Paul continues to discuss church contributions in support of others.
2 Corinthians 9: 1-5, Boasting to Macedonia about the Corinthian church
There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we--not to say anything about you--would be ashamed of having been so confident.
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Paul is concerned that recent division in the Corinthian church will leave them unprepared for the delegation from Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 9: 6-11, Cheerful giving
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Paul urges the church to respond generously, abundantly, promising that this giving spirit rebounds to support the giver.
The quote in verse 9 is from Psalm 112:9. The Old Testament standard for giving was a "tithe", that is, a tenth of one's earnings. This percentage is a ratio, which means that one can meet that expectation regardless of their income; when I earned $4000 a year, a tithe was just $400; when I (once) earned $100,000 in a year, a tithe was $10,000. Early in our marriage, Jan and I committed to giving above 10% of our income -- at times 25% or more -- and I am grateful that we did, for this has been a joyous and valuable thing for me in our marriage. I recommend a similar commitment to other believers.
2 Corinthians 9: 12-15, Giving as worship
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
A cheerful giver is aware that he/she has received wonderful gifts from God.
In the next chapter, Paul returns to describing his ministry to the church in Corinth.
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Friday, May 12, 2017
II Corinthians 8, Giving to Christ and the Church
After defending his ministry and emphasizing the important aspects of Christian pastoring, Paul now turns to the issue of giving, of supporting the church in Jerusalem which has been suffering from famine. The next two chapters set up some standard principles about charitable giving while also providing further insight into Paul's motives and experiences.
2 Corinthians 8: 1-7, Praise to the Macedonian churches
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
The churches in Macedonia (northern Greece) were eager to step up and give to the Jerusalem churches, even though the Macedonian churches were not rich and did have their own problems. Paul wants the Corinthian church in Achaia (southern Greece) to step up to the challenge and also give to the Jerusalem church. Note that this generosity begins with the church first committing themselves to God; all else flowed out of that dedication.
2 Corinthians 8: 8-12, Excel in giving!
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Paul uses Jesus's model of humility to encourage the Corinthians to finish what they have started. He urges them to complete the giving plans to which they had previously committed. Jesus's eternal gift is their motive; at the same time there is an implied challenge to prove themselves in their commitment.
2 Corinthians 8: 13-15, Emphasis on equality
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
Those who have should give to even out the disparities between churches who are doing well and those who are struggling in poverty and famine.
The quote in verse 15 is from Exodus 16:18, an episode in which God took care of the people of Israel in the wilderness.
2 Corinthians 8: 16-23, Titus and another brother
I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.
Paul emphasizes care in the collection of the money, alerting the people of Corinth that it will be collected by someone they know and trust, Titus, along with "a brother" who is also trustworthy and widely respected. It will not be Paul; Paul takes care to make it clear that all of this is done well and above reproof.
The "brother" is not named and is unknown, although others have suggested Apollos, Barnabas, Silas, maybe Timothy.
2 Corinthians 8: 24, Proof of your love
Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
As someone has said, "Our hearts follow our wallets." It is a good test of Christian faith to see if one's wallet is also committed to Christ. The people of Corinth will be given a chance to show their commitment when this group arrives.
In the next chapter, Paul continues to discuss the gifts arranged by the Macedonian churches.
2 Corinthians 8: 1-7, Praise to the Macedonian churches
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
2 Corinthians 8: 8-12, Excel in giving!
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Paul uses Jesus's model of humility to encourage the Corinthians to finish what they have started. He urges them to complete the giving plans to which they had previously committed. Jesus's eternal gift is their motive; at the same time there is an implied challenge to prove themselves in their commitment.
2 Corinthians 8: 13-15, Emphasis on equality
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."
Those who have should give to even out the disparities between churches who are doing well and those who are struggling in poverty and famine.
The quote in verse 15 is from Exodus 16:18, an episode in which God took care of the people of Israel in the wilderness.
2 Corinthians 8: 16-23, Titus and another brother
I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.
And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.
As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.
Paul emphasizes care in the collection of the money, alerting the people of Corinth that it will be collected by someone they know and trust, Titus, along with "a brother" who is also trustworthy and widely respected. It will not be Paul; Paul takes care to make it clear that all of this is done well and above reproof.
The "brother" is not named and is unknown, although others have suggested Apollos, Barnabas, Silas, maybe Timothy.
2 Corinthians 8: 24, Proof of your love
Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.
As someone has said, "Our hearts follow our wallets." It is a good test of Christian faith to see if one's wallet is also committed to Christ. The people of Corinth will be given a chance to show their commitment when this group arrives.
In the next chapter, Paul continues to discuss the gifts arranged by the Macedonian churches.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
II Corinthians 7, Sorrow and Relief
Paul has been explaining the motivations behind his ministry.
2 Corinthians 7: 1-3, Open your hearts to us!
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.
Paul calls for renewed affection and commitment. He expresses his full commitment to the church in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 7: 4-7, Confidence (and relief!)
I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within.
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
Paul's anxiety was greatly relieved by finally finding Titus in Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 7: 8-12, The tearful letter caused sorrow
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it--I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while--yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.
The "tearful letter", now lost to us, apparently had its desired effect, although Paul clearly worried about the effect of that letter.
2 Corinthians 7: 13-16, Open your hearts to us!
By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
The good report from Titus has greatly reassured Paul that he was doing the right thing in his ministry with the Corinthian church.
In the next chapter Paul changes direction and discusses the church gifts to Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 7: 1-3, Open your hearts to us!
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.
Paul calls for renewed affection and commitment. He expresses his full commitment to the church in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 7: 4-7, Confidence (and relief!)
I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds. For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within.
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
Paul's anxiety was greatly relieved by finally finding Titus in Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 7: 8-12, The tearful letter caused sorrow
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it--I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while--yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.
So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.
The "tearful letter", now lost to us, apparently had its desired effect, although Paul clearly worried about the effect of that letter.
By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
The good report from Titus has greatly reassured Paul that he was doing the right thing in his ministry with the Corinthian church.
In the next chapter Paul changes direction and discusses the church gifts to Jerusalem.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
II Corinthians 6, Ministering in Purity
Paul continues to describe his motives for ministry.
2 Corinthians 6: 1-2, Please heed our call
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Be sensitive to God's grace, Paul pleads, and heed Christ's call for forgiveness. Paul is quoting from Isaiah 49:8, a passage about the restoration of Israel.
2 Corinthians 6: 3-10, We ministered to you in purity
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
In one long pulsing sentence Paul drums quickly through his many experiences, good and bad, in ministering to the people of Corinth.
2 Corinthians 6: 11-13, So open up to us!
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.
Paul speaks as a lover betrayed, passionately begging that his care and affection be reciprocated!
2 Corinthians 6: 14-18, Separation from evil
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?
For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Like the prophets of old, Paul calls out for the believers to set themselves apart as true citizens of God's kingdom.
This ringing call is often misinterpreted. In another passage (I Corinthians 5: 9-11), Paul says that one cannot, indeed should not, separate from those outside the church or else "you would have to leave this world". Paul is not arguing about mere personal associations, but something much deeper. Some note the word "yoked" in verse 14 as indicating a deep involvement with an unbeliever, but I see a general theme that follows Matthew 6: 24, we cannot serve two masters and so a decision must be made: to whom (or what) do we owe allegiance?
According to the NIV Footnotes, the Greek word in verse 15 translated Belial is really Beliar, a variant of Belial, a term for Satan.
Paul has a string of three quotations in verses 16-18 echoing Old Testament passages. The first comes from similar passages such Leviticus 26:12, Jeremiah 32:38, and Ezekiel 37:27; the second from Isaiah 52:11 or Ezekiel 20:34,41, and finally, most likely, the third quote is from 2 Samuel 7:14. (The Greek text had no way to indicate quotations so the quotation marks in appearing in the NIV English translation represent an interpretation of the translators. The prelude, "As God as said," surely indicates that Paul is quoting from the Old Testament here.)
Paul continues his emphasis on purity in the next chapter.
2 Corinthians 6: 1-2, Please heed our call
As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.
Be sensitive to God's grace, Paul pleads, and heed Christ's call for forgiveness. Paul is quoting from Isaiah 49:8, a passage about the restoration of Israel.
2 Corinthians 6: 3-10, We ministered to you in purity
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
In one long pulsing sentence Paul drums quickly through his many experiences, good and bad, in ministering to the people of Corinth.
2 Corinthians 6: 11-13, So open up to us!
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.
Paul speaks as a lover betrayed, passionately begging that his care and affection be reciprocated!
2 Corinthians 6: 14-18, Separation from evil
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?
For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Like the prophets of old, Paul calls out for the believers to set themselves apart as true citizens of God's kingdom.
This ringing call is often misinterpreted. In another passage (I Corinthians 5: 9-11), Paul says that one cannot, indeed should not, separate from those outside the church or else "you would have to leave this world". Paul is not arguing about mere personal associations, but something much deeper. Some note the word "yoked" in verse 14 as indicating a deep involvement with an unbeliever, but I see a general theme that follows Matthew 6: 24, we cannot serve two masters and so a decision must be made: to whom (or what) do we owe allegiance?
According to the NIV Footnotes, the Greek word in verse 15 translated Belial is really Beliar, a variant of Belial, a term for Satan.
Paul continues his emphasis on purity in the next chapter.
II Corinthians 5, The Ministry of Reconciliation
Paul has been describing his brushes with death and his eternal perspective in ministry.
2 Corinthians 5: 1-4, More on eternal things
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
We look forward to eternal life, which Paul merely calls, "life", in which we replace this "tent" of a body with a "heavenly dwelling".
2 Corinthians 5: 5-9, A Deposit on that life
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
Paul is confident of this eternal life and our part in it. The Holy Spirit is the first down payment on this eternal life, our "guarantee". And Paul is now eager to move on to that new life! (But I am not; I still enjoy this interesting life, even if my "tent" has begun to groan a little.)
2 Corinthians 5: 10-11a, The judgment seat of Christ
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.
There is indeed some type of final judgment, some future final decision by Jesus, apparently based on how we have lived this life. And so Paul feels a certain urgency in his mission. Note that although Paul will routinely insist we are "saved by grace", we are still expected to live out a life that reflects that viewpoint, with good actions and caring deeds. Paul sees this a natural result of the Holy Spirit taking control of our hearts and minds.
2 Corinthians 5: 11b-14, Under compulsion
What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
Paul is compelled by love for the Corinthians and wants them to know his transparency in that love. He wavers between trying to defend himself again and claiming that no defense is necessary.
2 Corinthians 5: 15-17, An eternal perspective
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This is a famous passage, central to Paul's daily motivation in ministry. Paul's motivation is Christ's death for all mankind and the new creation, the new "citizenship" that comes with that.
2 Corinthians 5: 18-21, The ministry of reconciliation
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Christians are "ambassadors of reconciliation", representing the Kingdom of God to a confused world. The "ambassador" metaphor is a strong one; the author of Hebrews says that we are citizens of a better (future) country and currently live in a country "not our own" (Hebrews 11:13-16), a good reminder for any Christian in any country in any time.
The phrase in verse 21, in which Jesus became "sin" for us could also be translated "a sin offering" for us (NIV Footnotes.)
In the next chapter. Paul continues to describe his motives for ministry.
2 Corinthians 5: 1-4, More on eternal things
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
We look forward to eternal life, which Paul merely calls, "life", in which we replace this "tent" of a body with a "heavenly dwelling".
2 Corinthians 5: 5-9, A Deposit on that life
Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight.
We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
Paul is confident of this eternal life and our part in it. The Holy Spirit is the first down payment on this eternal life, our "guarantee". And Paul is now eager to move on to that new life! (But I am not; I still enjoy this interesting life, even if my "tent" has begun to groan a little.)
2 Corinthians 5: 10-11a, The judgment seat of Christ
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men.
There is indeed some type of final judgment, some future final decision by Jesus, apparently based on how we have lived this life. And so Paul feels a certain urgency in his mission. Note that although Paul will routinely insist we are "saved by grace", we are still expected to live out a life that reflects that viewpoint, with good actions and caring deeds. Paul sees this a natural result of the Holy Spirit taking control of our hearts and minds.
2 Corinthians 5: 11b-14, Under compulsion
What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
Paul is compelled by love for the Corinthians and wants them to know his transparency in that love. He wavers between trying to defend himself again and claiming that no defense is necessary.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This is a famous passage, central to Paul's daily motivation in ministry. Paul's motivation is Christ's death for all mankind and the new creation, the new "citizenship" that comes with that.
2 Corinthians 5: 18-21, The ministry of reconciliation
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Christians are "ambassadors of reconciliation", representing the Kingdom of God to a confused world. The "ambassador" metaphor is a strong one; the author of Hebrews says that we are citizens of a better (future) country and currently live in a country "not our own" (Hebrews 11:13-16), a good reminder for any Christian in any country in any time.
The phrase in verse 21, in which Jesus became "sin" for us could also be translated "a sin offering" for us (NIV Footnotes.)
In the next chapter. Paul continues to describe his motives for ministry.
Monday, May 8, 2017
II Corinthians 4, Jars of Clay
Paul has been defending his ministry. Along the way, he explains why some of his people, some of the Jews, are still resistant to their Messiah.
2 Corinthians 4: 1-2, Commitment to truth and honesty
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Paul emphasizes honest, sincere proclamation, without deceit! (Hallelujah!) If only the gospel were always communicated in this way!
2 Corinthians 4: 3-6, A veil over mankind
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Again Paul references "the veil", a blinding of our world that has occurred since the Fall of humankind in Genesis. His solution is to preach Christ (and to allow the Holy Spirit to break through.) Paul then uses God's creative statement ("Let there be light" from Genesis 1: 3-4) to describe a breakthrough in human hearts.
The "god of this age" is surely the same being as the Serpent in the Genesis account.
2 Corinthians 4: 7-12, Jars of clay
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
In a series of four phrases, each containing "but not", Paul details struggles and conflicts, each of them successfully endured. Like jars in a storeroom, they are under pressure but haven't broken. Paul and his party are mere "jars of clay", frail and easily shattered (but potent when filled with new wine!) experiencing the possibility of death at every turn ... but still reflecting Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4: 13-15, Hope amidst affliction
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Facing death regularly, Paul relies ultimately on the Resurrection, a place where all believers will meet together with Jesus. That eternal meeting in the New Country is Paul's ultimate goal.
The quote in verse 13 is from Psalm 116:10 (but closer to the Septuagint version of this verse.) Psalm 116 is about hope in the midst of death and affliction.
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18, Unseen eternity
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Focusing on an unseen eternity, Paul obviously has a "long-term" approach to his ministry!
Paul continues to describe that future life in the next chapter.
2 Corinthians 4: 1-2, Commitment to truth and honesty
Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Paul emphasizes honest, sincere proclamation, without deceit! (Hallelujah!) If only the gospel were always communicated in this way!
2 Corinthians 4: 3-6, A veil over mankind
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Again Paul references "the veil", a blinding of our world that has occurred since the Fall of humankind in Genesis. His solution is to preach Christ (and to allow the Holy Spirit to break through.) Paul then uses God's creative statement ("Let there be light" from Genesis 1: 3-4) to describe a breakthrough in human hearts.
The "god of this age" is surely the same being as the Serpent in the Genesis account.
2 Corinthians 4: 7-12, Jars of clay
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
In a series of four phrases, each containing "but not", Paul details struggles and conflicts, each of them successfully endured. Like jars in a storeroom, they are under pressure but haven't broken. Paul and his party are mere "jars of clay", frail and easily shattered (but potent when filled with new wine!) experiencing the possibility of death at every turn ... but still reflecting Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4: 13-15, Hope amidst affliction
It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
Facing death regularly, Paul relies ultimately on the Resurrection, a place where all believers will meet together with Jesus. That eternal meeting in the New Country is Paul's ultimate goal.
The quote in verse 13 is from Psalm 116:10 (but closer to the Septuagint version of this verse.) Psalm 116 is about hope in the midst of death and affliction.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Focusing on an unseen eternity, Paul obviously has a "long-term" approach to his ministry!
Paul continues to describe that future life in the next chapter.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Paul's "Second" Letter to Corinth
Paul's first letter to Corinth (I Corinthians) addresses divisiveness in that church and a variety of moral failures one might expect from a new church built out of Gentiles who had no strong understanding of the law of Moses. That letter was written while Paul was in Ephesus for three years.
Apparently a later letter was sent to Corinth, an angry "letter of tears" dealing with the continued fractions and issues within the church. As far as we know, that letter has not survived.
Then, at a later date, Paul wrote an additional letter describing his deep love for the people of that church and his continued concerns. This letter, now called II Corinthians, is much more positive than the prior unknown letter. Still Paul feels a need to defend his ministry, including his change of plans regarding a visit to Corinth.
In addition to expressing his concern for the people of Corinth, Paul is also active in raising donations for the church in Jerusalem where there has been a devastating famine.
This letter, II Corinthians, is an emotional personal letter. Reading it, we have insight into Paul's character, including his concerns and frustrations. Although the letter has significant theological statements, it is primarily a compassionate pastoral letter written to a struggling congregation.
The tone of the letter changes at chapter 10, when Paul becomes more defensive and a little angry. Some have suggested that these last four chapters (10-13) contain the earlier "letter of tears" and have been tacked on to the rest of the letter later. If that is true, then the chronology would put II Corinthians 10-13 as a separate letter, before the rest of II Corinthians. The most obvious problem with this viewpoint (in my opinion) is that any standard greetings or conclusions separating that letter has been stripped away; if the last four chapters were a separate letter, we would expect a greeting similar to that at the top of chapter 1. I find it easier to believe that Paul, writing a personal emotional letter, returns to his previous frustrations and "clears the air" by making it plain that the previous accusations against him were slanderous and unfair.
Resources on this letter may be found in Wikipedia and also in the additional resources at the end of that article. There is also a nice summary at OverBible.
Apparently a later letter was sent to Corinth, an angry "letter of tears" dealing with the continued fractions and issues within the church. As far as we know, that letter has not survived.
Then, at a later date, Paul wrote an additional letter describing his deep love for the people of that church and his continued concerns. This letter, now called II Corinthians, is much more positive than the prior unknown letter. Still Paul feels a need to defend his ministry, including his change of plans regarding a visit to Corinth.
In addition to expressing his concern for the people of Corinth, Paul is also active in raising donations for the church in Jerusalem where there has been a devastating famine.
This letter, II Corinthians, is an emotional personal letter. Reading it, we have insight into Paul's character, including his concerns and frustrations. Although the letter has significant theological statements, it is primarily a compassionate pastoral letter written to a struggling congregation.
The tone of the letter changes at chapter 10, when Paul becomes more defensive and a little angry. Some have suggested that these last four chapters (10-13) contain the earlier "letter of tears" and have been tacked on to the rest of the letter later. If that is true, then the chronology would put II Corinthians 10-13 as a separate letter, before the rest of II Corinthians. The most obvious problem with this viewpoint (in my opinion) is that any standard greetings or conclusions separating that letter has been stripped away; if the last four chapters were a separate letter, we would expect a greeting similar to that at the top of chapter 1. I find it easier to believe that Paul, writing a personal emotional letter, returns to his previous frustrations and "clears the air" by making it plain that the previous accusations against him were slanderous and unfair.
Resources on this letter may be found in Wikipedia and also in the additional resources at the end of that article. There is also a nice summary at OverBible.
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