Scripture reading – 2 Corinthians 1-4

Today’s Scripture reading (2 Corinthians 1-4) is Paul’s second letter to believers living in Corinth, the capital city of Achaia. While his first epistle had contained loving admonitions due to that church’s failure to deal with sin in its midst, his second letter manifested the joy, and loving compassion of a faithful pastor and apostle of Jesus Christ.

A Brief Review of 1 Corinthians

Before we consider 2 Corinthians, let’s remember the dire spiritual straits that motivated Paul to write 1 Corinthians. Rather than a spirit of love and humility that should have characterized the believers (1 Corinthians 1:10), Paul had learned the assembly in Corinth had become divided over personalities. Some had boasted and identified with Paul, some with Apollos, and others with Peter (1 Corinthians 1:12-13; 3:4-6, 22). Paul had rebuked their petty rifts and declared, “we preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23), and reminded them, “ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:23).

Paul had longed to go to Corinth himself; however, he knew there were adversaries waiting there and, rather than risk a public confrontation that might have further divided the believers, he instead sent a stern letter by Timothy (1 Corinthians 3:14-21).

Adding to Paul’s displeasure was the knowledge that the church had allowed gross immortality in its midst (1 Corinthians 5:1). Rather than the sorrow and shame that should have moved them to put the sin and the sinner out of their midst, the people were proud and “puffed up” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul had demanded, “put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13).

2 Corinthians

Paul’s second epistle is one of joy and relief. The Corinthian believers had received the admonitions in his first epistle, humbled themselves, and repented for their sins. The apostle made no secret that he had suffered much for the cause of Christ and the Gospel (2 Corinthians 1:5), but he prayed his sufferings and persecutions would be a cause for encouragement to them (1:6).

The apostle rejoiced that the believers had addressed the immorality in their midst, and their loving disciplines of the man had turned him to sorrow and repentance (2:5-6). Paul exhorted the believers to forgive the man and restore him, lest he “be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow” (2:7). Indeed, he goes so far as to encourage the saints to “confirm [their] love toward him” (2:8). With the love of a shepherd, Paul assured the church, “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ” (2:10).

What a great reminder of Biblical, Christlike love. Love that gives, and forgives.

Ephesians 4:3232 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Copyright 2020 – Travis D. Smith