He is faithful to finish the work He began in us.....
When I'm trying to understand a passage of scripture, I often use The Message, a paraphrase version of the Bible in modern english. Here's how it reads, and I've included my comments as well
2 Corinthians 1
1 I, Paul, have been sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus, planned by God himself. I write this to God's congregation in Corinth, and to believers all over Achaia province. 2 May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours! Timothy, someone you know and trust, joins me in this greeting.
The Rescue
3 All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! 4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. 5 We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort--we get a full measure of that, too.
It’s cool how this works. As the worship song says “He’s Turned My Mourning into Dancing”. Jesus is always there as Friend, Teacher, Father, Lord…he is literally a prayer away…and we draw comfort, wisdom, and strength from His presence when we go through suffering. And then He takes our hurtful experiences and changes them into tools for helping others who are experiencing difficult times. If we are walking in The Way, we are going against the status quo, and we will encounter opposition from others in our lives, especially if they do not also know Jesus, because without the presence of the Holy Spirit who brings understanding, they just don’t “get it” because they are spiritually blind. They can’t help it. That’s just the way it is without the Spirit. You cannot understand spiritual things.
6When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. 7When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.
I remember a choice that laid before me. I could continue in a relationship that was not God-honouring, or I could choose to end that relationship in obedience to God’s will. Although I knew it was be very painful, I chose obedience, and guess what….because I was in God’s will, I experienced peace…and a joy which I just could not understand…and freedom….freedom from guilt, from an impediment that interfered with my walk with God, and from the long-term consequences that would have come from this unwise relationship.
I grew spiritually through that pain. God affirmed to me that I am His child, and He loves me. His presence was there through the darkest moments of that part of my life journey. Other believers, who knew of my pain comforted me and encouraged me to persevere. They shared my grief.
One of my pastors told me that life was full of suffering. That is simply the nature of life in a fallen world. So cry a little, and then move on. That good advice has helped me a lot. I know with God’s help, I’m going to make it.
8We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. 9We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally--not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! 10And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. 11You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation--I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.
It’s vital to share our struggles with others in the Body of Christ. That way we know we have the support of their prayers. Right now I’m in a position financially where I will have no choice but to trust God totally. My plans and wisdom is not enough. He will rescue me. He will provide. I know God to be faithful. He’s shown me that throughout my walk. And His faithfulness drives my desire to worship Him, to pour out to Him my gratitude and love.
12Now that the worst is over, we're pleased we can report that we've come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world--and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn't by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised. 13Don't try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter. We're writing plain, unembellished truth, hoping that 14you'll now see the whole picture as well as you've seen some of the details. We want you to be as proud of us as we are of you when we stand together before our Master Jesus.
With clean conscience, I am a useful instrument for God and am better able to face the day to day conflicts that life brings with a response that reflects the character of Jesus. This is not possible in my strength. But God keeps reminding me to look to Jesus. He is the ONLY truth, the ONLY way that does not compromise truth, the ONLY way I can fully depend on. And He’s made it all so simple for us. Have faith like a child. Eventually the big picture will be revealed to us. One day I will be asked by Jesus, “How did you use your salvation?” I would like not to be ashamed when that time comes. There will be rewards on that day, but not for my benefit. They are my offering to lay at Jesus feet. My life is about bringing glory to HIM. It’s not about me.
15Confident of your welcome, I had originally planned two great visits with you-- 16coming by on my way to Macedonia province, and then again on my return trip. Then we could have had a bon-voyage party as you sent me off to Judea. That was the plan.
17Are you now going to accuse me of being flip with my promises because it didn't work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth--a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? 18Well, you're wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn't a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? 19When Silas and Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling? Wasn't it a clean, strong Yes?
Integrity is vital to the witness of our walk and words. If our actions do not align with our words, we negate the impact of the demonstration of Jesus power in our lives.
20Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. 21God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. 22By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge--a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.
God has promised that what He has begun in our lives He will be faithful to complete. We are works in process. I’m so glad that is the case. The Church is filled with such a diversity of individuals in different parts of their spiritual journey. We worship alongside both infant believers who bring with them their hurts and issues, and mature believers who have found how to walk in freedom. It’s a great family, the family of God.
23Now, are you ready for the real reason I didn't visit you in Corinth? As God is my witness, the only reason I didn't come was to spare you pain. I was being considerate of you, not indifferent, not manipulative.
24We're not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We're partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.
And that’s why it’s not our job to judge others in the Body. God knows each person’s potential and who they will become in Him. Our job is to love them and support them.
2 Corinthians 1
1 I, Paul, have been sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus, planned by God himself. I write this to God's congregation in Corinth, and to believers all over Achaia province. 2 May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours! Timothy, someone you know and trust, joins me in this greeting.
The Rescue
3 All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! 4 He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. 5 We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort--we get a full measure of that, too.
It’s cool how this works. As the worship song says “He’s Turned My Mourning into Dancing”. Jesus is always there as Friend, Teacher, Father, Lord…he is literally a prayer away…and we draw comfort, wisdom, and strength from His presence when we go through suffering. And then He takes our hurtful experiences and changes them into tools for helping others who are experiencing difficult times. If we are walking in The Way, we are going against the status quo, and we will encounter opposition from others in our lives, especially if they do not also know Jesus, because without the presence of the Holy Spirit who brings understanding, they just don’t “get it” because they are spiritually blind. They can’t help it. That’s just the way it is without the Spirit. You cannot understand spiritual things.
6When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. 7When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.
I remember a choice that laid before me. I could continue in a relationship that was not God-honouring, or I could choose to end that relationship in obedience to God’s will. Although I knew it was be very painful, I chose obedience, and guess what….because I was in God’s will, I experienced peace…and a joy which I just could not understand…and freedom….freedom from guilt, from an impediment that interfered with my walk with God, and from the long-term consequences that would have come from this unwise relationship.
I grew spiritually through that pain. God affirmed to me that I am His child, and He loves me. His presence was there through the darkest moments of that part of my life journey. Other believers, who knew of my pain comforted me and encouraged me to persevere. They shared my grief.
One of my pastors told me that life was full of suffering. That is simply the nature of life in a fallen world. So cry a little, and then move on. That good advice has helped me a lot. I know with God’s help, I’m going to make it.
8We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. 9We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally--not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! 10And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. 11You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation--I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.
It’s vital to share our struggles with others in the Body of Christ. That way we know we have the support of their prayers. Right now I’m in a position financially where I will have no choice but to trust God totally. My plans and wisdom is not enough. He will rescue me. He will provide. I know God to be faithful. He’s shown me that throughout my walk. And His faithfulness drives my desire to worship Him, to pour out to Him my gratitude and love.
12Now that the worst is over, we're pleased we can report that we've come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world--and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn't by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised. 13Don't try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter. We're writing plain, unembellished truth, hoping that 14you'll now see the whole picture as well as you've seen some of the details. We want you to be as proud of us as we are of you when we stand together before our Master Jesus.
With clean conscience, I am a useful instrument for God and am better able to face the day to day conflicts that life brings with a response that reflects the character of Jesus. This is not possible in my strength. But God keeps reminding me to look to Jesus. He is the ONLY truth, the ONLY way that does not compromise truth, the ONLY way I can fully depend on. And He’s made it all so simple for us. Have faith like a child. Eventually the big picture will be revealed to us. One day I will be asked by Jesus, “How did you use your salvation?” I would like not to be ashamed when that time comes. There will be rewards on that day, but not for my benefit. They are my offering to lay at Jesus feet. My life is about bringing glory to HIM. It’s not about me.
15Confident of your welcome, I had originally planned two great visits with you-- 16coming by on my way to Macedonia province, and then again on my return trip. Then we could have had a bon-voyage party as you sent me off to Judea. That was the plan.
17Are you now going to accuse me of being flip with my promises because it didn't work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth--a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? 18Well, you're wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn't a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? 19When Silas and Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling? Wasn't it a clean, strong Yes?
Integrity is vital to the witness of our walk and words. If our actions do not align with our words, we negate the impact of the demonstration of Jesus power in our lives.
20Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. 21God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. 22By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge--a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete.
God has promised that what He has begun in our lives He will be faithful to complete. We are works in process. I’m so glad that is the case. The Church is filled with such a diversity of individuals in different parts of their spiritual journey. We worship alongside both infant believers who bring with them their hurts and issues, and mature believers who have found how to walk in freedom. It’s a great family, the family of God.
23Now, are you ready for the real reason I didn't visit you in Corinth? As God is my witness, the only reason I didn't come was to spare you pain. I was being considerate of you, not indifferent, not manipulative.
24We're not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We're partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.
And that’s why it’s not our job to judge others in the Body. God knows each person’s potential and who they will become in Him. Our job is to love them and support them.