At the heart of our passage this week (2 Corinthians 7:5-16), Paul writes, “godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” The grief he is speaking of refers to what one feels when they have been ‘found out’ or reprimanded for their poor behaviour or sin. None of us like to be ‘found out’ or ‘told off’, but really, who are we kidding? God sees all things, and he disciplines those he loves. Often, this correction comes from those he has given to care for us and teach us such as a […]

The apostle Paul cared so much for the truth of the gospel and for those who had received it that he was at pains to demonstrate both the integrity of his ministry and the sincerity of his love for the believers. The long list of hardships and trials that he patiently and lovingly endured was convincing evidence that the suspicions and criticisms that they had held against him and which caused their hearts to be closed and restricted towards Paul were groundless. Having reassured them that his heart is open wide towards them he strongly warns them against spiritual compromise […]

This week, among the many great gospel truths contained in our passage (2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2), we will hear Paul urge the Corinthian believers, “Do not receive the grace of God in vain.” What a terrible thing it would be to hear and receive the gospel of Christ, and there be no fruit of it in our lives. It seems almost impossible that this would be the case. Yet, the potential for this to happen is the reason for Paul’s appeal. On the other hand, Paul and his fellow workers, convinced of the gospel – that Jesus died for all and […]

What answer do we have for those who think a Christian’s life is dowdy, defeatist and unsuccessful? Some so-called smart teachers in Corinth are saying that Paul and his message are inferior to what they have to offer. This is much the same as the atheists and sceptics are saying about us Christians now! Paul has given us a number of reasons to be proud of Christ and confident to live, and now adds that a Christian’s life is open ended—looking forward to a renewed body and to being with Christ. The Holy Spirit guarantees this with a new life […]

We find in 2 Corinthians 4 that, not only is Paul ‘very bold’ because of the sure hope of the new covenant in Christ, no matter what is thrown his way, he does not lose heart. He refuses to compromise the gospel or his integrity, and instead, persists in speaking the truth openly, commending it to everyone’s conscience. When one believes and knows that ‘he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us into his presence’, everything else is put in its true perspective. The trials and sufferings of this life, experienced in our […]

We continue through the rest of 2 Corinthians 3 this week where Paul highlights the surpassing glory and the permanence of the new covenant, of which he has been called and commissioned to be a minister. It is the sure hope of the new covenant in Christ that gives Paul confidence and boldness in proclaiming the gospel, even in his own weakness and with much opposition. Paul beheld the glory of the Lord on one occasion, on the Damascus Road, and was blinded! Now, by faith, he beholds the glory of the Lord, and sees, more clearly than ever before, […]

Having spoken much of ‘comfort’ early in his letter, and then defending his change of plans to visit them on his way to Macedonia, Paul now writes much of ‘pain’ as he explains the main reason why Paul chose not to visit the Corinthian believers. He did not want to cause the Corinthians any further pain. Even though his letter may cause them some pain, a visit in the current circumstances would cause much more. And so, he writes to them, out of his own pain – ‘out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears’. The […]

Sharing in the sufferings of Christ richly qualifies us to comfort others with the comfort that we have experienced from God. Paul, no stranger to suffering, puts this principle into practice a number of times in this letter, in which he shares more of his struggles and afflictions than in any other letter, demonstrating again and again that God’s power is perfected in weakness. In verses 8-11 Paul specifically illustrates this ministry of encouraging others in their trials as he shares the strong ‘comfort’ that he received from God: ‘Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But […]

The Scriptures make it very clear that the promised Messiah would be king, and that his throne would be established forever. There was great hope and expectation regarding this king to come, as we see in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth. However, the coming of the Christ was a fearful and troubling event for many. He was a threat to those, such as Herod, who did not want to lose their own position of authority and so they plotted to be rid of him. Today there are many who rejoice in and worship Jesus Christ as King of kings. […]

In declaring that Jesus is our great high priest the writer of Hebrews is confirming the absolute necessity and adequacy of His role as our mediator before God. As Son of God who has fully entered our humanity and has suffered under temptation He can sympathize with our weaknesses, giving us great confidence to approach the throne of grace with all our need. More than that he has fully and finally ‘appeared at the end of the age to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.’ Only through this high priest can we have free and unrestricted access […]