Daily reading

Today’s reading is: 2 Cor. 2:14-7:16

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Second Corinthians Chapter Two

(Outline continues from yesterday)

  1. Paul found spiritual rest in that test by focusing on the work of God the Father within his life (2nd Cor. 2:14-17).
    1. The Father leads us in His triumph in Christ.
    2. The Father manifests the sweet aroma of Christ through us to this lost and dying world.
    3. The Father’s work is one of total grace—who is adequate for these things?

Note: Paul’s description of the Father’s ministry through him will continue through 2nd Cor. 7:4.  Some have speculated that 2nd Cor. 2:14-7:4 is a scribal insertion in between 2nd Cor. 2:12-13 & 7:5ff., but there is no manuscript support for such a hypothesis.  Rather, it is best to view 2nd Cor. 2:14-7:4 as one great digression in which Paul occupies with Christ and assures himself that he is in the will of God.

Second Corinthians Chapter Three

  1. In describing the Father’s triumphant ministry through him (2nd Cor. 2:14-17), Paul asserted that he was not commending himself in any way (2nd Cor. 3:1-6).
    1. The Father’s fragrance is all the adequacy we could ever need (2nd Cor. 2:16).
    2. The Corinthians themselves, written on Paul’s heart, were the only letters of commendation he needed.
    3. Christian adequacy is a present blessing (v.5) anticipating additional adequacy in the future as ministers (διάκονος diakonos #1249) of a new covenant (v.6).
  2. Paul reflects on his ministry (διακονία diakonia #1248) of the spirit, the ministry of righteousness as an Apostle in the Dispensation of the Church (2nd Cor. 3:7-18).  
    1. It is a ministry of abounding glory, vastly superior to the Old Testament ministry of death & condemnation (vv.7-11).
    2. It is a ministry of unveiled observation and transformation (vv.12-18 cf. 1st Cor. 13:12).

Second Corinthians Chapter Four

  1. The life of a believer in the Dispensation of the Church is quite simple (2nd Cor. 4:1-2).
    1. Receive mercy daily, and not lose heart (v.1; Lam. 3:22-23).
    2. Manifest the Truth with a clear conscience in the sight of God (v.2; 1st Tim. 1:5,19; 3:9; 2nd Tim. 1:3).
  2. The believer’s manifestation of Truth goes forth into the devil’s darkness, as God Himself does the work of evangelism (2nd Cor. 4:3-6; Jn. 1:5,9-13; 3:19-21).
  3. The believer’s weakness in physical life serves to illustrate our power in spiritual life (2nd Cor. 4:7ff.).
    1. The Christian Way of Life means that the believer will be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, & struck down (vv.8-9).
    2. Through these circumstances, we exhibit (bear) the death and life of Jesus for others to observe.
    3. The eternal perspective through faith encourages the believer to endure and not lose heart (vv.16-18).

Second Corinthians Chapter Five

  1. Our present indwelling of the Holy Spirit is simply a deposit for the eternal blessings we will enjoy in the resurrection (2nd Cor. 5:1-5).
  2. This eternal perspective motivates us to greater diligence in preparation for the Judgment Seat of Christ (2nd Cor. 5:6-10).
  3. Paul provides the Corinthians with a message of love—so that they may have an answer for Paul’s critics among them (2nd Cor. 5:11-12).
    1. This is the sacrificial love message of living for Christ controlled by the love of Christ.
    2. The message is the Gospel message of reconciliation.
    3. Our function as new creatures is to fulfill our role as ambassadors—communicating that message of reconciliation through our imputed righteousness.

Second Corinthians Chapter Six

  1. Believers are fellow workers, and are urged to commend themselves as ministers (διάκονοι diakonoi #1249) of God, so as to not discredit the ministry (διακονία diakonia #1248) (2nd Cor. 6:1-4a).
    1. Our ministry in the Dispensation of the Church is a ministry of difficulties (vv.4b,5).
    2. Our ministry in the Dispensation of the Church is a ministry of Divine empowerment (vv.6-7).
    3. Our ministry in the Dispensation of the Church is a ministry of contradictions (vv.8-10).
  2. As Paul pours out his heart to the Corinthians, he is troubled by their self-imposed restraints (2nd Cor. 6:11-13).
  3. “Stop becoming unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2nd Cor. 6:14-18).
    1. A basic principle under the Mosaic Law (Deut. 22:10) finds practical application in personal relationships under Grace—marriage, business partnerships, etc.
    2. Those in Christ have no partnership, fellowship, harmony, commonality, or agreement with those in Adam.
    3. Such unequal unions defile the believer, and restrain them from fruitful ministry.
      1. Separation from unbelievers is required, but this does not preclude association with unbelievers (1st Cor. 5:9-13).
      2. Separation does preclude participation with unbelievers in their unfruitful deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:7,11).

Second Corinthians Chapter Seven

  1. Paul brings the issue of holiness back to the Corinthians particular circumstances, as he urges them to prepare for his soon arrival (2nd Cor. 7:1-4).
  2. Paul has comfort and joy in anticipation of his third visit to Corinth, because of the good report he received from Titus when they met in Macedonia (2nd Cor. 7:5-16).