Posts with the category “2-corinthians”

- By Jacob Muthsam - Personal Thoughts: As we went day by day through 2 Corinthians, I don’t think it takes a theologian to realise how chaotic the faith walk of Christianity and church life can be. It’s chaotic because it is jam-packed with emotions and experiences. That’s what the church was like then. (It’s funny when some people just want church today to be like the early New-Testament church..? Really,  Read More

- By John Horsburgh -Opening Thoughts: This chapter makes me want to ask Paul just why he persisted with the Corinthians. He reminds them yet again of what he has done but also confirms to them that he was sent by God and that they are his children in the Lord. Most leaders will confirm their place by providing a C.V. – the list of where they have been and what they have achieved, but Paul lists his weaknesses instead. Many times I have found comfort in his brief report of the “thorn in his flesh”,  Read More

- By Leanne Rich -Opening Thoughts: Meekness vs Strength In this chapter, Paul is striving with the Corinthian church regarding their acceptance of false teachers who have infiltrated the church and are misleading them. You can sense his exasperation with them as he describes how they have judged the outward appearance instead of the attitude of the heart, of both himself and those he referred to as 'super-apostles'. Let's compare and contrast the two: Paul and the 'super-apostles'.  Read More

- By David Passmore - Opening Thoughts: In my Bible, verses 1-6 introduce spiritual warfare, a favourite subject of mine. A subject that is not possible to cover in one short devotion. There are many who do not believe or acknowledge spiritual warfare. However, if you are being a blessing by spreading the good news of the Gospel, or   Read More

- By Leanne Rich - - Opening Thoughts: In this chapter, Paul gives advice to the Corinthian church about how to use the administrative gifts mentioned in Romans 12:7-8. The gifts specifically referred to by Paul were giving and serving. This church seems to have been well resourced compared to others that Paul had visited and he encouraged them to share their wealth.  Read More

- By Anne Horsburgh - Opening Thoughts: This chapter speaks to me about money matters and stewardship, as well as our attitude regarding it. The matter of the relief fund for the poor in Jerusalem is raised again. Titus had helped the Corinthians make a start, following Paul’s instructions in an earlier letter (1 Cor 16), and now he will return and supervise the completion of the collection. Some members of the Macedonian churches will accompany him as a safeguard. This way Paul is safe from any hint of embezzling the finances.  Read More

- By Darryl Flaherty - - Opening Thoughts: Chapter 6 has 18 verses. The first 10 verses speak about the hardships of being a Christian and the way we should live if we are servants of God. My focus is on 7 verses. Three Main Ideas: 1. By Great endurance Verse 3 - Paul says that our goal is to not put a stumbling block or obstacle in anyone’s way of coming to the Gospel, so that no fault would be found with our ministry. We are to live and speak in such a way that people would not disregard the Gospel message. Rather, “as servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way.”  Read More

- By Keziah Muthsam - - Opening Thoughts: In this chapter, Paul is teaching a revolutionary new message to the Church in Corinth. Surrounded by a culture that was influencing the churches understanding of the Gospel, Paul moves to address misconceptions and call out certain individuals for using the Gospel as a personal platform for success. 1. Questioning our understanding Surrounded by Greek culture, the idea of bodily resurrection  Read More

- By John Horsburgh - Opening Thoughts: Paul’s second letter, 2 Corinthians, has a different feel than his first letter to this church. In this chapter, there is so much light and encouragement that it tends to lift the spirit. There are still those bits that could be seen as being a bit scary but overall the theme is about overcoming obstacles that we encounter. A timely thought, as we face the discouragement that has abounded in 2020.   Read More

- By Jacob Muthsam - Personal Thoughts: In reading Chapter 3, it seems to me that the people are wrestling with stepping into the reality of their new world when they have a natural pull back to the old. It’s relevant to our current situation because, still, today we wrestle with Work v Grace. Additionally, I strongly believe the COVID-19 restrictions and situations we find ourselves in, is another wrestle; one of moving from an old way of thinking in a church context to a new way of thinking.  Read More

- By Paul Rich - - Opening Thought: Paul was passionate about the church in Corinth. He had sent them a letter only one or two years earlier, and here we have a second letter, striving to bring correction so that, "my joy would also be yours."  Read More

- By David Passmore - - Opening Thoughts: This letter was written by Paul between 55 and 56 AD. His theme was ‘powerful ministry through weak vessels.’ It was written in Macedonia, as a result of his first visit to Corinth which was ‘painful’ (2 Cor. 2:4), and it was delivered by Titus. This chapter consists of 5 main parts: His greeting: verses 1-2 Comfort in suffering: verses 3-7 Delivered from suffering: verses 8-11 Paul’s sincerity: verses 12-14 Sparing the church: verses 15-24  Read More