Category: Epistles
-
Understanding God’s Rich Provisions
The act of giving embodies Christlike grace and fosters profound gratitude towards God. This generosity creates lasting connections among believers, encouraging them to uplift one another. Recognizing every blessing as divine grace inspires humble stewardship and a commitment to serve others, ultimately glorifying God and strengthening faith within the community.
-
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
This chapter emphasizes the importance of fulfilling commitments to support suffering Christians in Jerusalem. Paul acknowledges the eagerness of the Corinthians to contribute, encouraging them to turn their intentions into action. True generosity comes from the heart, and cheerful giving reflects a deep, authentic relationship with God, leading to spiritual…
-
The Call to Reconciliation: Serving God Today
Paul writes to the Corinthian church, expressing concern that some members have not fully accepted the gospel, potentially influenced by idol worship and false teachers. He emphasizes that now is the time for repentance and urges believers to avoid receiving God’s grace in vain. Paul also addresses the challenges faced…
-
Understanding the Gospel’s Power in Our Weakness
In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul emphasizes the paradox of containing the gospel’s treasure in fragile clay jars, showcasing God’s power through human weakness. He encourages believers to endure persecution with love and grace, reflecting Jesus’ life. Ultimately, sacrifices for sharing the gospel yield eternal rewards despite worldly challenges.
-
Paul’s Determination: Defending the Faith
Paul ardently defends his role as an apostle amidst criticism, focusing on the transformative power of God’s mercy. He denounces deceitful practices among some preachers, emphasizing the need for truth in sharing the gospel. Highlighting the spiritual blindness affecting many, Paul insists that faith in Jesus alone provides true understanding…
-
From Self-Confidence to God-Confidence in Paul’s Message
In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul defends his credibility against false teachers by highlighting his close relationship with the Corinthians, emphasizing that their transformed lives are evidence of his sincerity. He asserts that true confidence comes from God, not self-reliance. The Spirit empowers believers as ministers of the new covenant, offering…
-
The Pain of Love
In 2 Corinthians chapter 2, Paul addresses the Corinthians, emphasizing that love can bring pain when confronting sin. He avoided a painful visit to allow time for reflection and repentance. Motivated by love, Paul highlighted the importance of forgiveness, urging the church to comfort and restore those who have sinned,…
-
Finding True Comfort in Times of Affliction
In 2 Corinthians, Paul asserts his apostolic authority to guide the Corinthian church, emphasizing the importance of relying on God’s comfort in times of affliction. He highlights that true comfort comes from God alone, particularly for believers facing suffering, and encourages sharing this comfort with others, fostering hope and community.
-
Paul’s Final Instructions to Corinth: A Study on Generosity
In the final chapter of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he outlines instructions for a special collection for impoverished Christians in Jerusalem and shares his travel plans. He emphasizes the importance of proportional and cheerful giving, integrity in handling donations, and the need for vigilance against false teachings, while encouraging…
-
Understanding Spiritual Gifts: Tongues vs Prophecy
Love should be pursued as the greatest mark of all believers. But that in no way means that spiritual gifts are not important. They are also to be desired, but used with love. We need to understand that the Corinthians were greatly abusing the gift of tongues. What they were…
It Starts Small 