1:6). There is a commonality and partaking in this suffering they
are experiencing, which produces a hope firmly grounded in the bond of Christ
(2 Corinthians 1:7). There is a communication of suffering to make his readers
aware of this tribulation that burdened them to the point of despair, even of
life, and their strength in themselves was totally gone (2 Corinthians 1:8).
This happened so that they would not trust in themselves, but in God who can
raise even the dead (1 Corinthians 15, canonical tie, 2 Corinthians 1:9). God
is our hope for deliverance and it is applied to this situation as far as their
physical well-being (2 Corinthians 1:10). Paul finishes this first section with
a call for intercession through a commendation of these Corinthian believers (2
Corinthians 1:11). *Application* We are reminded in this passage that painful
and arduous times are part of the Christian walk. When these events occur
remember to depend on God, your personal deliverer and salvation. We cannot
walk in our own strength and the Lord has very real ways of reminding us of
that.
-Paul begins a new section defending his integrity as he
communicates having a holy, simple, and sincere conscience not based on fleshly
wisdom, but he wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-4:21, 2 Corinthians 1:12).
Paul, as always keeps a view of the end (in the day of our Lord Jesus) as he
wants them to fully understand the importance of their enduring faith. Paul is
sure in his convictions and God’s call. He is not vacillating because his Lord
is faithful in His Word, which makes us sure and steadfast without wavering (2
Corinthians 1:17-22). The promises of God are yes and yes. It is God who
establishes and anoints us together (unity) in (agent) Christ (1 Corinthians
12:12-26, 2 Corinthians 1:21). God has sealed the believer (past tense-
completed action) evidenced because He has given us the Holy Spirit as a pledge
(legal term for down payment, His fullness is our joy and hope) in our hearts
(2 Corinthians 1:22). Therefore, it is our faith in His work that establishes
and makes firm (this is present and ongoing) His promises as we labor, not in
pride or arrogance, but in unity and joy (2 Corinthians 1:23-24). *Application*
We, as the ancient Corinthians, need to understand the great theological implications
of Paul’s words here. God’s Spirit in us is the guarantee of salvation. We need not operate in fear any longer when
we realize that He continually is related
to us and has sealed us for the day
of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). When we are filled with His Spirit we are freed
to live a life of worship and fullness of joy no matter what the situation or
circumstance that surrounds us. Abound in His grace (2 Corinthians 9:8)!
Verses to Memorize- 2
Corinthians 1:3-4
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