Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in all affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. or just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, thus through Christ our comfort overflows also” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

This is Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. He wrote it about a year after the first one, when he was somewhere in Macedonia (perhaps Philippi). This is a follow-up letter and it has a much more comforting tone. Paul is writing to those who repented of their wrong behaviour. He also presents a defense of his ministry in rebuttal to the claims of a false prophet. Paul was pleased that they had received his correction and that when he visited them it would be in joyful reunion, not further correction. They had accepted him once again and stood behind him. But he was plagued by a question: would they stand behind the Jewish followers of Jesus in Israel? We all have a responsibility to support fellow believers, Jew and Gentile. Since Paul was raising and offering to take to the believers in Israel, it made the issue more pressing. He felt that if they waited until he arrived to settle it, it would be too late for them to show their love and generosity in its fullness.

Chapter one opens with his joyful greeting to the church. He tells them how happy he is that they embraced correction and ended their afflictions. They weren’t alone, and Paul also suffered for them. He gives thanks to God who provides for the salvation of all believers, enabling them to get right with Him and each other in and through Jesus, no matter what the issues were.

Paul then goes into the change of his travel plans, having chosen NOT to go to them at his first opportunity. He hadn’t wanted to visit them when they were in error. He didn’t want it to be a disciplinary visit, but one of fellowship and building them up in their trust in Jesus. Paul overlaps into the beginning of chapter two as he explains to them that his confidence in them is joy to him. He held back so that when he does come to them they would feel the abundant love he has for them.

Paul goes on to discuss forgiveness. He plainly tells them that those who caused grief didn’t cause it to HIM, but to the whole church in Corinth. Paul counselled them to forgive the offender(s) and comfort them. Not to let them descend into excessive sorrow. For when we forgive, we forgive in and through Jesus, so it should be a complete forgiveness hanging onto none of the fault. If we don’t, we give opportunity for the devil to take advantage of us. It’s better to be aware of hoss devices and wholeheartedly show the love of Jesus to those we forgive.

Then Paul mentions the other reason he hadn’t come to them. When he was in Troas he did not find Titus there as expected. He grew very concerned and so left Troas and went into Macedonia looking for him. But Paul rejoiced that God has knowledge of EVERY place and that He shares His knowledge. As such, all believers get to be ministers of Truth and bring with them the fragrance of life, speaking sincerely in Jesus everywhere we are sent.

Chapter three goes into our role as ministers of the New Covenant message. How our trust in Jesus produces a sufficiency in ourselves. Not to take credit for anything, or to deliver laws to those we speak to, but to share the life of Jesus and honour to the Spirit that guides us. The law of the Spirit of Life is engraved on our hearts, not on stone tablets (Jeremiah 31:33). Holy Spirit’s ministry (part of it) is to see that the image of redemption comes alive in the heart of every believer and this is the message we carry with us everywhere.

Chapter four continues this idea that we have heavenly treasure that we are carrying in our earthly vessels (our bodies). As such, we can appear to those in the world that the devil has blinded as misguided. But we don’t preach ourselves. We preach the heavenly treasure we carry with us through Jesus and what He accomplished for us all. We KNOW and can easily demonstrate that this power is not OURS, but comes from God. We live and we die, if necessary, that the life of Jesus can be manifested in us. The sloughing off of these bodies is like taking off a coat – death has no sting for those who live in Jesus. All of this is so that we can demonstrate the abundant grace we are shown through our thanksgiving to God. When we are thankful no matter what is happening, we give glory to God that overflows and is a powerful witness.

We do not lose heart in trials and tribulations because it doesn’t matter what happens to our outer selves. Our inner selves are being renewed every day. The afflictions we experience are VERY temporary in comparison to life with God. When we keep our eyes on God and all that He has for us, suffering for His sake becomes as nothing. A blink. The things of God are eternal and have real weight. They might be unseen to natural eyes, but they are powerfully real to those who live in Jesus.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Paul

Key Verse(s): 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; 2:3-11; 3:4-18; 4:7-15