Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.10 I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us.
One of the reason we forgive is so Satan will not outwit us.
v.10 I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us.
One of the reason we forgive is so Satan will not outwit us.
v.14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal prosession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
WOW! I am to 'go' when God calls me….and it is God who then spreads the knowledge of Himself through me.
That is very special!
v.14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal prosession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
WOW! I am to 'go' when God calls me….and it is God who then spreads the knowledge of Himself through me.
That is very special!
v.7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
v. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
Forgiveness, comfort and love go hand in hand!
v.7 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
v. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
Forgiveness, comfort and love go hand in hand!
I like v.14 too, Alison.
I find it interesting that to the saved we are the fragrance of life but to the unsaved we are the smell of death – probably explains why some unsaved are offend by us just being around!
I like v.14 too, Alison.
I find it interesting that to the saved we are the fragrance of life but to the unsaved we are the smell of death – probably explains why some unsaved are offend by us just being around!
In the Message, Eugene Peterson puts the verse break between v. 13-14 a few words later which I think makes more sense. And since the chapter and verse breaks were added quite some time after the Scriptures were written and are therefore not "inspired" he is quite at liberty to do this.
This means the phrase, "thanks be to God" finishes the thought Paul starts in v.13 about his concerns for them in the absence of news from Titus. So it reads like this:
But when I didn't find Titus waiting for me with news of your condition, I couldn't relax. Worried about you, I left and came on to Macedonia province looking for Titus and a reassuring word on you. And I got it, thank God!
Then v.14 starts a new thought:
In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade…
In the Message, Eugene Peterson puts the verse break between v. 13-14 a few words later which I think makes more sense. And since the chapter and verse breaks were added quite some time after the Scriptures were written and are therefore not "inspired" he is quite at liberty to do this.
This means the phrase, "thanks be to God" finishes the thought Paul starts in v.13 about his concerns for them in the absence of news from Titus. So it reads like this:
But when I didn't find Titus waiting for me with news of your condition, I couldn't relax. Worried about you, I left and came on to Macedonia province looking for Titus and a reassuring word on you. And I got it, thank God!
Then v.14 starts a new thought:
In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade…
I am not 'comfortable' with The Message translation!
I am not 'comfortable' with The Message translation!
That's fine Alison. The Message is more of a paraphrase than a translation and as such I tend to use it alongside the NIV not instead of it. Sometimes when I don't understand something I find it helpful to read a different perspective. At times I find The Message too American.
We are incredibly blessed in the age we live to have the Bible in so many different versions. So stick with those that you have the most confidence in.
That's fine Alison. The Message is more of a paraphrase than a translation and as such I tend to use it alongside the NIV not instead of it. Sometimes when I don't understand something I find it helpful to read a different perspective. At times I find The Message too American.
We are incredibly blessed in the age we live to have the Bible in so many different versions. So stick with those that you have the most confidence in.
v.1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.
Which effectively meant he left the Corinthians to deal with some problems themselves. Leaders cannont always solve everyone's problems.
v.1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.
Which effectively meant he left the Corinthians to deal with some problems themselves. Leaders cannont always solve everyone's problems.
v.12-13 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
Paul found that "the Lord had opened a door" but he left!!
Previously in Ephesus there was a great door of effective work but many opposed him yet he stayed! (1 Corinthians 16:9)
Paul was not controlled by his circumstances but rather by what God put on his heart. In this case it seems the thing on his heart was his concern for the Corinthians.
Paul did eventually make it back to Troas for a week (Acts 20:6-13).
v.12-13 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
Paul found that "the Lord had opened a door" but he left!!
Previously in Ephesus there was a great door of effective work but many opposed him yet he stayed! (1 Corinthians 16:9)
Paul was not controlled by his circumstances but rather by what God put on his heart. In this case it seems the thing on his heart was his concern for the Corinthians.
Paul did eventually make it back to Troas for a week (Acts 20:6-13).