2 Corinthians 9

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2 Corinthians 9:1

Final Exhortations and Greetings

1 Corinthians 16:15. At the end of his letter Paul puts forward again some people of a household. That’s how he started his letter. In chapter 1 he makes clear that the reason of his writing was that he had heard certain things from persons who belonged to the household of Chloe (1 Corinthians 1:11) and in that chapter he also mentions the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:16). He had baptized that whole family. He now refers again to that family. He mentions this family as one that is fruitful in their ministry to other believers.

In the previous verses you met Paul, Timothy and Apollos, who fulfilled their tasks as individual servants. Here you find a brother, Stephanas, who serves the Lord with his whole family. To serve the Lord means to serve the brothers and sisters. That is well worth the effort. I am convinced that there is an urgent need of such families. The greater part of all miseries in the world and in the church is caused by failing family relationships. Fathers and mothers do not take their place that God has appointed in the family anymore. Children do not obey their parents anymore. Those are developments that are extremely damaging. Families like that of Stephanas are a real blessing to the society and the church.

This brother was the first in Achaia who had been converted, together with his family. There were abundant proofs that it was a real conversion. One of those proofs is their willingness to serve fellow believers. Serving means taking the lowest place. By taking that place Stephanas and his household radiate something.

1 Corinthians 16:16. Stephanas had no official appointment as an elder or anything like that. Neither did he claim such a function. But through his way of life Paul could exhort the Corinthians to be in subjection to him. It is a good thing to be in subjection to believers who show with their household that they take the Word of God seriously. They have something to offer you that will enrich your own life with the Lord.

That does not only apply to families, but we must be in subjection to all who are fully dedicated to the Lord. You learn from their lives and it leads you closer to the Lord. This submissiveness is something that is hardly tolerated in our time. The general opinion is we should all be assertive; to adopt a ‘slavish’ behavior is not appropriate and doesn’t go hand in hand with the rights you have. It is, however, an attitude of respect toward another and the compliance of the other person’s rights. It is the attitude that the Lord Jesus had during His life on earth toward His God and Father and toward His earthly parents as well (Luke 2:51).

1 Corinthians 16:17. Stephanas was a man who dearly loved Paul. Together with two others he traveled to Paul. That made Paul very happy. Are you also that happy when brothers come to share the Lord’s things with you?

Paul needed such visits, especially since he was not treated very gratefully by the Corinthians. He had made great efforts for them, but they appeared not to be grateful. Of course a servant should not be concerned with thanks or pats on the back. What a true servant must be sensitive to is that his teaching has an effect among believers.

When a person has accepted a ministry, it results in a hearty relationship between the servants and the believers, which was not the case with the Corinthians. But now there came some brothers from Corinth who did accept and honor his ministry. It was not because of Paul, but because he preached Christ. When Christ is the object of the service and hearts are opened for that, there will always be fellowship. It appeared that these brothers had their heart in the right place. They compensated the omission of the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 16:18. They refreshed Paul’s spirit. Paul might have been worrying a lot about how he had to deal further with the believers at Corinth. It could have almost depressed him. You can imagine that if you saw your own lifework get stuck like that. Then those brothers came. That was very encouraging. And if the Corinthians were honest, they had to admit that these three brothers who refreshed Paul like that, had also refreshed them often with their ministry. They had to deal carefully with such brothers because they were of great value. I hope that you also know such brothers and that you acknowledge them as well, which means that you also listen to them.

1 Corinthians 16:19. Then we have the greetings. Some names are mentioned, but first the churches in Asia. In those days, the local churches were closely related to each other. They knew each other and kept in touch with one another. Passing on greetings is a proof of interconnectedness. In this way local churches can experience, also in the time of confusion in which we live today, their interconnectedness. It is something very simple and yet very beautiful and valuable.

Aquila and Prisca are the only ones who are called by their names, together with the church that is gathering in their house. In the first verses of Acts 18 you can read that Paul got acquainted to this married couple at Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). This married couple loved the Lord. Paul mentions their names several times in his letters. You should explore what is actually written about them. Here it is mentioned that they opened their house for the brothers and sisters, to God’s glory. Because they had lived for a couple of years in Corinth, they must have built up a relationship with the believers there, which they still felt.

1 Corinthians 16:20. Furthermore Paul passes on the greetings of “all the brethren”. Through faith in the Lord Jesus there is a bond between all who know and love Him.

In a way, passing on greetings at a distance can be easier than to greet believers with whom you deal with on a regular basis. By knowing the weaknesses and bad habits of the latter well, it may be quite difficult sometimes to greet such a brother or sister heartily. Therefore the appeal is to greet one another with a holy kiss. It is not necessarily to greet one another by the means of a kiss, but it is more about the sincerity of the greeting. It should not be a hypocritical greeting.

1 Corinthians 16:21. Finally we have the greetings of Paul, written by his own hand. He normally did not write his letters by his own hand, but there are a few exceptions. Most of the times he dictated his letters and another person wrote them down, which he then closed with a kind of signature by writing his greetings with his own hand. You can verify that at the end of several letters. There is a possibility that Paul had an eye disease, which disabled him to write by himself, or made it difficult for him to write (Galatians 4:14-15).

1 Corinthians 16:22. Then he still has a serious and penetrating word for “anyone” who “does not love the Lord”. Would there possibly be some people among the Corinthians who did not love the Lord? Could there be people among us who do not love the Lord? The love for the Lord can be shown only in one way and that is from the love a person has for what He has said. In John 14 two wonderful statements are written (John 14:21; 23).

The Corinthians can show their love for the Lord by obeying what Paul has written in this letter. That goes for us as well regarding the whole Bible. It is not about our failures in that, but about really be willing to do what the Lord says, out of love for Him, whatever it may cost. He who doesn’t have that desire, is accursed.

“Maranatha!” That means: ‘The Lord is coming’ or: ‘Lord, come!’ It refers to the coming of the Lord. He who loves the Lord, is looking forward to Him. For him who does not love the Lord, His coming is a judgment.

1 Corinthians 16:23. Until that moment Paul wishes them “the grace of the Lord Jesus”. If we often feel weak there is fortunately still that grace that helps us to be persistent.

1 Corinthians 16:24. Finally he expresses his love to them, which he has for “all in Christ Jesus”. Love has urged him to write this letter. It was love for his Lord and love for His own. Only through love are we able to serve one another and to bring each other closer to the Lord and to glorify Him as local churches.

“Amen.”

Now read 1 Corinthians 16:15-24 again.

Reflection: Do you love the Lord?

2 Corinthians 9:2

Final Exhortations and Greetings

1 Corinthians 16:20. Furthermore Paul passes on the greetings of “all the brethren”. Through faith in the Lord Jesus there is a bond between all who know and love Him.

1 Corinthians 16:23. Until that moment Paul wishes them “the grace of the Lord Jesus”. If we often feel weak there is fortunately still that grace that helps us to be persistent.

“Amen.”

Now read 1 Corinthians 16:15-24 again.

Reflection: Do you love the Lord?

2 Corinthians 9:5

Introduction

You can only really understand this letter well if you have read the first letter to the Corinthians. In that letter Paul had to write about many things that were wrong with the Corinthians. He is very excited to see how they received the first letter. Had they listened to what he had written to them in that letter or did they tear it off in anger? He did not know and therefore he was waiting anxiously for their response. Fortunately he received news that the letter was well received. All problems did not vanish immediately, but they had taken the letter to their heart and consented to cooperate with him in rectifying things.

When Paul heard this he was very happy. Therefore he again takes up the pen and writes to them in a way that touches hearts and feelings. Here he opens up his heart without any qualms. Sometimes it looks as if he would lose his train of thought because his heart is so full and he has to tell them so much. But although you will meet a lot of different themes in this letter one can see an impressive order.

What makes this letter so impressive is that it appears that it is written especially for you. You were certainly not in all the situations Paul was in and most probably you will not come into such situations. However one can learn much from Paul’s example of how he conducted himself in these situations. This of course will be a great help to you. Anyone who wants to serve Christ in his life will have to face difficult situations. It will also be the same in your case if you want to serve Christ.

Introduction, Praise and Tribulation

This letter speaks about how someone who wants to be a servant of God has to deal with all sorts of difficulties and trials. But the difficulties and trials never have the last say. God wants to use them to show you that He is still in control. Sometimes the future looks bleak and you might even ponder giving up to live for the Lord. And at that critical moment the Lord comes to you and comforts you and encourages you. Surely you would not want to miss such moments not even for all the wealth the world can offer.

2 Corinthians 1:1. Let us have a closer look at the first five verses. First Paul introduces himself again. He clearly presents himself as “an apostle”. He does this to impress and underline his apostolic authority. But he does not do this as the world around us does. Worldly men want to impress and win the admiration of people. Paul does this to impress that he was sent by Someone else.

The word apostle means ‘messenger’. Paul is not speaking for himself but on behalf of another. Who is the one who stands immediately behind him? It is Christ Jesus. Paul did not usurp this apostleship, but he is an apostle “by the will of God”.

Together with Timothy he addresses both the Corinthians and the other believers who live in the province of Achaia. And, as it is with the other letters, over their heads you too are addressed.

2 Corinthians 1:2. Paul wishes them grace and peace as he does in many of his other letters. Such words of blessings are not hollow phrases, nor meaningless expressions. On the contrary Paul puts his whole heart into it. It is great to approach someone in this way and draw attention to what happens further.

2 Corinthians 1:3. As I said earlier, this letter speaks much about sufferings that one can meet while serving God and Christ. What is the benefit of suffering? Why does God allow it? Or even: Why does God bring sufferings over His children? It is quite remarkable that the Bible book that probably first was written, even before Moses wrote the book of Genesis, was the book of Job. It is further noteworthy that the theme of the book of Job is suffering! Suffering is part of human life since the fall into sin. There is no man born on earth who is not involved in some kind of suffering. I trust you agree with me.

Then the next question that arises is how to deal with suffering. Different kinds of answers are possible to this question. One can also pose another question. How does God see suffering? I think Paul has a beautiful answer to this question in the verses you are reading. Such an answer is not simply to be repeated in our speech but it must be experienced.

He begins with praising God. Think of it a little more deeply. He was in terrible distress, even close to death. But he praises God for that. When you read Acts 16:19-25 you will discover that they are not simply glossy words. You can never understand God better than when you are in the way of suffering.

Paul calls God “the Father of mercies”. Here you see a Father putting His arms around His suffering child. He also calls God the “God of all comfort”. Did you read well? It says: of all comfort, so not just a little bit of comfort and also without excluding certain circumstances.

2 Corinthians 1:4. God gives this comfort “in all our tribulation”. Again you must read it right. God does not take away our afflictions to comfort us, but He comes to us in our afflictions and carries us through them. It is very beautifully written in Isaiah 63: “In all their affliction He was afflicted” (Isaiah 63:9). Do you understand? God comes to you in your affliction, puts His arms around you and speaks “gracious words, comforting words” (Zechariah 1:13). A world full of sufferings needs comforting words. Do you ever speak such words?

2 Corinthians 1:5. One of the reasons why God allows sufferings in our life is that we should experience His mercies and comfort. This will enable us to comfort others who are going through affliction. So it was with Paul and so it can be with us too.

One other thing. Sometimes it is possible that you feel a suffering is quite unbearable in the service of Christ, and you fear that you will perish. Remember, then, that comfort through Christ is always surpassing everything.

Now read 2 Corinthians 1:1-5 again.

Reflection: 2 Corinthians 1:3 is similar to Ephesians 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:3. What are the differences you are able to find in these two Scriptures?

2 Corinthians 9:6

Introduction

Introduction, Praise and Tribulation

Together with Timothy he addresses both the Corinthians and the other believers who live in the province of Achaia. And, as it is with the other letters, over their heads you too are addressed.

Now read 2 Corinthians 1:1-5 again.

Reflection: 2 Corinthians 1:3 is similar to Ephesians 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:3. What are the differences you are able to find in these two Scriptures?

2 Corinthians 9:7

Introduction

Introduction, Praise and Tribulation

Together with Timothy he addresses both the Corinthians and the other believers who live in the province of Achaia. And, as it is with the other letters, over their heads you too are addressed.

Now read 2 Corinthians 1:1-5 again.

Reflection: 2 Corinthians 1:3 is similar to Ephesians 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:3. What are the differences you are able to find in these two Scriptures?

2 Corinthians 9:8

Introduction

Introduction, Praise and Tribulation

Together with Timothy he addresses both the Corinthians and the other believers who live in the province of Achaia. And, as it is with the other letters, over their heads you too are addressed.

Now read 2 Corinthians 1:1-5 again.

Reflection: 2 Corinthians 1:3 is similar to Ephesians 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:3. What are the differences you are able to find in these two Scriptures?

2 Corinthians 9:9

Introduction

Introduction, Praise and Tribulation

Together with Timothy he addresses both the Corinthians and the other believers who live in the province of Achaia. And, as it is with the other letters, over their heads you too are addressed.

Now read 2 Corinthians 1:1-5 again.

Reflection: 2 Corinthians 1:3 is similar to Ephesians 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:3. What are the differences you are able to find in these two Scriptures?

2 Corinthians 9:10

Comfort for Others

2 Corinthians 1:6. Is it really true that the trials and afflictions of one person mean comfort to another? If you ask Paul he would answer with a loud ‘yes’. Now you and I do not have anything to do with the kind of suffering Paul went through. But that is not the most important thing. You need not necessarily endure the same kind of suffering as Paul did in order to empathize with someone. The important thing is that your experience of suffering can be a comfort for another person who also is going through tough times, though his suffering is of a different kind.

‘Shared pain is half pain’ says a proverb. Is this not your experience too? When you encounter something sad you can be absorbed in your grief in a way that you think you are the only person with such a grief and that there is nobody who can understand you. When you think of others who also have a grief, it can do you good (cf. 1 Peter 5:9). You can draw some comfort by that understanding. When a person knows that he is not alone in his grief, it gives him strength and courage to persevere, despite the troubles and worries. You can always share your experience of comfort with someone else.

2 Corinthians 1:7. Paul’s experience of sorrow has to do with his service to the Lord. He experienced much enmity and hatred through his service for the Lord. But he persevered. In each kind of suffering he had a fresh experience of comfort. He was convinced that it was so with the Corinthians too. The golden rule is that the one who has a share in a suffering also has a share in the comfort. This applies to you also.

2 Corinthians 1:8. Now that the situation in Corinth has improved and the errors were confessed, Paul can talk about himself and what he went through and how he felt. One shares his experiences only with those who have genuine interest. Personal difficult experiences are not shared with everyone but only with those in whom you have the confidence that they are sincerely interested in you and that they sympathize with you.

It means so much for the other person when you open yourself to him. He understands that you reckon on his sympathy. This gives one a sense of appreciation. Paul considers the Corinthians as his friends by telling them of his suffering and comfort.

The troubles he encountered in Asia were not insignificant. We do not know exactly what Paul refers to. Some believe it was the tumult at Ephesus (Acts 19:23-31). But then Paul was not terrified, nor was he desperate, but was rather courageous and determined. Whatever the trouble was we understand that it was a trying time for him.

2 Corinthians 1:9. In such circumstances, when there is no more hope, there remains nothing and no one else but God. Only He can then give relief. And that’s what God does too! God allows situations in our lives in which we don’t see a way out. He wants us to learn to trust in Him alone. Psalms 107 describes very pervasively how all the wisdom of man is of no use when storms erupt in life (Psalms 107:23-32). All that remains is to cry to the Lord and trust in Him.

There is another beautiful verse in Psalms 68 which says: “God is to us a God of deliverances; and to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death” (Psalms 68:20). Paul learnt this by experience and you can also.

2 Corinthians 1:10. Paul did not lament the way God dealt with him and the troubles which came to him. He knew how to make an opportunity out of every difficulty to know God better each time. God will use all difficulties in our lives to deliver us from all attempts and efforts on our part to save ourselves or free ourselves from difficulties. God wants us to learn to handover everything to Him and to trust that He is able to make a way out where we see no way out.

God wants us to learn Him better and better as the God of salvation and the God of resurrection and of life. Each experience by which we learn to know God in this way equips us to face future challenges in life. God can do one more time what He did before.

2 Corinthians 1:11. If you come across someone with whom God is busy in this way you may pray that God achieves His purpose with him. Paul was happy that the Corinthian believers were praying for him. In his other letters we read how much he appreciates the prayers of believers. He calls it “helping through prayers”. Perhaps you would not say so, but praying for someone is helping him. Prayer is doing work. It is even hard work. That is probably why it happens very little.

Paul believed that the prayers will be heard. He saw his life he once despaired of, as something he got back through the prayers of many persons. This is what made him say that his life was a gift of grace which he received from God. What is the result of such answered prayers? Thanksgiving. Many could give thanks to God, for Paul was still alive.

As you see Paul is not an individualist who goes his own way as though other believers meant nothing to him. No, all believers including the ones in Corinth were important to him. He knew he needed them. It’s beautiful to see this attitude in this great servant of the Lord.

Now read 2 Corinthians 1:6-11 again.