2nd Corinthians Chapter 4: The Spirit of Faith; The Message, Gospel & Truth revealed to Paul Reflects onto and from Believers while Satan blocks it from Unbelievers:
Volume 5, Number 62Paul opens the 4th chapter: “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;” 2 Corinthians 4:1. “This ministry” refers to the New Covenant/Testament revealed in the 3rd chapter, and “The Gospel” later here in chapter 4. The Holy Spirit made Paul an able minister of this gospel/ministry, 2 Corinthians 3:6. This ministry/gospel had been a mystery/secret before it was revealed to Paul, Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7. The four words “we have received mercy” are translated from the Greek “eleeo” (G1653) found 31 times in the New Testament (NT) translated variously in other passages:... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians Chapter 3: Message of Christ Written on the Hearts of Believers Who Reflect the Glory of the Lord; Not on Tables of Stone or as Moses’ Face was Veiled To Israel:
Volume 5, Number 61Paul begins the 3rd chapter asking rhetorically if he and his fellow workers needed letters of commendation to the Corinthians or from them, as was apparently the practice of false apostles, 2 Corinthians 3:1. He answers that the believing Corinthians (members of The Body of Christ) themselves are the epistle (message or letter) written (engraved or inscribed) of all men, because they are declared (rendered apparent) to be the epistle (message or letter) of Christ not written (engraved or inscribed) with ink (as was the Law), but with the Spirit of the Living God, not in tables of stone (as... Continue reading →
Second Corinthians 2: Sympathy/Empathy by Believers; Satan’s Devices; Triumph of the Believer in Christ – a Sweet Odor to God:
Volume 5, Number 60The 2nd chapter continues the thought from Chapter 1 that Paul would not come to the Corinthians again in “heaviness,” i.e., grief or sorrow, 2 Corinthians 2:1, referring to the reproof/correction he sent them in 1st Corinthians. He then asks rhetorically who will make him glad if he grieves them further from what he wrote in 1st Corinthians as he did not want to be sorrowed by those with whom he ought to rejoice because their joy was his joy, 2 Corinthians 2:2 - 3. This demonstrates the sympathy and empathy all believers should have for one another. Paul assures... Continue reading →
Second Corinthians 1: Recognition/Thanks for God’s Care and that of Fellow Believers; Standing Fixed In Faith in The Gospel of God’s Grace Revealed to the Apostle Paul:
Volume 5, Number 59We covered 2nd Corinthians 1:1 - 7 in our last study, pointing out the significance of two Greek words in this epistle; the noun “paraklesis” (G3874) and verb “parakale’o” (G3870), translated “consolation;” “exhortation;” “comfort;” “entreaty;” “beseech;” “exhort;” “desire” and “be of good comfort” in the King James Version (KJV). Together, they occur more frequently in 2nd Corinthians than in any other New Testament (NT) book and appear to set the tone and theme of this epistle. Two other words that appear frequently in 2nd Corinthians are also of interest. The name Titus, a Gentile and fellow laborer in the Gospel... Continue reading →
Introduction to Second Corinthians; God’s Comfort/ Consolation/ Exhortation His Exhortation for Reciprocal Comfort Between Believers:
Volume 5, Number 58The word “faith” occurs 7 times in 2nd Corinthians, just as in 1st Corinthians. The significance of each will be noted as we proceed. First, some background to this epistle. During his second missionary journey, Paul lived, worked and taught for 1 ½ years in Corinth, Acts 18:11. He then traveled with Priscilla and Aquila to Ephesus where he left them and went on to Jerusalem, Acts 18:18 - 22. While gone, a Jew named Apollos, born in Alexandria, Egypt traveled to Ephesus. He was a powerful speaker and taught in the synagogue the things of the Lord, but he... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 16: The Support and Fellowship Enjoyed by Believers Who are to Stand Fast in Faith Like Men and in Love:
Volume 5, Number 57In the 16th chapter, Paul provides insight into his fellow workers in the Gospel and practical admonitions for the believer’s conduct. He orders the Corinthians to take up offerings when they meet each Sunday for delivery to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, noting that he asked the churches in Galatia to do the same. 1 Corinthians 16:1 - 4. The Jews in Jerusalem believed Jesus was their Messiah and waited in Jerusalem for the prophesied Tribulation and Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom on earth, Acts 1:6 - 11. They had received a taste of that Kingdom when the Holy... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 15; Part 3: Believers Stand Fast in the Gospel, Unmovable in the Glorious Hope - Eager Anticipation, of Resurrection, i.e., The Rapture:
Volume 5, Number 56Our two previous studies covered the first 49 verses of the fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians. We’ll continue here at verse 50 but first we need to look at two words in the first 4 verses that were not addressed earlier. As noted previously, the first 4 verses summarize the Gospel (Good News) of salvation to eternal life preached by the Apostle Paul; that Christ died for mankind’s sins and rose from the dead on the 3rd day, according to Old Testament (OT) Scriptures. The Corinthians, and all mankind since, are assured eternal life in Heaven with The Lord Jesus... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 15; Part 2: Baptism for the Dead? Resurrection, The Believer’s Hope but the Unbeliever’s dread:
Volume 5, Number 551 Corinthians 15:1 - 31 was the subject of the last study where believers are assured that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and everyone who has ever lived will someday be resurrected. The next resurrection will be the Church, which is The Body of Christ consisting of all believers since Paul, that will be caught up (raptured) to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven for eternity. The 7-year Tribulation will follow the Rapture; at the end of which all believers prior to Paul as well at those who die during the Tribulation will be raised from the... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 15; Part 1: The Believer’s Hope of Resurrection is Not Vain:
Volume 5, Number 54King Solomon observed: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2, referring to the works of man. On the other hand, First Corinthians Chapter 15 teaches there is nothing vain in the Works of God.Our last study examined the 3rd and 4th occasions of the word “faith” in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians. The word faith is not found in the 14th chapter, which deals with the gifts of prophesy and tongues and the need for orderly worship in the Corinthians Church. “Faith” occurs twice in the 15th chapter: “And if Christ be... Continue reading →
First Corinthians, Chapter 13, Part 3; Now Abideth Faith, Hope & Love but the Greatest of these is Love:
Volume 5, Number 53It has been helpful and meaningful for me to review 4 key words in 1 Corinthians 13:13, i.e., faith, hope, greatest and love, by comparing their use in other Scripture and I hope this study is meaningful to you as we conclude the 13th chapter of First Corinthians.“Faith:” occurs twice in the 13th chapter of Corinthians: 1) “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.”, 1 Corinthians 13:2; 2) “And now abideth faith,... Continue reading →