(This is a guest post on 2 Corinthians 12 from Bethany Thompson!) I read this chapter over and over, trying to think of some clever punch line, a real-life analogy or witty illustration to fully bring home the point of the penultimate chapter in II Corinthians. But apparently all my cleverness was temporarily out of… Read More ›
“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (2 Cor. 11:30). Paul is here arguing against the “super-apostles” (11:5). They are apparently gifted speakers, have claims of authority, and are even leading some of the Corinthian Christians to follow them (instead of Jesus) (11:3-4). In order to argue against… Read More ›
”Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present” (2 Corinthians 10:11). I was struck by this verse today. Paul is sure he is not a hypocritical Christian, a double-minded man, as James puts it (James 1:8). He lives in line with what he writes in his… Read More ›
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:6-7). Paul is telling the Corinthians to be prepared to be generous,… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from Scott Rim!) So the subtitle under 2 Corinthians, Chapter 8 reads, “Encouragement to Give Generously”. And that’s pretty much what this passage is about. But why? When? And How? Paul starts off by informing the readers of his letter that the churches in Macedonia are in a “severe test… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from Clara Hah!) There are three things I like about 2 Corinthians, chapter 6. And here they are: 1. “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (6:1) I like that it forces me to realize that God is working… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from my dear friend and fellow pastor, Toby Kurth.) Who we are in Christ always precedes what we are called to do. In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul makes it so clear that the motivation for anything that he is doing or calling his readers to do is some… Read More ›
(This guest post is from Katherine Mercado, wife of Gene.) “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). In this chapter, Paul is seeking to explain why he does not lose heart, even though he has faced much affliction. He describes that what we proclaim is… Read More ›
(This is a guest post from friend and brother, Leon Chao.) “…will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?” (2 Corinthians 3:8). I believe most Americans have heard or know about the Ten Commandments in the Bible. They have heard it at Sunday school, church, and/or at least saw the movie with… Read More ›
(This is a guest post by Sr. Gene Mercado.) “[Y]ou should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him” (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). Is there a balance between discipline and forgiveness? The scene in verses 5-11 shows Paul advising… Read More ›