Frequent readers of this blog know I've embarked upon a study of the letters of Paul (commonly called "the Pauline epistles"). Previously, I've studied 1 and 2 Thessalonians, the first two letters we have in our Bible. They were written in 52 A.D., or thereabouts, while Paul was in Corinth, on his first trip there. Paul visited Corinth three times, the first being during his second missionary journey. On his first visit, in 52 A.D., he stayed and taught them for a year and a half.
Having finished 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians is next in the chronological queue. This letter was written a few months after the first; both were written in 57 A.D. But, whereas 1 Corinthians was written from Ephesus, 2 Corinthians as written from somewhere in Macedonia, possibly at Philippi.
As you could tell from the tone of 1 Corinthians, Paul was writing mainly to correct errors that had arisen in the church since his first 18-month stay. When his letter had not completely accomplished its intended purposes, he sent Timothy to Corinth to straighten them out (1 Cor. 4:7). Unfortunately, this was not sufficient; so, Paul had to make a second "painful" visit to confront the culprits (2 Cor. 2:1). Unbelievably, this STILL did not rectify the situation. Paul then wrote what he referred to as "a severe letter", which he sent by Titus (2 Cor. 2:4-9; 7:8-12). We are not made privy to that letter, in Scripture. Titus, afterward, reported to Paul that the matter had been resolved. It was after this that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians was written by Paul mainly to encourage the Corinthians. He begins in 1:3 to praise God for His comfort, in the middle of the most severe trials.
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that you experience in your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort. 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, regarding the affliction that happened to us in the province of Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of living. 9 Indeed we felt as if the sentence of death had been passed against us, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from so great a risk of death, and he will deliver us. We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again, 11 as you also join in helping us by prayer, so that many people may give thanks to God on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the help of many.
2 Cor. 1:3-11
There is a school of religious thought that teaches a person will never have disappointment or sorrow or pain or heartbreak, if he or she only has enough faith. And, conversely, if one experiences such things, it is because his or her faith is weak. This is a distortion of Jesus' teachings on faith. Yes, He did say that if we have enough faith we can move mountains. However, that is only if it is God's will for that mountain to move. We must constantly be seeking to align our wills with God's perfect will. No matter how much faith you have, if God does not want the mountain to move, it won't.
Why do I mention that? Well, look at this passage. Paul, that spiritual "giant" of a man, admitted to his extreme discouragement! He had just come through a very rough time in Asia, so rough, in fact, that he was nearly killed. He as much as said that he even wanted to die. That's pretty discouraged, wouldn't you say?
In counterpoint to the false teaching mentioned above, listen to the promise Jesus gave us in John 16:33 (NKJV) - -
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
This promise doesn't mean we should pray for it. It does tell us, though, that we should not be surprised by it. It also tells us that our small part of the story is ....well, only one small part of the story. We are to be encouraged, Jesus said, because He has overcome the world. The story is not over. In the end, our God wins.
So, in light of this truth, Paul begins this letter with praise to God, who comforts us in the midst of our trials. And, sometimes, when it is in accordance with His will, He delivers us out of them, as He did to Paul in Asia. Paul then makes a very powerful statement about the purpose of our trials (vs. 9-10). Paul declares that his afflictions in Asia caused him to trust more fully and hope more completely in the God who raises the dead. These trials strengthened Paul's faith. It is God's intention that our adversities will strengthen our faith as well.
But, there is another purpose for our pain - - - that we would experience the comfort that can only come from God (vs. 4). He is the source of all comfort for the believer; there is no one who can take His place in that role. Those of you who have experienced the worst pain and loss this world can bring, those of you who know Him as Savior, know this truth well. God's comfort, His consolation, strengthen and carry us during our time of pain. As Paul did, our response should be to praise God, even in the deepest pain. How counterintuitive to the world's way is THAT?!
The third point from this passage and the one Paul expounds upon the most is that we are allowed to experience pain, loss, grief, tragedy so that when we have come through it, by the grace of God, we will comfort others when they encounter similar circumstances. It is so heartbreaking to see believers who react to adversity by "holing up", drawing in, sealing off from the rest of the Body of Christ, and from the rest of the world as well, to nurse anger, bitterness and unforgiveness.
I am reminded of the recent story of the believers in Charleston who were gunned down by the demon-possessed man (oh, yes, don't be fooled) during their Bible study. Do you remember the response of the survivors and the family members? It was to express forgiveness to that deranged man. In that situation, part of Satan's plan was stolen from him. In fact, it worked against him in a mighty way. God, the only wise God, received the glory from that situation. They could have so easily turned it into a huge civil rights event, because the gunman was white and the church members black. They could have capitalized on the hate, thereby garnering for themselves attention, praise, cult-status. But, they did not. They responded with forgiveness. What an example they are!
We are called, Paul says, to share with our brothers and sister in Christ, and indeed, with the world as well, the comfort that is in Jesus Christ, our God. If we don't, if we sit by devoid of compassion, reservedly, while those near us suffer, are we "being" the Church? No, we are not. Remember this truth: any pain you have experienced was allowed you, in part, so that you can draw upon those experiences to comfort someone else.
Yesterday, I gained a new follower on Twitter: Christopher Yuan. Most of you won't know who he is. I do, because of my own life experiences. Dr. Yuan is a very accomplished man. He is also a man who struggled with homosexuality, eventually coming out of that destructive lifestyle through the power of Jesus Christ. He wrote a book about his experiences, Out of a Far Country, and today speaks all over the world to encourage those who struggle with this potentially deadly form of sexual addiction. (I've put an Amazon link to his book in Sources:). Dr. Yuan has encouraged me; I was honored by his "follow".
My point in mentioning him is that he is now using the horrors he experienced earlier in life to comfort and encourage those who struggle in similar fashions. He is an "example to the believer" (1 Timothy 4:12).
Father, You are the ultimate Encourager. The Holy Spirit, who lives in us, is called in Greek "paraclete" - - one who goes alongside to help. You are ever with us, and no more so than when we suffer. May we, in imitation of You, go alongside those around us who suffer pain, loss, sickness and other calamities of this life, realizing that You permit nothing to touch Your children unless it has first passed through Your hand. You are sovereign, and You are utterly, everlastingly good. In Jesus' name, amen.
Sources:
Wiersbe, Warren W. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2007. 502-503 Print.
http://www.matthewmcgee.org/paultime.html
http://www.amazon.com/Out-Far-Country-Journey-Mothers-ebook/dp/B004J4WK7E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445614719&sr=1-1&keywords=christopher+yuan
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