2 Corinthians 1-2

We move on now to the next letter Paul wrote to Corinth. More likely its the third letter because he speaks of an angry letter that doesn’t match 1 Corinthians.

Stop and read page 83 in the quarterly for an excellent summary of how this letter fits into Paul’s travels. And While you’re at it, turn the page and look at the summary on page 85 of Paul’s troubles. I often recommend people read those when they feel life is against them. Then in Philippians 4:11 when Paul says, “I have learned … to be content…” That chart tells how he learned! Unfortunately, it’s left out of the written lessons, but fortunately, the writer highlighted it for us. Whenever you think life is getting rough, read the list and think how lucky you are.

The next thing I want us to examine is 1:3. We often miss that a major reason God sustains us is so we can pass it on to others. I like the idea of the old song “Make Me a Channel of  Blessing.” Expand the idea. His grace gifts are always meant to be shared through us.

In a devotional book by my late friend James Carter, he tells the story of a pastor who received a letter griping about the sermons. “Give, give, give. That’s all I hear…” The pastor responded, “Thanks for the best definition of Christianity I’ve ever heard!” God so loved the world that He gave…

One of the most mysterious and debated of the OT stories is the sacrifice of Isaac. No one seems to grasp the obvious answer and links it with Abram and Sara’s lack of faith to try to fulfil God’s promise with her handmaid. Now God is giving Abraham a second chance to see whether his faith has grown. Can he trust God to fulfil His promise even if he gives Isaac back to God.

Likewise our call to give back what the Lord has given us is a challenge to trust God to keep refilling our storehouses. Indeed, we need no storehouses, for God’s grace is an everflowing stream. We can’t outgive God.

Reminder: One of my purposes in these notes is to highlight issues not covered in the quarterly. One such issue is the call to forgive a repentant brother whom the church had dealt with strongly, even harshly. This might have been the man who was living with his father’s wife as described in the first letter. Remember Paul advised them to kick him out in hopes it would bring him to his senses. It may be they took his advice and did excommunicate the guy. And the move worked. The man repented but the church continued to cold-shoulder him. Now Paul says it’s time to forgive and receive him back.

Other scholars disagree and feel it’s another man who stirred up trouble against Paul. The strongest thrust in this letter is Paul’s defending himself against false prophets who arrived after he left and proceeded to run him down personally and contradict his teachings. Perhaps a local leader took their side, and the church defended Paul. There are other possibilities.

Meanwhile, Paul later in the letter will dispute his accusers by claiming the same authority as the 12 apostles Jesus called to be around him. And he will return to the Damascus road experience  to confirm he had witnessed the risen Christ.