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2 Corinthians 1
Actual biblical text in bold letters.
This is an epistle or letter that Paul and Timothy wrote to the church of God in
Corinth. This church is one which seemed to be subject to many errors. They
needed exhortation, correction and prayer many times. Paul greets them and prays
that grace and peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ continues in them.
He reminds them of God's presence in times of suffering for the cause of Christ.
He makes sure they understand that just because they are children of God does
not mean that they will escape suffering. Yet he reminds them that through
suffering their faith is perfected and God comforts during suffering.
Though we suffer for the cause of Christ, the consolation even in this life is
full of joy and peace.
Later when Jesus returns their
consolation and also the consolation of faithful believers today will be in full
and we suffer no more. In places where there has never been the preaching of the
gospel of Jesus; the persecution might very well be bad in the beginning
especially if there is already an established religion present that everyone is
comfortable with. Old religious orders will undoubtedly resist any new
one. Yet if they do not hear the gospel they will be lost for eternity.
- 2Corinthians 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and
salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we
also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and
salvation.
All those that labor for the Lord Jesus Christ will have the joy of knowing it
is for the sake of all who would believe because of their obedience. If all my
life I only win one, than that one has passed from death unto life and all is
worth it for only one soul. Paul tells the Corinthians that he suffers for the
cause of Christ yes, but it is worth the suffering to see them hear the gospel
and receive the word of God. If he kept silent, he would not suffer
persecution but then, the Corinthians would not hear the gospel and could not
have ever been saved.
- 2Corinthians 1:7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers
of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
- 8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which
came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength,
insomuch that we despaired even of life:
- 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not
trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Those that partake of the sufferings caused by the preaching of the gospel and
laboring for the Lord, will also be partakers in the joy and reward that God is
to give all who are faithful to Him.
The fear of death also has no power over those that believe. The last enemy that
Christ destroys is the enemy of death. A believer has victory over the
fear of death now. For the moment we close our eyes here, we open our eyes
in heaven with God. Our bodies await the resurrection when Christ returns
to set up His eternal kingdom but our spirit and soul do not ever die but go to
be with the Lord to await the resurrection. To be faithful in this life is
to have the Lord look upon us and say, "Well done, good and faithful servant,
enter into the joy of the Lord."
- 2Corinthians 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift
bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our
behalf.
- 12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in
simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of
God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- 13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or
acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
- 14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing,
even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
The day the Lord returns, what joy will it be to see all those that we led
to Christ there with us. Paul foresees a rejoicing ahead for him if he
sees the Corinthian church there also. No more will there be sorrow and
suffering. All these things would have passed away.
- 2Corinthians 1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye
might have a second benefit;
- 16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of
Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judea.
- 17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things
that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should
be yea yea, and nay nay?
- 18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
- 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us,
even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
- 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto
the glory of God by us.
What God has promised in His word will be fulfilled in us who believe the
preaching of the word. Not only will Paul and the apostles rejoice when they see
the Corinthian church but they will rejoice when they see all of us who read the
word and believed the word throughout the ages to come. We today can thank
God for sending Jesus to save us, thank Jesus for dying for our sins, thank the
apostles for writing down what they received from God, thank the bible
translators for risking death and the burning at the stake to bring us the bible
in our own language. Let's face it, without the written printed word of
God, most of us would have never heard the gospel. By the time we came
along, if the bible had not have been printed, men's tradition would have so
changed the word of God that it would be unrecognizable. That is what happens
when generation after generation passes and little by little the word is left
out and man's opinions or traditions take its place. We can thank our
bible translators of the past for the written word of God. There is
rejoicing and everlasting comfort for all who remain faithful to the faith once
delivered to the saints. Even in Isaiah it is foretold of the joy that will come
later.
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Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor
perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he
hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
This is our comfort and joy when we meditate
upon our final destination and everlasting life. Yet we are in sorrow
that so many still have not received and learned of this good way.
Now is the time to pray for and share the gospel with others who
have not yet heard.
- 2Corinthians 1:21 Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath
anointed us, is God;
- 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts.
We have some of the joy of the Lord available even now.
The Holy Spirit is given to us is just part of what we will receive at the
coming of the Lord. The Holy Spirit has sealed us and is keeping us until that
day comes. He is the earnest of our inheritance. Jesus didn't leave us without
an ever present witness to the truth of God. Each and every individual can have
the Holy Spirit within them. He is the constant comforter, the teacher,
and the one who strengthens the faithful believer in Jesus Christ.
- 2Corinthians 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I
came not as yet unto Corinth.
- 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of
your joy: for by faith ye stand.
All believers can comfort one another
with the hope that we have now with the joy we receive as we worship
and praise God through the Holy Spirit. We can encourage one another
in the hope that shall be when Christ returns. We must exhort one
another with hope and thanksgiving remembering always that Christ
will return after the gospel is preached to all the world. No one
knows the day or hour but we know that He anxiously awaits the time
when the Father will tell Him to go get His people. One day God will avenge the sufferings of those
who are persecuted for the cause of Christ and He will say, enough, Go and
gather them and deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. That will be
when the great tribulation and wrath of God comes upon all who rejected the
gospel and persecuted those who brought the gospel.
Now is the time to be saved and
received the gospel. Now is the time to believe.
There will come a time when it will be too late. Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ and be saved from the wrath to come. Repent of sin, and allow God's
spirit to come into your heart. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of
salvation. DC
11 Corinthians 2
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