Day 335, 1st December Bible Commentary

Day 335, 1^st December  Bible Commentary With Dr Oluwatoyin Ojo From the Book of 2nd Corinthians And Acts.

PAUL AS A HERO

2 CORINTHIANS 11:1-33

GENUINE Vs FAKE APOSTLES

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preached a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easy enough.” v.2-4

Paul warns the believers in the province of Corinth against the “who is who’s” —those Prophets, professors of divinity, apostles, bishops, reverends, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, the “super hero’s”.

“I do not think I am in the least inferior to those super apostles.”

They are tricksters, they twist the word of God to deceive.

“For such people are false prophets, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.” v.13.

We know that Satan whom they imitate and obey presents as an angel of light, so they act as servants of righteousness howbeit they are not what they portray but their end will be what they deserve (v.15).

39 LASHES FIVE TIMES, THREE TIMES BEATEN WITH RODS, THREE TIMES SHIPWRECKED — These are but only a few of Paul’s experiences for which he Laments? NO! To glory!

PAUL AS A HERO;

Paul hates to speak carnally but did because of those who boast and put on airs around them displaying their capabilities; which are those the body of Christ now recon with. v.18

But What Is The Big Deal? HERE IS MY BIO!

“Are they Hebrews? So I am. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more.” v.23-24a-b.

Then Paul went on with a record of the series of his suffering:

“ I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the çountry, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” v.23d-28.

• I find that reading this gives me grace to overcome persecution; am sure you will too.
• Note; Paul prefers making boast of what shows his vulnerability, weakness and reveal his pain (v.30).

Paul concludes this chapter by revealing how that he escaped from Damascus when the governor would have him arrested —“I was lowered in a basket from the window in the wall and slipped through his hands.” v.33

2 CORINTHIANS 12:1/21

PAUL SPEAKS OF HIS EXCLUSIVE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES; yet he feels humbled saying  ‘I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will post all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that price per mirror is on me.’ v.7-9

Thus he delights “in his weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, In persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” v.10. All this for Christ and of course the power that comes from his suffering partaken!

v.11-21 — YOU PUSHED ME TO THIS❗️As I make a fool of myself with this speech – of boast!

Paul unleashed fasts — saying  “I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles”, … I persevered in demonstrating among you the mark of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.” v.12

Furthermore, questioning them to prove his excellence in spiritual leadership for Christ among them he asked: “how where are you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!” v.13.

Clearly, Paul isn’t after the wealth of the church, neither are his team in fact it has become a point of disadvantage/shortcoming to them.

v.13-21

THE UNREPENTANT

Paul fears their current state, expressing concern for the ungodliness among them ( existing, possible, perceived, or revealed to him by the divine being an overhead)— “discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” v.20;  worse still having to confront the unrepentant of the “impurity, sexual sin, and debauchery in which they have indulged.” v.21

2 CORINTHIANS 13:1-14

TWO OR THREE WITNESSES

During what will become his 3rd missionary journey to the church in Corinth, Paul warns he will deal with disobedience — those who have persisted.  Paul would release the power of God.

Therefore, urging a review, he puts forth a caution for their sake, and his ministry. Stating “we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority — The authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.“ v.8,10.

v.11-14 — Closing this letter, he calls forth the God of peace and love, the grace of Christ and prays into the church the active presence of the Holy Spirit knowing he might have been grieved and silenced due to their sins.

He creates a tie/spiritual connection of the minds of the two churches (igniting affection between the church in Macedonia where he writes from and Corinth) sending greetings! (v.13)

In the context of their culture you find him commanding the expression of natural affection (v.12), without which we cannot give of ourselves to another.  “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

ACTS 20:7-12

PAUL VISITS TROAS — EUTYCHUS SLEPT OFF AND FELL OF THE WINDOW OF A THREE STORY BUILDING!

First he broke bread (they had Holy Communion together).

Speeding up, because of his travel plans the next day; the apostle was preaching all night, Eutychus fell into a deep sleep and fell. The apostle reach for him — “threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. Don’t be alarmed he said. He’s alive!” v.10.

And it was so. His mission was not saddened; he was also able to conclude his message (v.11-12)

NIGHT:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ whether you are in Europe, Africa, East, West, North, or South of our world greet one another with an holy kiss {show affection to all within the context of the culture in your country of residence (1 Corinthians 13:12)}without discrimination being Christians. If hate and discrimination will end; the possibility could be first demonstrated in and by the church.

• Are you truly affectionate or rather cold and or selective?

©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.

Warmth

Toyin