II Corinthians 13 Dear RTB’ers, Yesterday’s comment – that is, John’s post on “Rearranging II Corinthians” – was enough comment for today’s first ten verses. Let’s look at Paul’s closing: Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one …
Author Archives: Fred
December 10 / II Corinthians 12:11-21
II Corinthians 12:11-21 Dear RTB’ers, Today’s reading is so confusing, so seemingly out-of-place that I had to go back to John’s comment on “Rearranging II Corinthians” from 2021. As you read through that post, please pay particular attention to any mention of chapter 12 or of chapters 10-13. I agree with John. What we are …
December 9 / II Corinthians 11:21b-12:10
II Corinthians 11:21b-12:10 Dear RTB’ers, Today’s reading has three major parts – Paul’s “suffering” for his testimony to the Lord; the vision/revelation that he saw; and his “thorn in the flesh”. First, his suffering… When I read about all that he went through, I cringe. I do not handle physical pain well and he lists …
December 8 / II Corinthians 11:1-21a
II Corinthians 11:1-21a Dear RTB’ers, Paul and the Corinthians…! This second letter is Paul’s most confusing epistle, mostly because we don’t know anything about his “third visit” (if there was one) or his other letter(s). So we’re having to read between the lines and draw our own inferences. Today’s reading clearly suggests that there are …
December 7 / II Corinthians 10
II Corinthians 10 Dear RTB’ers, No doubt Paul faced opposition in Corinth – from Synagogue leaders, from false teachers, from “parishioners” who feel that they had been maligned by him in his letters, so I feel like his “boasting” was more self-defense than “bragging”: For even if I boast a little too much of our …
December 6 / II Corinthians 8:16-9:15
II Corinthians 8:16-9:15 Dear RTB’ers, …for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. (v. 8:21) It’s a simple concept – yes, we always want to be right and correct and honorable before the Lord, but we are also “in the world” and “the …
December 5 / II Corinthians 8:1-15
II Corinthians 8:1-15 Dear RTB’ers, Did he/she get to Heaven? Will I get to Heaven? Will all of us get to Heaven, or will some be left behind? “Get to Heaven…”, a phrase from my childhood and continuing today. A dear Christian friend wrote to me that he just lost a sibling. He wrote, “…I …
December 4 / II Corinthians 6:11-7:16
II Corinthians 6:11-7:16 Dear RTB’ers, Trying to piece together Paul’s relationship to the Corinthians, as we read it today. (All these verse references are chapter 7.) First, Paul had written a stern letter that caused grief among the Corinthians: For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it… (v. …
December 3 / II Corinthians 5:11-6:10
II Corinthians 5:11-6:10 Dear RTB’ers, For the love of Christ controls us … One has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him Who for their sake died and was raised. … Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, …
December 2 / II Corinthians 4:7-5:10
II Corinthians 4:7-5:10 Dear RTB’ers, There are a number of worthy verses and passages for comments today: “…treasures in earthen vessels…” (v. 4:7); “…afflicted…, but not crushed…” (vv. 4:8-9) “…momentary light affliction…” (v. 4:17). But I like Paul’s focus on the eternal. For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is …