“You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? –Romans 2:23
Scripture: 2 Corinthians
Doctrinal Emphasis: Overview and Themes of 2 Corinthians
A significant theme of the second letter to the Corinthians is Paul’s defense of his apostleship. His credentials are defined throughout the epistle. He was appointed by God (1:1).
False teachers and false doctrine are addressed by Paul. Not one to shy away, he takes this issue head on and full steam ahead. False teachers were undermining Paul’s work in the church (11:4). Paul answers his accusers in Chapters 10-12:13. Paul withstood personal attacks on his character, bravery, and speaking skills. He offers a defense which is motivated by his love for Christ (10:1, 10:17) and concern for believers (Chapter 11).
Paul addresses the issue of money in Chapters 8 and 9. In short, fund raising should be completed with a sense of purpose, organization, and accountability. As Christians, we should give cheerfully (9:7). We are to be mindful and generous of fellow believers and their needs in other parts of the world.
Suffering is a hallmark of Paul’s apostleship. To say he had “a thorn in his flesh” is putting it mildly. He was persecuted and jailed many times over. He escaped with his life on many occasions. Paul was expelled from cities and left for dead. Riots resulted because of his belief in Christ and the stance he took. He received 39 lashes five times, was beaten with a rod three times, stoned once, shipwrecked three times, and nearly drowned. He faced dangers from robbers, fellow countrymen, foreigners, false teachers, wildlife, and sea life. Paul was often hungry, thirsty, cold, naked, weary, and suffered pain (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).
In times like this, when our area has seen so much destruction from the wildfires, it warms my heart to see neighbors & strangers stepping up to help. Met a young couple in their 20’s yesterday from Texas, that had brought hay from Texas to donate at a drop off spot. That was very generous, but they didn’t stop with that, they had gotten a hotel room & stuck around to reload hay & deliver directly to farmers in need. God bless people like them.
Matthew 6:1-4 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
