2 Corinthians Week 10

Day 1 

READ 

2 Corinthians 7:1 

1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 

“These promises” have to do with the promises recorded at the end of 2 Corinthians 6. Because of these promises believers should be motivated to live clean lives and avoid those that defile the body or spirit. The goal should be to “work toward complete holiness.” The reason for this is “because we fear God.” This is a reverential fear of a holy God who believers serve. 

REFLECT 

Does knowing your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit motivate you to live a life that glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a Christian friend about what motivates one to greater desire to please Jesus. A proven way, according to the research Back to the Bible has done, is to be engaged in the Bible by reading or listening to it at least four days a week. This has shown to bring results that will lessen temptations such as pornography, lust, worry, anxiety and depression.  

Day 2 

READ 

2 Corinthians 7:2-4 

2 Please open your hearts to us. We have not done wrong to anyone, nor led anyone astray, nor taken advantage of anyone. 3 I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you. 4 I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles. 

Paul was concerned that the Corinthian believers were not expressing their love as they should have. He tells how special they are to him and his team as he wrote, “we live or die together with you.” Paul expressed appreciation for their encouragement and that in the midst of his troubles they had made him happy.  

REFLECT 

Have you let others know when they have disappointed you by not sharing their love and appreciation as they had previously? 

RESPOND 

God has designed those in the family of God to need fellowship with others in the family. Those who say they are believers but not in a local fellowship risk falling into erroneous thinking about the Bible. They may have notions about what the Bible teaches but are not receiving good teaching about the Bible. Christians need each other’s fellowship and encouragement. Read Hebrews 10:24-25 in this regard.  

Day 3 

READ 

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 

5 When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. 6 But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. 

Paul turns from discouragement to encouragement because of the arrival of Titus. When Paul and his team had come to what is now northern Greece, they had “battles on the outside and fear on the inside.” They experienced conflict from every direction. Although he was an apostle, Paul was honest to admit when he had struggles and fear. 

REFLECT 

Do you realize it is acceptable to admit to other believers when you have struggles and fear? 

RESPOND 

Talk with another believer about what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 regarding when he first came to Corinth. It was a city of wealth and corruption. Some of the believers there had been saved out of lifestyles that reflect today’s ungodly culture (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). 

Day 4 

READ 

2 Corinthians 7:7 

7 His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy! 

Titus was a refreshing joy to Paul. In addition to that was the good news he brought about the Corinthian believers. Paul was feeling discouraged because those believers were not expressing their love and appreciation for him and his ministry. The encouraging words from Titus about them caused him to be filled with joy. 

REFLECT 

Think of the times you have been encouraged to learn that friends you had not heard from for a while were thinking of you. 

RESPOND 

Read Proverbs 25:25 and talk with a friend how that has been true in both of your lives. Determine also to be on the sending end of good news to encourage others.  

Day 5 

READ 

2 Corinthians 7:8-9 

8 I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 

There is uncertainty whether Paul here referred to 1 Corinthians or to another letter he had written not included in the inspired Scriptures. When he thought of the pain the letter would cause the people it caused him sorrow. The end result was good, however, and that is what made Paul pleased. The letter had caused them to change their minds that led to changing their ways.  

REFLECT 

Have you had sorrow over something that later caused you to realize it was for your good and God’s glory? Did you claim Romans 8:28 as a verse to hang on to in such difficult times? 

RESPOND 

It is one thing for believers to sorrow over something. It is quite another for them to realize their attitudes and behavior have brought sorrow to the Holy Spirit. Read Ephesians 4:30 as you think about this.