Scripture
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Observation
Paul tells of an experience he had in which he was caught up to the third heaven (the place of the very presence of God). He heard there things that no human is allowed to tell.

He could boast about this experience, but he refuses to do so. He will not boast about such revelations because he doesn’t want credit that is not his to have.

The Lord allowed Paul to have a thorn in his flesh, a messenger from satan. He asked God to take it away, but the Lord said, “My grace is all you need.”

Paul will soon come to Corinth and he will not be a burden to them as some have accused. Rather he will spend himself for them.

Application
Our revelations, giftings and experiences of the Holy Spirit do not validate who we are as christians. What matters is our walk with Christ- how His grace is working in our daily lives.

Likewise a tormenting spirit or physical weakness is not necessarily a sign of spiritual inferiority. What matters is how we seek the Lord daily in adversity and in blessing.

Many signs and wonders were performed at Paul’s hands, but he refused to boast about them. Paul’s life was about love for people and faithfulness to Christ not about superior revelations.

Prayer
Lord please help me to serve you in all the things I do today. May your grace be seen in my actions and heard in my words. Amen.

Scripture

But just as you excel at everything- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in you love for us- see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Observation

Paul notes that the church in Corinth excels in many things and he now encourages them to excel in the grace of giving generously.

Christ put aside His riches to become poor so that though His poverty we can become rich. The Corinthians had been the first to give, now Paul encourages them to finish the work of generosity.

His desire is for equality. At this time the church in Macedonia needs help so that the Corinthians’ plenty can help them. But later the Macedonians’ plenty will be able to help the Corinthians in a time of need.

Application

The world encourages us to hold tightly to what we have because resources are scarce and there might not be enough to go around.

Christians are to share for precisely the same reason. This is not a communist approach where the state determines who gets what. Rather it is a spirit of generosity where those who have plenty share with those in need.

In practical terms, I have discovered that as long as we keep sharing what we have and keep money circulating, nobody ever notices that there isn’t enough to go around. Somehow God takes the little that we have and multiplies it in the process of generous giving.

Prayer

Lord, give me a generous heart so that I see all the things in my possession as opportunities to bless others. Amen.

Scripture

For God says, “At just the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation I helped you.” Indeed the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation.

Observation

Paul urges his readers not to ignore the gift of grace. Now is the hour of salvation.

Paul works to avoid causing people to stumble or to find fault with him. He has faced hardships of every kind.

Paul proves his faith by letting the Holy Spirit fill him with love, understanding and purity. He serves God regardless of the response of people.

Therefore, because Paul overflows with love to the Corinthians, he asks them to open their hearts to him.

Application

There are times when serving God is welcomed by the people around us. At other times our work for the Lord is despised and mocked- even by other christians.

How should we respond? Like Paul we must keep our eyes on Jesus. We know that His love never fails. Even if the world rejects us, still Christ’s love sustains us. It is His approval that matters, not the world’s.

Prayer

Father, help me to stand firm in you when fmaily and friends despise me for your sake. Amen.

Scripture
To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.

Observation
The man in Corinth who had opposed Paul was resisted by the church, and for Paul this is enough. He urges forgiveness and comfort for this man so that he is not overcome by discouragement.

God has made us His captives and leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession. Our lives are like a fragrant offering to the Lord. To those who are saved this is a sweet fragrance of life, but for those who are perishing it is the smell of death.

Application
We are like captives in Christ’s procession of triumph. Yes we are free because of Christ, but our freedom comes by submitting ourselves to the rule of Christ. We are trophies of His grace, signs of His victory over sin.

Our lives are like a fragrant incense offering to the Lord. Those who are being saved perceive this to be a sweet smell, but those who are lost in sin perceive it to be a reminder of the judgement over their lives.

We should not be surprised when the world reacts harshly to the gospel or to the lives of Christians because it is reacting against Christ in us the hope of our glory.

Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the privilege of being your trophy of grace. Amen.

Scripture

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.

Observation

Paul does not lose heart because his ministry is from God. He does not use deception or distort the word of God, but sets out the truth of the gospel clearly.

The gospel is veiled to those who are perishing because the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the glory of Christ. The God who said “Let light come out of the darkness” is the one who puts the light into our hearts so that we can see the glory of Christ.

Application

The gospel has to be received as a revelation of God. Otherwise it is impossible for us to receive it.

I have seen people who have been opposed to the gospel suddenly get it and receive it. I have seen others in whom a light of revelation comes on for a short time and then is extinguished before the person receives Jesus.

Preaching to people, sharing the gospel, witnessing, is good. But we also need to prepare the soil for the gospel seed by fervent prayer for the person to be open to a revelation from God.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for making it possible for me to see your glory and to respond to the gospel. Please do this for my unsaved friends that their hearts may be enightened by you. Amen.

Scripture

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Observation

Paul will be coming to Corinth for the third time, and he warns them he will not be lenient with the people who continue to live in persistent sin.

Christ is not weak in dealing with sin. Although He was crucified in weakness, He now lives in the power of God.

We must test ourselves to see whether we are living in faith. We must examine ourselves to see if Christ is in us and that we are living in the truth.

Finally Paul encourages the Corinthians to love one another and live in peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with them.

Application

It is very easy to fall prey to deception, to think we are doing well when we are not. Sin creeps in so easily.

We need to regularly ask ourselves, “Am I really living in Christ, and He in me?”

Our hearts and minds must continue to be open to correction by the Holy Spirit so that sin, wrong motives and the tricks of the enemy can be rooted out. Only then can we walk in the full measure of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Holy Spirit come and examine my heart. Reveal to me anything that is not of you and give me grace to get rid of it. Amen.