2 Corinthians 7:1-9:15
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
“bad company ruins good morals” (1 Cor 15:33). The Corinthians (AND US) can’t allow themselves to be “unequally yoked” with pagans and the world, but have to purify themselves and perfect their holiness because of our new covenant relationship with God
Paul has just connected the promises for the nation of Israel to be restored to the fact we as Christians have been/are being/will be restored fully through Jesus; and we need to live like it because we’ll stand before Him at the Judgement Seat of Christ
Holiness is “something that God gives to Christians (1 Cor 1:30; 2 Thess 2:13) but also something Christians strive to complete
In Paul’s defense of himself, he realizes they may start to think he’s pointing his finger at them: “a successful defense might become an effective prosecution” -Harvey
So he finished vs. 3 by telling them how much he loved them and wasn’t writing to do that
Chapter 7
Chapter 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. 5 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. 6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 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. 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. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth. 15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
vs. 5-7: 2 Corinthians 2:12–13 “12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13 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.”
vs. 5 “without were fightings, within were fears”: even Paul, faced with the realities around him had some worry. I guess that’s another way we’re like Paul. Another reason “I have somewhat against” those who preach if you’re worried you’re “less than” or “don’t have enough faith”.
If the worries overcome us and we can’t give way to God and by His grace overcome the fear, then you have a spiritual problem you may need help with, but in a fallen world, with even a little of Adam’s blood still in our veins…worry can happen
Paul is filled with comfort and rejoicing at the news Titus brought of the Corinthians repentance; those are the moments we close our eyes and thank God as He “comforts the downcast” and grows our faith
vs. 9-11: Sometimes in love, we have to tell the truth and sometimes the truth hurts. Not to stand on the truth is neither loving nor helpful
Paul tells them the difference between
“sorrow of the world”:
cause: grief caused by loss or denial of what WE want for US
result: bitterness and despair
example: Judas “repented himself” - in the worldly despair of losing everything HE wanted, the grief turned inward and he takes his own life in hopelessness
“godly sorrow”:
cause: conviction by the grace of God
result: leads to repentance
example: the prodigal son was convicted by God and reminded of who he was “ came to himself” - leading him back home to the father, hopeful that he’d have at least a servants place for him.
The ultimate example is the conviction of our sin that leads us to Jesus
vs. 11: Paul list seven characteristics that let him know it’s genuine repentance
Carefulness — they started taking it seriously
Clearing of yourselves — they explained themselves and owned it
Indignation — they got mad at the sin, not just caught
Fear — they realized God was watching
Vehement desire — they wanted to make it right
Zeal — they got after it instead of dragging their feet
Revenge — they dealt with the problem instead of protecting it
vs. 16: Titus’s report proved Paul’s boast
Paul is confident of God working in and through them and the Corinthians godly response. And that’s why he’s confident he can ask them for their help…
Instructions for the Collection for the Saints
Instructions for the Collection for the Saints
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
The church at Macedonia where Paul is writing from is suffering “a great trial of affliction”, maybe the persecution of the church, but whatever it was, it’s put them in deep poverty.
Despite that, they’ve given as generously as they could and then more to the church at Jerusalem, also suffering extreme poverty due to persecution. It wasn’t about the amount, it was about the heart.
In the irony of the Gospel, it’s the very persecution and poverty that’s made them want to give. Joy+poverty=generosity
He’s sure to point out it’s the grace of God working in and through them, not of themselves. They surrendered to the Lord first, then came the giving
6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
The Macedonian’s are the model Paul is asking the church at Corinth to follow. He praises them for their start with Titus on the initial collection and now is gently encouraging them to finish the job proving the love in their hearts toward Christ, the church, and Paul they have professed
I want to say to anyone in the church. Charity is an act of obedience to the Lord and proof of the love for and of Jesus.
Remember this verse if anyone tries to “law” or guilt you into giving, if Paul didn’t command them to give but instead taught them the theology that should make them want to, nobody else should command.
A Christian gives because they’re saved, not to be saved!
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
No command because Jesus voluntarily gave far more generously than we could: riches in glory for poverty on earth, a crown for a cross, sinless but being made sin so we could have His righteousness
The sacrifice of Jesus is what makes us want to give, not the guilt or commands of men
10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
Paul doesn’t command them to give, but as an apostle he does offer advice for what’s best for them to do for the following reasons:
they were eager to start giving a year ago so don’t stop short of the finish
they’ve not done anything if they don’t finish
they get no credit for being eager if they don’t finish
He tells them in pretty strait language: “perform the doing of it so it’s done” “finish what you started”
And when you give, give according to what you have, not what you don’t.
A Christian wants to give but a person should not empty the savings or take out a second mortgage to support the church.
Everyone’s financial situation is different. Some have more and more have some. We all should give what we can, and if the Spirit convicts for little or leads to give more, that’s the right amount.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
The point isn’t for the Corinthians to give themselves into poverty to help the rest of the church out of poverty
Everywhere in greek life equality mattered: the law, friendships, philosophy. Their society almost seems to hinge on it.
And the church was no different:
the Corinthians had material abundance and now is the time to share that material with the church at Jerusalem
the Corinthians had been given much spiritually from the church at Jerusalem
Paul quotes from Exodus and the manna connecting the provision of God in supplying the needs of His people
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; 19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. 24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
Paul now gives them the details and explanation of why Titus rather than himself is best to handle the money.
the details matter so the money is put to effective use and not wasted
the details matter with offerings and collections to avoid Paul’s primary concern in 20-21 as well:
He doesn’t want it to even look like a possibility of him taking the money for himself or mishandling it in any way
if financial transparency meant that much to Paul with church money, it ought to matter that much to us in everything from church money to lunch money! Church, business, home, all of it.
vs 24: he circles back to what he said in chapter 7. “I’ve bragged on you, now prove me right” so other churches can see it.
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
Paul tells the Corinthians he’s boasted to the Macedonians about their giving, the way he boasted to them about the Macedonian charity.
If any of the Macedonians come to Corinth with him, he sue don’t want himself or the Corinthians to be embarrassed because they’ve failed to live up to the picture of charity Paul’s painted
Vs. 4: “this same confident boasting”, “this certainty of ours”. This is Paul quietly also telling them, if you don’t, the whole project to support the church in Jerusalem may fall through and that would be a real embarrassment”
But embarrassment isn’t the primary cause to give. They should want to be seen a giving generously from the heart and not as if the money was “wrung out of them”
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
Paul starts by giving them what might have been a saying at the time then in verse 7 ties it with Proverbs 11:24–25 “24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” and Deuteronomy 15:10 “10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.”
A man sowing a field doesn’t skimp on the seeds he cast because he trusts God will bless it and not only provide the harvest for the seeds for next year. He casts generously.
Then he hammers it home by quoting the LXX Psa. 111:9 and echos the LXX Pro. 22:8 "He who sows worthless things will reap evils; he will bring to completion the plague of his works. A cheerful and generous man God blesses; the vanity of his works he will bring to an end."
The benefits for giving that Paul tells them looks like this:
1. Grace shown is grace received. It makes them spiritually rich (9:8–10).
2. It brings glory and thanksgiving to God (9:11–13).
3. The ones that receive will pay back with prayers for them (9:14).
4. It grows and brings together the Christian community all over the world (9:13–14)
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
He finishes with a doxology. What’s that? A doxology is a short statement or song that gives glory and praise to God.
Paul breaks into doxologies maybe 10 times (Rom. 1:25, 9:5, 11:36, 16:25–27; 2 Cor. 9:15, 11:31; Gal. 1:5; Eph. 3:20–21; Phil. 4:20; 1 Tim. 1:17, 6:15–16; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 13:20–21) in his letters when a truth gets so big he can’t help but stop and worship
Conclusion
Conclusion
So, does Christian giving matter?
Paul has spent 39 verses talking about the Corinthians' giving, the Macedonians' giving, proportional giving, cheerful giving — and then lands on the gift. One gift. Unspeakable. That's Christ.
We give because we’re saved, not to be saved!
