2 Corinthians 3:1-11

Chapter Three (actually beginning with 2:14) up to chapter 7, verse 4, begins a digression so remarkable that historians have wondered if this sections was actually part of the original letter. Even a casual reader is jolted at the jump between the travelogue commentary in the first two chapters and the next five chapters which contains Paul's philosophy of apostolic ministry. The question of authenticity has been settled by scholars but we need to shift gears. With this in mind we will move on from the relational issues that prompted the letter. We will look at the following six points:

  The Corinthian Believers—a Letter from Christ (3:1–11)

  Seeing the Glory of God with Unveiled Faces (3:12—4:6)

  Treasure in Clay Jars (4:7–16a)

  The Prospect of Death and What It Means for the Christian (4:16b—5:10)

  The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11—6:10)

  A Spiritual Father’s Appeal to His Children (6:11—7:4)

  "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 

2 Corinthians 3:1-6 Paul opens this section (at the close of the last chapter, v. 14) by stating he had always triumphed in the success which he had, and that God always blessed his labors. He alluded especially to his sincerity as contrasted with the conduct of some false teachers dwelling in Corinth. Of course, his point wasn't to justify himself. In fact, Paul suggested if the Corinthian church would only look at what God had done in their lives they would see themselves a proof that God had blessed Paul's ministry. Their very lives were a letter God had written on Paul's heart by the Holy Spirit...

But Paul didn't take any credit. He only used their evidence to authenticate that his ministry was truly from God. The actual outcome was all due to the power of God. In reality, if the Corinthian church only followed Paul's commands (which were many) they would surely perish in their sin because obedience is not salvation. What redeemed them was their willingness to turn their lives over to God and let His Holy Spirit control them.  

Paul offered a simple explanation that countless people never really comprehend. For the letter (slavish devotion to the 10 Commandments) kills, but the Spirit (the presence of God living within us...through believing Christ's atonement for our sin) gives life. The dramatic turn-around in their lives proved they were following the Holy Spirit, not Paul. Now, here is the lesson for you and me: Are we simply trying to follow a bunch of rules in order to make God Happy If so, don't bother. A redemptive relationship with God is characterized by recognizing God's Holy Spirit has the right to control every facet of our lives.  

Our lives are a letter to those around us. The question is simple: What does your letter say?

Live boldly out there today...

 

 

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. 2 Cor. 2:12-17

Not doing what we vowed is not simply a lie, although...it could be.

Timing is an important factor. In Paul's case...he hadn't specified a date certain when he would return. That date was determined by the community's ability to satisfy Paul's directives for correcting the lack of moral probity he witnessed in the church. So, Paul was awaiting word from Titus on their progress. He had hoped to met Titus in Troas but was unsuccessful so he moved on to Macedonia. We will read, later in this book, that Titus met Paul there, in Philippi.

The final verses of today's passage reflect Paul's joy after hearing good news from Titus. His meeting was the impetus for Paul writing this letter...which he sent along with Titus back to Corinth.

The point here is that some promises are conditional. "If you mow the lawn I will give you ten dollars". So...when we make promises in a relationship...we need to carefully assess whether they might be encumbered by conditions and take that into account. Then make those conditions clear.

Unfortunately, most of us are captains of our own destiny. We believe we are in control of our circumstances so promises can be made with confidence...and very little attention to the possibility we are in no position to make that promise. Sometimes we know, in our hearts, we will have to shuffle some things around in order to keep a promise but we don't honestly share that information. When the shuffle isn't successful we look like liars.

Well, in fact we would be. Not because we did not fulfill the promise but because we weren't telling the truth about the limitations involved in pursuing that promise. Had we done so, the promise might have been renegotiated from the beginning,

So here's a thought...get all the information out in the open. We might not be able to control somebody's disappointment but we can be certain we did nothing to mislead their expectations.

Live boldly out there today...



 

2 Corinthians 2:5-11

But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all. Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many; so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow.Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things. But to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes have I forgiven it in the presence of Christ; that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

 How many times have we been bothered by something but kept our mouths shut because we didn't want to cause trouble or...jeopardize a relationship? Silence is NOT always golden...even though the Tremeloes claimed so.

We'd like to think our silence is helping because speaking up often causes strife. Silence does not mean we are fine with a person's behavior. It only implies we are content. In fact, silence is often a breeding ground for discontentment.

Yet...we often call the person who is raised the problem a troublemaker.

Well, here's a dimension of strife we often fail to consider: A troubled relationship does not only hurt the two people involved, It hurts everybody surrounding the relationship. So, next time we feel all righteous in holding our tongues we might remember...our silence may be hurting others, 

How do we suppose children are affected by simmering trouble in their parents' relationship?

Paul raises this point in reference to the individuals, in Corinth, who he accused of sinful behavior. Since Paul was the accuser it stands to reason Paul was the one offended by the conduct. Paul says "not true!" In fact, we know many in the community were troubled by the bad behavior because when Paul called these people out and sanctioned them,,,the community enforced the sanctions. So...they had all been troubled.

So...there was a delicate situation between the accused and Paul...but everybody was on eggshells. Not a healthy situation. Paul says there is only one way to  diffuse this...FORGIVE. Put the trouble behind. This idea had been highlighted in his first letter to the community...chapter 13...when he said "love keeps no record of wrongdoing". 

If we continually wipe the slate clean...what could possibly offend us?

Paul's message is clear. If we love somebody...and ἀγάπη means a love that is intent on redemption...we must first tell them about our discontent and then we must wipe the slate clean. In fact, it's precisely what God did for each of us. This is the only way to redeem a relationship. Not only for our own benefit but...for the benefit of those around us who have been affected as well.

Really? How often do we need to do this? I read somewhere...70 times 7. That should keep us busy. More importantly, it relieves our feelings of discontentment and that's important. Guess where the devil dwells? Not so much in hell but...in our discontentment. Don't give him space.

Live boldly out there today...

2 Corinthians 2:1-4

But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow. For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me? And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love that I have more abundantly unto you

Relationships can be difficult...

It might be because God's design for the most rewarding and  intimate relationships is "one flesh". I had a knee replaced a year ago and my I entire body ached. We understand are bodies are organic...interdependent parts that are affected by all parts. 

So...it makes sense...if we really care for another we actually "feel their pain". Somehow our beings have become one. 

Paul says he avoided returning to Corinth because he did not want to bring sorrow to their very people who brought him the greatest joy. You see, Pail's original visit was laden with "tough love" and it was very painful for all involved. Paul preferred to delay his return until he was confident he wouldn't have to be harsh with them again. 

That would be too painful...

Normally we respond differently to relational pain. We either compromise the conviction that caused the pain to begin with it we become angry and end the relationship. Neither is helpful because they both arbitrarily mask the pain. 

We all know pain is our friend. It tells us when something is wrong that needs fixing. Paul was not willing to compromise his convictions simply to get along...not should we. 

Celebrate the pain...it confirms you are still organically connected with that person. Don't anesthetize yourself with excuses or alternatives. Sometimes a little distance helps...it's what Paul found. 

Live boldly out there today...

Lessons from 2 Cornithians, Chapter One

When we have hurt somebody by promising them something that never materialized, Paul offers four bits of advice to help us return peace to that relationship.

1.  If my comfort level is to be determined by how others treat me I will be severely disappointed. Ultimately, peace only comes from God.Who has disappointed us today? Be willing to recognize their lives may be filled with turmoil and they could use a little comfort. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction"

2. Stick to the facts. Don't get caught up in emotions of defensiveness.  Be willing to sit with them as equals and tell them what has been going on in your life? Is your narrative compelling enough to diffuse any pointed accusations? "For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren..."

3. When we need to make peace with somebody we must do our self-reflection and ensure our actions toward that person have been sincere? Have they been "without wax"? or, have there been hidden claims and actions that we have concealed...leading to misunderstanding? "we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand".

4. When we promise something that did not come to pass it should only be because God prompted us the promise was not in their best interests, Let them know we didn't simply change our mind for our own convenience. "I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth".
Live boldly out there today,,,

2 Corinthians 1:17, 18

"Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or what I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, so that with me there will be yes, yes and no, no at the same time? But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no" 2 Corinthians 1:17, 18.

"Say what you mean...and mean what you say".

It's one of the lessons I was taught early in life. It means our words need to be authentic, We cannot say one thing for public consumption while saying another think in private...or, in our minds. This is serious. It's one of the things that irritates us so much about our politicians. We've come to be quite certain that we cannot believe a word they say. They promise us one thing in order to get elected and then go to Washington and do quite another.

Is this accidental...or by design? I think we all know.

Paul says we cannot say "yes" with our lips if "no" is in our hearts. Doing so constitutes a lie.

So, Paul explains..."I intended at first to come to you...therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this". Even so, sometimes our good intentions do not come to pass. Had he not offered this explanation the community in Corinth could have rightfully assumed the promise was a lie. He closes this chapter by explaining "I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I did not come again to Corinth".

Today the lesson is clear: Never promise to do something unless we honestly intend to do it. And, the only reason our promise should not come to pass is if we have a clear conviction from God, Himself, that we should do something else...noticeably, for their benefit. 

In that case...making peace with somebody we have angered means letting them know we didn't change our intentions for our own convenience.

Live boldly out there today...

2 Corinthians 1:12-14

For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you. For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end;  just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

Remember WWJD? What would Jesus do?

Making peace is more than believing you have done nothing wrong. It includes an honest self-examination. Paul says he has conducted himself in holiness and godly sincerity. That's what Jesus would do. In this case,

By the time this Greek word εἰλικρινείᾳ became English it had been filtered through Latin and was always translated "sincere". An old tradition claims the word sincere derives from two Latin words: "sine" (without) and "cera" (wax). While apocryphal, the tradition is illustrative. Accordingly, dishonest sculptors in Rome or Greece would cover flaws in their work with wax to deceive the viewer; therefore, a sculpture "without wax" would mean honesty in its perfection. We have some evidence that Paul, at least, held to a similar understanding when he wrote "we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand". In other words, "we have been entirely open and honest".

So here is our question today: When we need to make peace with somebody and we do our self-reflection, can we say that our actions toward that person have been sincere? Have they been "without wax"? or, have there been hidden claims and actions that we have concealed...leading to misunderstanding?

We might need to  clear some of that up before we can make peace.

Live boldly out there today...