Paul

Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Jesus knew what things Paul would suffer for His sake. There were many, including the 12, that questioned Paul’s preaching of the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ. In the end they saw the hand of God in his ministry to the Gentiles.

Galatians 1:7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:

Titus 1:10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,

When we find ourselves in puzzling situations, we can look to the example of Christ. Instead of just asking why we find ourselves in strange circumstances, we can ask, What does it look like to obey God in my current circumstance? Our situations may not change, but our hearts can experience peace as we follow God. First5

I love that Autumn invites us to let go of the image of “unblemished”. To see the beauty and surprise, to feel the gooseflesh, in falling leaves and changing color and cloud pageants. Sabbath Moments 

When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability. To be alive is to be vulnerable. Madeleine L'Engle

Who wants to use a broken vessel? God does. Broken soil gives crops. Broken alabaster jars give fragrance. The broken body of Christ on the cross is the light of the world. Which is precisely the point: God does great things through the greatly broken. It’s not the strength of the vessel that matters, it’s the strength of the One who can use it. Max Lucado

2 Corinthians

Paul wrote 2 Corinthians out of his concern for the Corinthian church (7:12). He wanted to offer the church some further instructions concerning the repentant offender (2:5–11) as well as about the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (9:1–5). However, Paul’s main purpose for writing 2 Corinthians was to defend his ministry. The NKJV Study Bible

7:12

12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you. The New King James Version

Paul wrote the “severe letter” not only to correct the one who had sinned but also to tell the Corinthians that he cared for them. The NKJV Study Bible 

2:5–11

5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. The New King James Version

Paul may be referring to the incestuous person described in 1 Corinthians 5:1–5. The specific offense of this individual is not clear.

Since the punishment was sufficient, Paul encourages the Corinthians to forgive the offender and restore him back into the community. The word charizomai is related to the word charis, meaning grace. Paul uses this word elsewhere to describe how believers should forgive one another. 

In other passages, Paul cites God’s forgiveness of believers as the reason that believers should forgive one another. 

The Greek word Paul uses here for “I urge you” is parakaleō). The Greek word used here, kyroō, is a legal term meaning “to affirm” or “to ratify”. In forgiving the offender, the Corinthian church will validate their love (agapē in Greek) as a community. The word agapē refers to the self-sacrificial love epitomized by Christ’s death on the cross. 

Central to the life of the believer, agapē appears first in Paul’s list of the “fruit of the Spirit”. Paul highlighted the importance of love in 1 Corinthians, encouraging the Corinthian believers to pursue love and to do all things in love.

Paul reveals another reason for writing his painful letter. He wanted to see if they would obey him and discipline the individual requiring rebuke. In disciplining the offender, the Corinthian church demonstrated respect for Paul’s apostolic authority. 

In case the Corinthian church was worried that they would offend Paul by forgiving the one who offended him, Paul assures them that they will not. Anyone they forgive, Paul also forgives. The Corinthians’ forgiveness of the individual will restore unity in the church and ensure that Satan cannot take advantage of any division. Paul mentions Satan’s activity several times in the Corinthian letters. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul wrote of someone who had caused grief. The traditional interpretation has been that this offender was the incestuous man of 1 Corinthians 5.

The purpose of church discipline is repentance and restoration. Forgiveness should always follow the correction, just as Christ instructed. One of Satan’s devices, or designs, is to cheat the believer out of true forgiveness. The devil will try to divide the church any way he can. The NKJV Study Bible

9:1–5

9 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. 3 Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. The New King James Version

Ministry to the saint refers to the collection of financial relief Paul is gathering for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Since the Corinthians already knew about this project, Paul did not need to explain it to them again. Paul advised the Corinthians to set aside money for this collection last year. Their enthusiasm for this project inspired other churches to participate, even though the Corinthians had not yet contributed. A team of believers would have collected the offering the Corinthian believers set aside for this project. Paul presents this as an opportunity for the Corinthians to demonstrate the authenticity of their faith and love for the saints.

Paul risked his reputation by commending the Corinthians’ eagerness and generosity to the Macedonians. He presents their example as motivation to have their gift ready when Titus and the others arrive. In the first century, the city of Corinth was renowned for its prosperity. Although some believers were not wealthy, the church as a whole possessed more than other churches. Paul wants to ensure that they give their generous gift with the right attitude and motivation; he sends some believers to help organize the gift to remove any sense of compulsion. Faithlife Study Bible

In this verse, the collection for the Jerusalem believers is called the ministering to the saints. Paul was in Macedonia when he wrote this letter. When he left Macedonia to come to Corinth, some of the Macedonians would no doubt come with him. He did not want them to find that the Corinthians had not completed the collection and thus be ashamed. The NKJV Study Bible

7:2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. The New King James Version

With the admonition open your hearts Paul resumed the discussion. Perhaps the false teachers were charging that Paul had collected money for the poor saints at Jerusalem but had spent it on himself. Paul was not blaming anyone; he was defending himself. The NKJV Study Bible

Paul concludes the lengthy defense of his ministry by repeating his desire for the Corinthians to open their hearts to him. He defends his behavior and motivation, characterizing both as pure. Finally, he expresses his confidence in the Corinthians. Faithlife Study Bible