Commuter Bible NT

In earlier sections of 2 Corinthians, we read about the distress the church experienced when Paul came to them with confidence and authority in addressing the sins of one of Corinth’s church members. Today, he assures them that his boldness comes from a desire to demolish arguments, not people. There are some in the church who say that Paul isn’t all that captivating or bold in person, he just talks a big game in his letters. Paul’s aim, however, is not to come across as impressive, but instead, to impress upon the church the goodness of the gospel and the right-ness of taking every thought captive to obey Christ.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Today, Paul commends the churches of Macedonia who have sacrificially given to support the work of ministry. Our ultimate example in sacrificial love and giving is Christ Himself, who became poor so that we might become rich. Paul also praises the work of Titus, whose life displays this kind of loving sacrifice as is evident in his devotion to the church. Having appealed to the church at Corinth to have their collection of funds ready to be collected and then distributed, Paul asks the church to be ready to give when they come. He wants to make sure that the transaction feels like the joy-filled, generous, gift-giving that it is, rather than some kind of extortion to be handed over begrudgingly. Like seeds, their giving may start small but in time it will produce something larger and more fruitful.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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The reality of ministry is that it is filled with joys and sorrows, highs and lows, glory and dishonor. Paul highlights suffering for the gospel, which seems pointless to those who don’t know the treasure of Christ, but worthwhile to those who know the joy of our Savior. Joy and affliction seem like an impossible pairing, but Paul reminds the Corinthian church that God comforts the downcast, and that grief can lead to needed change in a person’s heart or to reconciliation with one another, both which bring lasting joy. This kind of grief, which Paul highlights as “godly grief” leads to repentance. But there is another kind of grief, which Paul identifies as “worldly grief,” which leads only to death.

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Paul longs to live his life in a way makes the truth of the gospel clear to all. Unbelievers cannot see the gospel clearly because the god of this age, that is Satan, has made their minds blind. The same God who pronounced “Let light shine out of darkness,” must also shine into the hearts of men so that might see and believe. Our frail and humble bodies carry the infinite worth of Christ like jars of clay hiding treasure. Even though we are afflicted and persecuted in our frailty, we do not give up, for our affliction is producing for us the eternal weight of glory in the heavens. Later, Paul brings up the judgment seat of Christ, an event where the Lord reveals and judges the life of the believer. Keep in mind that this is not a judgment which determines whether or not someone will enter heaven, but a judgment for those who have already entered heaven by faith in Christ.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Judging from Paul’s words of concern in today’s reading, it seems that he had a painful visit with the church at Corinth and wrote a letter after that visit. There seems to be a reference to the act of church discipline and the restoration of a repentant sinner into the fold of the church. As we get further into the book of 2 Corinthians, we’ll discover that the church had become impressed with a group of teachers referred to as “super-apostles” who in fact were false apostles. They came with letters of recommendation, so when the church asks Paul about his letters of recommendation, Paul simply says, “You! You are my letter of recommendation!”

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth begins with a reminder that God is a God of comfort. He comforts his people who are under affliction, and even when one experiences comfort, the end goal is that the comforted person might comfort others. Paul makes it clear that has, in fact, endured a great affliction in Asia, one so terrible that he thought it would be better to die. In the end, however, God delivered Paul and those who were with him. Even in the midst of such affliction, Paul has a clear conscience that he has acted with godly sincerity and purity by God’s grace.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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As Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth draws to a close, he reminds them to set money aside at the beginning of each week according to how each one prospers. This would have been a way of prioritizing the work of the church, funding and supporting other believers who labored in preaching and teaching. He continues on with updates about the work of various men and women who are doing such work, and as he does so, he encourages the church to honor and support those who labor in the gospel and to humbly submit to them.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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What would the Christian faith be like if Christ had not been raised from the dead? It’s hard to imagine what that would be like, but we can assume that such a worldview would be devoid of power and hope, relegated only to teachings about morals and good behavior. In today’s reading, Paul addresses those within the church who say that Christ was not raised and that there is not resurrection from the dead. Declaring such a faith to be pitiable, Paul moves on to talk about the coming resurrection, reassuring the church that Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection. The change that occurs between one’s earthly body and one’s heavenly body can be compared to a seed that is planted in the ground which sprouts something very different.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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In chapter 12, Paul began to admonish the church to consider the nature of spiritual gifts within the church. Individuals within the church really wanted to have the gift of speaking in tongues, but Paul says that they should rather think of themselves as a body with many parts, all working together, though each part if different. It is within this context that Paul speaks of the nature of love. Yes, this is the chapter that is often read at weddings, and that can be fitting. However, in the original context, Paul is telling the church that these gifts of the Spirit, no matter how impressive, mean nothing if the church does not love one another. Furthermore, prophecy is a superior gift, and Paul explains why in chapter 14.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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In today’s reading, Paul begins a new topic of discussion that will carry us through the next few chapters, and that is the topic of spiritual gifts. In the early church, speaking in another language by the Spirit must have been an incredible and awe-inspiring sight, as indicated in the books of Acts at Pentecost. This gifting was so unique and thrilling that everyone wanted to have that gift. Paul begins to tell the church at Corinth that there are different gifts given to different members of the church so that all might work together as one body for the building of the church to the glory of God. Some gifts are more notable, but this shouldn’t mean that other gifts are unimportant or disposable.

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible

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instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

patreon.com/commuterbible

[email protected]