Paul’s Final Greetings (Day 50)

Read 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
 
   Paul’s closing words and what he wanted the Corinthians to remember about the needs facing their church, are still fitting for the church today. When these qualities are not present, there are problems that must be dealt with. These traits do not come to a church by glossing over problems, conflicts, and difficulties. They are not produced by neglect, denial, withdrawal, or bitterness. They are the by-products of the extremely hard work of solving problems. Just as Paul and the Corinthians had to hammer out difficulties to bring peace, so we must apply the principles of God’s Word and not just hear them. That is the sign of a mature Christian and a mature church.


Paul’s Final Advice (Day 49)

Read 2 Corinthians 13:1-10
 
   When Paul arrived the third time in Corinth, he would not be lenient toward unrepentant sinners. His actions could include 1) confronting and publicly denouncing their behavior, 2) exercising church discipline by calling them before the church leaders, or 3) excommunicating them from the church. 


Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians (Day 48)

Read 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
 
   Paul explained that the only thing he did in the other churches that he didn’t do in Corinth was to become a burden; to ask believers to feed and house him. When he said forgive me for this wrong, he was clearly being sarcastic. He actually did more for the Corinthians than for any other church, but still they misunderstood him. 


Paul’s Vision and His Thorn in the Flesh (Day 47)

Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
 
   Paul continued his boasting by telling about visions and revelations he had received from the Lord. Paul explained that he didn’t know if he was taken up in his body or in his spirit, but he had been in paradise: the third heaven. This incident cannot be positively identified with a recorded event in Paul’s career, although some think this may have been when he was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14). Paul told about this incident to show that he had been uniquely touched by God. 


Paul’s Many Trials (Day 46)

Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
 
   Paul presented his credentials to counteract the charges that the false teachers were making against him. He felt foolish boasting like this, but his list of credentials would silence any doubts about his authority. Paul wanted to keep the Corinthians from slipping under the spell of the false teachers and turning away form the Gospel. Paul also gave a list ofhis credentials in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 3).