2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God . . . To the church of God in Corinth.
Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth was probably written in AD 55, just several months after his first letter. In addition to what we know as First and Second Corinthians, there appears to be other correspondence, and possibly a visit. False teachers had challenged Paul’s apostleship, with some results, so an important purpose of this letter was to refute their claims.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Paul suffered a great deal throughout his ministry, and some of it was due to believers in Corinth. Paul loved them dearly but, like rebellious children, they often went astray and questioned his authority. The relational strain caused pain on both sides, but also allowed them to experience the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.
The spiritual comfort God provides is real but hard to describe. It’s often expressed when Christians say, I don’t know how people get through this without the Lord. Whenever we’re distressed, we can go to our heavenly Father and receive the consolation that we need, and the strength to go on.
2 Corinthians 1:11 [Y]ou help us by your prayers.
Some of the Christians in Corinth opposed the Apostle Paul, but others were loyal to him, and prayed for him. Their prayers didn’t produce miraculous results, but provided a measure of help. [Y]ou help us by your prayers, he said. This is important to understand.
Since most of our prayers aren’t answered dramatically, we might wonder if prayer is a waste of time. But if we could see the collective value of our prayers, especially when joined with the prayers of others, it’d be clear that prayer is the greatest power on earth. God can use a single prayer to cast a mountain into the sea (Matthew 21:21), but he often uses the prayers of many to move things in the right direction.
A good example is found in the prayer that Jesus taught: your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). This has been prayed by billions of people, over thousands of years, but hasn’t been fully answered. Nevertheless, God is using this prayer to advance his kingdom one day at a time. Prayer isn't always answered promptly and completely, but faithful prayer moves things along in the right direction.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ.
Jesus is the present and future fulfillment of everything God has promised. God promised someone who’d crush the devil’s head (Genesis 3:15), and Christ defeated Satan through his death and resurrection. But that was just the beginning. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32), wrote Paul.
You may die of sickness, but you’ll wake up to health. You may die of poverty, but you’ll wake up to wealth. You may die of sorrow, but you’ll wake up to joy. You may die of conflict, but you’ll wake up to peace. You may die alone, but you’ll wake up to friends. You may die in weakness, but you’ll wake up to strength. You may die disgraced, but you’ll wake up to honor. You may die in pain, but you’ll wake up to pleasure. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
The idea of standing firm is so important that it’s found throughout the Bible, along with threats and promises. [S]tand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you (2 Chronicles 20:17). If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9). [T]he one who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22). Stand firm, and you will win life (Luke 21:19).
Sumo wrestling is a contact sport in which the main goal is to knock your opponent outside a ring that’s less than fifteen feet in diameter. The opponent has the same goal and the contest can be fierce. Winning and losing depend on the wrestler’s ability to stand firm against his opponent. When the world, the flesh and the devil conspire to knock you out of the ring, Stand firm, and you will win life.
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession.
Victorious generals were often given parades to celebrate their victories. Multitudes lined the streets and cheered as the general led the parade in his chariot, with his troops marching behind. At the end of the parade were captives who had now become slaves.
Paul viewed himself as a captive of Christ but, instead of despairing, he delighted in his new king and country. He used to serve an evil king, but was captured by a heavenly king, who shares the blessings of victory with all his captives. Paul wasn’t being led to a place of sorrow, but to a better place than he ever imagined.
This is what it’s like for many who come to Jesus Christ. At first they oppose him and don’t want to serve him. But after being captured they are joyful and want to serve him forever. The greatest victory is to be captured by Christ.
Reflection and Review
Have you ever felt God’s comfort when you suffered?
Why is it important to stand firm in Christ?
Did you oppose Christ before you were captured?
Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth was probably written in AD 55, just several months after his first letter. In addition to what we know as First and Second Corinthians, there appears to be other correspondence, and possibly a visit. False teachers had challenged Paul’s apostleship, with some results, so an important purpose of this letter was to refute their claims.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Paul suffered a great deal throughout his ministry, and some of it was due to believers in Corinth. Paul loved them dearly but, like rebellious children, they often went astray and questioned his authority. The relational strain caused pain on both sides, but also allowed them to experience the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.
The spiritual comfort God provides is real but hard to describe. It’s often expressed when Christians say, I don’t know how people get through this without the Lord. Whenever we’re distressed, we can go to our heavenly Father and receive the consolation that we need, and the strength to go on.
2 Corinthians 1:11 [Y]ou help us by your prayers.
Some of the Christians in Corinth opposed the Apostle Paul, but others were loyal to him, and prayed for him. Their prayers didn’t produce miraculous results, but provided a measure of help. [Y]ou help us by your prayers, he said. This is important to understand.
Since most of our prayers aren’t answered dramatically, we might wonder if prayer is a waste of time. But if we could see the collective value of our prayers, especially when joined with the prayers of others, it’d be clear that prayer is the greatest power on earth. God can use a single prayer to cast a mountain into the sea (Matthew 21:21), but he often uses the prayers of many to move things in the right direction.
A good example is found in the prayer that Jesus taught: your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). This has been prayed by billions of people, over thousands of years, but hasn’t been fully answered. Nevertheless, God is using this prayer to advance his kingdom one day at a time. Prayer isn't always answered promptly and completely, but faithful prayer moves things along in the right direction.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ.
Jesus is the present and future fulfillment of everything God has promised. God promised someone who’d crush the devil’s head (Genesis 3:15), and Christ defeated Satan through his death and resurrection. But that was just the beginning. He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32), wrote Paul.
You may die of sickness, but you’ll wake up to health. You may die of poverty, but you’ll wake up to wealth. You may die of sorrow, but you’ll wake up to joy. You may die of conflict, but you’ll wake up to peace. You may die alone, but you’ll wake up to friends. You may die in weakness, but you’ll wake up to strength. You may die disgraced, but you’ll wake up to honor. You may die in pain, but you’ll wake up to pleasure. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.
The idea of standing firm is so important that it’s found throughout the Bible, along with threats and promises. [S]tand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you (2 Chronicles 20:17). If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9). [T]he one who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22). Stand firm, and you will win life (Luke 21:19).
Sumo wrestling is a contact sport in which the main goal is to knock your opponent outside a ring that’s less than fifteen feet in diameter. The opponent has the same goal and the contest can be fierce. Winning and losing depend on the wrestler’s ability to stand firm against his opponent. When the world, the flesh and the devil conspire to knock you out of the ring, Stand firm, and you will win life.
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession.
Victorious generals were often given parades to celebrate their victories. Multitudes lined the streets and cheered as the general led the parade in his chariot, with his troops marching behind. At the end of the parade were captives who had now become slaves.
Paul viewed himself as a captive of Christ but, instead of despairing, he delighted in his new king and country. He used to serve an evil king, but was captured by a heavenly king, who shares the blessings of victory with all his captives. Paul wasn’t being led to a place of sorrow, but to a better place than he ever imagined.
This is what it’s like for many who come to Jesus Christ. At first they oppose him and don’t want to serve him. But after being captured they are joyful and want to serve him forever. The greatest victory is to be captured by Christ.
Reflection and Review
Have you ever felt God’s comfort when you suffered?
Why is it important to stand firm in Christ?
Did you oppose Christ before you were captured?