Sometimes it takes more than one letter to get your point across.
The church at Corinth was surrounded by idolatry and immorality, and the Corinthian Christians were weak and constantly struggled with their Christian faith and lifestyle. Only a short time had passed since Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to try to correct some of the problems. Titus, Paul's associate, had been sent to Corinth to help deal with the difficulties. Although some situations had been handled, new problems had arisen. Titus reported back to Paul about the presence of "false apostles" who were stirring the people against Paul. So, from Macedonia, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to affirm his ministry and to defend his conduct, character, and authority as an apostle of Jesus.
This is an intensely personal and autobiographical letter. As a way of defending his ministry, Paul describes the abuse he has endured for the sake of the gospel truth: "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked..." - 2 Corinthians 11:24, 25.
He went on to describe perils in all places, lack of sleep, hunger, thirst, and daily concern for the churches--such as the one in Corinth. Yet he and his companions willingly suffered as they spread the gospel, because "we do all things, beloved, for your edification - 2 Corinthians 12:19. Jesus had called Paul to this task, and nothing would stop him.
Paul related how the risen Christ comforted him in the middle of his troubles. "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ" - 2 Corinthians 1:5. Jesus is also presented as:
our "triumph" - 2 Corinthians 2:14
our "Lord" - 2 Corinthians 4:5
our "light" - 2 Corinthians 4:6
our "judge" - 2 Corinthians 5:10
our reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:19
our substitute - 2 Corinthians 5:21
our "gift" - 2 Corinthians 9:15
our owner - 2 Corinthians 10:7
and our 'Power" - 2 Corinthians 12:9
No matter what you face, Jesus walks with you. Life may be difficult in this world, but remember: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
God Bless,
Dan
The church at Corinth was surrounded by idolatry and immorality, and the Corinthian Christians were weak and constantly struggled with their Christian faith and lifestyle. Only a short time had passed since Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to try to correct some of the problems. Titus, Paul's associate, had been sent to Corinth to help deal with the difficulties. Although some situations had been handled, new problems had arisen. Titus reported back to Paul about the presence of "false apostles" who were stirring the people against Paul. So, from Macedonia, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to affirm his ministry and to defend his conduct, character, and authority as an apostle of Jesus.
This is an intensely personal and autobiographical letter. As a way of defending his ministry, Paul describes the abuse he has endured for the sake of the gospel truth: "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked..." - 2 Corinthians 11:24, 25.
He went on to describe perils in all places, lack of sleep, hunger, thirst, and daily concern for the churches--such as the one in Corinth. Yet he and his companions willingly suffered as they spread the gospel, because "we do all things, beloved, for your edification - 2 Corinthians 12:19. Jesus had called Paul to this task, and nothing would stop him.
Paul related how the risen Christ comforted him in the middle of his troubles. "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ" - 2 Corinthians 1:5. Jesus is also presented as:
our "triumph" - 2 Corinthians 2:14
our "Lord" - 2 Corinthians 4:5
our "light" - 2 Corinthians 4:6
our "judge" - 2 Corinthians 5:10
our reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 5:19
our substitute - 2 Corinthians 5:21
our "gift" - 2 Corinthians 9:15
our owner - 2 Corinthians 10:7
and our 'Power" - 2 Corinthians 12:9
No matter what you face, Jesus walks with you. Life may be difficult in this world, but remember: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
God Bless,
Dan
