NOVEMBER 24 2 Corinthians 1-5

November 24, 2014

First of all: Happy, blessed birthday to my wonderful wife! I love you, Becky!

2 Corinthians 1-5

This is the most autobiographical of all Paul’s letters. In other words, we learn more about Paul from this letter, than nearly all of his others put together!

The evidence suggests (and the church has traditionally accepted) that 2 Corinthians is the second letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, and that Paul is referring to 1 Corinthians when he says, “I wrote as I did (so strongly) so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice” in 2 Corinthians 2:3.

So Paul, probably less than a year after 1 Corinthians writes in a more conciliatory tone. He begins with a great statement on “the God of all comfort,” how it is God’s will work His good in all our sufferings (1:3-7). Paul discusses his own motives for writing 1 Corinthians; he urges forgiveness for a repentant sinner (possibly the sinner described in 1 Corinthians 5); and catches them up on his travels (2: 12-13).

In the rest of today’s reading Paul covers a great deal of material. He exhorts the Corinthian Christians...

To be “the aroma of Christ among those who are perishing” (2:15)


To know that “the Spirit gives life” (3:3:6)


To remember that God’s goal is to “transform us into [Christ’s] likeness with ever increasing glory” (3:18)

Not to lose heart (4:1, 16-18; these last three verses were my theme throughout my knee surgery this last Spring!)

To remember that “if our earthly tent (body) is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven” (5:1)

And to carry “the message of reconciliation” to the entire world (5:19f).

Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,

Pastor Gary