Day 329

L. Book of 2 Corinthians (from Macedonia) ~ cont.

3. Paul defends his authority

a. Called of God - 2 Corinthians 10:1-18
b. Godly jealousy and humble boasting - 2 Corinthians 11:1-33; 12:1-10
c. Effective service - 2 Corinthians 12:11-18
d. Honesty in dealings - 2 Corinthians 12:19-21; 13:1-10
e. Conclusion - 2 Corinthians 13:11-14


M. Travels from Macedonia to Corinth - Acts 20:2-3


Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.  (2 Corinthians 10:5-6)


Casting down imaginations?  Every high thing?  Bring into captivity EVERY thought?  A readiness to revenge disobedience?


casting down - G2507 - From G2596 and G138 (including its alternate); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively).


imaginations - G3053 - From G3049; computation, that is, (figuratively) reasoning (conscience, conceit).


high thing - G5313 - From G5312; an elevated place or thing, that is, (abstractly) altitude, or (by implication) a barrier (figurative).


exalts itself - G1869 - From G1909 and G142; to raise up (literally or figuratively).


knowledge - G1108 - From G1097; knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge.


bringing into captivity - From G164; to make captive.


every - G3956 - Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.


thought - G3540 - From G3539; a perception, that is, purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself.


obedience - G5218 - From G5219; attentive hearkening, that is, (by implication) compliance or submission.


readiness - G2092 - heteos (fitness); adjusted, that is, ready.


revenge - G1556 - From G1558; to vindicate, retaliate, punish.


disobedience - G3876 - From G3878; inattention, that is, (by implication) disobedience.


obedience - G5218 - see above.


fulfilled - G4137 - From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.


Heh, I remember when the realization of EVERY was brought to my attention.  I was in a study, we were using the resource, Be Ye Transformed, whose focus or emphasis was Romans 12:1-2.  The battleground is the mind.  I was 'sorting' thoughts to 'give' to the Lord.  Then, the realization came that I was supposed to give EVERY thought.  I wasn't supposed to 'critique' them prior, but every thought.  Complete submission of all my thoughts to HIM.  Think about that thought.  :-)  That is a major undertaking.  Am I 'filtering' all my thoughts through HIS grid?


Have you ever used the Philippians Philter?


Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


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)


Easy to get on the haughty horse (or pharisee pony, if you prefer).  Been there done that.   Continue to wrestle (or wrassle) against a holier than thou attitude.  How easy it is to fall into thinking that we are okay by judging our behavior against others.  Lord help us to remember that we are only righteous because of the sinless sacrifice of the savior.


Paul's list of afflictions:  journeyings ~ perils of waters, robbers, own countrymen, heathen, in the city, in the wilderness, in the sea, among false brethren ~ weariness ~ painfulness ~ watchings ~ hunger and thirst ~ fastings ~ cold (brrr) ~ nakedness.


Despite all that, he ceased not to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to prayerfully intercede for the churches, to pour out his life.  What a jolting realization.  How dedicated are we to give all for the sake of the call?

Day 328

L. Book of 2 Corinthians (from Macedonia) ~ cont.

1. Motive for Paul's ministry ~ cont.

d. Suffering ministry endured - 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

e. Christian's attitude toward death - 2 Corinthians 5:1-21

f. Setbacks to be anticipated - 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

g. Separation from the world expected - 2 Corinthians 6:11-17; 7:1

h. Paul's heart revealed - 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

2. Example of giving - 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 9:1-15

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  (2 Corinthians 4:6)


COMMANDED - just the word invokes the thought of power, ability, direction.  What saith Strong's?  G2306 - A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from G2046, G4483 and G5346); to speak or say (by word or writing).


For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  (2 Corinthians 5:4)


Swallowed up?  Like Jonah?  :-)  Life - true life - eternal life.  What a blessed hope and thought!


Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by sight: ) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)


How earnestly do we desire that sweet union with our Lord and Savior?  Prayerfully seeking His return?  Crying out: Come Lord Jesus?


In 4 verses the word reconciled, reconciliation,  or reconciling is used 5x.  Intriguing.


And all things are of God, who hath reconciled (G2644) us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2643); To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling (2644) the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (2643).  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled (2644) to God.  (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)


reconciled - G2644 - From G2596 and G236; to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference.


reconciliation - G2643 - From G2644; exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor.


A ministry of reconciliation?  Ministry - G1248 - From G1249; attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate).


The word of reconciliation?  Word - G3056 - From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ).


Some of what Paul endured/encountered:
patience ~ afflictions ~ necessities ~ distresses ~ stripes ~ imprisonments ~ tumults ~ labours ~ watchings ~ fastings.


How? Pureness ~ knowledge ~ longsuffering ~ kindness ~ love ~ truth ~ power of God ~ armour of righteousness.


Contrasts:  Honor and dishonor ~ evil report and good report ~ deceivers yet true ~ unknown yet known ~ dying yet living ~ chastened yet not killed ~ sorrowful yet rejoicing ~ poor yet rich ~ possessing nothing yet possessing all things.