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.1
Since we have these promises, dear friends,let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Dear Lord by your grace and love help me to do this.
v.1
Since we have these promises, dear friends,let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Dear Lord by your grace and love help me to do this.
Interesting that the motivation for purifying ourselves comes from God's promises.
Interesting that the motivation for purifying ourselves comes from God's promises.
v.5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside, fears within.
It surprises and encourages me to think of Paul as having "fears within."
Then he continues, "But God…" I thankful for all the times that God has intervened in my life and turned things around, even though sometimes it is only my perspective that is turned around!
v.5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn – conflicts on the outside, fears within.
It surprises and encourages me to think of Paul as having "fears within."
Then he continues, "But God…" I thankful for all the times that God has intervened in my life and turned things around, even though sometimes it is only my perspective that is turned around!
v.2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
Following on from 6:13 Paul again makes an appeal for an emotional connection. The only subject mentioned between this appeal and the previous one is the discussion of not being yoked with unbelievers. This adds to the evidence the Corinthians reluctance to open their hearts was due to them being “yoked together with unbelievers”. Being yoked with unbelievers may be referring to “eating in an idol’s temple” (1 Cor 8:10).
v.2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
Following on from 6:13 Paul again makes an appeal for an emotional connection. The only subject mentioned between this appeal and the previous one is the discussion of not being yoked with unbelievers. This adds to the evidence the Corinthians reluctance to open their hearts was due to them being “yoked together with unbelievers”. Being yoked with unbelievers may be referring to “eating in an idol’s temple” (1 Cor 8:10).
v.4 I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
Paul is able to experience joy in the midst of all his troubles!
That we may also learn to be joyful despite trouble.
v.4 I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
Paul is able to experience joy in the midst of all his troubles!
That we may also learn to be joyful despite trouble.
v.12-13 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged.
We don't know what the incident was but Paul's concern wasn't so much for the person in the wrong or even the "injured party" (which may have been Paul himself) but rather for the attitude of the church.
How does the church respond when there is an "incident"? Do we ignore it and cover it up or do we become "sorrowful" (v.9) which leads to "repentance" (v.10). And the end result – if the church responds with the right attitude – is encouragement (v.13).
So out of a bad situation God can bring encouragement if we respond the way he wants us to.
v.12-13 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged.
We don't know what the incident was but Paul's concern wasn't so much for the person in the wrong or even the "injured party" (which may have been Paul himself) but rather for the attitude of the church.
How does the church respond when there is an "incident"? Do we ignore it and cover it up or do we become "sorrowful" (v.9) which leads to "repentance" (v.10). And the end result – if the church responds with the right attitude – is encouragement (v.13).
So out of a bad situation God can bring encouragement if we respond the way he wants us to.