Daily reading
Today’s reading is: 2 Cor. 2:14-7:16
Video
Second Corinthians Chapter Two
(Outline continues from yesterday)
- Paul found spiritual rest in that test by focusing on the work of God the Father within his life (2nd Cor. 2:14-17).
- The Father leads us in His triumph in Christ.
- The Father manifests the sweet aroma of Christ through us to this lost and dying world.
- 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
- 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).
- The Father’s fragrance is all the adequacy we could ever need (2nd Cor. 2:16).
- The Corinthians themselves, written on Paul’s heart, were the only letters of commendation he needed.
- 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).
- 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).
- It is a ministry of abounding glory, vastly superior to the Old Testament ministry of death & condemnation (vv.7-11).
- It is a ministry of unveiled observation and transformation (vv.12-18 cf. 1st Cor. 13:12).
Second Corinthians Chapter Four
- The life of a believer in the Dispensation of the Church is quite simple (2nd Cor. 4:1-2).
- Receive mercy daily, and not lose heart (v.1; Lam. 3:22-23).
- 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).
- 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).
- The believer’s weakness in physical life serves to illustrate our power in spiritual life (2nd Cor. 4:7ff.).
- The Christian Way of Life means that the believer will be afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, & struck down (vv.8-9).
- Through these circumstances, we exhibit (bear) the death and life of Jesus for others to observe.
- The eternal perspective through faith encourages the believer to endure and not lose heart (vv.16-18).
Second Corinthians Chapter Five
- 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).
- This eternal perspective motivates us to greater diligence in preparation for the Judgment Seat of Christ (2nd Cor. 5:6-10).
- 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).
- This is the sacrificial love message of living for Christ controlled by the love of Christ.
- The message is the Gospel message of reconciliation.
- 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
- 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).
- Our ministry in the Dispensation of the Church is a ministry of difficulties (vv.4b,5).
- Our ministry in the Dispensation of the Church is a ministry of Divine empowerment (vv.6-7).
- Our ministry in the Dispensation of the Church is a ministry of contradictions (vv.8-10).
- As Paul pours out his heart to the Corinthians, he is troubled by their self-imposed restraints (2nd Cor. 6:11-13).
- “Stop becoming unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2nd Cor. 6:14-18).
- A basic principle under the Mosaic Law (Deut. 22:10) finds practical application in personal relationships under Grace—marriage, business partnerships, etc.
- Those in Christ have no partnership, fellowship, harmony, commonality, or agreement with those in Adam.
- Such unequal unions defile the believer, and restrain them from fruitful ministry.
- Separation from unbelievers is required, but this does not preclude association with unbelievers (1st Cor. 5:9-13).
- Separation does preclude participation with unbelievers in their unfruitful deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:7,11).
Second Corinthians Chapter Seven
- 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).
- 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).