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2 Corinthians 6 – Devotional & Commentary

Devotional Questions:

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

  • What kind of life am I called to live in order to not “receive God’s grace in vain?”
  • Does this match with my notion of Christian life?  If not, where have my ideas come from?

2 Corinthians 6:4-5

“[T]he focus of Paul’s commendation…is once again on his divinely enabled endurance in the midst of adversity. […] [T]his endurance ‘commends’ Paul as a servant of God. […] [T]hose who lack such a divine recommendation can only engage in self-commendation.”[1]

  • In what ways do Apostle Paul and his companions’ many sufferings “commend” them as servants of God?
  • Do I have such “commendations” to back up my identity and message as a Christian?

2 Corinthians 6:8-10

  • Reflect on the real difficulties, the actual pain and struggle which must lie behind the contrasting pairs of words listed here that describe the life of ministry.  Reflect also on the fact that all believers are called to be ministers.
  • Think of the paradoxes in v. 10, and what they say about the glory and dignity of being servants of God.  To what extent can I affirm these words as aptly describing my view of the Christian life, my actual experience as a Christian, and my personal vision for my life?

2 Corinthians 6:11-13

“His love for them has enabled him to speak freely to them…There is no reserve on his part; he has neither held back relevant matters nor only hinted vaguely at them but has always spoken his mind.  And of course this is the way he wants them to behave toward him (6:13b; 7:2a). They are his children in the faith, for it was through his preaching that they became Christians…There ought to be a mutual affection in which they trust one another unreservedly.”[2]

  • Reflect on vv. 11-13 in light of Paul’s hardships. What is behind Paul’s willingness to “open wide his heart” and “not withhold [his] affection?”


Additional Questions:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

  • This passage is most often applied in the context of marriage.  Why does it make sense for the Bible to oppose a marriage between a believer and an unbeliever?
  • In what sense are Christians “the temple of the living God” according to this passage?
  • What is the first implication of accepting our identity as “the temple of the living God?”
  • Are there ways that I am “yoked together with unbelievers?”  What things do I still “have in common with an unbeliever?”  What is God asking me to do?
  • Why is it important for the Christian community to “come out” and “be separate” from the wider culture, while not turning into an insular “Christian ghetto?”
  • What does the word “temple” suggest in terms of Christian engagement with the world?
[1] 2 Corinthians The NIV Application Commentary, Burge, Gary M., Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2000

[2] Best, Ernest. Second Corinthians (Louisville, KY: John Knox Press, 1987), pg. 64

Commentary:

v.1 “Paul directs his call for reconciliation specifically to the Corinthians (5:20), and he implores them not to receive God’s grace in vain (eis kenon). The grace refers to God’s reconciling work in Christ. Paul apparently took this warning to heart himself. He wrote to the Corinthians about his call to be an apostle: ‘But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect [kene]. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me’ (1 Cor 15:10). He assumes that they have received God’s grace, but what would make it all for nothing? Lapide cites Anselm: ‘He receives grace into a vacuum … who does not work with it, who does not give it his heart, and who, through sloth, makes that grace ineffectual, by not doing all that he can to express it in good works.’ This interpretation makes this statement an applicable warning to all Christians, but Paul has something more specific in view for the Corinthians than allowing God’s grace to produce fruit in their Christian life. The admonition that follows in 6:14–7:1 suggests that their continuing association with idols would cause their faith to founder on the rocks.”[1]

v.3 “Paul now moves on to present what is commendable about his ministry. He commends himself by his purity of motives and the evident power of God that has sustained him through all his trials and afflictions. His deeds match his words. Paul lets the Corinthians know that he is just such a man whom God has enabled to hold up under every pressure. In listing his qualities he is trying indirectly to encourage them to emulate his cruciform life. His life and work are ‘a model and example of his message.’

“Paul expresses the purpose of his upright behavior: ‘so that our ministry will not be discredited.’ The apostle is not concerned about his own personal reputation but the reputation of the ministry and its effectiveness (see Phil 1:15–18). The censure he dreads does not come from humans but from God (see 1 Cor 4:2–5). To be discredited before humans is one thing; to be discredited before God is quite another. People inevitably find fault with human ministers, and trying to avoid this by ministering ‘defensively,’ skirting around anything that might evoke possible criticism, will still meet with criticism. Worse, a ministry directed by what others might think is so neutralized that it is ultimately worthless to God.”[2]

THE PROBLEM THAT faced Paul is much the same as that which faces many contemporary ministers in their proclamation of the gospel. Now, as then, suffering and weakness call into question the power of the Spirit. But Paul is relentless in his response: The greatest display of God’s power is not the absence of pain or the presence of a miracle, but Paul’s faithful endurance in the midst of adversity, through which God “makes many [others] rich” (6:10). This section’s climactic appeal in 6:13 flows out of the reality of the presence of God in Paul’s life, a reality that radically transforms the significance of his circumstances.”

“In adducing his experiences of endurance through good times and bad as a testimony to the “open” condition of his “heart” and “affection” toward the Corinthians (6:11), Paul is not detailing a series of cold, calculated decisions to “gut it out” for the sake of the Corinthians. Paul is not to be pitied. He is not a masochist. The Corinthians are his “boast” (1:14; cf. 7:4; 8:24; 9:2) and a great source of joy in his life (cf. 7:7). His ministry grows out of such a “depth of … love” for them (cf. 2:4) that Paul would even be willing to die on their behalf (cf. 7:3). And Paul is not giving a news report. His words in this section are filled with pathos. As the Corinthians’ father, his appeal in this passage is pastoral and his tone affectionate. One can hear the emotion in his voice as he calls the Corinthians by name in 6:11 and breaks from his “apostolic plural” into the first person singular in 6:13. In short, Paul is speaking from his “heart.”[3]

vv.14-18 “There are certain Old Testament pictures behind this. Paul begins by urging the Corinthians not to be joined to unbelievers in an alien yoke. Undoubtedly that goes back to the old commandment in Deuteronomy 22:10, ‘You shall not plough with an ox and an ass together.’ (cp. Leviticus 19:19). The idea is that there are certain things which are fundamentally incompatible and were never meant to be brought together. It is impossible for the purity of the Christian and the pollution of the pagan to run in double harness.

“In the demand, ‘What has the temple of God to do with idols?’ Paul’s thought is going back to such incidents as Manasseh bringing a graven image into the temple of God (2 Kings 21:1–9), and, in the later days, Josiah utterly destroying such things (2 Kings 23:3 ff.). Or he is thinking of such abominations as are described in Ezekiel 8:3–18. Men had sometimes tried to associate the temple of God with idol worship, and the consequences had been terrible.

“The whole passage is a rousing summons not to hold any fellowship with unbelievers. It is a challenge to the Corinthians to keep themselves unspotted from the world.”[4]

[1]Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (304). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[2]Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (306). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

[3] Hafemann, Scott J. “Bridging Contexts” In The NIV Application Commentary: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 271-272. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

[4]The letters to the Corinthians. 2000, c1975 (W. Barclay, lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Ed.). The Daily study Bible series, Rev. ed. (2 Co 7:5). Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.

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2 Corinthians 5 – Devotional & Commentary

Devotional Questions:

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

“Paul’s confident longing for the future and his burden to put off the sin and suffering of the present is derived from the presence and power of the Spirit (for the role of the Spirit as the deposit on God’s future promises).  This ‘groaning’ is not a natural response to suffering and sin, but the supernatural gift of God.  God prepares his people for the future by giving them a longing for it and does this by granting them his Spirit as a down payment of his presence.  Only those who have begun to experience the glory of God long for its consummation in the midst of their adversities.”[1]

  • Why does Apostle Paul groan?   What are Apostle Paul’s feelings toward heaven?
  • Reflect on the phrases “We live by faith, not by sight” and “So, we make it out goal to please him.”  To what extent are these true of my life?  What does this reveal about my confidence in heaven and the fact that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” one day?

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

  • What are the things Apostle Paul mentions as sources of motivation for his ministry?
  • What motivates me?
  • Reflect on vv. 14-15.  Am I living for Jesus or am I living for myself?

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

  • Are there people, including myself, whom I still regard from a “worldly point of view?”
  • Reflect on v. 17 for myself and for the people in my life with whom I am called to share the gospel.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

  • What new role and mission is given to every Christian?
  • Have I embraced my call as a “minister” of the gospel?  How has this identity affected how I view (or make decisions regarding) my future, money, time, relationships and every other area of my life?
[1] Haffmann, Scott J., The NIVApplication Commntary: 2 Corinthians. 2000 Zondervan p.214)

Commentary:

vv.1-4 “In 5:2, Paul’s confidence in God’s future provision (4:13–5:1) causes him, like all believers, to ‘groan’ in the midst of his present suffering as he longs to inherit the glory God has in store for him in Christ—that is, ‘to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling’ (see Rom. 8:22–25). Hence, the ‘building from heaven’ that is the object of Paul’s longing in 5:2 is the same ‘building from God’ referred to in 5:1, namely, resurrection life in the eternal age to come.

“Paul’s point is that the groaning of anticipation that comes from this longing is itself evidence that God has promised believers more to come than the moaning of suffering and death.”[1]

vv.6-9 “Verses 8–9 restate verses 6–7, unpacking the implications of what it means to know that one is still ‘away from the Lord’ and of what living by faith looks like. In regard to the former, viewing the present from the perspective of the future means that our values and desires are radically altered. Instead of desiring a prolonged life on earth, we prefer to be ‘at home with the Lord’ (cf. Phil. 1:23). Concerning the latter, living by faith is being confident that the eternal glory of ‘what is unseen’ is certain and secure for believers and that it ‘far outweighs’ any suffering of this world (4:17–18), so that the believer would trade this world for the world to come in a moment (5:8). Hence, to live by faith also means that, ‘whether we are at home in the body or away from it’—that is, whether we live or die—we aim to please the Lord, not ourselves (5:9; cf. 5:15; Phil. 3:1–13; cf. Rom. 12:1–2; 14:17–18; Eph. 5:10; Phil. 4:18; Col. 3:20).”[2]

vv.6-10 “Paul’s declarations of his confidence for the future, of his ambition in the present, and of Christ’s role as universal judge are as significant today as they were in the materialistic and pluralistic world of the first century. In view of our culture’s belief in some kind of universal spiritual future for all humankind, combined with a growing New Age emphasis on reincarnation, the challenge of pluralism, and the lack of consistent teaching in many churches, we must once again stake out four important boundary markers of a distinctively Christian worldview:

  • There is a universal judgment to come, not just for some people, but for all, including Christians.
  • Christ alone is the One who judges.
  • Only those who have experienced the mercy and power of God in Christ can have confidence as they anticipate this coming day of reckoning.
  • The only basis of confidence on the Judgment Day is the good deeds that constitute living by faith.

“These points need to be driven home in a culture in which 85 percent of Americans consider themselves to be Christian, even though half of all adults believe you can lead a full and satisfying life without spirituality of any kind.”[3]

v.13 “More than once Paul was thought to be crazy (Acts 26:24).  He was suffering the same misunderstanding as Jesus suffered (Mark 3:21).  The real enthusiast always runs the risk of seeming crazy to lukewarm people.”[4]

5:16-17 “Paul’s statement in 5:16a most likely refers back to the practice of his opponents, who continue to criticize Paul’s ministry because of its lack of worldly status due to his suffering and apparent lack of spiritual power (cf. 10:1–6, 10). Paul understands this way of thinking, since he himself ‘once regarded Christ in this way’ (i.e., ‘according to the flesh’). Apart from the resurrection, Jesus’ death on the cross could only mean that he had been cursed by God for his own sin (cf. Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13).” [5]

[1] Hafemann, Scott J. ‘Original Meaning’ In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 209. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

[2] Hafemann, Scott J. ‘Contemporary Significance’ In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 227. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

[3] Hafemann, Scott J. ‘Contemporary Significance’ In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 227. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

[4] William Barclay, The Daily Bible Series (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press 1956)

[5] Hafemann, Scott J. ‘The Consequences of Paul’s Ministry (5:16 – 6:2)’ In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 242. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

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2 Corinthians 4 – Devotional & Commentary

Devotional Questions:

2 Corinthians 4:1-5

  • What are the things that cause me to lose heart in serving God?  What do I need to remember when this happens?
  • How should a Christian bear testimony to the world according to v. 2?
  • How has “the god of this age […] blinded the minds of unbelievers?”  What is the evidence of this all around us?

2 Corinthians 4:6-12

  • How have I experienced v. 6 when I became a Christian?
  • Reflect on the words Apostle Paul uses to describe his life: “hard pressed,” “perplexed,” “persecuted,” and “struck down” but, ultimately not “crushed,” “in despair,” “abandoned,” nor “destroyed.”  What is the link between Apostle Paul’s paradoxical experience—“struck down, but not destroyed”—and Jesus’ life?
  • What is the relationship between my frailty (“jars of clay”) and revealing God’s “all-surpassing power” through my life?  Think about the things that cause me to feel “hard pressed,” “perplexed,” “persecuted,” or “struck down.”  What should be my response to these things?
  • What can be learned about the path of deep fellowship with Jesus from these verses?

2 Corinthians 4:13-18

  • For the second time in this chapter, Apostle Paul asserts that he “does not lose heart.”  Why does Apostle Paul “not lose heart” according to this passage?
  • Reflect on the two contrasting themes in vv. 16-18, and arrange in two columns the contrasting pairs of words.
  • To what extent has my life focus shifted from one column to the other?

Commentary:

vv.1-2 “This is confirmed by the parallel between 4:2 and 2:17b, which makes it clear that Paul’s preaching with sincerity has resulted from God’s conversion-call in his life and from the knowledge that he stands ‘in the sight of God,’ that is, before God as judge. Paul goes on to delineate three ways in which he has renounced the duplicitous maneuvers of his opponents, two negative and one positive. Negatively, Paul need not ‘use deception’ (lit., walk around in a cunning way) or ‘distort the word of God’ (4:2b). Positively, ‘by setting forth the truth plainly,’ Paul can ‘commend [himself] to every man’s conscience’ (4:2c). Because of his own clear conscience (cf. 1:12), he can boldly appeal to the conscience of others (cf. 3:12). Conversely, all whose consciences are likewise clean because of God’s mercy will accept this divine commendation of Paul’s ministry (cf. 2:15–16a). ”[1]

vv.7-12 “Paul’s understanding of God’s sovereign design for affliction, once embraced, will dramatically transform our own experience whenever we too find ourselves in situations of suffering. When Christians suffer, they too, like Paul, can take courage from the fact that their lives will mediate to others the power of the resurrection, either through God’s act of deliverance or, even more profoundly, through the testimony of their endurance and holiness. Even though the circumstantial suffering that was an essential part of Paul’s call may be an occasional aspect of God’s will for all believers, all of us can follow Paul’s example of incurring the suffering that comes from considering the needs of others more important than our own.”[2]

vv.13-18 “At the same time, it must be emphasized that suffering in and of itself is not the revelation of God’s power. Paul never glorifies affliction. Although the revelation of Christ’s power takes place in the paradox of Paul’s suffering, this paradox is not absolute. The cross is not itself glory, death is not itself life, weakness is not power (cf. 4:8–11, 16–18). Instead, Paul posits that deliverance, power, and renewal also exist in, through, and after suffering. Paul’s suffering is not the glory of Christ; Christ’s glory is mediated through Paul’s suffering. Believers are therefore to avoid circumstantial suffering and persecution whenever such avoidance does not hinder or compromise their calling, and to pray for healing and deliverance when sick (cf. Rom. 12:17–18; 1 Cor. 7:15; Phil. 4:4–7; 1 Tim. 5:23).

“But the righteous do suffer (cf. Ps. 116:10 in 2 Cor. 4:13). And some, like Paul, are even called to do so for the sake of the gospel. God makes known his sovereignty and love by handing Paul over ‘to death for Jesus’ sake’ (4:11–12; cf. 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 2:14) and then by sustaining him through it so that he may be able to endure in faith (2 Cor. 4:8–10; cf. 1 Cor. 10:13; Phil. 2:15–28). It is Paul’s ability to endure and rejoice in the midst of adversity that reveals ‘the life of Jesus’ to others. Anyone can worship Santa Claus. In stark contrast, the ultimate testimony to God’s power is the praise that arises in the midst of affliction because of our conviction that God is at work in and through our suffering for a future good so great that all present suffering seems ‘light and momentary’ (4:14–17).”[3]

[1] Hafemann, Scott J. ‘Paul’s Confident Boldness in Spite of Rejection (4:1 – 6)’ In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 175-176. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

[2] Hafemann, Scott J. ‘Contemporary Significance’ In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 196. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

[3] Hafemann, Scott J. ‘Contemporary Significance’ In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 Corinthians. By Scott J. Hafemann, 197. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 2000.

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2 Corinthians 3 – Devotional & Commentary: Surpassing Glory

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Daemin Kim, Gracepoint Berkeley

What is the surpassing, lasting glory in which Paul has put his hope?  Paul put his hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ, this brings salvation.  His ministry was far greater than that of even Moses, because it was the ministry of the spirit and it brought righteousness.  Moses’ ministry that condemned people still had glory, though it faded, while ministry of the gospel that redeems people and brings salvation and righteousness has glory that will not fade away and is lasting.  This means that every Christian, who also has the call that Paul had, of being a minister of the gospel, has the same glorious ministry.  This is an amazing and glorious call, to preach and live out the gospel in order to bring salvation as we are led by the Spirit in doing God’s work.

How does having “such a hope” relate to being “very bold?” Having this hope gives us boldness because the hope comes from God, from being led by the Spirit doing his ministry.  That means it’s not about us being competent at it but about God leading us.  If God is the one leading us, he gives us the competence and anything else that we need, and we can be bold and take steps of faith and take risks.  We can go beyond our comfort zone and beyond what we feel competent at because the Spirit will lead us to do what he wants.  Having such hope that we have a glorious ministry led by the Spirit allows us to be far bolder than if we were to rely on ourselves for guidance.  With God leading us, we don’t set the direction but obey and follow his lead – and that gives us boldness knowing that God knows the best.

To what extent has the hope of glory helped me to be bold in facing fears, obstacles and strongholds in my life? This hope is what allows me to face and break through the fears and strongholds in my life.  The hope of glory that does not fade gives me the strength to not buckle and give into my fears and insecurities.  I often look at my character flaws and feel the temptation to give into being overwhelmed and discouraged.  I see how often my fight against the strongholds of insecurities and pride and selfishness ends up being one step forwards and two steps back.  Yet the hope in eternal glory of God gives me reason to hold on and to continue the fight, knowing that it’s ultimately God who is at work and who will triumph.  Also, I can face the recurring fears of not being successful and of not being useful with boldness because the hope tells me that my fears do not have the final word in my life.  Whenever I teach Bible studies or preach, or lead someone spiritually, or share my testimony, I’m experiencing this hope allowing me to be bold, to proclaim a truth even when my fears and strongholds are telling me that I can’t do this with any legitimacy.  I can do this, because it’s not about me providing reason for my hope – if that were the case, I would have no hope, and I wouldn’t have any courage to minister – but God who provides the hope and thus gives me the boldness.

2 Corinthians 3:14-18

In what way is a “veil” an apt metaphor in describing man’s relation to God apart from Christ?  The metaphor of a veil describes man’s relationship with God apart from Christ because it depicts a covering or hiding.  A veil covers the face or the object and keeps it from being revealed and seen as it is.  Without Christ, man seeks to hide, to remain in dark where he can be protected from having all of his sins and deceptions and weaknesses and fears being revealed for everyone to see.  This veil also keeps man from seeing God as he is as it keeps man in the dark.

How has Jesus removed the veil for all mankind? Jesus came to earth as man to reveal God.  Jesus revealed the heart of God through his life and through his message.  As John describes Jesus, Jesus is the light of the world.  Just as a light turned on a darkened room brightens it up and shows it for what it is, Jesus reveals the truth and reveals the hearts of men.  Jesus shows what it means to relate to God.  Jesus’ death on the cross shows the depth of sin and even greater depth of God’s love for the sinner.  Jesus’ resurrection shows the power of God.

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2 Corinthians 2 – Devotional & Commentary

Devotional Sharing Submitted by Ahmi Kim, Gracepoint San Francisco

2 Corinthians 2:1-13

“Titus was the one who apparently carried the ‘severe letter’ Apostle Paul mentions in 2.3-4 to the Corinthian church.  Apostle Paul was so eager to receive word from Titus about how the Corinthian Christians responded to his harsh letter of rebuke that even though a door was open in Troas for the gospel, he went to Macedonia to look for Titus.  At this point, after 2.3, Apostle Paul moves on to address other matters, but the issue of Titus, and the response of the Corinthians is picked up again in chapter 7.[1]

  • Reflect on the words Apostle Paul used in describing what he went through in writing the severe letter. What can I learn from this about what it takes to speak the truth to people we love?

It takes “great distress and anguish of heart and … many tears” to speak the truth to people we love. It was not an easy matter, nor was it cursory or impersonal. It was intense and real, something that consumed heart, soul and mind for Apostle Paul. It would be less if he did not care for them, but it was his love that made him undergo this kind of suffering. That’s what it meant to love someone in truth – not simply imparting knowledge or facts but personally engaging in loving yet painful confrontation based on truth.

  • Have I been willing to undergo “great distress” and “anguish of heart” and “many tears” in order to uphold God’s standards in the life of those close to me?

What I find within myself is to do this once, then pull back and find myself shying away from it next time because of the difficulty it takes. It’s a repeated pattern but that means God’s standards do not get upheld. Therefore, it’s a call that I have to push through and obey.

  • How should “punishment” by the church be balanced by the need to “forgive and comfort” and “reaffirm love” toward a person who has sinned publicly?

In the church, it should be acknowledged in truth, but not glossed over as if it didn’t matter. It should be addressed appropriately according to its sin and the person involved. Being forgiven and affirmed in love does not mean everything is fine and he can get back to exactly the way he was. Rather, it’s in loving and truthful acknowledgement of his weakness and the areas he needs help, and providing that kind of help as the body of Christ.

I personally find this to be a great challenge because of my desire for things to be easily resolved. That is a desire not borne of love for the other person or for the sake of God’s honor, but for personal emotional ease. It is ultimately self-serving for me to try to not tow that balance but leave it one way or the other. When I deal with sin but not forgive or affirm or just easily forgive, comfort and affirm without properly dealing with the sin issue, then it’s an easy way out of not bearing my cross. That’s what the cross was about – upholding God’s standard and yet at the same time forgiving and affirming God’s love in full. I need to keep going through its full process with each person in light of the cross.

10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

  • What does Apostle Paul tell the Corinthians to do in order that Satan would not outwit them?  Why would forgiving someone thwart Satan’s schemes?

When I have an unforgiving spirit, it is toxic to the soul. It can grow to condemn the other person and ultimately make me proud in believing that I’m better. It also blinds me to my own sins and therefore hardens my heart against my own acts of grievance against God and His people. This is a way Satan can “outwit us”, so we need to be aware and forgive others. When I forgave, I found my heart softening, felt compassion for their weakness, and more love.

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2 Corinthians 1 – Devotional & Commentary: The Promises of God

Devotional Sharing Submitted by Roy Lo, Gracepoint Berkeley

Meditate on v. 20.Through Christ, God has fulfilled and will continue to fulfill all of His promises to us.  As the John DTs gave me a chance to reflect on the Cross and the Resurrection, one aspect of Jesus’ life is his perfect fulfillment of God’s promises since the Garden of Eden.  He is the Son of Man who, through suffering the sting of death, crushed Satan’s head and defeated my greatest enemy.  His blood and righteousness is the perfect covering over all of my shameful deeds and sinful self.  Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, that through Abraham all the nations in the world will be blessed.  Christ fulfilled God’s promise to Moses and Israel, that He would one day raise up a prophet like Moses to deliver us from our bondage to sin.  Christ is the Suffering Servant who took up my infirmities and carried my sorrows.  Christ is the Son of David, the rightful King whose reign will never end.  My favorite promise that God fulfilled, however, is His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15.  God walked the blood path alone and promised to pay the price even if Abraham could not hold up his end of the bargain, and hundreds of years later, at the time of the evening sacrifice for the Passover, Jesus cried out “It is finished” and gave up his spirit.  God keeps His promises, and although I may be faithless, God will remain faithful.

In what ways have all the promises of God become fulfilled with a resounding “yes” in Christ?  Through Christ, I can claim these promises because God has made me a son of Abraham.  ”If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  God was pleased to make all who come to Him sons of Abraham, thus fulfilling His promise that He would multiply Abraham’s descendants to become like stars in the sky and sand on the shore.  It is amazing enough to think that through Christ, we are the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham!  Moreover, “through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Are there specific promises of God that I need to particularly remember and cling to these days? God continues to make new promises to me, and I can say “amen” to these promises because God has proven Himself faithful.  Christ promises me that as I put my trust in him, my soul will never become hungry or thirsty; I will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life; I will have peace because Christ has overcome the world; I will have joy that no one can take away; I will have a hundredfold return in this world for whatever l surrender to him; and most precious of all, that because Jesus lives, I also will live, and will pass through the Judgment on Jesus’ perfect righteousness to receive eternal life.

Reflect personally on the promise in vv. 21-22.  God gives me additional assurance that I am covered by these astounding promises through giving me the seal of ownership and the deposit of the Holy Spirit.  A seal makes a promise enforceable, and manifests the intent of the promisor to be bound by his words.  Thus, God’s lordship over my life, far from causing me to feel limited and oppressed, gives me peace and hope that God is serious about His promises to me, and will not go back on His word.  Through obedience to Him, even as inconsistent and imperfect as I am, I can have confidence that on the last day God will see His seal of ownership on my life and claim me as His own.  The Holy Spirit is nothing less than God Himself abiding in me, and what better collateral can I ask for than that?  The presence of the Holy Spirit also gives me confidence and assurance that God will make good on His promises.  The Holy Spirit often pays me the intolerable compliment; He forces me to confess my sins, to come out into the light, to face the truth, to repent, and to constantly put to death my old nature.  Yet when I am struggling against my sins is the time when I can be most confident of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life, and that I belong to God.  The wicked have no struggles or burdens (Psalm 73), but they also do not have the promises of God, and will face their final destiny apart from Him.  Instead of begrudging the Spirit’s work in my life, I need to welcome Him and give thanks for His tenacious love for me.  Indeed, it is the Spirit that enables me to stand firm; He is the stronger man who has come into my life to bind up the old nature and cast it out.  This gives me hope and encouragement even in my present struggles because even when I might feel like nothing about me will ever change, I know that’s not true in light of all of God’s promises.  Especially after a powerful time of hearing God directly address me at the retreat about my issues of insecurity, anxiety, and fearfulness, I need to hold onto the promises of God and persevere in my commitments to overcome these strongholds in my life.

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Devotions in the New Testament, Gospel of John By debbiefitz | No comments yet

John 21 – Devotional & Commentary: Reinstatement of Peter

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Andy Tung, Gracepoint Berkeley

John 21:15-17

What can I learn about God’s perspective on my failures through Jesus’ interaction with Peter? While it is never comfortable to fail, it seems from this passage that it’s not nearly as big a deal to God than it is for us. So often I find myself focusing on my past failures and also fearing future failures, but in this passage Jesus’ main concern is with his relationship with Peter. His focus isn’t on the failure of Peter, but on whether or not Peter genuinely loves him. I’m reminded of 1 Peter 4:8 where I says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” So while I’m so focused on failure, I think God looks at our failures as an opportunity for me to grow and for me to understand his grace at a deeper.

How do I usually react to my failures, and in what ways do I need to change this? When I look at my usual reaction to failure, I think I fall into 2 patterns. The first is to quickly want to move on from my failures. I don’t want to think about it because it is too uncomfortable or I don’t want to deal with it because I am scared of what it will reveal about me. The 2nd pattern is that I get discouraged and think that I can’t possibly be pleasing to God or be used by him in any significant way because of how I have failed. From this passage, I’m reminded that I need to understand and accept my failures, but also recognize that God chooses to use me not out of merit, or a failure free life, but out of his grace. He chooses to use me and involve me because of his love for me.

What can I learn about God’s calling to “take care of my sheep” from the fact that Jesus asks this of Peter, who had denied and failed him? Taking care of my sheep does not necessarily mean that do so without mistakes and failure. We can be faithful to the people God has asked us to love without always knowing the right answer or doing things just right. This is a huge relief for me as it means that I don’t have to be the ‘perfect’ minister. This is not what God expects of me. Instead he calls me to love my sheep which means taking the risk of making mistakes and making choices out of what I think is good for them and not being paralyzed by the fear of failure. As I go to Taiwan to serve in our church there, this is a really important point for me to remember. I go there not because I’ve merited this privilege, and I go there not to do a ‘perfect’ job, but in order to share in God’s heart of loving the people there. I can take care of them without perfectly understanding the culture or language though love will drive me to give my best.

John 21:18-19

What did Jesus predict would happen to Peter?   That he would die in a manner where he was led against his will and would not have control of his life. Basically, it’s the kind of death that no one would want and would include clear suffering.

How might this picture have differed from what Peter had in mind when he first answered the call to follow Jesus?  When he first answered the call he probably thought of the glory of following a rabbi with the powers that Jesus had. He probably thought of himself doing amazing things for God, of him getting trained so that others would look up to him. He might have had visions of power, and grandeur as him and the other disciples are recorded as arguing about which of them would be the greatest. So he probably thought that he would suffer through the training with Jesus, the long times of caring for the people, the interruptions, the travel, the discomfort in order to receive a reward of success and status in the future. This kind of end probably was far from his mind at the beginning.

In what way is the contrast between the time when one is “young” and “old” in v. 18 an apt description of Christian maturity? In what ways have I grown in allowing others to lead me where I do not want to go? When we are young, we are so rebellious and we want to do everything on our own. Personally this is definitely part of my testimony where I wanted to be free from any restrictions or boundaries. Yet I didn’t recognize that these boundaries were the very things that protected me from sin and destroying my life. But in my immaturity I was so sure I know how to lead my own life. As I had the opportunity to share my testimony of how I experienced God at our winter retreat, I was struck again by the fact that the times that I made my own choices, the times when I lived according to my own whims, were the times when I fell deeper into sin or picked up habits and addictions that have taken years to undo. Yet the times when I submitted to the wisdom of God’s word and to the leading of my leaders were the times when I experienced God in powerful ways. In this passage, when Peter is old he would be led by others to do things he didn’t want to do. And yet his life and his death would ultimately glorify God. This is the life that I want to live and what I want to submit to. As I go to Taiwan, I know I am going to need a lot of wisdom from my leaders and those who have gone before me. I often have the tendency of thinking I know what is best. Yet I need to recognize that God has placed people in my life to lead and guide me. There are people who are much wiser in the faith, who have done ministry longer, who have gained wisdom through years of walking with the Lord, and I need to be mature enough to submit and really listen to the advice I am given. Ultimately, the mature person is the humble person that will allow God to lead him through situations, people, and ultimately his word.

·Using the same words with which he first called Peter to discipleship, Jesus again commands Peter to “follow me.”  How might these words take on new and deeper meaning after everything that happened?  This takes on deeper meaning as Peter now understands that following Jesus entails suffering, death, the letting go of one’s own will, and submission. Peter now understands that following Jesus means taking up his cross daily and following.

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Richard Tay, Gracepoint Berkeley

What did Jesus predict would happen to Peter? Jesus predicted that Peter would not go where he wanted to go, but that he would go where others led him.

How might this picture have differed from what Peter had in mind when he first answered the call to follow Jesus? I think this picture differed from Peter’s first impression of following Jesus because he didn’t realize the cost of discipleship, nor did he realize that to follow Jesus meant to sacrificially love others. When Peter decided to follow Jesus, he left his nets, recognized he was a sinner and saw that Jesus was the only one who could save him. But he didn’t realize that Jesus would eventually call him to a life of love. I imagine he had grand visions of being with Jesus as he won people’s hearts, healed scores of people and maybe even as he took on the feckless Pharisees. But I can’t imagine him thinking that he would ultimately live the life of a servant, even though this is the life that Jesus taught him to live by word and by example.

In what way is the contrast between the time when one is “young” and “old” in v. 18 an apt description of Christian maturity? In what ways have I grown in allowing others to lead me where I do not want to go? This is an apt description because a mature Christian is one who is practiced in cross-bearing discipleship. A mature Christian is one who has loved others and set aside personal preferences, ambitions and comforts for others’ sake. Since loving others entails putting others before self, a mature Christian is one who subjugates personal options and restricts freedom for the sake of meeting the needs of other people. I have grown in this to the extent that I allow people to have a claim in my life. Ten years ago, I held a lot of people at an arm’s distance so that I would be free to make my own choices and live my life according to my own desires and ambitions. Slowly, I began to allow people into my life and tried to love others. A turning point for me was when I taught Joyland as an undergrad and found myself trying my best to love people who couldn’t really give anything back. Being able to wish high and lofty things for another person, and having a role in which I might be able to help them realize God’s vision for their lives was a powerful experience. In the nitty gritty, this meant limiting my freedom – my Sunday mornings and my free time – so that I could be an effective Joyland teacher. Doing college ministry has also helped my heart to grow and turn away from myself toward others. Eight years in college ministry means eight years of building relationships with staff and students over lunches and dinners, leading small groups, organizing events, making phone calls, and all the while learning more about God’s heart, seeing how God views people, dealing with my sins, working on my character, developing skills and expanding my heart to include other people as misfit as I am. I’m thankful that my heart has grown as it has because I see how rich my life is when I do let go of any false sense of entitlement I have. But a survey of the past also makes me see how much there is to grow. As my church grows, I see how many more people there is to love and how much my heart needs to grow to encompass more people. There are so many people that need God’s love, and time is short. This year, it’s three domestic church plants, a new frosh class and others who may come into my life. It’s exciting to think about how my life will grow in richness and meaning as I learn to let go of the grip I have on my life and allow God’s love to lead and guide me.

Continue reading John 21 – Devotional & Commentary: Reinstatement of Peter →

Devotions in the New Testament, Gospel of John By debbiefitz | No comments yet

John 20 – Devotional & Commentary

Devotional Questions:

John 20:1-19

  • What is the relationship between Mary Magdalene going to the tomb early in the morning “while it was still dark” and her privilege of being the first to witness the empty tomb?
  • Contrast Mary to the disciples, who were huddled together “with the doors locked for fear of the Jews.”  What made Mary so bold?
  • What can I learn from Mary regarding overcoming fears?

John 20:14-29

  • What can I learn about Jesus from the way he appeared before Mary, the disciples and Thomas?

John 20:19-23

“His greeting of ‘Peace’ and the assurance of his identity calmed their fears and demonstrated by unmistakable proof that he was alive. They were overjoyed, not only to see him again, but also to realize that he was undefeated by death and that his claims were validated.”[1]

  • What needed to happen for the disciples to go from being full of fear to being “overjoyed?”
  • What fears do I need to confront with the peace provided by the risen Jesus?

“The disciples did not have the power to forgive sins (only God can forgive sins), but Jesus gave them the privilege of telling new believers that their sins have been forgiven because they have accepted Jesus’ message.”[2]

  • What is the first responsibility the risen Jesus gave to the disciples (vv. 22-23)?
  • Am I experiencing Jesus’ peace in my life so that I can become an agent of peace to others?

John 20:30-31

“To believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and the Son of God involves the total acceptance of the revelation of God that he offers, the acknowledgment of his divine authority, and the fulfillment of the commission he entrusted to his disciples. The total scope of this belief is illustrated in the narrative of this Gospel. Its result is eternal life, a new and enduring experience of God by the believer.”[3]

  • What was John’s purpose in writing the Gospel of John?
  • What does it mean to have “life in his name?”  Am I experiencing that life?

Additional Questions:

John 20:2-8

  • What is the relationship between hearing, responding, and believing as demonstrated by the disciples?

John 20:17

  • What is amazing about Jesus calling his disciples his “brothers” after they deserted him?
  • Based on this, what are the criteria for being part of God’s family and having the right to call God my Father and my God?

John 20:24-29

  • What might have been the reason that Thomas “was not with the disciples when Jesus came,” and what did he miss out on because of this?  What lesson is here about gathering with others?
  • What may have been behind Thomas’ refusal to believe despite the other disciples’ repeated assurances that Jesus had risen?
  • How did Jesus deal with Thomas’ doubt?
  • How did Thomas come to his confession that Jesus is indeed his Lord and his God?
  • Are there areas in my life where I need to “stop doubting and believe?”
[1] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for chapter 20.

[2] Life Application Study Bible, study notes (co-published by Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan; Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1991) 1927.

[3] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for chapter 20.

Commentary:

vv. 6-7 “The scene, then, is not chaotic or confused. Rather, something purposeful has transpired here. If someone had simply stolen Jesus’ body, surely the clothes would be missing, or at least strewn about the floor. But here is a scene in which the body is missing but the clothes appear undisturbed. Jesus’ body has simply left them behind.”[1]

v. 8, 24-28 “We are invited — no, we are challenged — to believe like Thomas. Yet John understands perfectly well that we do not have the same opportunities. ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ This is why in the story of John 20 the Beloved Disciple becomes one of the most important figures. He looks into the tomb, sees the evidence, and believes (20:8). While not seeing the resurrected Jesus, he sees what has been left behind; he sees the remnants of divine activity in history in stone and fabric and decides to believe.”[2]

v. 17 “In telling her not to hold on, Jesus is saying that his permanent ‘return’ and presence must come in another form. She cannot embrace what she finds in the garden. Things are going to change. Jesus’ correction is a spiritual redirection away from Jesus’ physical presence, a preparation for the Spirit that is about to be given.”[3]

vv. 21-22 “Throughout this Gospel Jesus has been described as the One who was sent by God. Now with his work nearly completed, his final task is to commission his followers as he was commissioned by the Father. Thus as Jesus was God’s special representative (or agent) in the world, so too his disciples become Jesus’ agents, working in the world and witnessing to the reality of God and the truth of Jesus’ words.

“But in this Gospel one feature of Jesus’ commission is his empowering. God not only sent his Son but also empowered him with the Spirit. For example, in Jesus’ baptism the central event (from John’s view) was not the water baptism itself, but the anointing in the Spirit that came to Jesus. Our first introduction of Jesus came from the prophetic words of John the Baptist, whom God had told, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit’ (1:33).

“[…] Therefore to be commissioned (20:21), to advance the work of God as God’s agent, means being empowered as Jesus was empowered — obtaining the Spirit, just as Jesus was anointed and as Jesus promised.”[4]

vv. 21-23 “The gift of the Spirit is framed with two messages outlining aspects of the church’s work in the world. In 20:21 we observed how the disciples will enjoy a mission that parallels the mission of Jesus (cf. 17:18a). And in 20:23 Jesus points to their ability to forgive sin (no doubt as a part of that mission).”[5]

v. 22 “This is no impersonal spirit; this is no ambiguous inspiration from God. This is Jesus himself indwelling his disciples, taking up the residence promised in 14:23. Jesus desires intimacy with Mary and his followers, but the vehicle of that intimacy will now be experienced through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The reason that the work of the Spirit in John 14–16 is so highly personal is that this Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus — his own Spirit — that is now poured out at the hour of glorification.”[6]

vv. 24-28 “In the final scene, we meet Thomas, a man no different from us. He is a man for whom faith will only be a reality when the concrete evidence of resurrection is provided to him. He possesses no experience at an empty tomb, nor has he heard or seen Jesus. Thus, faith seems for him daunting and impossible. Thomas becomes a template for us, who read the story of Jesus from a distance. We hear the report, we read John’s Gospel, and at once we are challenged to believe.”[7]

“Jesus’ exhortation, ‘Stop doubting and believe,’ […]. Thomas is being challenged to change, to become like the others who, upon seeing Jesus, embrace him with faith. His response, ‘My Lord and my God!’, is not a word of astonishment or praise to God. It is a confession of Thomas’s heartfelt belief in Jesus. Thus we learn that ‘the most outrageous doubter of the resurrection of Jesus utters the greatest confession of the Lord who rose from the dead.’”[8]

v. 29 “Jesus has in mind people (such as ourselves) who are now reading this Gospel and have not had Thomas’s opportunity to touch Jesus’ wounds. There can be no more remarkable privilege. But John has provided us with a record of signs — his Gospel — that can serve us in a similar capacity. While not doing what Thomas did, we have his story, and this should give us a reasonable ground for belief.”[9]

v. 31 “In 20:31 John discloses his purpose for writing the Gospel. Belief leads to life, and this life is a gift given through the power of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.”[10]

[1] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 554.

[2] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 572.

[3] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 556-557.

[4] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 558-559.

[5] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 561.

[6] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 575.

[7] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 566.

[8] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 562-563.

[9] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 563.

[10] Gary M. Burge, John, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000) 564.

Devotions in the New Testament, Gospel of John By debbiefitz | No comments yet

John 19 – Devotional & Commentary

Devotional Sharing, Submitted by Steven Kim, Gracepoint Berkeley.

John 19:1-30

  • How did Jesus suffer in the hands of men?

In the hands of the soldiers Jesus suffered flogging, which was quite brutal and bloody.  On top of such physically cruel and painful treatment, Jesus had to endure their mockery as they twisted together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head.  They mocked His claim to be the King of the Jews as they took turns coming up to hailing Him to be the King and then striking him in the face.  Jesus also suffered the betrayal and mockery of the very people, who once invited Him into Jerusalem saying, “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel!”  And now from the same lips they cry, “Crucify! Crucify!”  And finally, Jesus suffered the crucifixion, which was an excruciatingly painful and inhumane way to be tortured to death.  Not only was it physically painful, but it was a very publicly disgraceful way to die.  Only the worst sort of criminals were crucified, and furthermore the Jews regarded someone dying on a tree to be cursed by God (Deut 21:22-23).

  • Reflect on the scandal of his voluntary suffering.

As I reflect on who Jesus is, I’m again in awe of what He willingly embraced for sinners like me.  Even by secular scholars, Jesus is readily recognized as the most noble, gracious, loving person in history, let alone the fact that He is the Son of God.  What He suffered through is way beyond all my worst case scenarios and fears.  I see in me how my fears of being shamefully exposed and rejected by everyone drove me to strive after being the sort of respectable, charismatic, accomplished, powerful person, who would not be looked down upon and despised.  My fears of pain and suffering drove me to seek financial security and status among people, lest I get pushed around and stepped on by others.  As I compare my instincts and what I’m inclined to do, I marvel at Jesus’ full surrender to become what Isaiah prophesied long before that moment:  ”He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.  Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
What Jesus did for sinners like me leading up to the crucifixion is scandalous and offensive.  It goes against our natural inclination that a good man should not be humiliated and undergo such suffering.  Moreover, our instincts tells us that those who deserve to be punished should pay for his own just consequences. I remember trying to convey what Jesus did for us on the cross to a Jewish college student many years ago, and he reacted in total disbelief and a sense of outrage, because he regarded the story of Jesus on the cross to be like the unjust, scandalous picture of a spoiled prince using a slave boy to take his rightly deserved whipping, and thus becoming the prince’s ‘whipping boy’.  I tried to explain how this is the essence of the gospel…that indeed we are that spoiled, sinful princes and Jesus who is the true prince, the Son of God, became that ‘whipping boy’ in our stead.  Yes indeed the message of the cross is scandalous, but this is the greatest good news ever to be uttered and written down in the history of man.  Having been a recipient of such undeserved, costly forgiveness and grace, I want to recommit to living that cross-shaped life of fully surrendering to fulfill God’s will for my life.  I commit to a life that’s completely God centered, which means a life that’s poured out in love for others.  I want to be like Jesus, who, in the midst of mind numbing pain and heart wrenching sense of abandonment by everyone, was able to notice and have compassion on His mother Mary and provide her one of His disciples to be her new son to take care of her in her old age.  I want to emulate Jesus in how he gave up His spirit in fulfillment of what God the Father called Him to do…to die to my ’self’, so others may live.

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