2 Corinthians 10 – Paul’s defense of his ministry here comes from a confidence in who sent him and what his purpose and motivation was. He doesn’t qualify his defense or try to appease those critical of him, even while he addresses their arguments. He’s simply stating the facts, not trying to make them feel better. He’s more concerned with the truth than pleasing people. I too often have it the other way around.
2 Corinthians 11:2-4 – While he’s clearly talking about himself vs. some other teachers, his concern is not that they are straying from his teaching rather that they are straying from Jesus. He “betrothed [them] to one husband, to present [them] as a pure virgin to Christ”. That’s the mark of a true man of God, concern not that they are straying from the teacher but that they would stray from the Lord.
2 Corinthians 11:16-21 – I wonder what had happened to spark such words? Here he speaks of being ‘too weak’ again, referencing back to 2 Corinthians 10:10. There’s a hint of sarcasm in his words, “Oh, I was too weak to abuse you the way those teachers did, shame on me!” It makes me think of the old ICOC who looked down on those who were ‘weak on sin’. I wonder how many of them looked in and saw not strength, but abuse and harsh treatment in the name of being hard on sin. Not to reopen old wounds, but it was certainly there and we arrogantly. as those from Corinth did, claimed our harshness as holiness.
Yet look at Paul’s hard line here with those men. He was not weak nor easy on them, he called them out in ways that I think many would shy away from for the sake of being ‘nice’ or ‘considerate’.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – I’ve heard these verses used many times in many a contribution talk, and they are well suited to that purpose. It’s interesting to me to note the context here, though. Paul isn’t telling them about generous and cheerful giving to inspire them to give. They had already decided to give (see 2 Corinthians 9:1-5), on their own, prior to this letter. Here he’s simply encouraging them to follow through on what they had already decided to do, to make their yes be yes if you will. The comments on generosity and cheerful giving will certainly be helpful to them as they decide how to complete this act of grace, but their purpose was not to prompt giving where there was none planned.
Which makes me thing about what had prompted them to give in the first place? Did Paul tell them to give? No, the clear impression here is the gift was their own idea, born simply out of their concern for those in need. And that concern was not from themselves, as he said in 2 Corinthians 8:9, they saw this sacrifice in Jesus first.
So, it seems to me that any talk about contribution should go back to the gospel. Look at Jesus, who for our sake sacrificed his wealth that we might be brought out of spiritual poverty. Since He has done this for us spiritually, we ought to be quick to do the same physically. There are no shortage of verses that encourage generosity, but they all come back to the gospel. Jesus gave up everything that we might gain everything, giving us an example to follow. Having been blessed in such a way, how can you not be generous?
2 Corinthians 9:12 – The purpose of this giving is not only to supply those in need but to proclaim many thanks to God.
2 Corinthians 9:15 – The gift that Paul is thankful for isn’t the gift that they will give, but the gift to be able to give, the opportunity to provide for others.

2 Corinthians 8:1 – Poverty + an ‘abundance of Joy’ = generosity. And where do you and an abundance of joy? Only in Jesus. Sure, life can bring joy, but that joy is not abundant, it’s circumstantial. Joy at the wedding day fades as the burdens of life and the challenges of married life weigh down. Joy at the birth of a child fades with the responsibilities of parenting. But the joy in Christ is abundant because he is the antidote to all the things in life that rob us of joy.
1 Corinthians 8:9 – “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.” The original and ultimate transfer of wealth. 😀

2 Corinthians 7:1 – Notice he doesn’t say “Since God expects us to obey, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” No, “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” We strive to cleanse ourselves & to be holy because of what He has already promised us, not be cause He commands us to.
2 Corinthians 7:2-4 – I had to read verse 3 several times to let it sink in. “I do not say this to condemn you.” I naturally take verse 2 as condemnation and criticism. They have failed to open their hearts, shame on them. Repent. But Paul says he is not condemning, rather he is simply calling them higher. Open up.
These days I find that I see condemnation in every criticism, in every less than praising comment. This isn’t a failing of those around me, really, it’s a failing of me.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11 – I like how the ESV uses ‘grief’ here instead of ‘sorrow’ in the NIV. Seems to give a more full picture of what they endured.
I like how it also says that Paul rejoiced they it produced in them indignation, fear, longing, seal and punishment. He was glad it produced punishment, wow.
2 Corinthians 7:12-16 – He challenged the sin, not for the sake of the sinner, nor even for the sake of the victim. No, he did so so that they could see their own earnestness to repent. So, he challenged with the full expectation that they would be alarmed at their sin and their reaction to their alarm would then they would see how much they cared. So for Paul, their repentance was assumed when he challenged.
And in doing so, Titus was encouraged by their faith and hearts. You get this idea that Titus was discouraged because of their sin, but Paul had complete faith in their repentance and told Titus so. And when confronted, they came through and everyone – Paul, Titus and the Corinthians – were buoyed in their faith as a result.
How cool is that?
Think about the implications, thought, for you and me. How often do we confront sin that we see? Not often I bet (if you’re like me anyway). Why is that? We assume that it’ll be hard and that the other party will react negatively. So, it seems a burden, a messy talk to challenge sin, and we avoid it. Paul assumed just the opposite. He assumed that once made aware of their sin (surely they didn’t know or they wouldn’t be doing it), they would respond earnestly to repent. If that’s our mindset, suddenly confronting sin isn’t messy or hard, it’s simply love. We are telling them what they need – and would want – to know.

In debating where to pick up my QT journal, I simply decided to pick up where I left off in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 6:1 – “Working together with him …” Paul viewed his ministry as a partnership with Jesus, he and Jesus were working together to accomplish God’s will. It seems obvious as I type it, but I’ve viewed my ministry, when I’ve thought about it, as my work on God’s behalf. I tend to discount God’s working with me. Frankly, I tend to view God as a passive observer in the world, which is clearly not the case. He is always at work, the Bible says. I need to see my work for Him instead as work with Him to accomplish the good that He wants to see done.
“Come on, Doug,” he says, “Let’s you and I go make a difference.”
The scary thing is how often I say “Not today, maybe tomorrow.”
2 Corinthians 6:1-12 – Paul pleads with them not to receive God’s grace in vain. He then goes on to share how he has done everything he can to give himself to them, but feels that they are withholding themselves from him. So, is he saying that to receive grace without opening ourselves up is to receive it in vain? Is the implication here that there is a way to actually receive God’s grace, yet it does not effect our lives? In other words, a genuine response to the gospel but it doesn’t ‘take’ because of how it was received? I’m not sure what this means, any thoughts?
2 Corinthians 6:14 – The NIV, which was my main translation until the past few years, translates this as “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” while the ESV says “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” Traditionally, my ICOC tribe, and I suspect other groups as well, have used this passage against marrying non-Christians (by which, at the time, we meant non-ICOC members, of course. :-D), but the word ‘unequal’ in the ESV makes that teaching problematic, in my mind. Would I recommend someone marry a non-Christian? Absolutely not, it’s foolish and the remaining part of the verse, and later verses still have wisdom for such a situation (Particularly verse 15 – “What portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?“). But this was taught as an absolute command, no marriage to unbelievers and I think the ESV translation makes that problematic.
Frankly, since this verse is not about marriage, it’s a problematic position anyway. What about business partnerships? What about employment? What about participating on a sports team? I think this in a general warning to being put in a position where you are irrevocably bound to follow the lead (hence ‘unequaly’ in the ESV) of one who cares nothing about Christ and righteousness lest you be put in a position where you are forced do something that would compromise your faith. That can apply to a lot of situations. Put into the context of the rest of the chapter, that seems to make sense.

2 Corinthians 5:1 – Why can Paul call shipwrecks, torture and prison ‘light momentary affliction’ in 2 Corinthians 4:17? Because he knows that if this earthly tent is destroyed, we have a home in heaven. He calls this body a ‘tent’ and what God has prepared for us a ‘building’. We own a tent camper and I’ve camped in tents before. When the weather turns bad, you don’t sleep as well in a ‘tent’ compared to a ‘building’. you aren’t as secure when things take an ugly turn, a tent is temporary, a building is permanent. A tent is vulnerable, a building is secure.
Interestingly, as I stared this, Amy Grant’s ‘In a Little While’ is playing:

In a little while
We’ll be with the Father
Can’t you see Him smile
In a little while
We’ll be home forever
In a while
we’re just here
To learn to love Him
We’ll be home
In just a little while

2 Corinthians 5:14 – Paul says that he is convinced, or has concluded, that because Jesus died for all of us, we have therefore all died. I’m not sure that this is figurative, especially considering what eh wrote in Romans 6 (see my post on it here) We all have a certain fear of death and what that process will mean for us. As disciples of Jesus, we perhaps have less fear,. but we still know that we will face the judgment seat of Christ.
But, if we have already died, having voluntarily surrendered ourselves to the righteous judge, we have already passed through the courtroom, if you will. We’ve gone to the judge, before the appointed day, and submitted ourselves to His judgment. And, get this, he has judged us as innocent because of His Son. We have already died, dying again is a non-event.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – Not only did God reconcile us to Himself through Christ, he gave us a ministry to do the same. He entrusted this most precious of messages to us. So, what am I doing with it?

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 – Ever wonder why God would create us so flawed, so prone to sin and open to temptation. The answer to that is not simple in the least, nor is it trivial. I would not claim to know it period, let alone explain it in a few short sentences written quickly over my lunch break.
However, here in verse seven, Paul gives us a tiny glimpse into part of the reason why. The treasure of the gospel is given to us, flawed men, “jars of clay”, to show that it is truly God’s and not ours. If God only ave the gospel to perfect men or even great men, or if he visibly perfected them upon receiving it, then those who see it might falsely attribute it’s greatness or power to the men rather than God. Worse, those men might assume that the gospel’s power was theirs rather than God’s.
But when we see the power of the gospel at work in men who sometimes can’t even tie their own shoes, if you will, then we can’t help but praise God.
2 Corinthians 4:13 – I believe, but do I speak, as Paul says here? Not nearly often enough. How many opportunities pass by without a mention of my faith. I’m not talking about those ‘golden opportunities’, where it’s clear that someone is searching and we are there to help direct them to God. No, the simple times, the waitress, the cashier, the guy at the opposite gas pump. Times that we could start a conversation or simply mention Jesus in the course of a conversation.
This week a woman was baptized at our midweek service. It’s an amazing story, as every conversion is. She was invited to church as a bank teller while a member was opening a new account (that man met Jesus because he was getting gas next to believer). Because of that invitation, her and her boyfriend came to know Jesus. Nice, eh? But just before her baptism she said, with tears, “Never be afraid to share about your faith, because … I needed it so much.”
That has stuck with me this week, and I hope it does for a long time. I hope it changes me, frankly. The people around us need it so much. Many don’t care, but some do. So, I believe, why don’t I speak?

2 Corinthians 3:3 – What a concept – we are letters from Christ, delivered by those who introduced us to Him. Letters to whom? Those around us, I guess. Our lives then, speak for Jesus. What an incredible blessing, and an incredible responsibility.
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 – The OT ministry, based on commands and rules and law, Paul calls the ministry of death. Harsh? perhaps, but what was it’s effect? To constantly remind those who participated in it that they had fallen short. Way short. Again and again, day after day. Yet it was from God, so it came with glory, such that Moses’ face shone with a brilliance that the Israelites couldn’t gaze upon.
So, here comes Jesus with a new ministry. Not of a constant reminder of shortcomings, but of imparted righteousness that surpasses and replaces them. It is not one of condemnation, but of hope. Hope is superior to condemnation, I don’t care what the context, but when the context is eternal, it is far superior, far more glorious.
Why then, so so many Christians spend so much energy focusing on and proclaiming the dos and don’t of religion? Those only have relevance in the context and light of the cross and gospel of Christ. In that context, obedience is a joy because what we’ve been freely given, but when obedience is the focus, joy is missing. Jared Wilson tweeted today “Obvious to everyone but them: Legalists have no joy. (Holiness: You’re Doing it Wrong)“, which is so true. When was the last time you saw someone whose ministry or religion revolves around obedience who seemed joyful? They peruse holiness as a goal, failing to see (and revel in) the fact that Jesus has already offered his Holiness to them free of charge. it is the acceptance and basking in that holiness that produces in us the compelling desire to obey.
I challenge you – if your faith doesn’t produce regular ear-to-ear grins and a dropping to your knees in awe and worship for the grace and love of God that is manifest in the gospel, you’re missing the point. I know I did for years, and I’m eternally grateful for the people and circumstances that brought me to the awakening that I’m living in now. I hope and pray that I never stop reveling in the Gospel.
Obedience is important, but is secondary – subservient even – to the gospel. That’s what Paul is saying here in 2 Corinthians 3, the law came with glory, but the gospel came with such greater glory as to make the law appear to have no glory at all.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 – Paul urges them to move from discipline of the sinner to forgiveness. “So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.” he writes in verse 8. In fact, he offers blanket forgiveness to anyone the church forgives as well. Why? Well, in verse 11 he says “so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” Satan designs for the sinner to be shunned with no forgiveness. For if he is isolated, then Christ is defeated. Jesus came not to condemn, but to redeem. In fact, our condemnation was already complete but Jesus’ coming unraveled it completely. So why then would we want to weave it back together for one of our own in sin?
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 – “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession” What do you think of when you think of triumphal procession? A victory parade after a war? The confetti filled streets of NYC after World War II with overjoyed soldiers spontaneously grabbing nearby nurses for a dramatic dip and a smooch? The celebration of a com from behind victory in the championship game?
The victor does not march out meekly nor somberly. Stand in front of the tanks on parade to keep them from celebrating. If you had been in NYC, just try to stop those kisses. (Have you read of a report of any woman who resented being kissed that day?) Try to keep the athletes from jumping and screaming. In Christ, however, God always leads us triumphantly. Always. He is the victor, he has snatched us from the jaws of death, we are the spoils of war and He marches ahead of us in victory. The victory has already been had.
We must not forget this, we must fix our eyes and hearts on the victory that is the gospel, that has won us out of captivity. It is finished and we march triumphantly with Christ – always.

2 Corinthians 1:4 – Why does God comfort us when afflicted? Well, the obvious (and true!) answer is that he loves us. I’d say that’s the primary reason, however, Paul here says he does so that we would be enabled to comfort others who are in any affliction. God’s comfort is to extend beyond us to others who may not yet know the comfort of God.
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 – One way that we comfort others in affliction is by demonstrating our faith and endurance during our own afflictions. Paul says he did not want them to be ignorant of his afflictions, so that they might see his faith, and through it, God’s faithfulness.
It’s tempting to assume from this that God gives us afflictions that he could give us comfort and that we in turn might be prepared to comfort others. I’m not prepared to make that leap, although I do believe that as we mature, God will allow us more and greater afflictions to refine and strengthen our faith. Then, being strengthened, we can help others through that same journey. Where is the line between God’s direct causation and things that are just a function of the world he created? I don’t know, and I refuse to speculate.