II Corinthians 7:2-16, 13:11-14 So today we finish our reorganized readings of II Corinthians. Reading in a different order has helped my understanding, but there’s still so much of it swimming in my head that I find myself confused as to what we have read. And if II Corinthians is, in fact, parts from three …
Author Archives: Fred
September 17 / II Cor. 6:1-13
II Corinthians 6:1-13 I would encourage you to read my comments from last year. Rewording the prepositions adds (for me) a great deal of clarity as to how Paul sees his ministry. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. (v. 12) A confusing verse… What does Paul mean …
September 16 / II Cor. 5:1-21
II Corinthians 5:1-21 Reconciliation. In three verses Paul mentions “reconciliation” and derivatives from “reconcile” five times: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to …
September 15 / II Cor. 4:1-18
II Corinthians 4:1-18 In the years following my born-again experience I began to look back at the Catholic faith in which I was raised and how it was continuing to affect me in my new life. One item that I came to realize was (what I perceived to be) a very strong emphasis on Jesus’ …
September 14 / II Cor. 3:1-18
II Corinthians 3:1-18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord… (v. 18a) My Study Bible suggested that “beholding” could also be translated “reflecting”. These two verbs are very different in their activities. In the first case, it is us beholding the glory of the Lord – seeing the Lord as …
September 13 / II Cor. 2:1-17
II Corinthians 2:1-17 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears… (v. 4a) I wrote about this verse last year in my comments in the first link below. But now that John has encouraged us to read II Corinthians in a different format we have already …
September 12 / II Cor. 1:1-24
II Corinthians 1:1-24 In verses 3 through 7 Paul speaks of affliction and comfort and how both the good times and the hard times are shared by Christians, wherever they are. These verses bring to mind two not-long-ago items. Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of our 9/11 tragedy. Many of us have been recalling events …
September 11 / II Cor. 12:11-13:10
II Corinthians 12:11-13:10 And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. (v. 12:14b) In this context my Study Bible discussed Paul’s ongoing collection for the saints in Jerusalem. That is, when Paul writes, “…for I seek not what is yours…” my Study Bible suggests that the Corinthians …
September 10 / II Cor. 11:16-12:10
II Corinthians 11:16-12:10 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (v. 28) Although Paul is a traveling missionary (with occasional longer stays) he is speaking here very much like a pastor. I have gotten to know a number of pastors well in office …
September 9 / II Cor. 11:1-15
II Corinthians 11:1-15 When someone is awarded a Ph.D. they are “hooded”. A very fancy, but cumbersome “shawl” (hood) is placed around his/her neck, with folds in the cloth open in the back. I was told that the tradition of these hoods came from ancient Greece where scholars and rhetoricians would wear a similar “hood” …