Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
2 Corinthians 1-3
In autobiographical style, Paul began, in chapter 2, with the fact that his commitment to preaching the gospel of Christ had compelled him to go to Troas, a city in modern Turkey. Paul had been there on his second missionary journey. From there he determined to go to Macedonia, where he began churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and perhaps Athens. Therefore, on his third missionary journey Paul’s preaching was well received in the churches he had previously established in Macedonia. This is why he said that the Lord had opened a door for him.
An open door does not mean an open opportunity. Rather, the metaphor indicates that God blessed the legitimate efforts of His people with remarkable success. In spite of his success in Troas, Paul had no peace of mind because his brother Titus had not met him there. Paul was as close as a brother to Titus; he even sent this particular letter to the Corinthians through Titus. But Paul’s love for Titus was not the cause of his concern. He was concerned about his relationship with the Corinthians. Titus had gone to Corinth to organize the collection for poverty-stricken Jerusalem. He was to report, among other things, the feelings of the Corinthians toward Paul. Not knowing how the Corinthians felt about him, Paul bypassed Corinth and waited for Titus in Macedonia.
Paul loved the Corinthians and desired to see spiritual fruit born that would bring glory to God. The evil that had been spread to discredit him had brought much distress to him, but Paul believed that the Corinthians would be able to see through the deceit and accept him on the basis of truth. This second epistle to the Corinthians is ultimately a testimony to the power of repentance. When a church decides to be obedient to the Lord, there will always be resistance from the Devil. The same thing is true in our lives as we turn from sin to live a life of obedience. May we fight through the deceit of the Devil and our flesh and submit ourselves to the obedience of God’s word for His glory.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to desire truth and obedience more than popularity or acceptance.
- Lord, please help me to love people like Paul loved the Corinthian church.
- Lord, thank you for people like Titus who was used to be an encouragement to your servant Paul. Thank you for those who are like Titus in my life.
Political
- Representative Pauline Wendzel – District 079 – Bridgman
- Representative Jason Wentworth – District 097 – Clare
- Representative Mary Whiteford – District 080 – Allegan