-God is our main source of comfort. Paul starts off straight up by telling us that God is not only our comfort and our salvation, but he is also our hope. Paul writes in verse 8 about the troubles they experienced in the providence of Asia, but he understood that it happened in order for them not to rely on themselves but to rely on God.
-He continues by saying they’ve also not relied on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. Paul writes that it is God who makes us all stand firm in Christ.
1-4
-Paul is talking to the church Corinth and telling them that everything he wrote in the first letter he wrote out of great distress and anguish of heart not to grieve but so that they can know the depth of his love for them.
5-11
Forgiveness for the Offender
-To anyone who causes grief to the whole community, instead of seeking to punish him you should forgive and comfort him so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. He also urges us to reaffirm our love for them. Anyone who we forgive is forgiven by Paul in the sight of Christ.
-“Hurt people hurt people”-Yvan
12-17
Ministers of the New Covenant
-So as the ministers and the people that are spreading the Gospel, they mention how to God they are a pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. IT talks about the perspectives in which people see them some people view them as if they are bringing life and some view them as if they’re viewing death. They are not spreading the news for profit and they speak with sincerity as they are sent from God.
1-3
We are letters of Christ who he has written on our hearts know and read by everyone not with ink but with the spirit of the living God on the tablets of human hearts.
4-6
We have confidence through Christ before God not that we are competent in ourselves but through God. The letter kills but the Spirit gives life.
The Greater Glory of the New Covenant
7-11
Thought the old veil and covenant the ministry brought death and the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory. The couldn’t look it in the face because they disobeyed the law which God gave through Moses. Through Gods what we originally thought to be glorious will now be made even more glorious. And how much greater is the glory of that which lasts.
12-18
-“With the new covenant we can pray to God and he will show himself”-Yvan
-This part is showing the importance of the new Covenant God has put upon us that through just the law of Moses could not be achieved. Us with the unveiled faces contemplate the Lords glory and we are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory, which comes for the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-An important part in this message Paul shared was when he said in verse 5,”what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” And then he says in verse 7 that the power they’ve received is from God and not of themselves. Paul is showing humility when he says these things and shows us that we need to submit and give praises to God because all the glory belongs to him.
-Paul also talks about how we have the same spirit of faith as it is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken,” which makes us believe which causes us to speak his word. And he tells us that we speak because we know that the one who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus. The grace of God which is causing more and more people to hear his word causes an overflow of thanksgiving to the glory of God. When we spread our love and faith to others, we not only let them know about what Christ has done, but we also give God glory in doing so because people get to know about God and praise him as well. We always have to give him the glory knowing that through him our blessings will come.
Paul tells us that even though we may be wasting away outwardly, inwardly we are being renewed every day. Verse 17 states,”For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” I don’t bout y’all but that sounds like a major blessing to me. Even though we may be going through hardships and tough times, we can always count on God to make a way out for us and we know that our current circumstances can’t compare to what we will receive in heaven.
-Paul ends of this chapter by telling us to fix our eyes on what is unseen because the things that are seen are temporary while what is unseen is eternal. That’s why we need to always walk by faith and not by sight.
-God has guaranteed what is to come by giving us the Spirit as a deposit and we believe in this by faith. It says in verse 7 that we live by faith, not by sight.
-A key part in this scripture is when Paul said that we no longer live the same knowing that Christ died for us. He added to this point by saying in verse 17,” if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!” Since we know of God the new creation is here and we’re not the same anymore.
-All of this is through Christ who has given us the gift of reconciliation which is God not counting the sins people have done and holding it against them. Paul reminds us in the end of this chapter that God made him who had no sin to become sin in order for us to be saved. All we need to do is accept him and follow Christ, spreading his word to all.
1-2
Paul uses co-workers in this verse which is different from the usual use which is servants. I believe this is because they are being guided by the spirit so everything they do is from God. He says that God hears the people calling for his favor, and in the day of salvation he helped us. NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!!!!!NOW NOW NOW
3-13
Through all obstacles that the servants face they are overcoming all of them in order to spread the gospel. They shall not put stumbling blocks in anyones path which is good because a lot of churches do that currently by setting hard to reach requirements. This is a description of how you should spread the gospel. From verse 13 down it speaks to how the church of Corinth is the one that is rejecting.
Warning against Idolatry
-Do not be with someone who you don’t share beliefs with because what business does light have fellowshipping with darkness. God has called us to be separate from other and not touch unclean things. He has also called us to be his children and he will be our God.
Chapter 7
Pauls Joe over the Church’s Repentance
2-4
Paul urges them to make room for them in their hearts.And he tells them this not to condemn them but to encourage them.
5-7
This shows how hard God works to give you what you need. He will protect whatever it is that will bring you closer to him.
8-13
Paul writes that even if he caused sorrow he doesn’t regret it because this sorrow brought them to repentance. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads others to salvation and leaves no regret but worldly sorrow brings death.
14-16
Paul is happy that they did not embarrass him in front of Titus. Paul is happy that he can have complete confidence in you.
The Collection for the Lord’s people
1-7
Paul is giving the church of Macedonia their flowers and says how they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to them. Paul also states how well they are doing in all compartments and he wants them to also do well in giving.
-“God wants us to give beyond our ability and we see that in verse 3.”-Beline
8-9
Paul says he wants to test the sincerity of their love so he compares it to the earnestness of other churches. And he tells them that through Jesus even if they come from poverty they will become rich.
-“Sometimes its good to take a look around and see what other believers are doing”-Beline
10-12
Paul tells them not just to talk the talk but to also walk the walk. Have a desire to give and make sure you follow through with giving. Your giving is measured by how much you have and are able to give.
13-15
This part says that the point in giving at church is so that everyone can be equal and no one has to suffer. Giving is not so that people can be relieved and just get by easily but so that everyone in the church can be equal.
-Titus Sent to Receive the Collection
Chapter 9
1-5
Paul writes that he has been boasting about the church of Corinth and their eagerness.Paul makes preparations so that when the Macedonians come with him they will not find them unprepared.
6-11
Verse 6 is great because it tells us that you reap what you sow so if you sow little you will reap little and if you sow a lot you will reap a lot. The more you give the more generous of a giver you will be and the more you give the more God will give to you. When you give more God will give you more so that you can be generous on every occasion.
-“You should decide in your heart I want to give and not Im forced to give.”-Yvan Verse 7
12-14
-When you give you are not only supplying the needs of the Lords people but you are also showing thanks to God. And because of the giving you have done people will praise God because they see the generosity that you(a follower of God) has. This will lead to them praying for you and the grace that God has given you.
-Generosity is a great way to serve God. Paul tells us that we should excel in the grace of giving. Jesus himself was rich but became poor for our sake. And he writes that through his poverty, we might become rich. And sharing that richness pleased the Lord. And when we give, we need to give willingly so that the gift is acceptable. And Paul writes that the goal or our desire of giving should be that there’s equality.
The last part of the chapter is Paul writing about Titus (Paul’s partner and co-worker) and how he is being sent back to the Corinthian church to receive the collection of an offering. He introduces Titus along side other brothers as representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Taking it upon ourselves to do Gods work not for selfish ambition but for God is something we should all strive towards and give willingly as Paul said.
-A very big takeaway in this chapter is to be generous because that’s what God has called us to be and he will bless us abundantly according to our good work. And through our generosity, the result will end up in thanksgiving to God. When we give, it needs to be from the heart and not because we want to be praised for it. Verse 7 says,”Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” So therefore when we give happily, we are fulfilling what God wants and are being rewarded.
-God is very pleased with us when we give because it not only means we are being kind to the person, but in turn it means that God is getting the glory and is being praised. We are called to be obedient with our God by giving as well as being generous with our faith by sharing the gospel of Jesus.
Paul’s defense of His ministry
1-6
The people of Corinth say that Paul acts timid and weak when he is face to face with them, but bold when he is writing the letters. Paul tells them that they are having expectations of the world regarding him but he comes in a different sense. He then says that even though we live in the world we do not wage war just as they do. The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world and they have divine power that is enough to demolish strongholds. We have weapons that can demolish arguments and every pretension that goes against God. We will make every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And doing all this we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience.
-“The devil doesn’t attack what he already owns”-@Sam
-“Be bold in your faith”-Beline
7-11
This chapter starts by telling us how we shouldn’t judge by appearance everyone should be confident in Christ and through that they should value others as much. He does not use these letters as way to judge and tear people down but rather he builds them up.
-“When you judge you are judged”-Hyguette
12-18
We do not compare ourselves with people who held theirselves highly or their accomplishments. When people who take pride in their works and measure their value based on their works are not wise. We as followers do not boast past our limits and our limit is the sphere of serving God. His hope is that as our faith continues to grow our sphere of activity. We do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. ”Let one who boasts boast in the Lord.” The one who is humbled will be exalted and the one who is exalted will be humbled.
-“We put ourselves in the front page for Gods book”-Hyguette
Chapter 11
Paul and the False Apostles
1-4
-We are the bride and Christ is the groom. We have been married through his sacrifice. Paul also says that we cannot accept teachings where another figure other than Jesus is the center of it.
5-11
-Paul does not think of himself as inferior to the “super-apostles”. Even though he is untrained as a speaker he is very knowledgeable. Paul lowered himself in order to elevate them by preaching the gospel. Nobody can say that what he is doing is not for the glory of God.
-“The gospel is a gift free of charge and all we have to do is accept it, If you feel like you have to pay to heaven you shouldn’t be in that church”-Beline
-”He loves them and God knows even if they don’t”-Samuel
12-15
Paul will be doing whatever he can to cut the ground from the those who want to be considered equal. These people are false prophets, deceitful workers masquerading an angel of light. SATAN HIMSELF MASQUERADES AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.
Paul Boast about his Suffering
16-21
-Paul is saying that if people view him as a fool that they would tolerate him enough listen to him and he will boast. The think they are wise so they accept people who are fools. They let themselves get dragged down and slapped and treated badly by others but since people is not doing that they don’t have the same fear for as they do for those who do.
22-29
-Paul states all the troubles he has had to go through and he says this to show that he has gone through a lot of sufferings. The thing that pressures him the most is his concern for all the churches.
-“You can’t put trauma on a scale and weight it”-@Sam
30-33
-“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”.
Paul and the False Apostles
1-4
-We are the bride and Christ is the groom. We have been married through his sacrifice. Paul also says that we cannot accept teachings where another figure other than Jesus is the center of it.
5-11
-Paul does not think of himself as inferior to the “super-apostles”. Even though he is untrained as a speaker he is very knowledgeable. Paul lowered himself in order to elevate them by preaching the gospel. Nobody can say that what he is doing is not for the glory of God.
-“The gospel is a gift free of charge and all we have to do is accept it, If you feel like you have to pay to heaven you shouldn’t be in that church”-Beline
-”He loves them and God knows even if they don’t”-Samuel
12-15
Paul will be doing whatever he can to cut the ground from the those who want to be considered equal. These people are false prophets, deceitful workers masquerading an angel of light. SATAN HIMSELF MASQUERADES AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.
Paul Boast about his Suffering
16-21
-Paul is saying that if people view him as a fool that they would tolerate him enough listen to him and he will boast. The think they are wise so they accept people who are fools. They let themselves get dragged down and slapped and treated badly by others but since people is not doing that they don’t have the same fear for as they do for those who do.
22-29
-Paul states all the troubles he has had to go through and he says this to show that he has gone through a lot of sufferings. The thing that pressures him the most is his concern for all the churches.
-“You can’t put trauma on a scale and weight it”-@Sam
30-33
-“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”.
Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
1-10
-Paul speaks on his own vision and revelation he had when he spoke with Jesus. He says he heard things that he is not permitted to tell. Paul says that he will only boast about his weaknesses. And even if he chooses to boast he would not be a fool because he would speaking the truth. He refrains from boasting and speaking on his revelation so that people won’t think of him as more than a man. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
-“God picked Paul up during all of these revelations and was in the middle so that’s why Paul only boasts about his weakness”-Yvan
-“People who go through trials and endure often have the best testimonies”-Yvantestioth a testimotesti"
Pauls Concern for the Corinthians
11-13
-Paul is not inferior to the super-apostles even though he thinks of himself as nothing because he boasts in the lord. He persevered in performing signs, wonders and miracles which were the marks of a true apostle. Paul says the only difference between the church of Corinth and the other churches is that he was never a burden to them and he is sorry for that.
14-18
-Paul is ready to visit them for the third time and won’t be a burden because he doesn’t want any possessions from them he only wants them. Paul says they are children and the parents don’t ask for stuff from the children. Paul says he wants to spend all that he has on them.
-“He doesn’t want our sacrifices instead he wants our hearts”-@Clemence
19-21
-Paul boldly claims that everything he has not come to defend himself but to strengthen them through Christ. So Paul of them not receiving the spirit and them not hearing his message as he intended for them to hear it. He is afraid that God will humble him before them and he will grieve over those who will have sinned and not repented.
-“Keep shooting(keep repenting)”-Yvan
-Paul wrote about Christ's previous weakness while being crucified. Although Jesus was living and still is living in God's power. He writes that even though he himself has his own weakness, Paul will still proclaim God’s power when he is dealing with the Corinthians. He also tells the Corinthians to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith. We need to be self aware and be sure of ourselves that we’re living in accordance with what we believe in Christ. We cannot just say we follow Jesus when our actions don’t align with what we say.
-Verse 14 is a very powerful end to the chapter because we can use this as a prayer asking for the grace of Jesus, love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit to be with us all now and forever.