Have you ever had to say something difficult to someone you love and spent sleepless nights worrying if it damaged your relationship? St. Paul understands that feeling. After expressing concern that his previous letter might have hurt the Corinthians, St. Paul now rejoices—not because they were saddened, but because their sorrow led to true repentance. In chapter 7, we see Paul exemplifying both pastoral courage and tender affection. This reminds us that in the Church, confrontation isn't about 'winning' but about reconciliation.

The Rev. Matthew Wurm, pastor of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 2 Corinthians 7.

To learn more about Mount Calvary Lutheran, visit mountcalvary1.org.

What does it mean to follow Christ in weakness? What does true ministry look like in the face of criticism, suffering, and spiritual warfare? And how can the Church hold fast to the Gospel when pressured by the world—and even by false teachers within?

On Thy Strong Word, we walk verse by verse through, arguably, the apostle Paul’s most personal, emotional, and paradoxical letter: 2 Corinthians. From forgiveness and reconciliation to generous giving and boasting only in the Lord, 2 Corinthians calls every believer to follow Christ boldly. This is the way of the cross, where God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in you.

Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected].