2 Corinthians Week 21

Day 1 

READ 

2 Corinthians 12:16-18 

16 Some of you admit I was not a burden to you. But others still think I was sneaky and took advantage of you by trickery. 17 But how? Did any of the men I sent to you take advantage of you? 18 When I urged Titus to visit you and sent our other brother with him, did Titus take advantage of you? No! For we have the same spirit and walk in each other’s steps, doing things the same way. 

Paul continued to challenge the Corinthians about how they were thinking about him and Titus. Apparently the believers in Corinth thought they were being taken advantage of. Not all thought this of Paul and Titus but enough did that Paul thought he should correct them about their mistaken thoughts. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes been misunderstood by those you thought were your friends? 

RESPOND 

From Galatians 2:3 it is learned that Titus was a Gentile. From 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul mentioned Titus had gone to Dalmatia although Demas had forsaken him. In the letter Paul wrote to Titus, it is seen that Paul left him in Crete for a spiritual ministry (see Titus 1:5). Consider meeting with a friend and reading this three-chapter letter to Titus from Paul to learn more about Titus.  

Day 2 

READ 

2 Corinthians 12:19-20 

19 Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 

Paul wanted it to be clear to the Corinthian believers that everything that had been done was for their benefit. He was concerned that he would find some troubling spiritual problems when he came to see them. If that would be true, they would not like the way he would respond. Note the eight specific problems he was afraid he would find among some of them.  

REFLECT 

See the items Paul mentioned and examine your heart to see if you are guilty of any of these. 

RESPOND 

A church group cannot have a spiritual unity if it is guilty of some of these eight items that Paul mentioned. Visit with a friend about this. Examine John 13:35 that reveals how a watching world would recognize true believers. See also Proverbs 6:16-19 that tells what the Lord hates, and especially notice the last item.  

Day 3 

READ 

2 Corinthians 12:21 

21 Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure. 

Paul feared what he would learn about the Corinthians when he came to visit. It would dishearten him if he found some who had not repented and turned to God. They may have been in the church. He would be humbled if he learned they were guilty of sexual sins and had not repented of them and trusted God for victory.  

REFLECT 

How sad are you to learn some you’ve invested your life in are not living as they should? 

RESPOND 

Corinth was a wicked city. Those realizing there is so much immorality today need to learn more about Corinth and what the believers were saved out of. Some today think people are born with a life that dishonors God; that is not what the Bible teaches. With a friend read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 to see how lives were changed from immoral to moral by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 

Day 4 

READ 

2 Corinthians 13:1-2 

1 This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”). 2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them. 

Some speak with apologetic voices when dealing with sin. Paul warned he would face these people who were living in sin. One suspects he would have named names and confronted them personally. He referred to Deuteronomy 19:15 about matters being established by two or three witnesses and not by just one. This indicates Paul would have had no difficulty finding others who would corroborate what he was saying about these people.  

REFLECT 

Do you realize the importance of not taking one person’s word for something? It can be taken more seriously when two or three agree about the matter. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Timothy 5:19-20 to see what Paul wrote about listening to accusations against spiritual leaders. Talk to a friend about practicing this in your local fellowship. 

Day 5 

READ 

2 Corinthians 13:3-4 

3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. 4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power. 

Paul warned the Corinthians what he would be like when he visited them again. He was weak before their eyes but he would be strong when he visited because his strength was coming from Jesus. Paul contrasted the death of Jesus with His resurrection; one done in weakness, the other in power.  

REFLECT 

Even though you feel weak sometimes, do you realize you have strength in Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about how believers are identified with Jesus in His death and resurrection. Read Romans 6:5-11 to see what Paul wrote about believers being identified with Jesus in His death and resurrection. Talk about the importance of emphasizing the life of Jesus now and how believers should live by depending on His power and strength.