Thanks and Giving – 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15 Commentary

Posted on November 26, 2024 by dkoop

“Give, and it shall be given unto you,” was our Lord’s promise; and it still holds true (Luke 6:38). The “good measure” He gives back to us is not always money or material goods, but it is always worth far more than we gave. Giving is not something we do, but something we are. Giving is a way of life for the Christian who understands the grace of God.  In grace giving, our motive is not “to get something,” but receiving God’s blessing is one of the fringe benefits.

If our giving is to bless us and build us up, we must be careful to follow the principles that Paul explained in this section.

9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.NIV The people of this time were intimately familiar with the principles of an agricultural economy. Planting, weeding, and harvesting were common, everyday tasks. Everyone would have known of a foolish neighbor who had used too much of his grain instead of saving it as seed for his fields. Lavishly scattering seeds all over one’s fields was a risk. What if birds ate it up? What if the soil was inferior and wouldn’t produce a harvest? Keeping more seeds in storage might appear to be wise, a way to ensure against future disasters. But the farmer who scattered his seed meagerly inevitably would have a small harvest. A farmer who refused to risk his grain on the next year’s harvest would lose.

This piece of agricultural wisdom contains a profound truth about Christian giving (see Proverbs 11:24-26; 22:8-9 for similar sayings). Those who are like the foolish farmer who sowed sparingly—those who refuse to trust God with their future financial security—will inevitably lose out on God’s rich blessings. Those who sow generously will invest in an eternal harvest that will exceed their expectations.

9:7 Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.NRSV Each Corinthian believer was to decide how much God wanted him or her to give. It wasn’t to be an impulsive decision but a deliberate one. They were to assess their own ability to give and plan accordingly. This was to be intentional, planned giving, for Paul had already told them to lay aside some money every week (1 Corinthians 16:1-4). This was one reason for Paul sending Titus ahead. He wanted someone to organize the weekly collections so that no one would fall short of how much they had pledged the year before (9:5). It seems that although they had already pledged the money, they had not given it yet.

Paul didn’t want to use urgent appeals or pressure tactics to coerce the Corinthians to give. Even though he was the one appealing for the money, he was careful to give the Corinthians enough time to think and to pray about how much God wanted them to give. Paul didn’t want anyone giving reluctantly or under compulsion. Paul knew that God weighs the heart and not the amount of money; he looks at the giver and not the gift. A cheerful giver, who gives out of a sincere gratitude for what God has done, is the type of giver God cherishes. God multiplies those gifts beyond measure (9:11).

 LIFE APPLICATION – ATTITUDE
A giving attitude is more important than the amount given (9:7). The person who can only give a small gift shouldn’t be embarrassed. God is concerned about how a person gives from his or her resources (see Mark 12:41-44 for Jesus’ commendation of a poor widow’s generosity). According to that standard, the giving of the Macedonian churches would be difficult to match (8:3). God himself is a cheerful giver. Consider all he has done for us. He is pleased when we who are created in his image give generously and joyfully. Do you have a difficult time letting go of your money? It may reflect your ungratefulness to God.

9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.NIV The biggest obstacle that people have to overcome in order to give is worry. What if I will not have enough money next year for my retirement? What if some emergency comes up? What if I lose my job? These verses reassure the Corinthians that God is able to meet all their needs. He is the Almighty. He owns all of the world; moreover, he blesses those who give back to him.

Paul emphasized all in this verse. Christians who give back to God will lack nothing. God’s favor—his grace—will be showered on people who give. They will have everything they need in the various situations in which they find themselves. In the Old Testament, God even invited the Israelites “to test” him in this. If they brought all the required tithes to him, God promised to “throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that [they] will not have room enough for it” (Malachi 3:10 niv).

The purpose of God’s overwhelming blessing is always to equip his people to do every good work. This text doesn’t imply that Christian giving is a contract with God, where the one who gives gets. Instead, it says that God will provide whatever a Christian needs to do good. Thus, in the end, a Christian’s good works will bring praise and glory to God.

9:9 As the Scriptures say, “Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.”NLT Just as a farmer has to scatter the seed on the ground in order to reap an abundant harvest, so Christians must scatter what they possess among the poor in order to reap God’s blessing. Paul already made it clear that God’s blessing does not always include an increase of riches. All of God’s gifts, both spiritual and material, are intended to help a Christian do good works (9:8). This quote from Psalm 112:9 demonstrates this truth. Although the psalmist does speak of material blessings for the righteous person in that psalm (Psalm 112:3), Paul quotes a line that emphasizes the spiritual benefits of generosity to the poor. Those who are blessed by God with financial resources should give generously to help those with less. Memory of this righteousness will never be forgotten. Those who receive this person’s gifts will remember the generosity for a long time, but, more importantly, God will never forget the person’s benevolence.

9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.NIV God supplies both the seed and the bread, both the surplus to invest and the resources to support one’s family every day. The resources that God gives Christians are not to be hoarded, foolishly devoured, or thrown away. God gives gifts to his people for their own use and for investing back into God’s work. Instead of squandering these gifts, Christians need to cultivate them in order to produce more good works (9:8).

God does not limit himself to merely giving more resources—in other words, more seed. He blesses what you sow. He showers the seed with gentle rain. He gives the seed that is sown everything it needs to grow into a healthy, thriving plant. Although the seed is small, it has great potential if it has the right conditions to grow (see Jesus’ parables on seeds in Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, 31-32).

In the same way, God blesses believers’ feeble efforts at generosity so that they enlarge the harvest. This harvest does not consist of personal wealth and riches. It is a harvest of your righteousness. God will take inadequate efforts at good works and increase them so that they bless many people. All a person has to do is give.

9:11-12 Yes, you will be enriched so that you can give even more generously. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will break out in thanksgiving to God. So two good things will happen—the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanksgiving to God.NLT Giving generously to those in need causes two good things to happen. First, through those gifts given to those who need them, God meets their needs (here, specifically, the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem). Second, the recipients of these generous gifts will break out in thanksgiving to God, joyfully expressing it! Their celebration over these gifts will lead to heartfelt praise to God, for they will know that it is God who enables the giver to give in the first place.

So, in Paul’s eyes, giving is not a strategy for financial growth but another way to bring praise and honor to God, who supplies everyone’s needs. Christians shouldn’t give to others in order to receive personal rewards. They should give liberally to the poor in order to see God work.

 LIFE APPLICATION – STINGY CHRISTIANS?
Paul wanted his readers to be generous on every occasion. As he appealed to the Corinthians to give sacrificially to aid the Jerusalem congregation, he reminded them that God is the source of everything good (9:10). Believers are called to be generous because of the example of the Lord of life. A stingy Christian should be an extinct species. Generosity proves that a person’s heart has been cleansed of self-interest and filled with the servant spirit of Jesus himself. That is why acts of generosity result in God being praised. When those through whom God works give freely, his undercover operation is exposed and applauded. Do neighbors see generosity in your actions?

9:13 You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.NLT In addition to the normal advantages that come through Christian giving (see 9:11-12), Paul hoped that the Jerusalem collection would have extra benefits: He hoped that through this gift from Gentile Christians Jewish and Gentile believers would be drawn closer together in Christian fellowship.

During the early decades of the church, Jewish Christians had grave doubts about whether the Gentiles’ faith was sincere. Even the apostle Peter was surprised that God wanted him to break Jewish ceremonial law in order to preach the gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile centurion (see Acts 10:1-33). But he did; Cornelius and his household not only came to faith in Christ but also received the Holy Spirit (10:34-46). This development wasn’t welcomed by some of the Jewish believers in Jerusalem (see Acts 11:3). Only after Peter had defended his actions did the believers in Jerusalem finally agree that salvation had been extended to the Gentiles also (Acts 11:18). Unfortunately, this wasn’t the end of the controversy. Later, some Jewish believers from Judea went to Antioch to inform Gentile believers that they had to be circumcised in order to be saved (see Acts 15:1). Even Peter tacitly joined in their hypocrisy because he was afraid of what this group would say (see Galatians 2:11-13). The controversy that erupted out of this was resolved at a meeting in Jerusalem. There the leaders of the early church agreed that salvation was only through faith in Jesus, not through the law (see Acts 15:6-19; Galatians 3:6-7, 13-14; Ephesians 2:8). Even though the issue had been resolved, it kept coming up. Jewish legalists misled the Gentile believers in Galatia (Galatians 3:1-5); and, apparently, decades after Peter’s first meeting with Cornelius, there were still Jewish believers in Jerusalem who doubted the genuineness of the Gentiles’ faith.

Paul viewed the collection for the destitute Jerusalem believers as concrete evidence that the Gentile believers were obedient to the Good News of Christ. One of the directives of the Jerusalem Council was that Gentile Christians shouldn’t forget the poor (see Galatians 2:10). The Gentiles’ generous gift to the Jerusalem poor would prove that they were obeying this directive. Paul never viewed the Jerusalem collection as a rite of initiation for the Gentiles. He was always perfectly clear that salvation came only through faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:26). Giving back to God, however, is one of many signs that a person’s faith is authentic (see also James 2:14-18).

9:14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the wonderful grace of God shown through you.NLT The collection for the Jerusalem believers would not only demonstrate the sincerity of the Corinthians’ faith, it would also tie the Christian community of faith closer together. Jewish Christians would view the monetary gift as an indication of God’s wonderful grace working in the Corinthians’ lives. Why would any Gentile—whether a Galatian or a Greek—give generously to the Jews in Jerusalem? Many of the Jews were not even citizens of the Roman Empire. They were a poor, minority group within the empire, with not much clout. Only God’s undeserved grace in their lives could motivate them to give (see 8:8-9).

Some Jewish Christians in the first century still found it difficult to accept Gentiles into the community of faith. This generous gift might be the one thing that would prompt these Jews to start praying for the Corinthian believers for the first time. Just as the Corinthians’ prayers for Paul made them partners with him in sharing the gospel (1:11), so these prayers of Jewish Christians would make them partners with Gentile believers. Through the Jerusalem collection, Jesus would begin to unite Jews and Gentiles into one body, the church (see Galatians 3:28). They were all becoming part of Jesus’ body; each was dependent on the other. The Gentiles had relied on the Jews to tell them the wonderful Good News of Jesus, while the Jews were relying on the Gentiles to support them financially (see Paul’s explanation of the offering at Romans 15:26-27). Through this, the entire community of faith—Jewish and Gentile Christians—would be built up in love.

9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! NKJV Paul ended his appeal for giving with fervent praise to God. The source of all this—the ability to give, the desire to give, even the reconciliation that would occur between Jewish and Gentile believers—was solely from God’s hands. God is the ultimate Giver.

This verse may be saying that the whole process from giver to recipient is an indescribable gift from God. But since Paul used the Greek word for “gift” that is commonly used for Jesus’ gift of righteousness (see Romans 5:15), Paul certainly was thanking God here for Jesus’ gift of salvation. That God freely saves all those who believe in Jesus is truly an “indescribable gift.” God’s extraordinary gift of salvation should motivate you to give generously to others. Spend time meditating on how much God has given you. Then evaluate your generosity in light of God’s generosity to you.

 LIFE APPLICATION –  THANKFUL
Thankfulness puts everything in the right perspective; God gives what is needed for service, comfort, expression, and recreation.
Thankful people can worship wholeheartedly. Gratitude opens our hearts to God’s peace and enables believers to put on love.
To increase your thankfulness, take an inventory of all you have (include your relationships, memories, abilities, and family, as well as material possessions). Use the inventory for prayers of gratitude. Before worship, pause and reflect on reasons for thanks. Celebrate God’s goodness.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

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Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Source: Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – 1 & 2 Corinthians, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “2 CORINTHIANS 9”.

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New Creation – 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 Commentary

Posted on November 18, 2024 by dkoop

Our  passage shows us, that in Christ we have:

  1. A New Motivation (the Love of Christ)
  2. A New Transformation  and a
  3. New Purpose (Reconciliation)

The first step to resolving a dispute is asking the other person for forgiveness, but no one enjoys taking that initial step. Whether it is a conflict between a husband and wife or a brother and sister, the first step toward reconciliation is difficult because no one wants to admit that he or she was wrong.

This passage points out that God has graciously taken the first step—in fact, the first stride—toward reconciliation with human beings. This in no way implies that God is somehow guilty or at fault. Ever since Adam and Eve’s rebellion in the Garden of Eden, people have consistently rebelled against God, ignoring his ways and depriving him of the worship he deserves (Romans 3:23). God has done nothing wrong. In fact, he has only given people chance after chance to return to him. Although all human beings have persisted in their rebellion, God has not destroyed them. Instead, he has provided everything to sustain life—from the air they breathe to the rains that make their crops grow (Matthew 5:45). Through his only Son, God the Father has reached out even further to his rebellious people. Through Christ’s death, God canceled our debts and forgave our sins (Colossians 2:13). He even places his Holy Spirit in our hearts so we can live according to his perfect ways (Galatians 5:16–18). Through Jesus, God has taken the initial step toward reconciliation, and he offers the free gift of salvation to all people. Anyone can come to accept his free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9; Revelation 22:17). Take advantage of God’s free gift. What a profound truth and great news!

5:14     For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. NIV  What motivates you? Everything that Paul and his companions did was to honor God. Not only did fear of God motivate them (see 5:11), but Christ’s love controlled their actions. The Greek word for “compels” means “to hold fast.” In other words, the love of Christ was motivating them to certain courses of action. They knew that Jesus, out of his great love, had given up his life for their sakes. He had not acted out of his own self-interest, selfishly holding on to the glory of heaven that he already possessed (Philippians 2:6). Instead, Jesus had willingly died on the cross.

Jesus died for all because on the cross he—the perfect Son of God—bore the curse that lay on all sinners. Thus, when Christ died on the cross, God saw all sinners, along with their sins, die on the cross (John 3:16–17; Romans 5:8). That is why those who accept this truth and believe in Jesus can receive God’s forgiveness for their sin.

5:15     And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. NIV Because Christ was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, to die for all, those who believe in Jesus should be willing to abandon their old, selfish ways in order to live for Christ (Romans 6:6–14; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:20). Like Paul, we should no longer live to please ourselves. We should die to ourselves and live for Christ, who is alive today and interceding with God on our behalf (Romans 6:22).

COUNTERCULTURAL CHRISTIANITY

In light of Christ’s death, Paul is insistent that Christians have no right to live selfishly (5:14). This biblical idea attacks today’s culture head-on. In the middle of the twentieth century, popular magazine titles were generically named Life, Look, and Time. As the new millennium approached, magazine titles reflected an increasingly ego-driven society: People, Us, and Self. Imagine that you have been approached to come up with a name and format for a new magazine whose content reflects a Christlike lifestyle. What titles would you suggest? What articles would you feature in this magazine? As an editor, what lifestyle issues would you want to address? In what ways would you encourage Christians to counter society’s values?

5:16–17           So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. NIV At one time, Paul had evaluated Jesus from a worldly point of view—in Greek, literally, “after the flesh,” meaning “according to human standards.” As an educated Jew, Paul was looking forward to the Messiah. But the Jews of his time were looking for a political Messiah, a powerful person who would free them from Roman rule. Instead, Jesus had died, even suffering the Romans’ most cruel punishment: crucifixion. Because Deuteronomy 21:23 says “anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse” niv, the Jews considered dying on a cross a sign of God’s disapproval. According to human standards, Jesus was an insignificant man who died like a criminal—not a person who deserved worship.

Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus road radically changed his thinking (Acts 9:1–15). All of his learning and all of his training under the teachers of the law and the respected Gamaliel had not led him to the truth. The wisdom of the world had not pointed him to the Savior of the world (see 1 Corinthians 2:1–16 for Paul’s explanation of why God circumvented human wisdom in his plan of salvation).

Only this personal encounter with Jesus convinced Paul that he needed to reevaluate his own life in light of what Jesus had accomplished on the cross. Jesus had given up his life for others—not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles (see Acts 10:34–44 for Peter’s discovery of this). As a Pharisee, Paul had strictly followed Jewish law and its traditions, which limited contact with unbelieving Gentiles (see Acts 10:12–16, 28–29 for Peter’s reaction to entering a Gentiles’ house). In light of Christ’s work, however, Paul abandoned those scruples and began calling Gentiles to faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 11:13; 15:16). He regarded everyone—both Jew and Gentile—as completely unworthy sinners before God (Romans 3:9). Anyone who acknowledged this fact, repented, and believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior would enter the Christian community, whether Jew or Gentile (Ephesians 3:6). Paul no longer was looking on the outward appearances—whether a person was from a certain ethnic or racial origin. Instead, he evaluated people through Christ’s perspective.

 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! NLT Christians are brand-new people. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. Christians are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—they are recreated (a new creation), living in vital union with Christ (Colossians 2:6–7). At conversion, believers are not merely turning over a new leaf; they are beginning a new life under a new Master.

In addition to recreating individual Christians, Jesus is incorporating them into an entirely new order. This new creation that Christ has begun constructing through his work on the cross includes the community of faith and all of creation (see Romans 8:20–21; Ephesians 1:9–10). This recreation of all the earth was something the prophet Isaiah had predicted (see Isaiah 65:17). An important aspect of this completely new creation is how people are reconciled to their Creator and even to other people. The distinction between Jew and Gentile is abolished. In its place is the new creation (see Galatians 6:15). Everything old has passed away. The old order of sin and death has gone; the selfish, sinful human nature has been dealt a death blow (see Galatians 5:16–21, 24). Old ways of thinking, old distinctions, have been abolished for those who are in Christ. In its place, the new has come. To draw attention to the coming of this new order, Paul announced it with the word “see.”

NEW LIFE

Paul proclaimed a whole new creation in Christ. Too often this verse has been individualized so that the main point is blurred. Many preach, “If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation.” While this is true, Paul is saying much more. Not only are believers changed from within (mysterious new creations in Christ), but a whole new order of creative energy began with Christ. There is a new covenant, a new perspective, a new body, a new church. All of creation is being renewed.

So sit up. Take notice. The old, worn-out ways are being replaced with new. This is not a superficial change that will be quickly superseded by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ’s authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation. Does your life reflect this new perspective?

5:18     All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. NIV This new creation is not of any human doing. God himself has begun the work. Only God can allow people to approach him. Only God can satisfy his own righteous demands. Only God can save. God is the Author and Finisher of salvation (see Hebrews 12:2). God brought his people to himself—in other words, reconciled us—by blotting out our sins (see also Ephesians 2:13–18) and making us righteous. When they trust in Christ, believers are no longer God’s enemies. Through Christ’s self-sacrificial work on the cross, God has made believers part of his family. Jesus died in our place so that we might enjoy fellowship with God (1 Corinthians 15:3).

Because believers have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to accept God’s free gift, to become reconciled as well. This is called the ministry of reconciliation. Since Paul experienced reconciliation through Christ, it became his mission to preach that message: “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10 niv). Today, the church owes it to the world to keep on spreading the message.

5:19     For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. NLT This is a quick summary of what his “ministry of reconciliation” entails. God had given Paul and other Christian evangelists the wonderful message of how God through Christ saves sinners. Just in case the Corinthians had forgotten the heart of Paul’s message to them, he repeated it to them: Christ was reconciling the world to God by no longer counting people’s sins against them. Paul used a Greek word for “counting” that was commonly used when a Greek spoke of calculating the debt of a person. Thus, God was no longer calculating people’s debt to him; instead, he was actively giving them more: the precious gift of salvation.

The Greek word for “sins” (paraptomata) literally means “fall beside,” in other words, a “failing.” Paul used it to express anything that deviated from God’s ways. But God, through Christ’s death on the cross, was bringing back all people—Jews and Greeks alike—who had fallen (Romans 5:10; Ephesians 2:14–17). Although we were enemies of God, Christ reached out to us, saving us from certain destruction. He even washed us in order that we might approach God with clean hearts (Colossians 1:21–22).

5:20–21           We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. NIV Ambassadors are official representatives of one country to another. In the first century, an ambassador was an elderly man of high rank who would travel to another country with messages from the monarch of his country. These messages might be simply congratulations at appropriate occasions, or it could be an official censure. Paul described himself and his coworkers as Christ’s ambassadors, representatives of Christ to the world (5:19).

Paul was a spokesmen for God. The message he preached was, in fact, God’s appeal to the world. Paul obtained his authority to preach from God himself. God had not given this authority to Paul because he was an especially gifted speaker or had the right credentials. God simply had chosen Paul to deliver God’s appeal. If Paul ever deviated from God’s message, he would lose his authority to speak (see 1 Corinthians 12:3).

What was Paul’s message that he had to deliver on Christ’s behalf? It was to be reconciled to God. Paul phrased this command in the passive tense. He wasn’t commanding people to reconcile themselves; they were incapable of doing that. Instead, Paul was announcing that they could be reconciled to God and that they should accept God’s free gift of reconciliation. Paul did not announce this message halfheartedly. He implored—even urged and pleaded—everyone who would listen to him to accept God’s free gift of salvation. It was extremely urgent, for it would change their eternal destiny.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. NIV Although Jesus was completely innocent, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. There are three views on what Paul meant by this: (1) Jesus was made a sinner when he died on the cross. This, of course, is not true. Jesus did not break the law at any point. He could not be a sinless sacrifice (Hebrews 7:26) and a sinner at the same time. Rather it was “for us” that he bore the consequences of our sin: death. (2) Still others have seen this as a reference to the Jewish sacrificial system. God made Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:7), although perfect and unblemished, into a sin offering for all humanity (see Romans 3:25; Hebrews 13:11–14). Although Paul does teach that Christ was a sin offering for us, and the Greek word for “sin,” hamartia, can also be used for sin offering, it would have been confusing for Paul to say “he who had no sin offering became a sin offering.” (3) Most likely the meaning is that Christ bore the consequences of, or punishment for, our sins, as stated in Galatians 3:13:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (niv)

In other words, God made Jesus, who was completely innocent and perfect, identify himself with sin so he could take it away.

In life, rarely will anyone claim perfection. Sin is a part of life, so much so that many people simply expect to encounter dishonesty, self-centeredness, and greed in other people. If they don’t, they are surprised. That is why many people in Jesus’ day expressed surprise at Jesus’ life. They could not find anything wrong with him (see Pilate’s words in Luke 23:4–22, the centurion’s words in Luke 23:41–48, and God’s testimony in Matthew 3:17; 17:5). The disciples, Jesus’ closest friends and followers, did not find any evil in his actions (see Peter’s testimony in 1 Peter 2:22 and John’s testimony in 1 John 3:5). Here Paul used the Greek word meaning “to know” in a personal way in the expression had no sin. Thus Paul was asserting that Jesus never knew what it meant to sin: He always followed God’s ways.

 So that in him we might become the righteousness of God. NIV Jesus bore the consequences of believers’ sin for their sakes. Since Jesus, who was perfect and innocent, took on the penalty of sin—death itself, Jesus can now give those who believe in him his righteousness. His perfect righteousness can cover our corrupt and imperfect lives. When people trust in Christ, they make an exchange—their sin for his righteousness. Believers’ sin was placed on Jesus at his crucifixion. His righteousness is given to believers at their conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ’s atonement for sin.

If it were not for the reality contained in 5:21, all of Christianity would be wishful thinking, a “hope so” religion. Here, Paul clarified the eternal transaction whereby each believer is passed “from death to life” (John 5:24 niv). How grateful we should be for God’s kindness to us!

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

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Sources

NIV Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

NLT Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

[1] Bruce B. Barton and Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1999), 351–360.

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Invitation and Introduction – New Creation -2 Corinthians

Posted on November 14, 2024 by dkoop

You’re invited to our new series, “New Creation” in 2 Corinthians!

Description:

As Christians we are brand-new people on the inside. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated—we are re-created (New Creations), living in vital union with Christ.  The church at Corinth was weak. Surrounded by idolatry and immorality, they struggled with their Christian faith and lifestyle. Through personal visits and letters, Paul instructed them in their faith, tried to resolve their conflicts, and reminded them of who they are: “a New Creation,” with a “ministry of reconciliation.”  Will you live out your faith as a “New Creation” in Christ?

Dates           Titles            Scripture                Events

Nov. 17 – God’s New Creation (2 Cor. 5)                     Communion

Nov. 24 – God’s Way of Meeting My Need (2 Cor. 8)  Thanksgiving Weekend

 Dec. 1 – God’s Grace for the Hurting (2 Cor. 12)

Dec. 8 –   God’s Greatest Gifts (2 Cor. 1, 4, 5)

 

Introduction: 

Paul constantly struggled with those who would mislead God’s people, and he poured his life into spreading the Good News to the uttermost parts of the world. During three missionary trips and other travels, he proclaimed Christ, made converts, and established churches. But often young believers were easy prey for false teachers, who were a constant threat to the gospel and the early church. So Paul had to spend much time warning and correcting these new Christians.
The church at Corinth was weak. Surrounded by idolatry and immorality, they struggled with their Christian faith and lifestyle. Through personal visits and letters, Paul tried to instruct them in the faith, resolve their conflicts, and solve some of their problems. First Corinthians was sent to deal with specific moral issues in the church and to answer questions about sex, marriage, and tender consciences. That letter confronted the issues directly and was well received by most. But there were false teachers who denied Paul’s authority and slandered him. Paul then wrote 2 Corinthians to defend his position and to denounce those who were twisting the truth.
Second Corinthians must have been a difficult letter for Paul to write because he had to list his credentials as an apostle. Paul was reluctant to do so as a humble servant of Christ, but he knew it was necessary. Paul also knew that most of the believers in Corinth had taken his previous words to heart and were beginning to mature in their faith. He affirmed their commitment to Christ.
Second Corinthians begins with Paul reminding his readers of (1) his relationship to them—Paul had always been honest and straightforward with them (1:12–14), (2) his itinerary—he was planning to visit them again (1:15–2:2), and (3) his previous letter (2:3–11). Paul then moves directly to the subject of false teachers (2:17), and he reviews his ministry among the Corinthians to demonstrate the validity of his message and to urge them not to turn away from the truth (3:1–7:16).
Paul next turns to the issue of collecting money for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He tells them how others have given, and he urges them to show their love in a tangible way as well (8:1–9:15). Paul then gives a strong defense of his authority as a genuine apostle while pointing out the deceptive influence of the false apostles (10:1–13:10).
As you read this intensely personal letter, listen to Paul’s words of love and exhortation, and be committed to the truth of God’s Word and prepared to reject all false teaching.

Vital Statistics

Purpose: To affirm Paul’s ministry, defend his authority as an apostle, and refute the false teachers in Corinth

Author: Paul

Original Audience: The church in Corinth

Date Written: Approximately A.D. 55–57, from Macedonia

Setting: Paul had already written three letters to the Corinthians (two are now lost). In 1 Corinthians (the second of these letters), he used strong words to correct and teach. Most of the church had responded in the right spirit; there were, however, those who were denying Paul’s authority and questioning his motives.

Key Verse: “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead ‘Come back to God!’ ” (5:20)

Key People: Paul, Timothy, Titus, false teachers

Key Places: Corinth, Jerusalem

Special Features: This is an intensely personal and autobiographical letter.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Source: Life Application Bible Notes (Tyndale, 2007), 1958–1959.

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Galatians Review

Posted on November 12, 2024 by dkoop

Why is Galatians so important?

In advance of the Jerusalem Council, Paul’s letter speaks wisdom and clarity into the first real controversy that plagued the church in its early years—the relationship between Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles. Paul’s aggressive tone shows just how important it was to him that the people embrace unity in Christ, no matter their racial distinctions. For him, this was no minor issue, as he went so far as to call the Galatians deserters of Christ, people turning from the truth toward a gospel contrary to the one they had received from Paul (Galatians 1:6–9).

 About the Author?

The Epistle to the Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul. Paul identifies himself as the author in the first line of the letter, and virtually all scholars affirm Pauline authorship, due to the style and theology of the epistle.1 In addition, Paul reveals a great deal of autobiographical information in this epistle. Much of this information is not shared in his other known correspondence, and Paul uses the material to address the Galatians, thus making it more authoritatively Pauline.2

When and Where Did the Author Write?

There is no unanimous consensus about when Paul wrote the Epistle to the Galatians. The general range given for the date of this epistle is circa AD 48 -50.3 If this is true, then Paul had already concluded his first missionary journey.4

If one accepts the early 48 date, then Paul would have written this letter from Corinth during his Aegean mission. if a little later, Paul would have written from Ephesus or Macedonia during the latter portion of his Aegean mission.5

Who Was the Original Audience?

There is some debate regarding whom this epistle was written to. Some argue that this letter was written to a region, rather than to a specific city. The debate is whether this region is North Galatia or South Galatia.6 The debate of north versus south has found traction in different groups in different eras. There is evidence for either region, but the south seems to have some distinct advantages.7 Despite the regional debate, Paul made it clear that the people in Galatia were primarily gentiles. There was a cultural milieu of Roman, Greek, and indigenous influences throughout the region of Galatia.8

Genre

What type of book is this?

The book of Galatians is an epistle. An epistle is an ancient letter that was used for correspondence purposes. The biblical epistles were typically used on an as-needed basis, such as addressing issues within the body of Christ. They were most often used to teach theology and offer ethical instruction for behavior.14 It’s helpful for modern-day readers of the epistles to acknowledge that Paul’s world is very different from our world today. The modern-day reader must pursue the historical context of the period in order to most effectively grasp Paul’s words.15

Thematic Language

What words does the Author regularly use in this book?

  • Christ (38 times)
  • Law (32 times)
  • Faith (21 times)
  • Spirit (18 times)
  • Flesh (16 times)

Why did the Author Write?

Paul wrote Galatians because he received word that some Jewish Christian missionaries had come to the region of Galatia to preach a different gospel from what he preached to the Galatians (1:6–7).This epistle was not written to protect the flock from some non-Christian invasion of false teaching, but rather, it was a letter of rebuke to those who had preached a false gospel and those who believedit.9 This “gospel” taught that in order to truly become a Christian and be a part of the people of God, a person must be circumcised. This was clearly against the gospel of salvation by Christ alone that Paul preached.10

Where did the Audience Live?

As mentioned previously, there was great diversity within the region of Galatia. This region was originally founded in the third century BC by Celts who migrated to the northern portion of Asia Minor.11 Much like the rest of the known world at this time, Galatia was under Roman control. As a province, Galatia was much more rural and agrarian as a society. As a result, the people were not dependent on other regions for their provision but were able to provide for their own needs.12 Galatia was quite large in Paul’s day and covered much territory; therefore, it seems that Paul was reaching a sizable audience.13

Key Verses

What are some key verses in this letter?

1:11 (ESV): For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel.

2:15-16 (ESV): We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

2:20 (ESV): I have been crucified with Christ. Itis no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

3:28 (ESV): There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

5:1 (ESV): For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

6:9 (ESV): And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Illustration

What’s an illustration that will help readers understand the context and message of the book?

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Galatians in order to address issues within the church. To help us understand Paul’s intentions, imagine someone like Gordon Ramsay. Gordon Ramsay is notorious for his television programs where he shows up to a dysfunctional restaurant and helps correct the issues causing the eatery to fail. Ramsay often does this in a harsh tone, much like we see in Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians (though Paul acts with more love while writing his letter). Ramsay’s ultimate concern is not to be angry at someone for running a business poorly, but rather that they correct the issues and become a healthy restaurant again. Paul desires that the church in Galatia become healthy again, too.

Overview

A succinct overview of the book to introduce the book to readers.

Paul, the founder of the churches in Galatia, received word of some Jewish Christians attempting to preach a different gospel from the one he originally presented to the local congregations. This “gospel” argued that people must follow the Law of Moses (and, specifically, be circumcised) to become a part of the people of God. Enraged because of his passion for Christ, the believers, and the gospel, Paul wrote a harsh rebuke defending the gospel that he preached against the “gospel” of these opponents. Paul did not want control of these people; rather, he wanted them to remain faithful to the gospel that he preached and to protect one another from the false “gospel. ”Paul’s vehement rebuke was done in love and as a form of discipline from this loving pastor to the congregations of the churches that he planted and nurtured. It is discipline that emanates from relationship, not that of an emperor disciplining unruly subjects.

How do I apply this?

Unfortunately, the false teaching brought to the Galatian churches by the Judaizers has been extremely difficult to root out even today. We must walk a fine line—on one hand, we do not want to fall into the legalism that the Galatians struggled with, but on the other, we cannot just live as if anything goes. The Christian’s commitment to Christ is based on the free gift of grace through faith, but as Paul articulated at the end of Galatians, it also results in a life of walking by the Spirit.

Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life, or do you find yourself living according to the flesh or “the compulsions of selfishness” (Galatians 5:16–26 MESSAGE) Too often we lose ourselves at the extremes, ending in a legalistic attempt to earn our salvation or a devil-may-care attitude about our sin.

Use Paul’s words in Galatians as an encouragement to pursue a life of holiness, not in your own strength but in the knowledge of God’s empowering grace in your life.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Read Along Daily Bible Reading: YouVersion (https://www.bible.com/organizations/370f8a6e-16bc-464f-8c43-0b7623fd2952)

Sources:

  • G. W. Hansen, “Galatians, Letter to the,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, eds. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 326.
  • “James D. G. Dunn, “The Epistle to the Galatians,” in Black’s New Testament Commentary, ed. Henry Chadwick (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1993), 2–3.
  • Craig S. Keener, “Galatians,” in New Cambridge Bible Commentary, ed. Ben Witherington III (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2018), 4.
  • N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird, The New Testament in Its World (Grand Rapids: 2019), 400.
  • Ibid., 400.
  • Thomas R. Schreiner, “Galatians,” in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 23.
  • Keener, “Galatians,” 8–12.
  • Gary M. Burge, Lynn H. Cohick, and Gene L. Green, The New Testament in Antiquity(Grand Rapids: 2009), 270.
  • Richard B. Hays, “Galatians,” in The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary, ed. Leander Keck (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2015), 1022.
  • Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 518.
  • Burge, Cohick, and Green, New Testament in Antiquity, 268.
  • Hansen, “Galatians, Letter to the,” 326.
  • Schreiner, “Galatians,” 23.
  • William W. Klein, Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard, Jr., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004), 426–427.
  • Wright and Bird, New Testament in Its World, 475.
  • Bruce Hurt, Galatians: Precept Austin 2020], https://www.preceptaustin.org/galatians_commentaries

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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