Thursday, January 28, 2016

2 Corinthians 6:1–10

1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Commentary
Vs. 1-2 1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 

Continuing on from his exhortation to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:21), the Apostle Paul now warns us all not to receive the grace of God in vain. For one can turn back to the law (and or man made commandments) for a righteousness standing before God, just as surely as one can turn back to the world and ones sins (consider Matt 15:9; Luke 17:32-33; 1 Cor 15:2; Gal. 2:21, 3:4, 4:11; Phil 2:16 etc.). Therefore to encourage our ongoing commitment to Christ through His Word, the Apostle Paul now cites a section of Scripture from the Book of Isaiah which says: In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. Isaiah 48:9  
The passage is poignant for it declares that God hears each and every one of us who call upon Him in truth, through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. For God is not indifferent to either our, or humanities plight and problems. Indeed everyone of us who believe In Christ have all had to come to realize our own lost and separated condition from God before salvation came to us, and thus in that moment of realization and despair cry out to Jesus to come and save us (Rom 10:13). And that is what is lacking in this world, not an indifference by God towards humanity, but an indifference, and or unwillingness by humanity to seek God through Christ by repentance and faith, so that He might also save and heal them. And so as long as either an individual, or church, or nation seeks to solve and resolve it's own problems by it's own resources, God's Person and His resources will not be availed by them (antithesis of such self-sufficiency: Psalm 18:2; 27:1; 28:7; 34:17-18; 54:4; 59:17; 100:5). Now it's not how we come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ that matters, it's that we come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as testified to in the Scriptures, and thus seeing Him as He is, see our own need for Him, and thus unconditionally and unreservedly receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (John 1:12; Rev. 3:20). For as the Apostle Paul is emphatically stating here, "Behold now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation." Salvation then is not something to be put off or delayed (consider Jesus' Words in Luke 14:15-24), just as the grace of God is not to be received in vain. Rather if you believe receive Christ for yourself today! For God is gathering His people into His Kingdom here and now! Therefore if God is calling you, don't delay, receive Christ today! 

Vs. 3 "We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed." 

The Apostle Paul now lays forth the guiding principal for his ministry and life, which was to keep himself from giving offenses, so that the ministry Christ entrusted to him may not be blamed. Now this takes both personal discipline and ongoing resolve, governed by a heavy dependence upon the Lord to carry out, especially when circumstances or opposition are pressing down most heavily upon us, as the Apostle Paul will elucidate further in the upcoming verses. 

Vs. 4-10 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Therefore the Apostle Paul's says that we commend ourselves as ministers of God in all of the litany of hardships, troubles, and tribulations he lists. Demonstrating to the Corinthians (and to us all) that he is a true minister of the Gospel. Now this the Apostle Paul does not to shame anyone, rather it is to encourage all believers everywhere to carry on in their own trials and tribulations. And so it is the Apostle Paul says that in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God. Thus Paul's circumstances never dictated when he preached the Gospel, nor to whom he ministered the Gospel, or where or how Paul shared the Gospel. For the Apostle Paul's life was bound up in the life and ministry of the Gospel; and thus through his ministry and life the truth of the Gospel, and thus the power of God to salvation was being made known to everyone, everywhere. Therefore the Apostle Paul says in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses (vs. 4), Paul commended himself to every person as a minister of God. That is through these things the Apostle Paul not only conducted himself as a minister of God, but he also continued to minister the Gospel through them all. For again Paul didn't fold when things got difficult, instead by the strength of Christ strengthening him, Paul carried on ministering. The Apostle Paul then goes on to mention six more things in which he continued to minister the Gospel through: in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings (vs. 5). In strips means those wounds inflicted upon Paul when being flogged (often described as being scourged or beaten in the NKJ); like that which occurred to him and Silas in Acts 16:22-24; which later led to their sharing Christ in the prison to which they were confined for their faith; and so it is while there, even the prisons guardian, and later his whole household came to faith In Christ (Acts 16:25-34). In imprisonments is something which the Apostle Paul had to frequently endure for his faithfulness towards Christ (see 2 Cor 11:23). Nonetheless these seemingly outward defeats of his ministry, only became the means by which he continued to minister the Gospel to believers everywhere through the written Word. For it was during these "downtime's" that the Apostle Paul scribed or dictated many of his N.T. epistles. And so it is that though the Apostle was frequently chained, the Word of God through him was never chained (2 Tim 2:8-10). In tumults refers to the uprisings that came against him and those with him for preaching the Gospel, like those that occurred in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-40), or later in Jerusalem (Acts 21-23). And so it was the Apostle Paul did not shun sharing the Gospel because of these even when faced with certain harm or death from an angry mob. In labors too the Apostle Paul commended himself as a minister of God. Therefore Paul was, when he could be, a self-supporting missionary (see Acts 18:1-4 and how Paul supported himself by his tent making trade skills). Thus Paul didn't needlessly burden the church, or anyone else as he traveled around preaching and teaching the Gospel. Instead Paul worked and labored with his own hands, not shunning any sort of manual labor of whatever sort it was, for if Paul could do it, then he did it, so as to neither hinder the Gospel, nor be a burden anyone (consider 1 Thess 2:9; 3:8-12). In sleeplessness. In the early church the Gospel worker was seemingly almost always on the move, preaching here, teaching there, and so there was no nine to five routine. Sleep then was something that you did when you could, and if you could (consider Acts 20:7-12 and Paul's teaching all night in a house church). Not too mention the nights that Paul would've spent studying and thinking on the Word of God, or in prayer, in travels, or simply enduring local opposition, and or spiritual persecution etc. For anyone who has entered into the Lord's life and labors knows all to well that the enemy always attacks believers on this front. In fastings means that the Apostle Paul frequently went without food. Now the word used here often is indicating that this was a prolonged event and was born out of need, rather than something that was self imposed (see Louw Nida 23:31). And so whether by need, or wilful abstinence (as in Acts 27:21-26), the Apostle Paul new what it meant to go without food (consider Luke 6:20-26, vs. 25). Having then stated some of the most severe things the Apostle Paul endured for the Gospels sake, Paul now goes on to list in verses six and seven some of out workings of God through his person and life, by which he also commended himself as a minister of God:
6 by purity, Paul not only strove to keep the Gospels message pure and unadulterated, but he himself lived a life of purity. 
by knowledge, knowledge here is knowledge of the One true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent; as well knowledge also applies to knowledge of God's Will for himself and the church. 
by longsuffering, longsuffering means enduring patience, that is "having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people." Oxford Dictionaries © Oxford University Press And so whether these troubles came from opposition too the Gospel, or even from other believers whom the Apostle Paul cared deeply about, Paul remained patient with all (consider Ecc. 7:8; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Tim 2:24).
by kindness, In the Bible kindness is often linked with love; being an essential part of God's Person and His dealings with us (Psalm 36:7; Jeremiah 9:24). That being so kindness is also a fruit of the Holt Spirit so that God may manifest His kindness through us all who believe (Gal 5:22). Therefore as disciples of Christ we are to treat each other with kindness (Col 3:12-14). 
by the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit is not only the source of every noble and virtuous attribute and holy disposition that we posses and manifest, but here the Apostle Paul is saying that his ministry was not rooted in the flesh; and thus his own strength, power, resolve, or abilities; rather it was rooted in the Holy Spirit which gifted, empowered, and enabled him to be Christ's Apostle and thus to bring forth the Word of God for us all. Now this the Holy Spirit also does in and through us by gifting and enabling us all who believe to also be Christ's servants and workers (consider Zechariah 4:6; John 6:63). 
by sincere love, If there is anything marks a true Christian, it is our love for God and each other (1 John 3:10, 14-15; 4:7-8, 20). 
7 by the word of truth, The Apostle Paul's person and ministry wasn't only grounded in the word of truth, that is God's Word, but the Apostle Paul himself ministered the Word of God in truth; that is he made it as clear and plain and easy to understand as he could. And thus he strove to make the Gospel assessable to all, the antithesis which is described in Ephesians 4:14-15. 
by the power of God, already touched on, thus the power of God is not only the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Rom 1:16-17; 1 Cor 1:18); but it is the power of God to live a new life. And thus too manifest the life, death, and sufferings of Christ; and as an Apostle of Christ the mighty works and miracles of Christ (consider John 14:12-14; 1 Cor. 2:1-5; Gal. 3:1). 
by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, Here the Apostle Paul makes it clear that both his personal life, as well as his ministry was conducted in righteousness. For no true minister of Christ is a minister of sin (Gal 2:17). That is either practicing sin, or preaching, or teaching, or allowing any thing which God condemns as perversion and sin (consider 1 Tim 5:19-20). 
8 by honor and dishonor, And so whether honored as a true Apostle of Christ by those who believe, or held in dishonor and disdain by the unbelieving and ungodly for the same, the Apostle commended himself to all as true minister of Christ. 
by evil report and good reportas deceivers, and yet true; whether slandered by an evil report; or whether praised through a good one, the Apostle Paul wasn't swayed from God's purposes for him when someone gave a bad report about him or condemned him as a deceiver. For Paul knew Christ knew him, and his heart and motives and service as being true, so Paul continued to minister the Gospel everywhere and in everyplace, neither swayed by a bad report, or puffed up by a good one. 
9 as unknown, and yet well known; To the unbelieving yes, Paul was unknown, just as all Christians are basically "unknown" to this world and people of it (consider John 15:19-21). Yet Paul was well known to church and the many peoples lives Christ changed through him and his service forever. 
as dying, and behold we live; The Apostle Paul's life was one of not only daily dying to self, but literally his life was very often, "hanging in the balance", as his person and life was often plotted against by the Jews, persecuted by the world, arrested and imprisoned by governing authorities, and yet through it all Christ sustained his person and life, and so Paul could rejoice and say we live! 
as chastened, and yet not killed; Chastened here is not God's chastening us, rather Paul is describing the many beatings he endured for his faith in Christ and faithfulness towards Him. And so though beaten Paul was not killed, something which must have really strengthened his faith and resolve. For from the beginning Christ told that these would happen to him, and yet He would sustain him against the overwhelming opposition that would come against him (see Acts 9:15-16; 20:33; 2 Cor. 11:24-25 etc.). 
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; Sorrow comes with a life of service for Christ, and yet the Apostle Paul could rejoice because of the ever present reality of Christ in his person and life. And so though there are those times of sadness, or loss, or grief etc., there is still far more joy from God given to us through the Holy Spirit, as we also see the wonderful works of God all around us, saving and changing and transforming people and lives, but we also personally experience the changes that God is making in our own persons and lives (consider Psalm 30:5). 
as poor, yet making many rich; Though the Apostle Paul was poor, yet through his life and ministry he was making many rich (something which continues to this day). Thus the Apostle Paul's ability to be and bring God's blessing into peoples lives was not based upon his finances. And so people in the church also need to see this for themselves. That what we do, and how effective we are for Christ is not based upon our financial abilities to give and share. For through the gifts and talents and abilities God has given us all, God intends to bring His blessings to one and to all. Even our own life stories and experiences (whether good or bad); can be the means by which God enirchens people's lives with the Gospel. And so being poor has never disqualfied anyone from being God's blessing. For we can all share a Scripture, or be a friend, or show empathy or compassion, or give a timely word, or simply share what we have learned through our lives experiences, and thus be far more enriching than merely writing a check, and then basically checking out. Now if your ministries primary focus is on fundraising, and not relationship building, then maybe you need to re-examine your priorities.  
as having nothing, and yet possessing all things; And so it is the Apostle Paul was not only enriching people and their lives through his Gospel ministry, but he was also being enriched himself. For though Paul had nothing substantially of any material worth, yet he was truly possessing all things that really matter. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.








Sunday, January 17, 2016

2 Corinthians 5:12-21

12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Commentary
Vs. 12 "For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart." 

Previously the Apostle stated that he was confident that his own proven character and conduct was well known to the Corinthians consciences (vs. 11). Therefore the Apostle Paul did not now feel the need to commend himself to them once again. Rather his stating as much now was so that the Corinthians might have opportunity to boast on his behalf (consider Prov 17:2), that they might have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For the Apostle Paul new that the false brethren, teachers, and prophets who were deprecating his person, and seeking to undermined his authority to the Corinthians, were all about outward appearances, and not about what is in a mans heart (consider 1 Samuel 16:7). And thus they not only promoted and praised and commended each other according to their own carnal standards (consider 2 Cor 10:12), but they also judged and deprecated Paul through the same, all which is contrary to Gospel (consider 1 Cor 1:26-31). Thus their boasting could only be said to be rooted in their own pride of life (consider 1 John 2:15-17). 
Whereas the Apostle Paul's boasting was always In Christ who by the Holy Spirit was not only working mighty works and deeds through his lowly person and life; but who is also transforming and renewing and regenerating and empowering every one of us who believe in Him to take on new challenges, and overcome the exceedingly great and overwhelming opposition and forces and circumstances that we will face when we step out in faith and follow Christ (consider Hebrews 11). And so it was just as they took great pleasure in deprecating the Apostle Paul's person because of his lowly person and stature (in this life), and the calamities which frequently befall him as he faithfully followed Christ. So the Apostle Paul now wants to give the Corinthians opportunity to boast on his behalf, and I suspect put to silence the ignorance of such foolish and ignorant men and women, who neither know Christ, nor the mighty works of God in his person and life, nor anyone elses. 

Vs. 13 "For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you." 

Therefore the Apostle Paul says if we are besides ourselves (lit. out of our minds) it is for the Lord, or if we are of a sound mind it is for you. Apparently the Apostle Paul's detractors had used Paul's intense devotion to the Lord, and His people, as a means to again slander him, basically saying only someone who was out of their mind would continue to willingly endure such things. And so here the Apostle Paul turns their deprecatory words into a personal declaration of his ongoing devotion to the Lord as well as the Corinthians spiritual welfare and well being. 

Vs. 14-15 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Thus it wasn't "insanity" that drove the Apostles' great devotion, it was the love of Christ (vs. 14). Love that was not only shown and given him by God, but love that flowed through him as well. Now the Apostle Paul specifically relates all this too the Lord Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death for us all. For that is the foundation upon which God's love is made known and has been manifest to one and to all (John 3:16). And so it is just as Christ died for us all who believe in Him, so we have also died with Him (see Rom 6); so that we should no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again (vs. 15). For just as Christ died and rose again for us all, so we who believe in Him have now died and risen with Him to new and everlasting life. Thus the lives that each and every believer now lives must be marked by our own dedication and devotion to Lord and His will for us. That is what the Apostle Paul is pressing forth here, not just our reception of the Lord's salvation for us all, but each and every one of us must have our own heartfelt devotion to Lord Jesus Christ

Vs. 16 "Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer." 

The Apostle Paul now returns to verse twelves rebuke of looking upon "outward appearances", to debunk the notion that anything of anyone can be known about us by our flesh. For the flesh reveals nothing about our person, nor our place and standing with Christ (consider John 3:6; 6:63). Thus if the Corinthians thought they could make a right assessment of the Apostles Paul's character and person by judging him according to the flesh, then they themselves were only being as carnal as the very people who were influencing them to do so. And so to make this point, the Apostle Paul compares His own experience with "knowing" the Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh, before his own encounter with Him and experiencing salvation from Him; and thus before the Apostle Paul came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ he only knew of Jesus of Nazareth as just a mortal Man. For before salvation Paul "knew" Christ according to the flesh; that is he heard about Jesus, and the amazing things He was doing and did, and how many of his own people, the Jews were turning to Him, (which intensified after Jesus' Crucifixion and then Resurrection, all which culminated with the Holy Spirit's outpouring at Pentecost in Jerusalem) and so Paul (then Saul) who was then a young Pharisee, and the son of Pharisee, only saw Jesus as a threat to his own religious convictions, and thus sought to destroy the very faith that so many of his own people were turning too. This continued on until the day the Apostle Paul had his own encounter with Resurrected Christ while on the road to Damascus.
For it was there that the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to Paul, and Paul was thereafter forever changed (see Acts 9:1-31; 26:1-23). Therefore the Apostle Paul here states that though he once "knew" Christ according to the flesh, he now knows Him thus no longer, that is not as just as a Man who works miracles, or a Great Teacher, or a Prophet, but as He is, and that is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Now there are many such testimonies of people who down through the ages, who once "knew" Christ according to flesh, but later came to truly know Him as their own Lord and Savior.

Vs. 17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

This is my life verse, the verse which the Lord Jesus Christ gave me the night before my baptism when I prayed over the Scriptures for a verse that would be most appropriate. Never has such a single verse of Scripture touched my heart and life, and continues to do so like that one (except John 3:16 and the innumerable others that I have underlined, copied, studied, recited, written out, for they all are so important and relevant). Each and every believer then must no longer see themselves, and other believers, according to what they once were, but who we now are!
Thus the Apostle Paul did not see the Corinthians according to the lives and lifestyles that God had drawn them out of, and Christ had saved them from. Instead Paul saw them all, just as Christ now sees us all who believe in Him, as His called and chosen, and thus His (and our) beloved people and friends (consider John 15:15; 1 Peter 2:9-10). 

Vs. 18-19 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

And so it is from our election, too our redemption and beyond, all things that pertain to our salvation is of God (Rom 8:28-30; 9:11; Eph. 1:5-6, 11-12; Heb 12:2 etc.), who has not only reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, but He has given us the ministry of reconciliation; "that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." vs. 19 
Thus it is through the Gospel that the ministry reconciliation first comes to us, and then works through us all who believe In Christ; and thus the ministry of reconciliation is exceedingly superior too the ministry of condemnation (see 2 Cor 3:5-6, 9), which could neither save, nor transform, nor justify anyone (James 2:10). Therefore it is only through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that God is reconciling sinful humanity back to Himself. Therefore it is this ministry of reconciliation that has also been committed to each and everyone of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; to extend the same grace of God that we have received through it to one and to all; without prejudice or partiality; so that they too might repent and believe, and receive Jesus Christ for themselves. And thus though this world is inundated and overrun with sin, and sinners propagating the same, we are not to impute their sins against them; as if having sinned disqualifies anyone from salvation. Rather we are to point everyone to the Crucifixion death of Christ by which their and our sins find their finial judgment and ultimate end, and thus our persons and theirs reconciliation with God, and thus everlasting life the moment we believe in Christ (Eph. 1:13-15). For it is the word of reconciliation that is at the heart of Gospel (consider Matt 9:10-13; 1 Tim 1:15-17), and it is that Word of reconciliation that has been committed to us to preach, to teach, and to speak in every place, and through every means possible. 

Vs 20 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Therefore as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, you and I are ambassadors of Christ. Thus we are the redeemed people of God through whom God now pleads too others to be reconciled with Himself through Christ (vs. 20). Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and just about anyone we meet we are, and can be ambassadors of Christ too.
I implore you then on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God! For it is God who made His Son Jesus Christ who knew no sin, to be sin for us; that is Jesus Christ became the sacrificial Lamb of God that God placed all of our sins upon (John 1:29, 36), so that by His suffering Crucifixion death in our place we can have atonement for them all the moment we repent and believe in Christ. And so it is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified for us we now have the righteousness of God imputed to us when we believe in Him. Therefore the ministry reconciliation says, I don't condemn you for your sins and transgressions (John 3:17), rather I have paid for all your sins and transgressions through the death and Resurrection of My Son Jesus Christ (John 3;16). Therefore be reconciled too Me through faith in My Son Jesus Christ and I will forever justify you (that is declare you righteous) when you place your faith in Me through My Son. Therefore I implore you, be reconciled to God today, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith so that He might not only save you from the judgment that is coming on this unbelieving and ungodly world, but He will forever justify you before God the Father through His Righteousness; that is through what He has done on the cross for you (Isaiah 53, vs.11). Therefore if your heart is open to the Lord Jesus Christ, receive Him into your heart and life to be your Lord and Savior, so that He will not only save you from your sins and transgressions, but He will also transform your person and life here and now. Therefore if you believe, please be reconciled to God here and now, invite Jesus Christ into your heart and life, to be your Lord and Savior, then confess Him as Lord. For He will come to you and bring everlasting life into you, but He will transform you with His life forever (John 11:25-26). Therefore be reconciled to God today!

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.




Monday, January 11, 2016

2 Corinthians 5:9-11

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

Commentary
Vs. 9 "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him."

In light of our future and hope with the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul now says that whether we are present with the Lord (meaning out of this body and life and thus with Him) or absent from Him, (meaning still living in this mortal body and life), we should all seek to be well pleasing to Him. Thus whatever state we are in, we make it our aim to be well pleasing to Him. 

Vs. 10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

The judgment seat of Christ is first mentioned here in the New Testament. Now this where each and every believer down through the ages will be judged by the Lord and will be rewarded or suffer loss according to what we have done in the body; whether good or bad; and thus the judgment mentioned here is distinct from Christ's judgment of the unbelieving and unrepentant world (see Rev 20:11-15 for that). This judgment then will cover not only each and every believers works, but also our attitudes and inner motives, and thus it will reveal our persons and character as only the Lord now knows us all. It will be a judgment then where every secret thing and motive will come to light, and be judged and rewarded accordingly, both the good that was done, as well as the bad. 

Vs. 11 "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."

"Knowing then the terror of the Lord, we persuade men"... now by saying as much the Apostle Paul is making it most clear that he himself is taking Christ's judgment of him most seriously, and so it was because of his reverent fear of the Lord, the Apostle also sought to persuade others to live lives well pleasing to the Lord (consider Acts ). Now the Apostle Paul also new that what he was as a believer was well known to God, God new his love, his integrity, his faithfulness, his endurance for the Gospel's sake, and thus as much as God already knew him, the Apostle Paul trusted that his person and character was also well known to their consciences as well. Something that each one of us must strive towards living, more open and honest and transparent lives before God and man.


Scripture Quotations 
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.






Saturday, January 9, 2016

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Commentary
Vs. 1 "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

The Apostle Paul now personalizes not only his own plight, but every believers, as we live in a hostile world in a temporary earthly body, while awaiting our Resurrection bodies and our glorious eternity with Christ in the Kingdom of God. And so knowing our Resurrection future with Christ; where we will have far more exceedingly beautiful and glorious bodies than we ever bore down here; Paul now uses metaphors, specifically of a tent, to describe this temporary dwelling that is our mortal life and bodies down here. And so it is even if our mortal bodies are destroyed; our persons and our standing with Christ is not, nor can we be; for as the Apostle Paul states here, "we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Thus in the midst of the Apostle's great trials and tribulations he is accessing both his, and our own glorious future, which is not just a place with Christ, but it is a quality of person and life that will be enjoyed by us all there. For there will be no suffering, no decay, no death of our bodies and persons to endure there (see Rev. 21:4). For God has not only prepared a place for us who believe in Christ as Lord (John 14:2-3), but He will also give us a Resurrection body that will be unique to each one of us, and yet will also reflect the glorious Resurrection body of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so it is that since Christ's Resurrection body will never be subject to death, neither than will any of ours ever be again. 

Vs. 2-3 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 

Therefore in light of our glorious future with Christ, the Apostle Paul does not long for his life down here, though we can certainly have enjoyment and pleasure in our lives down here, enjoyment of our our lives down here is neither our purpose, nor our hope, nor our finial destiny (consider Matt. 10:38-39). Now this desire for our heavenly habitation often grows as we age, and as we experience the many trials and tribulations, rejection and hatred, that we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ must all pass through in this life as we journey homeward (consider John 15:18; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim 3:12; 1 John 3:13-15). Therefore in light of his present sufferings, and the glorious future that awaits us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul does not long for his life down here. Instead he (and those with him) greatly longs to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven. For now we only have this temporary body, that is born in sin, and is only subject to decay and death; which not only marks and mares our mortal bodies down here, but also this life, and sadly this world. While up there in the Kingdom of heaven there will not be seen, nor experienced any of the deperations and despair, the injustices and evil, that so often marks and mares this life for so many in this fallen world. And so it is up there we will all have a glorious body, that is neither subject to sin or death; that is not subject to sickness, disease, nor death. Neither we will ever again suffer cold or hunger, heat or thirst, hatred, persecution, rejection or injustice. For in the Kingdom of heaven our persons and bodies will not only be nurtured by the hand of God, but there we will all experience the healing that the Gospel so readily reveals Jesus Christ as our Great Physician doing. And so in the Kingdom of heaven our persons and bodies we will no longer bear any of the scars and wounds; the deformities and disabilities (both physical and psychological); the pain and suffering and ailments and aging that now mare our persons and bodies, and often mark this life's journey for so many of us.

Now the Apostle Paul statement that says of this desire of being clothed with his heavenly habitation, if having been clothed, we shall not be found naked (vs. 3). Which the Apostle Paul is saying to warn those amongst the Corinthians (most likely his own detractors) or anyone else who professes faith in Christ and yet has not yet been reconciled back to God; and thus it is stated so that those who do so do not deceive themselves into thinking that they will be there without first coming to genuine repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (in regards to this consider Jesus' own language and metaphors in Rev 3:18-20). For you can do all things that Christians are commanded to do and speak, and yet never come to the place of seeing your own need for Christ to personally come into your own heart and life, to not only save you from your own sins and transgressions, (and thus bring you into a personal relationship with God), but also too transform your person and life by His Spirit indwelling you here and now, which is the prerequisite for entering the Kingdom of heaven, and God giving you a eternal home and heavenly body with Christ there. Therefore the Apostle Paul by saying as much is warning us all to make sure that we have done as Jesus says for us all to do in Rev 3:18 and that is to buy from Him the silver and gold that does not perish, and get garments from Him so that we are not found naked on the Day of the Lord Jesus Christ. For too trust in ones own self and righteousness down here will only end in eternal nakedness and poverty and ruin there. Therefore be zealous and repent and invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life as He says for us all to do here and now and thus receive Him now as Lord and Savior so that He might receive you there as His own child (John 1:12). "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20

Vs. 4 "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life."

And so it is the Apostle Paul does not long for death, he longs for the day when this mortal body and this life will be swallowed up by life, that is eternal life in the Kingdom of heaven with Christ.

Vs. 5 "Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

The Holy Spirit is the Person of God who not only transforms our persons and lives through His regeneration of our persons down here (see Titus 3:4-7), but He is the Person of God who seals us for the Day of Redemption (Eph. 4:30), and thus as the Apostle Paul says of Him here, He is the Person and indwelling Presence of God in our persons as the guarantee from God to us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that we have not only been reconciled back to God (and thus are now His children) but we will forever remain His child and be forever with Christ in the Kingdom of heaven. No Christian anywhere then should ever fear being rejected by God at the Judgment seat of Christ because we have been given by God the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our redemption.

Vs. 6 "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord."

And so it is, because we have the Holy Spirit in us as God's guarantee to us, that we are His redeemed children and people, we can all be confident while at home in the body here and now because of our assured futures with Christ in the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore our being at "home" here in the body, and absent from the Lord, obviously does not mean that this earthly body is our finial home. Nor does our currently being absent from the Lord mean that we are without His continuous Presence and Help while we are at home in this earthly body. It means though we have not yet come to the state and place where He currently is; where He resides at the right hand of the Father waiting till all His enemies are made His footstool; we can all be confident about our finial dwelling place with Christ Himself.

Vs. 7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight." 

And so it is all that we have and are, and are going to be, can only be seen by faith. Yet for those who walk by sight, all that they have, and will be, is only what they can now see, and thus the diminsihing returns of this perishable life. 

Vs. 8 "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

The Apostle Paul now concludes verse six's thought by again saying that we are confident; that is confident about our standing and future with the Lord; and thus well pleased to be absent from this body and to be present with the Lord.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). (2 Co 4:16–18). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Monday, January 4, 2016

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Commentary
Vs. 7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

The Apostle now says of us all who believe that we have this treasure in earthen vessels. The Apostle Paul's metaphor here is that Christ is the treasure that we have within our mortal bodies (i.e. "earthen vessels"); that is His life, by His Spirit, is within us all who believe in Him. And so it is that through our fragile persons the power and glory of the God in Christ is being manifested and made known to one and to all. Now God has chosen to do this through us who are inherently weak and subject to death so that the excellence of the power may be of God alone (consider 1 Cor 1:26-31). Thus it's not of any of us as Christ's disciples/messengers/ambassadors that salvation comes to anyone. It is only by the excellency of the power of God through the Gospel preached and believed on that everlasting life comes to one and to all; so that all glory, honor, praise and power will be ascribed to God alone. 

Vs. 8-9  8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—


Even our going through the inevitable trials and tribulations that comes with following Christ faithfully is not something that anyone endures in their own strength and power. Rather it is by the power of Christ within us that God is sustaining us to not only endure the seemingly overwhelming opposition, but also to overcome the seemingly insurmountable odds. And so though there are such things to each believer as God decrees for us, there is also His grace and His power by which we can all overcome. Thus the Apostle Paul is making it clear that he is neither discouraged, nor set back by any of them. For consider the Apostle Paul's words here: "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—" Vs. 8-9  
For again, just as God allows these things in our lives, yet He does not give us over to any trial or tribulation which He Himself does not also sustain us through.

Vs. 10 "always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."

In light of that fact the Apostle Paul can embrace his sufferings for the Gospels sake, so that the life of the Lord Jesus Christ may be manifest through him, specifically through his body. The death of Jesus then can be thought of not only our own death positionally with Christ as is expounded in Romans chapter six (see Rom. 6:3-11; Gal 2:20); but here it is the dying (not death) of the Lord Jesus Christ which is our transformation from one glory to another through the things which we suffer and endure for the Gospel's sake. Thus as our bodies yeild their strength and will to the will of the Lord so the life of Jesus Christ is being made more manifest through us all who believe in Him.

Vs. 11-12 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

And so it is that we are always being delivered to death for Jesus' sake, not literal death, though following Christ faithfully will involve martyrdom for some of us, but death by which God removes and purifies from us all which is contrary to the life of Christ inside of us, and thus His manifesting Christ's life more fully through us. "So then death is working in us, but life in you." Meaning that though we are being delivered to "death", it is through that death that Christ's life is coming to you, and ultimately will manifested in you who also believe. In being delivered to death and dying for us Christ atoned for our sins, in our being delivered to death sin is being purged from us. 

Vs. 13 "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,"

The Apostle Paul now makes it clear that the same spirit of faith that is in the Corinthians is also in himself. Now it is through that same spirit of faith that both Paul and those who ministered the Gospel with him spoke. That is because they believe they were unashamed in their declaring the testimony of Christ wherever they went, therefore Paul cites the Scripture which states:“I believed and therefore I spoke” (Psalm 116:10), a Scripture which entails openly speaking the truth while enduring tribulations, something which clearly mirrors his own faith journey. 

Vs. 14 "knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you." 

The Apostle Paul also wants the Corinthians to know that the power of God which now sustains both them and him will also raise them all up and present them together with the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore the Apostle Paul wants the Corinthians to know for certainty not only their own resurrection from the dead, but also that he himself, and those with him, will be there with them as well. And so any notions that they, or any Christian has about being at the resurrection of the dead without also being there with every other believer is false and misleading. For throughout the Apostle Paul's epistles Paul always strives to make it clear that what is true of himself, is true of everyone else in Christ. 

Vs. 15 "For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God."

The Apostle Paul thus sees all that he goes through as ultimately bringing grace to the Corinthians; (and ultimately us as well) so that thanksgiving may abound through many to the glory of God.

Vs. 16 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." 

And so the Apostle Paul is greatly encouraged and even more strengthened in his faith (as we ought to be as well) when we see and also understand that though our outward man is perishing, (that is the natural body's beauty and vigor and abilities and such, yet our inward man is being daily renewed! Thus there is the death or dying on the one hand, and yet the renewing and glorifying on the other. For this temporary must give way to the eternal, which will be far more exceedingly beautiful and wholesome and powerful than anything we could have imagined our earthly bodies ever being . 

Vs. 17-18 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

And so it is the Apostle Paul saw his tribulations in this life as but a light affliction, temporary things which we pass through in this life that are working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (vs. 17). Thus the Apostle Paul did not look at the things which are seen; that is he did not judge his life, nor his standing with Christ by whatever his current circumstances were, for these light afflictions which we see and we all must pass through on our journey homeward are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
Lowery, D. K. (1985). 2 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 563). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.