2 Corinthians Week 2

Day 1 

READ 

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 

12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14 even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you. 

Paul was a model in being able to say that his letters to them had been written “with confidence and a clear conscience.” He had written in clear language they could understand so they did not need to read “between the lines.” Even if they did not understand him now, he had confidence they would at the return of Jesus. 

REFLECT 

Have you had some misunderstanding with a friend who might not fully understand you until the return of Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about how difficult misunderstandings can be. If, like Paul, you have communicated with a clean heart all you can do is commit it to the Lord to eventually bring understanding. See 1 Timothy 1:5-6 for what Paul instructed others through younger Timothy.  

Day 2

READ 

2 Corinthians 1:15-17 

15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— 16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea. 17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 

Corinth was in Achaia, the southern part of Greece. Macedonia was in the northern part. This explains why Paul thought he might see them twice. Apparently there was misunderstanding of why Paul had changed his plans. He wanted the Corinthians to know that he was not changing his plans carelessly. There was a reason for his change. He did not to want them to think he was unsure of what he should do.  

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes had difficulty in assuring others your heart was right when you changed your plans? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about being honest in your dealings with others. You want them to know you can be trusted to be honest even if they misunderstand. Read Luke 16:10-11 about how to earn this credibility.  

Day 3 

READ 

2 Corinthians 1:18-20 

18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 

Paul assured the Corinthians that the Lord he served does not waver in meaning. This shows Paul realized he was accountable to Jesus and wanted to live to honor Him. Paul reminded the Corinthians that God had fulfilled His promises as He said He would. And that is the way Paul wanted to live. Believers who live an honest life give God the glory.  

REFLECT 

Have you thought about your honesty bringing praise to God? That is the way He wants you to live. Think about Proverbs 11:5 in this regard.  

RESPOND 

Read about the confidence Abraham had in God by reading Romans 4:20-25. It was because of his confidence in God that he was declared righteous. Having confidence in the God we serve will cause us to be honest in our relationships.  

Day 4

READ 

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 

21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 

The ministry of the Holy Spirit was important to the apostle Paul. He wrote in Romans 8:9 that if anyone does not have the Holy Spirit that person is not a believer. He wrote in Ephesians 4:30 that believers should not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of the believer’s redemption. In 2 Corinthians 1:22 Paul says the Holy Spirit is the down payment that guarantees everything God has promised. 

REFLECT 

Do you realize the importance of the Holy Spirit in your life? 

RESPOND  

Meet with a fellow believer to talk about the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Read John 14:16-17, 26 and John 16:7-11 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 to learn some of the great truths about the Holy Spirit.  

Day 5

READ 

2 Corinthians 1:23-24 

23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm. 

Paul explained why he had not returned to Corinth as first promised. This was because of his concern for them and wanting to spare them by not giving them a severe rebuke. Paul did not question the faith of these believers, but he questioned how they were practicing their faith. There is uncertainty about the various letters Paul may have written the Corinthians, but there is enough in 1 Corinthians to reveal some of the problems they were having.  

REFLECT 

Have you had more mature believers express concern about the way you are practicing your faith? That reveals their love and concern for you. 

RESPOND 

Talk with another believer about how Christ-followers should live out their faith. Many Bible passages reveal how they should do this, but Ephesians 4:17-32 is a good one to focus on.