Devotions

That We May Not be Exploited

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Living the Christian life isn’t always easy. We have our own personal relationship with God to give attention to. Then we have other believers that may or may not be walking in the way so sometimes offense has occurred and even if it hasn’t, there may be difficult correction. There is also the unbelieving world that may be persecuting us for the gospel. And satan and his fallen angels looking to take advantage. Yet, in the midst of all of this, in the midst of affliction and suffering, Paul writes, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in all affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” and then he writes in 2 Corinthians 2:12,14 “a door was opened for me by the Lord … 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and who reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of him through us in every place”. When we face resistance meant to wear us out, break us down, overwhelm us, and stop us, God’s comfort comes. His mercy comes and a door opens for us.

Paul Ministers Through Macedonia and Greece

Acts 20:1-6

2 Corinthians Introduction

There was great work accomplished in Macedonia as is described in 2 Corinthians 2:12 and “Macedonia was THE PLACE from which it (this letter) was written (2 Co 9:2 … In Asia (Lydian Asia) he had undergone some great peril of his life (2 Co 1:8, 9), whether the reference be [PALEY] to the tumult at Ephesus (Ac 19:23–41), or, as ALFORD thinks, to a dangerous illness in which he despaired of life”.1

Paul writes this because, “he had said that he would come to them, but after a long interval he had not appeared but was still delaying, since the Spirit was keeping him busy (in Macedonia) … (also,) The Corinthians had been corrected by the first epistle (and Paul wrote more about this) … In addition, they had collected the money which he had asked for and shown great kindness to Titus when he visited them”2 and Paul wanted to thank and encourage them. 

God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:1–11
Though there was a great work happening in Macedonia, Paul faced challenging persecution, yet he begins this second letter talking about the comfort of God. In fact, we find comfort ten times in 2 Corinthians 1:3-8 from two Greek words. One might be translated as urge, implore, exhort and the other as comfort, encouragement, exhortation.

This comfort came in the midst of affliction and suffering that Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 as “we were burdened to an extraordinary degree, beyond our strength, so that we were in despair even of living. 9 But we ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves”. Paul says these things in 2 Corinthians 2:9-10 to build their confidence “in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a risk of death, and will deliver us”.

Purity of Motive from God

2 Corinthians 1:12–14
Now, if there is anything that Paul wants them to understand about his actions, it is here in 2 Corinthians 1:12 “we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and purity of motive from God, not in merely human wisdom, but by the grace of God”.

But God is Faithful

2 Corinthians 1:15–24
Paul belabors the point that he wanted to go through Corinth going and coming from Macedonia in 2 Corinthians 1:15 “in order that you may have a second proof of my goodwill” but it isn’t our word or proof of our faithfulness to people that matters. As Paul says in

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (LEB) Now the one who establishes us together with you in Christ and who anoints us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.

and it is God who is faithful and the proof of our faithfulness is to Him. Paul was where he was meant to be, in Macedonia.

I Have Confidence About You All

2 Corinthians 2:1–4
The sternness of Paul’s first letter has passed. He has a good report from Corinth, and now Paul wants to come to them to share the joy of their salvation. 

That We May Not be Exploited by Satan

2 Corinthians 2:5–11
Paul’s earlier letter brought strong correction and it apparently was to one that was well known and maybe even well liked in the Church. It seems there has been repentance so Paul tells them to offer reconciliation. Paul begins by saying in 2 Corinthians 2:5 “if anyone has caused sorrow”, but it was the one that committed sin that caused the sorrow. The poor choice of one caused grief for Paul, and, as he says, “to all of you”. But the discipline of the Lord id not vindictive or punitive, it is simply sufficient to address the wrong. So now, in 2 Corinthians 2:6 Paul says “This punishment by the majority is sufficient” with this remedy in

2 Corinthians 2:7 (LEB) So then, you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow this person should be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

Reconciliation is important, and it is not only good to restore, but we should make every effort to restore as it says in

James 5:19–20 (LEB) My brothers, if anyone among you should wander away from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from the error of his way will save that person’s soul from death, and will cover over a great number of sins.

We, though, must also remember that righteousness is the standard and we must raise our character to meet it. So correction is not just for when we “wander away from the truth”, it is also a showing forth of our character as Paul says in

2 Corinthians 2:9 (LEB) Because for this reason also I wrote, in order that I could know your proven character, whether you are obedient in everything.

 

A Door Was Opened for Me by the Lord

2 Corinthians 2:12–17
Even though Paul was called by Jesus and baptised in the Holy Spirit, his missionary journey’s didn’t always go as he wanted them to. Paul had wanted to travel through Corinth twice and didn’t. Paul wanted Titus to be in Troas to meet him but he wasn’t. As it says in

Proverbs 16:9 (LEB) The mind of a person will plan his ways, and Yahweh will direct his steps.

These apparent disconnects didn’t in any way change the work that god had for Paul in

2 Corinthians 2:12 (LEB) Now when I arrived in Troas for the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord,

Paul not only went through the door but clearly describes the fruit that was produced in

2 Corinthians 2:14–15 (LEB) But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and who reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of him through us in every place. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • 2 Corinthians 1:1-24
  • 2 Corinthians 2:1-17
  • 2 Corinthians 3:1-8

References

  • 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 299). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
  • 2. Bray, G. L. (Ed.). (1999). 1–2 Corinthians (p. 191). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.