2 Corinthians 1-3
Encouragement,
Liberty, Glory

David draws comfort from God's omniscience (139:1-6) and omnipresence (139:7-12). God knows everything that goes on in our lives, and there is no place we can go that is outside the realm of His care for us.

David asks God to eliminate his enemies who are also God's enemies, since David is God's loyal friend. He also asks for God to reveal anything he needs to change or improve so that he can get to where God wants him to go.

Paul opens with a wish for the Corinthians to receive the blessings of grace and peace from God. He then blesses the God who blesses His people by comforting/encouraging them in all their affliction. The translation of “comfort” is somewhat misleading. The word (parakaleo Strong''s #3870) literally means to “call along side,” not “come alongside.” It is more usually translated “beseech” or “exhort” in the KJV, but in modern times “encourage” is preferred in most contexts. “Comfort” has the idea of “there-there now,” as in comforting a toddler who got a boo-boo on their knee. There is a Greek word for this (paramutheomai Strong's #3888) which means to “speak alongside” and used of folks consoling Mary and Martha over the death of their brother (Jn 11:19,31). The only other times it is used in the NT are in 1Thessalonians 2:11 and 5:14.

The purpose of encouragement is to produce courage for “patient enduring of suffering” (verse 6), not the marshmallow comfort of feeling that something bad shouldn't have happened to you. There is a place for that, but Paul's usage of encouragement, here, and at other places is that of strengthening to face difficulties. So God gives encouragement in tough times (usually through the truth -Rom 15:4 encouragement). When we are weighed down beyond our power to endure, we draw on His power and grace to endure (by abiding in Christ, the Vine, and His words -Jn 15). But God does this, so we can use what we've learned to help others, thus having a fruitful ministry in helping them persevere for the prize (saved=glorification -verse 6). Paul doesn't trust in His strength to endure, but trusts in God who raises the dead (as happened to him at Lystra -Acts 14:19).

Paul's hope on behalf of the Corinthians is sure, because as they partake of suffering they will partake of the encouragement or reward (Rom 8:17). God has delivered, does deliver, and will deliver. The three aspects of salvation (justification, sanctification, and glorification) are in these verses. Notice that the hope is in the future aspect of God's deliverance. Paul considers the prayers of the believers an aid in his deliverance, so that thanks and praise might be given by many to God.

In the second half of the chapter Paul turns to defending himself and his message against the accusations and fault-finding of Satan's agents, because he had changed his plans to visit them. In not coming to visit them when they were more engrossed in sin, he was sparing them the judgment they would experience in person. In verse 20 God is glorified as we respond affirmatively to His promises (causing the revelation of His character, actions, and bestowal of reward). In verse 21 Paul states that God “establishes” (as in on a foundation), “anoints” (as in empowers), and “seals” (as protectively mark). Paul says that the Holy Spirit is a down-payment, or promise of more to come (the Spirit of Glory). See comments on Ephesians 1.

Paul mentions an important ministry principle, in the last verse. God gives authority to leaders to build others up in their faith (belief and trust in God's revelation), for them to experience joy (fellow-workers with the individuals for their joy). Sometimes bad leadership is more concerned about their own joy, rather than the joy of those they serve. Usually those who object to authority are not walking or living by God's promises (Heb 11:6), and don't have joy to begin with. 

Paul had written the second lost letter (see intro) not to make them sad, but to cause them to repent. Our initial reaction to someone reproving or rebuking us is to think that they hate us; but the opposite is usually the case. Only those who genuinely love us will care enough about our present and eternal destiny to risk rejection in saying something we might not want to hear. The Corinthians were a source of joy to Paul, so he wouldn't want to cause them unnecessary sorrow.

Many think that this section refers to the incestuous sinner from 1Corinthians 5 who had been disciplined by the Body, per Paul's instructions, although some think it refers to someone who had slighted Paul (about which we have no context). The former view has more to commend it, since it does give us a context and instruction for accepting back into fellowship those who repent. By continuing to shun the repentant believer and not forgive them, bitterness would result, a red-flag for attracting demonic attention and resultant defilement of many (Heb 12:15). The purpose of God is not to have us dwell on past sin, but present holiness, and future glory. Satan's purpose is otherwise.

Paul goes back to His change of travel plans, in looking for Titus, who is mentioned eight times more in this book than in the one that bears his name. Apparently Titus had information about the Corinthians that Paul was anxious to know, because of his concern for them. It was in Troas that Paul first received his Macedonian call (Acts 16:8-9), which resulted in his ministry to the Corinthians. He arrived there through much persecution and affliction. Reflecting on the ministry that resulted, Paul praises God for the victory over the trials that God had given the apostolic band, as they were in union with Christ. Through them, the sweet aroma of Christ was revealed to all, to those who are being saved (present tense) Christ is the aroma of life. To those who reject and are perishing, it is the stench of death. God makes them sufficient/worthy/adequate (3:45) for this honor and labor. Paul doesn't peddle the word of God for personal profit, but speaks with pure motives (sincerity) knowing he will have to give an account to God. 

Paul wants to establish his credibility so the Corinthians will listen and follow what he says. But since some would charge him with presumptuous self-promotion, he cites the work in the lives of the Corinthians as his letter of recommendation from the Spirit of God. Wisdom is justified by her children. They, at least the ones who heard and obeyed, fleshed out the word of God in their lives, becoming living epistles. This wasn't a result of Paul, but God working through Paul to bless them, as Paul spoke God's word.

Paul then contrasts the letter of the law which God wrote to tablets of stone in the OT, which produces death for sin, with that which the Spirit wrote in their hearts and results in life. Probably some of Paul's detractors were Jewish (as was the case in much of Acts), so he demonstrates the superiority of the glory of the Spirit in the New Covenant to that of the Old Covenant (much like the author of Hebrews does). Paul was a minister of the New Covenant (see comments on Jer 31:31), specifically that aspect of the Spirit giving life. The OT came with a glory that fades, as shown by Moses losing the mountain glow. The NT has a greater glory, which surpasses that of the Law. The glory of the NT will remain, as the next two chapters detail. This is Paul's hope. Many Jews, in both the time of Moses and Paul's time, reject God's law and authority in their lives, and thus their minds became insensitive to truth and were hardened.

Acts 28:27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."

So they don't respond to the truth and turn to God. But when the Holy Spirit convicts them (Jn 16:8), and they turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away, and they can see clearly.

Paul equates the Lord with the Spirit (see sentence immediately above). Where the Spirit of the Lord is (who now resides in their hearts as a seal – see 1:22) there is liberty, or freedom, from sin (Jn 8:31-32; Rm 6:18) and the law, and death (Rm 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.). Now, having the veil removed, and seeing clearly the glory of the Lord, we are transformed (metamorphosized). This word is used of us in Romans 12:1-2 when we go from being carnal caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, by the renewing of our minds, and of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:2; Mk 9:2) when He was seen clothed with His glory. The former leads to the latter for us. We are transformed into the same image, for one degree of glory to another, as a result of the ministry of the Spirit, who conforms us to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29), as we focus on Him.