Topic: Summary of 2 Corinthians
Continuing to read the word of God as a church family, we come to Second Corinthians. Paul sent this letter to the church that he started in Corinth during his second missionary journey
(Acts 18:1-18). As the title indicates, this is the second letter Paul sent to this church. First Corinthians addressed many distractions and conflicts that the church needed instruction on. It was a harsh letter but was received well. Second Corinthians now outlines the role of the believer in this world and how to live in the victory of God’s grace.
Key verses:
2:14 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
10:5 “We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
13:4 “For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we too are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.”
2 Corinthians is Paul’s most autobiographical epistle. He shares more about himself as a minister of the gospel than in any other of his writings. Paul also elaborates on stewardship, teaching that the principle applies to time, as well as money. In 2 Corinthians 8:5, Paul notes how the Macedonians were financially generous and also “gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” In the same way, we should dedicate not only all we have to the Lord, but all that we are.
God desires that we tithe our income, and He promises to bless us when we give to Him. But stewardship is more than just giving money. God wants 100% of our lives. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul stresses that believers are ambassadors, commissioned to be vessels of God’s message of reconciliation. Ambassadors spend their lives living to honor God the Father. We should not only give to God from our paycheck, but our very lives should reflect Him. We should give ourselves first to the Lord and to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
I encourage you to read through 2 Corinthians during the month of January. Each Thursday, I will continue to share thoughts and details on specific passages from this book.
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem