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II CORINTHIANS The following comments are from Navigator's and Quiet Time Diary journals. One verse will be entered, then the comment, then the date. 1:4 who [God] comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. While this isn't the purpose for our suffering through various trials, it is an outcome that would be productive . . . as we (I) go through a trial. I will be better able to associate with and help others who have similar trials. Using the example of Paul, I should expect many trials in life and will need Jesus to help me through them all. (DRM 9/30/07) 1:8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; Paul says that the letter is partly to inform the church in Corinth what he and his co-workers have experienced. This is a sharing of the sufferings (v. 5) so they would be praying for his circumstances and learn how to deal with similar situations if they should arise in Corinth. (DRM 10/3/11) 1:9 . . . indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we could not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; This is part of a four verse sentence. 1:10 [God] who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us. It seems that Paul had just gone through a trial that was nearly death to him. With Paul's great faith, he gave God all the credit for his deliverance. While Paul's trial was probably physical, this verse could also be applied spiritually as God opens our eyes spiritually, through the Holy Spirit, and I must have faith that He will continue. (DRM 9/19/04) 1:13 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; I didn't understand anything when I read the Bible as a teenager, so I gave up reading it. After I became a born-again Christian at the age of 35, I read the Bible again (and many times since) and it all seems clearer now. When the Holy Spirit enters believers, He gives us the ability to understand the Bible more clearly. (DRM 9/20/10) 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. God knows our desires and prayers. He always answers them Yes, No or wait. According to Paul in this verse, the Father generally wants to say "yes" to our requests, but also knows the big picture more than we do. Even when we think He says "no," it's really "wait." I'd rather say I'm "waiting" than that it was "no." (DRM 10/1/07) 1:21, 22 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. When presented with the gospel for the "first time," I felt I had to make a decision to accept or reject it. Now, I realize that God, who controls my life, set the whole plan in motion far in advance. God had chosen me! He has a plan for my life and a mission to accomplish. While diverted occasionally, my job is to stay on His track and to follow His leading. (DRM 9/20/04) 2:1, 2 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. 2For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? People don't want to hear bad news. Paul's
theory was that if he told people sorrowful news that it would be hard for them
to give him good news. 2:10 But whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, We are not to harbor wrath against each other. The Bible states here [again] that we must forgive each other for things done against us. If God can forgive us for our sins, we should forgive others of theirs. I know I need better communications at times, so we both can clarify our points. (DRM 9/21/04) 2:15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; As I live my life in a normal fashion, I rarely think of what others think of my actions or witness. I usually do what comes naturally. Here I am reminded that all of my actions are being watched - first by God, but also by the Christians and non-Christians that are near me. They are always observing my actions. (DRM 9/22/04) 2:17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. When we (I) talk about God=Jesus to others,
the attitude of my heart should be sincerity, not as a peddler selling a
product. 3:2, 3 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Paul and Timothy (1:1) had put effort into
ministry at the Corinthian church. The people were known and written in their
hearts. As born-again Christians, they had the Holy Spirit in their hearts and
not just facts in their head, thus were also showing their true faith to others
in the community. 3:14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. In the first century, when this was written, the believers in God (primarily Jews) had only the Old Testament (old covenant) to refer to. They were unaware or not believing what Jesus had just done for them, and the New Testament wasn't written or available. Their eyes were not opened, their minds were limited until the veil was removed, then they could see spiritually and trust and believe in all that Jesus did for them. (DRM 9/23/10) 3:15, 16 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Unbelievers just don't seem to "get it." As this verse states, reading the Old Testament Law doesn't seem to open their eyes - that they need Jesus Christ in their hearts - they seem to need a brighter Light to illumine them. When the Holy Spirit opens our eyes, then the old veil is removed, and all the words in the Bible come alive — and we finally "get it!" (DRM 9/23/04) 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. In this section the glory of the Lord was reflected in Moses (v. 7) and how he veiled his face (v. 13) for the sons of Israel. But we, as believers in the Lord God=Jesus, are not to veil our face, but to show the glory that is in us. We are constantly growing to be more like Christ - which should show our differences to the world and cause them to desire to know Him also. (DRM 10/4/07) 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, Why don't people "get it?" After I first understood the gospel message - and immediately accepted it - the basic message that Jesus died for my sins and that I had to repent of my sins and give my life to Him - seemed simple and logical. In v. 4 it states the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the unbelievers minds. (DRM 10/5/07) 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. Every person in the world is a "preacher," in that we exhibit what we believe by our attitude and demeanor. We don't have to say a word. You can tell when a person is happy or sad. When we speak, we should not call attention to ourselves, but rather Christ, who is working in us. I think my goal must be to always give God all the glory for what He has done! (DRM 9/24/04) 4:6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. How did I (we) come to know Christ as our personal Savior? Before that event, we were living in spiritual darkness, which is controlled by Satan (v. 4). According to this verse, God shone the light on our hearts to be open to His leading. He knew in advance who would respond to His leading and who wouldn't respond. Since we don't know what God knows, our duty is to evangelize to people in our daily activities. (DRM 9/24/10) 4:14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you. This is a great assurance of (my) our faith. When my life on earth is over, it won't end, but I will be raised from the dead to be with Jesus and other believers FOREVER. The last two words seem a little confusing; but I think it means we will all be together, as Paul was writing to the Corinthian church. (DRM 10/6/07) 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. I really dislike the aging process, as more and more aspects of my body slowly "malfunction," or show their age. While this is going on in the physical body, my spiritual body doesn't age; but rather gathers wisdom from reading the Bible and the accumulation of life experiences. (DRM 9/25/10) 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, It seems that we all have afflictions of some sort. Mine is loneliness for just a moment [decade] in the time scale of eternity. Sometimes it seems that worldly pleasures are a great attraction, but serving the Lord in ways that He directs are more enjoyable to me. I pray that someday I will find someone else who enjoys the Lord the same way I do. (DRM 9/25/04) 4:18 . . . while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. I would call this 'spiritual vision.' An example would be our vision/anticipation of my (our) heavenly home. If I dwell on thinking on that eternal reality, then the home that I'm living in now doesn't matter very much. All the material possessions in this world are temporary, so why dwell on acquiring more of them - it's better to dwell on eternal things - and to share the excitement of going there - so others (friends, family) on earth can also join us in Heaven. (DRM 12/27/11) 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Our earthly tent is where we live today - it
is our current physical body - where our soul is housed. If this tent, our body,
is torn down, we have "died." 5:2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. I think this verse means more and more to me as I grow older - and have more aches and pains. I am always looking forward to my new body - and wonder what it will look like. Thankfully, God has given me a body where I can still do most things, so I must use my body and soul to be a witness to His love for others. (DRM 9/26/04) 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. When I get sick or hurt physically or spiritually, I've told a friend that I'd rather be "dead," so I can be with Jesus. This verse says nearly the same thing. The Lord has given me more time on earth before my homegoing, so I am trying my best to serve Him in some way while I have time left here on earth. (DRM 10/7/07) 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. This is one of the "scariest" verses in the
Bible. I have done some "good" things for the Lord Jesus while on earth, but
also some "bad" things - which are really the times that I did nothing at all -
and could have been more vocal. 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; When Paul writes "for the love of Christ compels us" (v. 14 above), he is referring to an intentional focus. Compel means "to compress forcibly the energies into one channel." Today we may have dozens of worthy tasks competing for our attention, but love should be our primary focus and our motivation. (Our Daily Bread Insight 1/12/12) 5:15 and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. In some ways we all want to live for
ourselves, we want to do "our own thing." Now that I feel that the
Lord has directed me to so something for Him, I have had to ask others for help
on His direction, and they are all busy with families, or
"themselves." 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come. This refers to the time right after our conversion - or could be a definition of sanctification. I have trusted in Christ as my Messiah and have a new heart - attitude - thus a new born-again "creature." For some people this process occurs quickly after their eyes are opened, and others take longer to grow in faith (sanctification) as the Holy Spirit takes over every part of their lives - form the inside out. (DRM 10/8/07) 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. The "therefore" of this verse refers to the previous verse, v. 19, where we (Christians) are to show the love of Christ to non-Christians through reconciliation. Let's say that we have a disagreement - then we are to apologize - no matter who is at fault - to reconcile the relationship. To reconcile with God is to admit He is ALWAYS right. (DRM 9/27/10) 5:21 He made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Jesus came to earth to be the sinless
sacrifice that God required to cover peoples' sins. This sacrifice was
previously covered by the sacrifice of lambs in the Jewish temple. He literally
died for our sins. 6:3, 4 giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited, 4but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, The first ten verses of this chapter are primarily a list of trials that Christians can go through in our ministries that tell others of Christ. As I read them, I realized that I have experienced several of them - and must realize that this is "normal." (DRM 9/28/04) 6:5, 6 . . . in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in hunger, 6in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, . . . Jesus helps Christians in good times and bad.
This is the longest list that I can think of in the Bible (v. 3 - 10). We are
not called on to do/go through all these things, but parts of the Christian body
of believers have or will have to do all these things. 6:9 as unknown yet well known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, Everything from 6:2b to 6:10 is one sentence - describing all of what Christians are or should be doing. This is Christianity as a whole - not just one person. In v.9, I think most Christians are unknown - but some well known. We will all die physically, but will live forever spiritually. We can be punished - corrected - but not put to death. This is just part of a very long list. (DRM 10/9/07) 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? I have friendships with unbelievers - how else would they come to know Christ? I think the point of this verse, is the word "bound," which I understand to be a business partnership or marriage. Then comes the problem of one "partner" coming to know Christ as their Savior AFTER the partnership has begun. I must depend on the Lord in ALL things. (DRM 9/30/04) 6:16 Or what agreement has the temple of God
with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, This verse is based on v. 14, which says not to be bound with unbelievers. God wants our full attention; he doesn't want us to be married or bound ( e.g. business) with unbelievers, as they would not understand that we are 'following a different Leader' than they are. That doesn't mean we can't have friendships, just not legal relationships. (DRM 9/29/10) 6:17 "THEREFORE, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you." This refers back to v.14, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; . . . " God does not want us to be unevenly yoked with people who don't have the same faith as we Christians do. I think this refers to marriage and businesses where our faith is the priority of our lives, and working with people who don't have the same faith will lead to conflicts. That doesn't mean not to talk or associate with them. (DRM 10/10/07) 7:4 Great is my confidence in you, great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort, I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction. Remembering that Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, he is speaking to a group and not an individual. Paul is boasting or proud of the work the church is doing. But why is he joyful about their afflictions? In verse 9, Paul mentions they were sorrowful. Their sorrow caused repentance - which is always good. We all need to be corrected to be closer to Jesus Christ. (DRM 10/1/04) 7:9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. Apparently Paul's previous letter caused
sorrow within the church that they were not living up to expectations. Paul's
letter was convicting and the Holy Spirit caused them to repent - and change
their ways. 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. I believe that the sorrow referred to here is for prior sins committed by the Corinthian church members. After they were informed of their error = sin, they repented in sorrow for what they had done. We (I) need to do the same when I am confronted with sin in my life. (DRM 10/11/07) 8:7 But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving. God has given me many things! How little I realize that if I only ask Him for help that it will come. With all the kindness and mercy and grace that He has given me. I should also try to give more to help others in the body - the church. (DRM 6/6/87) 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. This section of 2 Corinthians seems to refer to giving and generosity. This verse refers to the greatest gift of all - Jesus. He was rich - in that He had everything when He was with His Father in heaven. Then He became poor - while in His earthly body starting in Bethlehem - so that He could save us from our sins by dying on the cross - so that we could become rich in faith and eternal security in heaven. (DRM 10/12/07) 8:10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it. Jesus set the example (v. 9) in that He gave of Himself to teach us who are spiritually poor. Here Paul suggests that we should do the same - either spiritually in discipleship or physically by giving aid to the poor - our desire to help others comes from the Holy Spirit - and it is not in our sinful nature. (DRM 10/1/10) 8:11 But now finish doing it also; that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability. Where do our desires come from? If we are totally devoted to Christ, and listening to His voice, they should be from Him. When God tells us to do something, He must provide a way to get it done. I can't just believe that it can be done unless I complete the task - for His glory. (DRM 10/2/04) 8:20 taking precaution so that no one will discredit us in our administration of this generous gift; All Christians have been given the gift of salvation through the grace of God. Here Paul was probably referring to the beginning of the church. He knew he had a big responsibility and didn't want anyone to discredit of say he wasn't doing it right. . . I know that what I do for the Lord I want to be done as perfectly as possible. (DRM 10/13/07) The commentary with this passage indicates
that the "generous gift" could be referring to the financial gifts that were
given to Paul. 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. This reminded me of the work of missionaries.
I can imagine Paul as being a lead missionary and that he would send associates
like Titus and other "brethren" to the various churches to report on updates -
both ways. 8:24 Therefore openly before the churches show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you. Sometimes silence is NOT golden. This verse reminds me that I must proclaim my love for Jesus - by showing - not by sitting in a pew silently week after week. What is the purpose of learning if nothing is done with all of that wisdom? (DRM 10/2/04) 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. While this verse was probably intended to
refer to money, it could also refer to other things. Like most things in the Bible, this verse isn't just about money, but it's in there. I think God wants us to sow His word and His light among the non-Christians. He wants us ALL to proclaim our dependence on Him to whoever we meet. It surely isn't easy at first, but setting out consistently causes practice that helps in the future. Sowing His love should be a lifelong mission. (DRM 10/3/04) 9:7 Each one must do just as he has proposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Why do I give money at church? Is it because
I feel I "have" to? Is it because I truly feel they need the money? Do I want to
support the work and utilities of running the church building? 9:10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. God gives us both financial and spiritual blessings to share with others in need. As He blesses us with these gifts, I believe that we (I) should also share the gifts or talents with others. No matter how long a person has worked for an employer, God is still the Provider - as He keeps us able to do the work. (DRM 10/14/07) 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ - I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! We (I) don't want to hurt other people's feelings, so generally aren't bold when it comes to proclaiming the gospel to others. Thankfully, there are other ways. The best is just by showing "them" how Christ has affected our lives. We are to be Jesus to them. . . I still think the subject of Christianity has to be mentioned sometime - as some people will still think we are "good," without knowing why. (DRM 10/15/07) 10:8, 9 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame, 9for I do not wish to seem as if I would terrify you by my letters. (My comments on these two verses didn't seem to mesh with those of the WOL diary.) Paul continues by challenging his readers not to judge by outward appearance (verses 7-11), for that is superficial. Look at the facts, Paul says, and especially, at me. I've got nothing to hide. I belong to Christ, and I've been called by Him to preach the Gospel. {Word of Life Diary} 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. KJV Here Paul is writing about what he thinks others are saying about him. Quite often I have similar feelings. I think I can write, but speaking the same words is much harder. I think the difference is that, when I speak most often it is with no advance planning. That's why it's important to have God's Word fully in my mind - to be prepared for ANY question. (DRM 10/4/04) 10:12b When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. I had to read this verse several times before
it meant anything to me. 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. As a group of believers, we are/will be called the "bride of Christ." This is a verse that calls Jesus our "husband." So I thought that was interesting. Again, Paul is writing to the Corinthian church and teaching them in his writings, but also all of us who read his letter. (DRM 10/16/07) 11:6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. This is a statement that I can readily relate to! When it comes to speaking to non-believers about Christ, I fear their reaction. I have no problem hading out a written tract or bookmark, but have no confidence in speech. If someone were to ask me about my faith, I think I can explain all that I know, but it's hard to start the conversation - not knowing what the other person believes. (DRM 10/5/10) 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Paul knew the Truth, and he also knew there were/are many false teachers in the world. While warning the Corinthians that others would try to deceive them, He wanted them to be sure they were also on the same path he was. He was boasting of his association to Christ and wanted to be sure that they also had the same trust in Christ. I pray that I may also be able to boast in the Lord Jesus. (DRM 10/5/04) 11:23 Are they servants of Christ? - I speak as if insane - I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. While Jesus suffered and died for my sins, and is my God, Paul also suffered a lot for sharing the Gospel message. Obviously Satan didn't like what Paul was doing, so instigated this suffering. Still, Paul kept at it - - how would I deal with the same circumstances? (DRM 10/6/10) 11:27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. While Jesus is the leader in my life, I am struck by what others, like Paul, went through to proclaim the gospel to other people through the past 2,000 years. The little that I do seems so inadequate and I praise the Lord that I haven't had a life as tough as what Paul and others (martyrs) went through. Still, Jesus is worth it all. (DRM 10/17/07) 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. KJV Paul had just listed all of the sufferings that he had gone through for preaching Christ. I don't think anyone should have to go through those things to share Christ, but he did, and still continued! He knew he was right and Satan was trying to stop him. I might have quit. Still, as this verse states, Paul gloried in his suffering. He knew the Savior lives, and continued to share. I must also be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. (DRM 10/6/04) 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Paul knew he was privileged to know things about Heaven that others didn't [verse 4]. He was tempted to glorify himself as a result of this knowledge, but received some type of constant pain that he prayed to the Lord to remove three times [verse 8]. For whatever reason, the Lord wanted Paul to keep the pain and depend on Him for strength. I should learn dependence on the Lord for ALL. (DRM 10/7/04) 12:8, 9 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Paul had "a thorn in the flesh" ( v. 7) that
was probably some type of disability that he asked the Lord Jesus to remove.
Since Jesus=God does not like pride, He left this disability with Paul to keep
him humble. 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Jesus wants us to be bold in proclaiming His truth, but also meek. Here Paul refers to all of the weaknesses that he had and all of the "arrows" that were hurled at him from unbelievers. Jesus wants us to depend on Him, thus we are weak in our dependency, but strong in faith in the Lord to accomplish His will through me (us). (DRM 10/18/07) 12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? Paul wanted to remind the Corinthians that he
wasn't out to make a profit on his sharing of the Lord to them. When he couldn't
come, he sent others [verse 18] and they did not charge for sharing their
knowledge either. 12:20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; Paul had been to Corinth twice before (v. 14)
and states here that he is afraid that some of them may have drifted away from
the faith. The list here seems like it could be added to a "sins" list, however
'disturbances' could be against the church and not caused by it. 12:21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. In this verse Paul seemed to "put himself down," or was a little fearful? He seemed to lose confidence in the work he was called to do, and didn't know what the people in the church might be doing without his knowledge. God knows all of our actions and motives, and He will do the judging, so it is best to leave this in His hands. (DRM 10/19/07) 13:4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. What weakness did Jesus have? He was human for the time He was here. God raised Him from the dead to show us how we will also be raised from the dead - through God's power. The only reason that we will live with Him is due to our faith that Jesus lived, died and resurrected for our sins, and we must confess these sins to Him. (DRM 10/9/10) 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test? What are the questions on the test? Paul isn't too clear on this. I would say, "Do you love the Lord your God = Jesus with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your strength? Perhaps 13:8 (below) is Paul's test, but the point is to search our souls and repent of all sin, and serve the Lord Jesus in whatever say He directs. (DRM 10/20/07) 13:8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. When we are saved, we learn, by the Holy Spirit within us, to understand most everything in the Bible. In the same way, we become honest and truthful at the transformation point onwards. (DRM 5/12/87) 13:9 For we (Paul and friends?) are glad, when we are weak, and ye (Corinthian church) are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Paul is writing about the spiritual health of the Corinthian church here. While Paul knew that he wasn't perfect, and, as a whole, the church was progressing on a road to true Christianity, he wished that they would continue to grow more perfect in spiritual things. We all need more spiritual growth, no matter what stage we are at. I know I do! (DRM 10/8/04)
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