Second Corinthians-Intro

The book of Second Corinthians has had a special place in my heart over the last couple of years. In my Bible reading plan I approached this book quite a while ago. While I had read and found little treasures in this book in the past, I began to fall in love with it when I read through starting at the beginning. I believe that God is providential in leading my study and allows me to come to things when I need them the most. I have returned to 2 Corinthians often in the last few years, and honestly, I can’t seem to get enough of it. 

Before we dive in to my thoughts and why this is my favorite I want to look at the greeting (vs 1-2) and a little of the history…

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This book, which was originally a letter, was written by the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote this second letter back to an existing church. This church at Corinth was planted by Paul during his 2nd journey of mission work. I personally love to read the background and history of writings, if you do too, consider reading Acts 18:1-18. This is where Paul’s trip to Corinth is documented.

Since this is called Second Corinthians, obviously there is a first letter that we refer to as 1st Corinthians. This is also a great book, worthy of study. 1st Corinthians was written, also from Paul, and sent back to his previously established church at Corinth. The earlier letter was written to address the lack and need of unity in the church, and to address the conduct of some of the believers that were part of this church. They had some issues that warranted some redirection.

The church at Corinth was not being praised and revered for their outstanding reputation at that time. Do you think this seems reminiscent of the church today in America? When I look around today I do see some of these same issues in our culture, and even in the church. 

This Second letter had a different intent than the first. While it is reflective of Paul’s ongoing, growing relationship and love for this group of believers, It is also full of teaching about God’s grace (like much of Paul’s writing) and what that grace means to our current walk with God, and our future in His Eternal Kingdom. He beautifully contrasts our earthly life of service and hope here, with the heavenly future that fuels that very hope. This is all on display through God’s grace as our lives are transformed through the Spirit.

God’s grace is given to us, and as His grace flows to us and through us, it should overflow out of us to the world around us in a beautiful display of the Gospel. 

His grace is a theme throughout this book, so, be looking for that.

We see in this next portion how this overflow of grace is used for his glory in our everyday life as believers and even in the lives of non-believers.

Read 1:3-7

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Isn’t it life-changing to know that we are not alone. We are sharers in so much through the Gospel.  In this passage I see 5 things that we as participants in the Gospel have as a common experience. We share in Comfort, Suffering, Deliverance, Promise, and Forgiveness.

I hope that If you have never read 2 Corinthians that you will. I plan to re-read, meditate, and write more about it. As I bask in the grace of the God who walks with me through this life, I am forced to face the reality that I am so often in need of His comfort, deliverance, and forgiveness. He is faithful to provide ALL I need, and then miraculously enough to share with those around me.