The God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-11). Paul describes God in this passage as the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. I like that. He shows his compassion to his followers through “joint learning and ministry.” What I mean by that, as pointed out in this passage by Paul, is that as the body of Christ, we’re to minister to one another. Gone through a bankruptcy? Be prepared to walk with one of your brothers through a bankruptcy. Suffered clinical depression? Be prepared to walk with one of your sisters through clinical depression. Lost a child? Be prepared to walk… I think you get the big picture. God teaches the body lessons through a few so that the larger body can be ministered to—if we’ll just allow this to happen. This is wisdom: to learn from what others have gone through and apply it to our lives.
The symbiotic relationship between a body of believers and an evangelist (2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4). Paul stresses the joint effort of the body of Christ. They are his boast; he is their boast. I think this trickles down and goes deeper than that of the relationship of church and evangelist. Does one sister run a food pantry for the poor among your body? You share in that ministry if you pray continuously for her good works—and pitch in when you can. We are one before God when we truly act as one. Discipline—the other key portion of this passage—clearly hinges on love and what Paul refers to as conducting relationships in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. This reflects the loving “parenting” that needs to go in a body of believers, including the decision to hold back on punishment at times because of love. This is a reflection of godliness.
The treatment of an outcast believer when he or she wants to be restored (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). This makes me marvel at an organization so powerful, so loving, so self-controlled, that someone changes their ways to be included. Think about that for a second. There’s the initial repentance of our sinful lives when we are first included into a body of believers… then life happens. We forget. We lose focus. We wander back into the world. What happens next to us is key. Are we merely accepted, or closer to the truth tolerated, or even closer to the truth, unknown—allowed to live as we are, back in the world, with a cool Christ tattoo to show off when that connection would work better in our favor? What if we really were just such a powerful organization? What if we really practiced the pursuit of God the way it is laid out in the Bible? What if we really loved and cared so much for one another that we couldn’t bear to let a fellow brother and sister live in sin—to the point of setting them on the bench until they came to their senses? What a testimony to God!
We do not peddle the word of God for profit (2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6). WOW! He really said that! And he says so much more—what really should drive the ministry of Christ. What drives your pastor? What drives you?
What the ministry of the Spirit looks like (2 Corinthians 3:7-18): It’s a ministry that brings righteousness, that reflects the Lord’s glory as we are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Now THAT is a mission statement for a body of believers! THAT is a measuring stick of effectiveness!
Treasures in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4). This is a truly amazing passage and explains why Christians are persecuted and suffer. We are held up to the world as one of them—human—yet so much more! Under the pressure of suffering and persecution, we remain, not in our own strength but in the supernatural strength of Christ. More so, we not only withstand this pressure, we are being renewed internally. This “light and momentary trouble” achieves an eternal glory that far outweighs the things of this earth.
Heavenly dwelling (2 Corinthians 5:1-10). Paul sheds some light on our heavenly dwelling. What Jesus described, in some translations, as a mansion, Paul describes more here as a new body suited for eternity.
The time of God’s favor (2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2). One of the best distilled explanations of the gospel and an understanding of the fear of God and the drive God puts in us to save others.
Bragging in Christ (2 Corinthians 6:3-13). Paul goes on a rant with a purpose—he and his partners have suffered so much for the good of the Corinthians. They should be accepted with open arms and open hearts.
Perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1). The call to all those who are Christ followers to put off the world and be united together with the common purpose of purification and perfection in holiness.
The results of church discipline (2 Corinthians 7:2-16). A closer bond between the one who disciplines and those being disciplined develops when administered correctly.
Giving (2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15). Paul spells out what this giving thing is all about in verses 13-15: equality. I wonder if that’s what we’re all about today. It seems to me that we would grow into looking more like Jesus—and as Paul point out here, especially in generosity—if we gave with a desire for equality. I think that’s the path I’m going to go down for a while in my personal giving.
Some believe that 2 Corinthians is more than one letter. The abrupt way chapter 10 picks up after the gentle tone of chapter 9 is one indicator that could be possible, but I kind of doubt it. In chapter 10 Paul goes into a sharp defense of his ministry and the language stands out in stark contrast to the persuasive tone of the previous chapter on giving. I think more should be attributed to Paul’s masterful writing style—a rope-a-dope move that he uses in other letters—rather than explaining this change in approach as a compilation of letters. As to the content of chapter 10, Paul effectively summarizes his defense with these words: “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” This is how it was done in the days of Moses (with his conflict with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; also with Aaron and Miriam), David (in his conflict with Saul), and even more evident with Jesus Christ. The Lord makes it clear who is approved and commended. Rather than argue over who’s right and who’s wrong, instead, when at loggerheads, we should ask God for approval for the right to show through. That goes a long way in setting aside conflict between members of God’s church.
Paul and the “Super” Apostles (2 Corinthians 11-12). Paul gives a laundry list of his credentials, but what really jumped out at me this time was what was behind his efforts in Corinth: “Everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening” (2 Corinthians 12:19). If this isn’t the bottom line to determine whether someone is truly a pastor or evangelist or teacher or servant from God, I don’t know what is. True servants of God serve others to strengthen other believers. That’s it. No other ulterior motives.
Examine yourselves (2 Corinthians 13:1-10). This passage is very frightening to me… and it should be all of us who follow Christ. Paul says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” Father in heaven, please help us all to examine ourselves. Help us to see Jesus Christ—alive, powerful, loving, self-controlled—within us and help us reveal this truth to all that don’t know you. Amen.
Rules to live by (2 Corinthians 13:11-14):
- Aim for perfection
- Listen to my (Paul’s) appeal
- Be of one mind
- Live in peace
Wonderful words to keep us pointed in the right direction.
