I continue this study with Chapters 5-8, as Paul and Timothy continue to encourage and edify the church at Corinth. I have put in some prayers as I have felt so moved to do by the Scripture.
Notes on Chapters 5-8
Notes on Chapters 5-8
- We should follow Paul and Timothy's example and be of good courage (2 Corinthians 5:6).
- I pray for all of us that we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
- Our consciences should be used in our judgment of the words of others (2 Corinthians 5:11).
- Do not look at the outward appearance of a person but at the heart (2 Corinthians 5:12). Lord please open our eyes of understanding to see beyond the flesh into the heart and spirit of the person, that we may know them truly.
- We are commended to others by "afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God..." (2 Corinthians 6:4-7). I believe Paul is saying that our sufferings and spiritual fruits prove the authenticity of our walks as Christians.
- I pray Lord Jesus Christ that we not be restricted in our affections to each other nor to all men (2 Corinthians 6:12).
- "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?" (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). I don't think I picked this up before but there are some interesting statements here. I believe what Paul is saying is that when you as a believer are yoked to an unbeliever you are actually attempting to broker a peace as a representative of Christ between Jesus Christ (and by extension the Holy Trinity and the Kingdom of Heaven) and the demons (i.e. "Belial"), but they have been set aside for the lake of fire so you are actually acting outside of your authority as an unsanctioned peace ambassador for the Kingdom of Heaven to demons (who are represented on earth by the children of disobedience). And you cannot share your heavenly inheritance, your portion, with unbelievers because they must separately believe unto the name of Jesus Christ and your "yoking" is unsanctioned as a method of them getting to Heaven through being yoked to you or, conversely, they are trying to yoke you to them to drag you to hell with them (I think the latter is more likely what the Devil is trying to accomplish).
- Godly grief produces a desire to clear one's conscience and a zeal to avenge ungodliness (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
- It is a privilege and honor to give to the saints (2 Corinthians 8:2-7). Generosity to the saints serves as a proof of the genuineness of our love for Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 8:8).
- We do not need to give to the point of destitution, but out of what we have. (2 Corinthians 8:11). It is not about the specific amount you give but the intent (2 Corinthians 8:12).
- We are blessed in our giving, for the poor have an abundance of spiritual blessings that are given to those who give to them out of their material abundance (2 Corinthians 8:13-15).
