June 27, 2014 (Friday)
The two letters to Corinthian Christians are two of several letters to them from the Apostle Paul. Some of the letters to and from Paul were lost, and sections of Second Corinthians seem to be taken from a few of those “lost” letters. Having said that, there is much we learn from Second Corinthians about the great Apostle. He defended himself against accusations that were being made against him at Corinth, and in so doing revealed something of his own personal life. Second Corinthians, then, reads differently from Paul’s other letters which were very well organized according to a set pattern. There are three sections in Second Corinthians: the first is about his troubles and God’s consolation, the second reveals feelings of sadness, and the third is highly indignant. The main idea of Second Corinthians is “loyalty to Christ.”
Second Corinthians – A devotional thought
Paul “kept on keeping on.” He was faithful in the pursuit of the task of sharing the good news of justification by faith to the end of his days.
Remember this old hymn?
“From over hill and plain,
there comes the signal strain
of loyalty, loyalty, loyalty to Christ!”
Jesus calls all of us to “endure to the end.” Paul heard that call clearly and set an example for us by his love of doing whatever Christ wanted him to do. And he never gave up.
SECOND CORINTHIANS CONDENSED
by Charles Fake
(I went through the letter, verse by verse, and condensed the main ideas of the letter into these few paragraphs. I am presenting this condensation in the hope that its brevity will emphasize the personal nature of the letter. Paul was such a strong man that his humanity can be overlooked, but this letter from him reveals his seldom seen vulnerable side. I am helped by it. I hope it helps you, too.)
[1:1-1:2]
Paul and Timothy to the church at Corinth, to be shared with believers all over the province.
[1:3-4:6]
I’ve been facing many troubles, and some of them originated there in Corinth, but let me encourage you to love the person there who caused me pain. You know how much I love your church, but I always speak the truth. Our message is about Jesus and that’s the best news in the world.
[4:7-7:16]
Periodically we face hard times, but God is doing great things within us, giving us hope. Great and marvelous things await us. Eventually we will be raised from death and given new bodies. Today, however, we live in exile from our true heavenly home. But let’s keep our focus on our present opportunities of sharing Christ with others so that he can give them a new birth into a wonderful life. Praise God for His blessings. Live a full life in Christ.
[8:1-9:15]
Keep on collecting the offering for the suffering believers in Israel. I assure you that every coin will be used for that purpose. God will bless you in proportion to your generosity.
[10:1-13:14]
Why do you bother to listen to accusations against me? Haven’t I always been there for you? My record speaks for itself: I have suffered much because I have remained faithful in proclaiming the truth. My defense may sound like bragging, but I’m just setting the record straight. I have experienced wondrous visions, signs, wonders and miracles. Lest I become conceited, God gave me a thorn in the flesh to make sure I depend upon Him for all my strength. My greatest joy is serving Christ and I encourage you to follow my example.