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 so much that he had to endure physically. Then at the end of that list he adds his own “pastoral” emotions, …the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. (v. 28b) What he went through…!!

As to the vision… There is general agreement among scholars that Paul is speaking of himself as the … man in Christ who … was caught up to the third heaven… (v. 2) He even says as much himself in verse 7, So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations… As to what Paul saw or what he heard that “cannot be told”, we’ll have to do our own imagining.

Finally, the “thorn in the flesh”… I suspect that many millions of other people have been like me and thought of their own personal “thorn in the flesh” that they have had to deal with – items over which they have prayed time and again and from which they not been delivered. Even now I still can’t lift my elbow to shoulder level without pain – I’m looking forward to my shoulder doctor visit the second day that we get back! “Thorn in the flesh…”?? Pain, yes. Thorn, probably not!

Blessings!

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See also:

• December 8 (2023) / II Corinthians 8-13; Acts 20:2-3a
• September 10 (2021) / II Corinthians 11:16-12:10

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 other preachers in Corinth who are leading the Corinthians astray (v. 4, …another Jesus, …a different spirit, …a different gospel). I wonder at their motivation. Are they trying to get paid for their preaching? They seem to deride Paul for preaching for free. Are they trying to build their own following, lauding themselves with their fluency and their letters of recommendation? Paul refers to them (sarcastically) as “super-apostles” (v. 5) and then unsarcastically as …false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (v. 13b) And what message are they even preaching about Jesus or are they preaching any kind of Christian message? Clearly they are doing something to try to imitate Paul: … those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. (v. 12b) Whoever they are, whatever they are doing or saying, Paul is committed to bringing them down: But what I am doing I will also continue to do, so that I may eliminate the[ir] opportunity… (v. 12a, NASB, slightly edited).

We are fortunate at St. Andrew’s to have faithful preachers, in our lead pastors, our assistant pastors and in guest preachers from Asbury and from around the world. I will forever recall David’s words, “You bring the people and I’ll preach the Gospel!” We are blessed!

Blessings!

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See also: September 9 (2021) / II Corinthians 11:1-15

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 authority, which the Lord gave for building you up … I will not be ashamed. (v. 8) Paul knows from where his authority and his gifts and his impediments have come, and he is quick to acknowledge the Lord’s work in his life. If his opponents want to call that boasting, Paul tells them to stop comparing themselves with one another: But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. (v. 12b) We were taught from an early age to compare ourselves with one another – the A’s and B’s, etc. in school; beauty pageants, competitions in sports. Hopefully we’ve left a lot of that behind, but we are still prone to look to others for societal standards. But when it comes to matters of faith, we live by higher standards: For though we walk in the flesh … the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power… (vv. 3a, 4a) Let’s live in that “divine power”!

Blessings!

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See also: September 8 (2021) / II Corinthians 10:1-18

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 world” is watching us. Paul was clearly concerned about those “watchful eyes”: We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us… (v. 8:20) In the end Paul had eight or nine other people traveling with him to deliver the gifts to Jerusalem. (Acts 20:4-6)

During my time in Kentucky I’ve held two positions of substantial responsibility – Treasurer at our church and chair of the Department of Economics at EKU. Not surprisingly, I always felt like “eyes” were watching me at EKU, but I seldom felt anyone looking over my shoulder at church. I reported monthly to the Vestry and quarterly to the congregation and presented an annual budget every January – and seldom was I corrected or questioned (in any kind of “harsh” manner). Still, it was always in the back of my mind, “How can I explain this?” or “What kinds of questions might come up?” It’s good advice: …for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.

Blessings!

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See also: September 6 (2021) / II Corinthians 9:1-15

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 believe by the grace of God she made it to Heaven.” Yes, Heaven is our destination and, I daresay, most (if not all) of us are confident in reaching that eternal glory. So when we think of what Heaven might be like, read today’s words again: 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. (v. 9) Jesus was already THERE!! He stepped down from that eternal glory, from fellowship with His Father and the Holy Spirit and came down to earth, to live, suffer and die for us, for our sins – all that so that we might attain to what He already had! He was rich … He became poor, so that… Meditate on Jesus for a bit. Advent, Christmas – it’s a good time for that! “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel…”

Blessings!

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See also: September 5 (2021) / II Corinthians 8:1-24

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. 8a) Paul was concerned for their reaction, so he sent Titus to them. Evidently Titus had never met the Corinthians, but had been informed of them by Paul, …so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. (v. 14b) The Corinthians apparently knew that this “envoy” from Paul was coming and they were concerned about this visit, …how you received him with fear and trembling. (v. 15b) Their concerns were unwarranted – Titus was a wonderful envoy and was well received, …because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. (v. 13b) So Titus returned to Paul with a really positive report, Bu God … comforted us by the coming of Titus … as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me… (vv. 6, 7b) Apparently, the Corinthians’ grief was a good thing, For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret… (v. 10a) Paul and the Corinthians…!

Grief, confession, repentance, salvation. Thank you, Lord!

Blessings!

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See also:

• September 17 (2021) / II Corinthians 6:1-13
• September 7 (2021) / II Corinthians 6:14-7:1
• September 18 (2021) / II Corinthians 7:2-16; 13:11-14

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, God making His appeal through us. (vv. 5:14-15, 20) We no longer live for ourselves; rather, we live for others, we are ambassadors for Christ. Ambassadors for Christ…

Last week Carol and I were invited by the Albanian Ambassador to Slovakia to a gala celebration at the Primate’s Palace in Bratislava (please see below). We had never met an Ambassador before. He and his wife greeted each guest warmly – a few sentences each, more than just a hello and a handshake. Then he made the opening remarks for the celebration, first acknowledging his hosts, then his guests and his fellow citizens, then all those who had contributed their efforts to the success of the event. After the program ended and we all enjoyed an Albanian buffet he continued mingling with his guests, not lingering with only a few but circulating around the rooms making everyone feel welcome. Now, late in life I have met an Ambassador.

We are Ambassadors for Christ…

Blessings!

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See also: September 16 (2021) / II Corinthians 5:1-21

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 destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling… (vv. 5:1-2) and We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord … we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. (vv. 5:6b, 8b, 9) I like the way Paul says all this in his letter to the Philippians: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith… (vv. 21-25). Yes, to live is Christ, to die is gain.

Blessings!

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See also: September 15 (2021) / II Corinthians 4:1-18

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul mentions the Spirit seven times in chapter 3. Our Men’s Group did a Holy Spirit study some years back. We looked at all occurrences of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. When you look for Him, you’ll find Him quite often in the Gospels, even more often in Acts (occasionally referred to as the “Acts of the Holy Spirit”), and a lot in Galatians, Romans, and both Corinthian letters. We don’t see Him as much in Paul’s other letters or in Peter’s or James’ or John’s epistles. But He is prominent today. So take a couple of minutes and look back at today’s reading, at those seven occurrences of the Spirit and see who He is and what He does. Get to know Him better!  

Blessings!

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See also: September 14 (2021) / II Corinthians 3:1-18