Commuter Bible NT

In chapter 1, Paul covered natural revelation, that is, the concept that everyone begins with an understanding that God exists because the natural world reveals it to men. Men suppress this truth in unrighteousness, and are guilty of any number of sins. Even though such is the case, Paul tells that church that they ought not concern themselves with casting judgment as much as they ought to concern themselves with faithfulness to God, especially in those cases where the accuser is guilty of the same sins whereby he finds fault in another person. Obedience to the Law means little if the person in question is not set apart for the Lord. It is not the outward sign of circumcision which is important, but the inward sign of s circumcised heart. 

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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’s letter to the house churches of Rome is full of rich, theological truth, often presenting ideas that are both mind-boggling and comforting all at once. In today’s passage, Paul begins to present his case for a righteousness that comes by faith. He begins by explaining that the world rejects God because they love their unrighteous behavior more than their Creator. Claiming to be wise, they become fools, and exchange the glory of God for created things. This twisting of worship results in twisted forms of living including sexual deviance, greed, malice, quarrels, gossip, slander, arrogance, and more. Not only are these embraced by mankind, but men who commit such acts are applauded.

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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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In our last episode, Paul boasted about his works in order to show the church at Corinth that if boasting were a contest, he would win against his so-called competition, the super-apostles. In the end, however, he concluded that it was better to boast of his weaknesses. He continues where he left off, telling the church that the Lord gave him a “thorn in the flesh… a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.” It is when we are weak in the flesh, that we can be strong in Christ. He concludes this line of thinking by assuring the church that everything he has said was for building up the church and not as a defense. Finally, he ends with exhortations to test yourself to see if you are in the faith, and to rejoice.

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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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As mentioned in previous episodes, the church at Corinth has been influenced by false teachers whom Paul calls “super-apostles.” They came to town with eloquent speeches, self-exaltation, pedigrees of varying kinds, and, unsurprisingly, requests for money. Paul is jealous for the church at Corinth as a husband would be jealous for his bride. He doesn’t want the church at Corinth to be impressed with polished public speaking or crafty teachings that are inferior to the gospel. He knows that if Satan can appear as an angel of light, then it is certainly no surprise that his servants would disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Paul riffs on the idea of boasting by boasting about himself in jest, for if boasting is necessary Paul has these guys beat hands-down.

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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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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. 

:::

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

facebook.com/commuterbible

instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

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