Tag: Devotion

2 Corinthians 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

MacDonald observed well, “When the Corinthians first read his letter, it came as a rebuke to them, and they were pained. After sending the letter, the apostle anticipated their reaction to it, and this made him sorry. Not that he was conscious of having done any wrong; that is not the thought here at all. Rather he was sorry that in carrying out his work for the Lord, it was necessary that others should at times be cast into unhappiness temporarily in order that God’s purposes might be worked out in their lives.”

2 Corinthians 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

The Apostle Paul was consoled in the heart to know the Corinthian church had an earnest or genuine love for him, in other words, to hearken to his counsel concerning their spiritual well-being. Sin was dealt with. Titus brought this heartening report to the comfort of God’s dear servant.

The fervent mind, describes an active enthusiasm, ardent affection, keen interest toward the Apostle Paul’s letter and his concern for them. They were willing to obey the instructions of the letter. There was an earnest desire to seek the Lord’s will, the humility of heart to follow the Lord, mourning for sins, a kind and regard toward God’s servant.

2 Corinthians 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

The phrase “cast down” means “to sink down”, “to be depressed”. This word is used to picture the sinking of a person’s soul and life possibly due to discouraging, difficult and distressing circumstances. He sought for the divine presence of God to calm his downcast soul. A picture of true human need that finds its true contentment and satisfaction with the living God.

It was God that comforteth the Apostle Paul when He sent Titus to him to bring news of the well being of the church in Corinth. The Apostle Paul was like a parent concerned about the well being of his far off children, longing to know their state, their protection and peace. The longing for news can sometimes become unbearable.

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

There was constant, heightened, conflict and spiritual warfare since his coming to Macedonia and Troas. He shared there was no rest and relief of the pressure upon him and his gospel team. They had to be, as it were, on the run. The word “fightings” describes being pressed or oppressed by angry persecutors and false teachers both outside the church, in their evangelism effort or within the church.

Recall the Apostle Paul spoke of the door opened for the gospel in 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

The Apostle Paul had the spiritual well being of the Corinthian church top most in his mind. He has rebuked them but he has also praise them for their faith in God. Although he endured much hardship in the course of the work of the gospel in Corinth, the Lord granted him joy to see the conversion and establishing of the faith of the believers in Corinth. Just as the angels who rejoiced in heaven at the conversion of a soul, the Apostle Paul praise God for grant fruit to come in the lives of the Corinthian Christians in His season.

2 Corinthians 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

The Apostle Paul has to emphasize his love for the Corinthian Church. He spoke those words of warning by a loving entreaty to protect their spiritual well-being. He is by no means speaking a word of condemnation. There is no ill will or malice towards them but their welfare and interest were in his heart. He had to refute the false accusations against him and his team so that the good seed of the gospel sown will bring forth fruit in their lives.

2 Corinthians 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

The Apostle Paul repudiated the unjust accusations hurled at him and his gospel team. They have been sincerely serving the Lord with a clear conscience. He defended his integrity and that of his team for the opposition raised through the voices of the Corinthian church from adversaries who preached a different gospel. As the spiritual father who brought the gospel to them, he sought to clarify so that the spiritual foundation laid in the hearts of the people will not be shaken.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The defilement of sin separates God’s people from the sweet fellowship with their Father in heaven.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit is the injunction. Let every sin be put away through repentance and confession.

1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The promise of God’s presence and power supporting us to this new life of holiness requires that we will rid our lives of all defilement. The defilement of sin that separates us from our Father in heaven, that grieves the Holy Spirit within us and shows our ingratitude toward our Lord Jesus Christ who saved us.

Defilement of the flesh includes all forms of physical impurity, whereas filthiness of the spirit covers one’s inward life, motives, and thoughts. [MacDonald]

2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

To have the Lord Almighty as our Father is indeed a great privilege. It behoves us to be filial children, filial sons and daughters to our heavenly Father.

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we all have three homes.

Our heavenly home that is our eternal dwelling place in heaven. This is our family in heaven.
Our church home that is our extended family bonded together by the blood of Christ.
Our family home with father, mother and children held together by blood ties.
There is an eternal perspective of our earthly life. As we live on earth, we are preparing ourselves for that heavenly home where we will dwell in eternity.