2 Corinthians 12:1 – 13:1: Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship & His Conduct Toward the Corinthians Against the Accusations of False Prophets:
Volume 5, Number 74“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory (boast, rejoice). I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 12:1. The phrase “It is not expedient” translates two Greek words, one an absolute negative translated “not” (G3756) and the other “expedient” (G4851), which elsewhere is translated “profit, be profitable, bring together, be better, be good.” The word “doubtless” is translated from a Greek word used only six times in the New Testament (NT), and only here it is translated “doubtless.” In other passages it’s translated with four different English words; “also, now, and, therefore” while in... Continue reading →
2 Corinthians 11:1 - 33: Paul’s Authority & Suffering as The Lord Jesus Christ’s Apostle vis a vis the Apparent Success of False Apostles at Corinth:
Volume 5, Number 73In Faith Study Vol 5 No 70 dated July 19, 2024, in the 10th chapter, Paul described the deceitfulness of false prophets who were preaching to the Corinthians: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12. On the contrary, Paul would not boast of things that cannot be measured, but he would boast about the ministry to the Corinthians God had blessed him with, 2 Corinthians 10:13. The bottom line: “But he that glorieth,... Continue reading →
Special Edition: Serving & Worshiping God; Philippians 3:3, etc.:
Volume 5, Number 72This study is in MP3 format, audio only. It was presented to the First Baptist Church in Black Canyon City, AZ on Sunday, August 25, 2024. It is about 38 minutes long. Click the play button below to listen.Your browser does not support the audio element.... Continue reading →
Special Edition: Practical Christian Living – Philippians 4:1 – 9:
Volume 5, Number 71The following link takes you to a YouTube video of the Bible Study presented at West Valley Grace Fellowship, Sun City West, Arizona on August 4, 2024, if anyone out there has 30 minutes to watch:Download the handout summarizing this lesson.... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 9:1 - 10:18; Giving Under The Law vs During this Age of Grace; Paul Defends His Ministry as Being Accomplished in the Power of The Lord:
Volume 5, Number 70The 9th chapter continues the thought of chapter 8 concerning the money Titus was collecting from Members of the Body of Christ in Greece. Paul and associates were to take it to Jerusalem for the Jewish Kingdom saints there who had run out of funds on which to live. We note here the difference in giving requirements for Members of Christ’s Body during this dispensation, i.e., this age of Grace, and the requirements under the Law of Moses. Under the Law each was to give 10% of their earnings. Under Grace, Paul tells the Corinthians and believers today: “But this... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 8:1 - 24: Grace in the Form of Monies Collected from Members of the Body of Christ in Greece by Titus & a Brother in Christ For the Suffering Kingdom Saints in Jerusalem:
Volume 5, Number 69The word “faith” occurs 7 times in 2nd Corinthians, the 5th instance here in chapter 8: “Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7. Note the 6 highlighted words in this verse: faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, love and grace. Let’s first define each of these attributes:• Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1.• Utterance is from the Greek “logos,” (G3056) used 330 times in the New... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 7:1 - 16: Saints Are To Avoid Filthiness of the Flesh; The Deep Reciprocal Love Between Paul, Titus & the Corinthians; A Template For Believers Today:
Volume 5, Number 68Chapter 7 opens: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1. “These promises” are listed in the previous chapter, they are that every believer is a Temple of God, separate from and not identified with unbelievers and all are the sons and daughters of God Almighty, 2 Corinthians 6:16 - 18. However, even though believers enjoy this standing before God, nevertheless they are exhorted to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. “Filthiness” is translated from the... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 6:3 - 18; Proof That Paul’s Apostleship is Genuine; Paul’s Exhortation To Members of Christ’s Body to Live According to God’s Calling:
Volume 5, Number 67Our previous study pointed out that 2 Corinthians 6:2 is a parenthesis, initially quoting first part the first part of Isaiah 49:8 teaching that God approved of Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross for the sins of fallen mankind and raised Him from the dead (the major event of history). The second part proclaims that “now” is the day of salvation. It has been the “day of salvation” ever since right up to today. 2 Corinthians 6:1 continues the thought from the previous chapter (2 Corinthians 5:17 - 21) and states that Paul and his fellow Apostles, working in... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 6:1 - 2; Believers Exhorted Not To Receive God’s Grace in Vain; The Resurrection of Jesus Christ In Isaiah’s Prophesy Addressed to Israel vis a vis the Apostle Paul’s Revelation to The Body of Christ:
Volume 5, Number 66The 6th chapter begins: “We (Paul and those with him) then, as workers together with Him (Jesus Christ), beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1. The words “we then” that begin this verse indicate that what follows is based on what was just disclosed in previous verses, i.e., “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 5:1 – 21: To Whom the “We” & “Us Refers;” Key Verses Words; A New Creation; The Fear of The Lord:
Volume 5, Number 65The 5th chapter of 2nd Corinthians has 21 verses and either the word “we” or “us” is found in all but 2 of them. “We” is the most common and sometimes occurs 2 or 3 times in a single verse, while both “we” and “us” are found in some. The dictionary defines “we” as “a first-person plural pronoun that refers to the speaker and one or more other people as the subject of a verb; it is used in various contexts, including: when a speaker or writer uses ‘us’ to refer to both themselves and one or more other people,... Continue reading →