This is our pastor’s article for the February edition of our congregational newsletter. The longer I’m a pastor, the more I find that what we bring to the table shapes our understanding of Scripture and, thus, the faith, even more than what a Scripture passage may say! Let me give you a personal example. About […]
2 Corinthians, Lesson 20: Conclusion
January 17, 2016 by
Having announced his planned visit to Corinth for a third visit, Paul decision to go there remains firm. Paul Remains Ready Read 2 Corinthians 13:1 “by the evidence”: Paul retained Deuteronomy’s “by the mouth” (in both the Masoretic Text and Septuagint). Paul will connect the idea of what comes out of the mouth (speech) […]
2 Corinthians, Lesson 19: Paul’s Planned Third Visit
January 17, 2016 by
Having shown how he exalted in his weakness, so Christ may be exalted all the more, Paul now concludes his boasting in is weakness. Conclusion of Paul Boasting in His Weakness Read 2 Corinthians 12:11-12 Paul asserts he is not inferior to whom? Why? Excursus: “Signs and Wonders”: From Exodus to Corinth “Signs […]
2 Corinthians, Lesson 18: Weak that Christ May be Strong
January 3, 2016 by
Paul and Timothy are dealing with the disruption caused by false apostles in the Church at Corinth. As a review, we know little about these “false apostles.” Here is what we do know. They: were ethnically Jewish (11:22); brought letters of recommendation for themselves, which they used to sanction what they were doing (3:1); preached […]
What Jesus’ Incarnation Means for Us
December 30, 2015 by
Being Brought into the Old Covenant Genesis 17:9-14: God also said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations are to keep my covenant…. Every male among you is to be circumcised…. On the eighth day after birth, every male in every generation must be circumcised… If any male […]
2 Corinthians, Lesson 17: True Apostles versus False Apostles
December 20, 2015 by
Dealing with the false teachers who have inserted themselves at Corinth, with approval of some of the congregation, Paul and Timothy said that those teachers used their own standard of measure to assess themselves, not “the Rule” (ho kanon; 2 Corinthians 10:13, 15; “influence, ESV). Although we don’t know what that “rule” was, we find […]
2 Corinthians, Lesson 16: Do Everything According to “The Rule”
December 20, 2015 by
Paul and Timothy continue dealing with the false “super-apostles,” who have swayed some in the Corinthian congregation with their false teaching. Comparing and Contrasting Real Pastors with False Ones Read 2 Corinthians 10:12 What do Paul and Timothy say they are not doing when it comes to these false teachers? “classify or compare”: […]
2 Corinthians: Lesson 15: Tearing Down, if Needed, but only to Build Up
December 20, 2015 by
We now find the warm and friendly tone of 2 Corinthians 8-9 change. Having dealt with the misunderstandings between the Corinthians and he and Timothy (1:12-7:16), and having requested the Corinthian congregation to participate in the collection for the Jerusalem saints (8:1-9:15), Paul now focuses on the unrepentant minority who have embraced the “super-apostles” (11:13). […]
Genesis 3:1-15: The Promised Seed and Serpent-Crusher
December 2, 2015 by
Everyone has a family tree. And when you know who’s in your family tree, you get a better sense of your family, and how that shaped your mother and father. And that, in turn, even lets you know something about yourself. But does it surprise you to know that God also has a family tree? […]
2 Corinthians, Lesson 14: God the Source and God the Receiver
November 29, 2015 by
Christian giving flows from God’s grace changing us by the Gospel. Flowing from Christ’s gifts to us, the Christian gives as he is able. This flows from grace, not guilt. Yes, the Law makes us aware of how God wants us to live, but it’s the Gospel and empowers and moves us to do so. […]
