Archive for May 2023

1 Samuel 11-13, Psalm 99, Mark 11:1-11, 2 Corinthians 4 2 Corinthians 4: This—one of the great chapters in the Bible, and in the Book of 2 Corinthians—is Paul’s description of why it is that Christians do not lose heart or become discouraged. He starts with that as his theme (v.1) and ends with it too (v.16). How…

1 Samuel 9-10, Psalm 98, Mark 10:35-52, 2 Corinthians 3 2 Corinthians 3: As Paul continues to attempt to solve the conflict that he has with the Corinthian church—a conflict around various important spiritual and moral, as well as personal, matters about which the Corinthians needed to be corrected—we can see important spiritual insights into a thriving relationship…

1 Samuel 6-8, Psalm 97, Mark 10:17-34, 2 Corinthians 2 2 Corinthians 2: More insights here into the gospel-centered relationship that exists in a church, even, as in Corinth, in a church that has some significant tensions being addressed by Paul. First, note the genuine and spiritually profound emotion that tied Paul to the Corinthians. These are people…

1 Samuel 3-5, Psalm 96, Mark 10:1-16, 2 Corinthians 1:12-24 2 Corinthians 1:12-24: Paul changed his plans to visit Corinth, and part of the criticism he was receiving from the Corinthian church was related to this apparent double-mindedness—but which, as he explains, was really for their own benefit. In addressing this issue, Paul brings forward some gospel principles…

1 Samuel 1-2, Psalm 95, Mark 9:33-50, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 2 Corinthians 1:1-11: What is the right way to look at our afflictions—difficulties, sufferings, trials? Paul here gives us three key principles that he models in his own life and ministry. First, “all our affliction.” It is easy to begin to think that there are only “certain kinds…