You Can Read the Bible Guided Podcast

At the end of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians a few things are clear: circumstances in Corinth are such that Paul feels the need to continue defending his status as an apostle; he continues to push back against charges of enriching himself; and he is dismayed that the Corinthians still have not repented of their “impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality.”

Much has been written about the composition of 2 Corinthians.  Some deduce that this is really a compilation of letters that Paul wrote to Corinth – that this is Paul’s side of a correspondence of which the Corinthian side has been lost.  The text itself neither demands nor denies this conclusion, but it is more than mere intellectual curiosity: Paul appears to be inundated with information from his “children” in Corinth, and very little of it has been pleasing. 

When you hear Paul’s frustration today, remember what they heard in his first letter:

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified… If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise… For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power… You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body… For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known… Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

And recall what he’s written already in this letter: “In Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God… We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God… We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed… Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!... Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality… ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

These letters – the second one especially – are often raw and emotional.  They are also totally within the range of Biblical expectations:  they draw on historical and eternal themes to instruct the local and personal, just like we saw in the law, prophets, and writings.  Consider where Paul has been, what he has seen, what he has sacrificed, and what he has offered to this church.  How should he respond? 

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:5: You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

2 Corinthians 12 and 13.  Now let’s read it!

At the end of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians a few things are clear: circumstances in Corinth are such that Paul feels the need to continue defending his status as an apostle; he continues to push back against charges of enriching himself; and he is dismayed that the Corinthians still have not repented of their “impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality.”

Much has been written about the composition of 2 Corinthians.  Some deduce that this is really a compilation of letters that Paul wrote to Corinth – that this is Paul’s side of a correspondence of which the Corinthian side has been lost.  The text itself neither demands nor denies this conclusion, but it is more than mere intellectual curiosity: Paul appears to be inundated with information from his “children” in Corinth, and very little of it has been pleasing. 

When you hear Paul’s frustration today, remember what they heard in his first letter:

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified… If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise… For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power… You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body… For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known… Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

And recall what he’s written already in this letter: “In Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God… We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God… We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed… Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!... Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality… ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

These letters – the second one especially – are often raw and emotional.  They are also totally within the range of Biblical expectations:  they draw on historical and eternal themes to instruct the local and personal, just like we saw in the law, prophets, and writings.  Consider where Paul has been, what he has seen, what he has sacrificed, and what he has offered to this church.  How should he respond? 

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:5: You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

2 Corinthians 12 and 13.  Now let’s read it!

When Paul first arrived in Corinth, he reasoned in the synagogue on the Sabbath, trying to persuade the Jews, and also the Greeks, that the Christ was Jesus.  Many Jews opposed and reviled him, but many of the Corinthians…believed and were baptized.  Acts 18 tells us that, when Paul became frustrated with the Jews’ rejection: the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are My people. And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” 

Remember these details: the rejection of the Jews and acceptance of the Gentiles; the Lord’s promise of protection and assurance that He has many in this city who are My people; and the year-and-a-half he devoted there, making tents and preaching.  All of this is in the background of the section of 2 Corinthians we’ll read today.   Paul has spent a lot of time talking about generosity and the collection for Jerusalem already, and he overtly expresses his hopes for their   financial contributions to the greater church. 

But his comments today will also request generosity, at least in spirit, toward himself.  In chapter 11 especially Paul is raw and personal, addressing some slander or ridicule that has made it to his ears.  Listen closely and consider his response, as well as the Corinthians’ offense, as he forcefully challenges ill treatment from fellow believers for whom he has sacrificed so much. 

Consider also the placement of this personal complaint here, after Paul has made the following argument in general terms: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel.  The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 

2 Corinthians 9 through 11.  Now let’s read it!

When Paul first arrived in Corinth, he reasoned in the synagogue on the Sabbath, trying to persuade the Jews, and also the Greeks, that the Christ was Jesus.  Many Jews opposed and reviled him, but many of the Corinthians…believed and were baptized.  Acts 18 tells us that, when Paul became frustrated with the Jews’ rejection: the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are My people. And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” 

Remember these details: the rejection of the Jews and acceptance of the Gentiles; the Lord’s promise of protection and assurance that He has many in this city who are My people; and the year-and-a-half he devoted there, making tents and preaching.  All of this is in the background of the section of 2 Corinthians we’ll read today.   Paul has spent a lot of time talking about generosity and the collection for Jerusalem already, and he overtly expresses his hopes for their   financial contributions to the greater church. 

But his comments today will also request generosity, at least in spirit, toward himself.  In chapter 11 especially Paul is raw and personal, addressing some slander or ridicule that has made it to his ears.  Listen closely and consider his response, as well as the Corinthians’ offense, as he forcefully challenges ill treatment from fellow believers for whom he has sacrificed so much. 

Consider also the placement of this personal complaint here, after Paul has made the following argument in general terms: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel.  The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 

2 Corinthians 9 through 11.  Now let’s read it!

Chapter 5 picks up the train of thought from chapter 4, in which Paul delights that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”  He continues, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”   Notice in these early verses Paul’s sense of assurance, and the guarantee to which he holds.

The “Therefore” in the middle of chapter 5 launches a new theme built on this security.  In fact, there is a series of therefore’s in chapter 5 that you have to pay close attention to: “Therefore…we persuade others…we regard no one according to the flesh…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” and “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ.”

Following this comes a series of commitments that flow from a grace-filled life: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…For we are the temple of the living God…”  In chapter 7: “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death…” And in chapter 8: “…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 

Amid this seemingly random set of topics, you’ll notice that the theme of Paul’s sufferings keeps rising to the surface.  Pay attention not only to Paul’s recollection of his trials, but also to the way in which he speaks to the Corinthians about them.  You’re allowed to notice his tone of voice and examine his attitude: what exactly is he trying to say?

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel.  The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 

2 Corinthians 5 through 8.  Now let’s read it!

Chapter 5 picks up the train of thought from chapter 4, in which Paul delights that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”  He continues, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”   Notice in these early verses Paul’s sense of assurance, and the guarantee to which he holds.

The “Therefore” in the middle of chapter 5 launches a new theme built on this security.  In fact, there is a series of therefore’s in chapter 5 that you have to pay close attention to: “Therefore…we persuade others…we regard no one according to the flesh…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” and “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ.”

Following this comes a series of commitments that flow from a grace-filled life: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…For we are the temple of the living God…”  In chapter 7: “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death…” And in chapter 8: “…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 

Amid this seemingly random set of topics, you’ll notice that the theme of Paul’s sufferings keeps rising to the surface.  Pay attention not only to Paul’s recollection of his trials, but also to the way in which he speaks to the Corinthians about them.  You’re allowed to notice his tone of voice and examine his attitude: what exactly is he trying to say?

Our verse for this week is Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel.  The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 

2 Corinthians 5 through 8.  Now let’s read it!