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Paul now attends to the matter of his own authority. There were some who challenged his authority, likely to set up their own authority instead. They accused Paul of being a paper tiger — bold on the page but timid in person. Paul responded by assuring them he could be bold in person (he had, after all, been a former persecutor of the church). However, he preferred to handle conflict quickly so he could be gentle and kind in person, more like Jesus. This shift in Paul was a manifestation of a changed life, one in which he viewed his authority as something to be used exclusively for the benefit of those under his care — a powerful word for how we might avoid abusing our authority even today.

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For Reflection:

- How does Paul's example challenge common ideas about leadership and influence?

- What does it mean to use authority to build others up rather than tear them down? Is that how others have used authority over you? Is that how you use authority over others?

- Are there thoughts, attitudes, or assumptions in your life that need to be brought into greater obedience to Christ?

- Prayer: Lord, help me trust in your authority, submitting my thoughts and attitudes to your direction and to those who care for me in your name.

What's the best way to spend money if we want to maximize our happiness and joy? Paul's encouragement to the Corinthians essentially answers that question for us. By using the image of a farmer sowing seed, Paul emphasizes that we harvest in proportion to what we invest. Those who give generously will receive generously from God, but it doesn't stop there. Paul emphasizes that receiving more is really just a step toward giving more. We enter into a cycle of generosity, joining God in blessing the world. By giving more, we get more — especially more of God.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Why do you think that God is so concerned about the heart of the giver (v7)?

- How has God shown generosity toward you, now and in the past (materially, spiritually, relationally)?

- Can you recall a moment in which you experienced joy through giving? What happened? Was it easy or difficult to give?

- Prayer: Lord, thank you for your abundant generosity toward me — help me trust your provision so I might give with a cheerful heart.

Everyone wants to learn how to grow. Everyone wants to learn how to have healthy community. The topic that few want to hear about is financial giving. There are so many reasons to give, including the opportunity to create the personal growth and community we desire — but the deepest reason is that Jesus is a giver. He became poor in order to make us rich and the invitation is to actually follow Jesus by joining God in blessing the world.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What stands out to you about the generosity of the Macedonian believers?

- Why do you think Paul connects generosity with God's grace?

- How does Jesus' willingness to become poor for our sake shape your understanding of giving?

- In what ways might God be inviting you to be more generous with your time, resources, or abilities?

- Prayer: Lord, thank you for your generosity to me. Help me to respond by eagerly following you into a generous life.

How can the same emotion (grief) produce such different results? Paul contrasts godly sorrow with worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow focuses on loss, embarrassment, or consequences and ultimately leads to spiritual death. Godly sorrow, however, leads to repentance, restoration, and life. Feeling bad about sin or about ourselves can actually be destructive. True repentance is more than feeling bad about sin; it is a change of heart that leads to a change of direction.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- Does Paul's vulnerability here surprise you? In what ways does he seem different than how you previously imagined?

- How would you describe the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow? Can you think of an example of each in your life?

- How would you describe God's purpose in confronting sin in our lives?

- Prayer: Lord, give me a humble heart that responds to your correction, and lead me to the kind of repentance that brings life, freedom, and restoration.

Welcome to a new ministry year! After a big launch day yesterday, we're going to replay a devotional on today's passage from June 28, 2023. In this text, we see a broken-hearted Paul addressing a church that has not loved him in return. Rather than assert his authority as an apostle, Paul chooses to pour out his heart, asking the Corinthians to open their hearts to him as well. Like a spiritual parent, he has made incredible sacrifices for them out of love. Paul deeply wants the church to grow and change, but we follow a God who uses kindness and love to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Are we willing to join Paul in following God's example of humble, sacrificial, vulnerable love?

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

Rather than demand respect, Paul vulnerably opens his heart so the Corinthians can see his love.

- Have you ever been tempted to use power or authority when vulnerable love might have been more effective? Which impulse prevailed, and why?

- Which has been effective in changing your heart — God's authority or God's sincere love? Both?

Have you ever done something that looked brave while secretly terrified of something much smaller like admitting a mistake, asking for help, or letting someone see behind the curtain?

What if real courage has nothing to do with being fearless?

And how might this kind of courage help you value the things that really matter?

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This passage is one of Paul's most profound chapters on the difference between the old covenant of the Law and the new covenant of the Spirit. The new covenant is a new way of relating, as different as being an employee is from being family. He argues that the gospel brings a greater glory than the covenant given through Moses because it transforms people from the inside out.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

Paul explains several key differences between the old and new covenants. Which of these is significant to you, and why?

- The Holy Spirit writes God's law on the heart (v3)

- The Law exposes sin; the Spirit gives life (v6)

- Christ removes the veil of spiritual blindness (v16)

- Spiritual growth (sanctification) comes from beholding Christ and being transformed by the Spirit (v18)

Paul explains that he chose not to make another painful visit to the Corinthians because his desire was not to cause sorrow but to build them up in love. Instead, he gave them time to resolve a difficult matter before he might visit them again. Paul uses this incident to reminds us of the importance of both truth and grace. Sin must be confronted, but repentance should be met with forgiveness and restoration. The tension between justice and mercy must always remain true to both.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What does this passage teach about balancing accountability with grace?

- What do you think Paul means when he describes believers as the "aroma" or "fragrance" of Christ?

- Is there anyone you need to forgive, encourage, or help restore? Do you need the same from someone else?

- Prayer: Lord, help me extend the same grace and forgiveness that I have received from you, and may my life reflect the fragrance of Christ wherever I go.

One word comes through clearly and repeatedly in the opening of Paul's letter, and that word is "comfort". We might be tempted to think that God is absent (or even non-existent!) when we suffer, but Paul assures us that God is the one who comforts us in our troubles, even when that comfort comes through other people. And Paul is not just engaging in wishful thinking; he is speaking from the recent experience of intense suffering. What's more, Paul assures us that our suffering will open us up to a comfort that gets us more of Jesus, and a comfort that can even make us more like Jesus. Our God is the "God of all comfort"!

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- How have you experienced comfort from others and from God in times that tested your trust in God?

- According to Paul and according to your own experience, why does God so often use people who have suffered to comfort others?

- Is there anyone in your life whom God may be inviting you to comfort with the comfort you have received from God?

- Prayer: Lord, thank you for meeting me in my struggles — help me trust you in difficult times, and to then comfort others with the same comfort that was given to me.

Throughout this letter, Paul has been encouraging the Corinthians to move from spiritual adolescence into greater spiritual maturity, to move from a focus on "me" to a focus on "us" and God. As Paul concludes this letter, he gives a very practical way to live what they have learned — he challenges them to put aside money every week for a large gift for a church in need and he exhorts them to receive and support Paul's ministry coworkers. In addition to this challenge, he gives them one final exhortation -- to stand firm in the faith, and to do everything with love. This final encouragement is a perfect summary of every answer that Paul has provided to their many questions. Let us stand firm and do everything with love.

Looking for a previous devo? Want to share one with a friend? Start here:

https://www.highrock.org/daily-devotionals/

For Reflection:

- What might it mean to "stand firm in the faith" in today's world?

- Paul gives the Corinthians a final challenge in his answer to their question about money. Do you think that money is a good test of spiritual maturity? Why or why not?

- What might God be inviting you to respond to this closing challenge (vv13-14): "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love."?

- Prayer: Lord, help me remain faithful and brave in my walk with you, and may everything I do be guided by your love.