Tag: Corinthians

Look Not

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2Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

‘Cause we faint not’ – for the sake of winning souls to glorify God (4:15), we suffer all things without fainting. The outward man is slowly dying through trials and sufferings, but the inward man is being renewed daily.

‘Outward man’ – found only here and refers to the body.

‘Perish’ [Greek: diaphtheiro] corrupted; destroyed (Luke 12:33; 1Tim. 6:5; Rev. 8:9; 11:18).

‘Inward man’ refers to the soul and spirit – the real person in the body (5:8; Jas. 2:26; Heb. 4:12; 12:23; 1Thess. 5:23; Rev. 6:9).

‘Renewed’ [Greek: anakainoo] meaning the whole course of life now flows in a different direction (5:17-18). Be renewed in the attitude of your mind by renouncing its vanity (Eph. 4:17), its darkness and blindness (Eph. 4:18) and learning of Christ (Eph. 4:20-21).

‘Light affliction’ [Greek: elaphros] – from Matthew 11:30 we see it described as a light burden (Ps. 55:22).

‘For a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.’ Such is considered momentary lightness compared with the eternal weight of glory one receives for suffering (Rom. 8:17-18).

‘Look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ We do not strive for things we see, for they are not worthy of the pursuit of an immortal soul. The things not seen are the eternal and important things of life. This current world system will pass away, but the man who does not conform to it will abide forever. This is all summarized in the pride of life as described in James 4:16 and 1John 2:15-17 and the following characteristics: Self-righteousness (Job 32:1); one’s positions in life (Gen. 3:5; Ezek. 28:11-17; 1Tim. 3:6; 3Jn. 1:9); power (Lev. 26:19); riches (Ps. 39:6; Ezek. 28:5); beauty (Ezek. 28:11,17); strength to war (2Chr. 26:16), and constant boasting of one’s self; glorying in sexual activity; pleasures; and all the vanity of life (1Jn. 2:15; Ps. 24:4; 36:2; Isa. 3:16).

Abundant Grace

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2Corinthians 4:11-15 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 

‘Mortal flesh’ [Greek: thnetos] mortal, human (4:11; 5:4; 1Cor. 15:53-54; Rom. 6:12; 8:11).

‘Death work in us, but life in you’ – we live a dying life that you might live. Our readiness to die for Christ makes you want to live for Him.

‘I believed, and therefore have I spoken’ – quoted from Psalm 116:10 where David made this statement in his sufferings that was great, but he was delivered by God (Ps. 116:1-8).

‘Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.’ This is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in 2 Corinthians. This happens at the rapture also called the first resurrection (1Cor. 15; 1Thess. 4:13-18).

‘For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.’ All our sufferings we count as nothing if we [Paul and the other apostles] can win you and others to Christ, see the abounding grace save many souls and cause them to give more praise to the glory of God. ‘Abundant grace’ Four secrets of continued grace: Live and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:516-26; Rom. 8:1-13; Col. 3:5-10). Be patient in hope (Gal. 5:5; Rom. 8:24; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:19). Continue in Christ (Gal. 5:6; John 15:1-8; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 3:14). Continue in faith (Gal. 5:6; Col. 1:23). This is part of being a true Christian – continued obedience while taking God at His Word in all Scripture; not cherry-picking only on teachings of His greatness, grace and goodness, to justify living in continuous sin – faith without works [obedience] are dead (Jas. 1:23, 25; Rom. 2:13). Man is commanded to do one thing; then God will do two things (Ps. 55:22; 1Pet. 5:7-8). All promises are conditional. Christians tend to emphasize the promises and ignore their conditions. Then they murmur and complain when the promises aren’t fulfilled. There is more to Christianity than its benefits.

This Treasure

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2Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

‘This treasure’ is the light of the knowledge (4:6) of the gospel that God has shined into our hearts to give us life.

‘Earthen vessels’ [Greek: ostrakinos] here and in 2Timothy 2:20. Often in the East treasures are hidden in earthen vessels to protect them from moisture (cp. Jer. 32:14). Here it refers to the power of the Holy Spirit through the light of the gospel in our bodies. The emphasis is on the contrast between a frail vessel of earth and the priceless treasure of power that dwells in it.

‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.’ Four pairs of expressions of sufferings: Hard pressed, but not suffocated. Puzzled, but not utterly baffled. Pursued, but not caught or outrun. Struck down, but not out of the fight.

The first two refer to wrestling; the third to a race; and the fourth to a boxing match (4:8-9).

‘Bearing about in the body’ [Greek: periphero] to carry about with one; to whirl (4:10; Mark 6:55; Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9; Jude 1:12). I am under a sentence of death for Jesus and am likely to die at any time for His cause (4:11). There is also an allusion to the marks of battle already fought for Christ (Gal. 6:17).

‘Dying’ [Greek: nekrosis] making dead; a dead condition (4:10; Rom. 4:19). The idea is that of being in a state of crucifixion for Jesus (Gal. 2:20) so that the resurrection life of Jesus might be made manifest or visible in our body and so that the miracles we do might prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ (4:10-12).

Christ Jesus the Lord

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2Corinthians 4:3-6 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

‘Hid’ [Greek: kalupto] to cover or veil (Matt. 8:24; 10:26; Luke 8:16; 23:30; 1Pet. 4:8) and hide (4:3; Jas. 5:20). The gospel is hidden from some people because they have willfully closed their eyes to it, as in 2Corinthians 3:13-16 and Matthew 13:14-16. If the heart of any man who hears the gospel is veiled it is definite that he is lost and fully under the power of sin and satan. Those who refuse to hear the gospel are proper subjects for satan’s work to increase the darkness and hardness of heart (4:3-4).

‘god of this world’ satan is currently the god of this world (Joh. 8:44; 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:2; 1Jn. 3:9; 5:18).

‘Lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.’ They are responsible (3:13-16; Matt. 13:14).

‘Glorious gospel’ – Gospel of the glory (cp. 1Tim. 1:11).

‘Image’ [Greek: eikon] a figure; image; likeness. Here it means outward and bodily image. That God has a body, a spirit body, like angels and other spirit beings is clear from Scripture. He is a person with a personal spirit body, a personal soul, and a personal spirit, like that of angels, and like that of man except His body is of spirit substance instead of flesh and bones (Job 13:8; Heb. 1:3). He has a personal spirit body (Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-19); shape (John 5:37); form (Php. 2:5-7); image and likeness of a man (Gen. 1:26; 9:6; Ezek. 1:26-28; 1Cor. 11:7; Jas. 3:9). He has physical parts such as back parts (Ex. 33:23), heart (Gen. 6:6; 8:21), hands and fingers (Ps. 8:3-6; Heb. 1:10; Rev. 5:1-7), mouth (Num. 12:8), lips and tongue (Isa. 30:27), feet (Ezek. 1:27; Ex. 24:10), eyes (Ps. 11:4; 18:24; 33:18), ears (Ps. 18:6), hair, head, face, arms (Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-19; Rev. 5:1-7; 22:4-6), loins (Ezek. 1:26-28; 8:1-4), and other physical parts. He has bodily presence (Gen. 3:8; 18:1-22) and goes from place to place in a body like all other persons (Gen. 3:8; 11:5; 18:1-5, 22, 33; 19:24; 32:24-32; 35:13; Zech. 14:5; Dan. 7:9-14; Tit. 2:13). He has a voice (Ps. 29:1-11; Rev. 10:3-4); breath (Gen. 2:7); and countenance (Ps. 11:7). He wears clothes (Dan. 7:9-14; 10:5-19); eats (Gen. 18:1-8; Ex. 24:11); rests (Gen. 2:1-4; Heb. 4:4); dwells in a mansion and in a city located on in Heaven (John 14:1-3; Heb. 11:10-16; 13:14; Rev. 21:1-27); sits on a throne (Isa. 6:1-13; Dan. 7:9-14; Rev. 4:1-5; 22:3-6); walks (Gen. 3:8; 18:1-8, 22, 33); rides (Ps. 18:10; 68:17; 104:3; Ezek. 1:1-28); and engages in other activities.

‘Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness’ – a reference to Genesis 1:3. The light of the gospel shining into our darkened hearts is like the bursting forth of the sun in the darkness of Genesis 1:2. ‘Face of Jesus Christ’ – in the personal presence of Jesus Christ.

We Have Received Mercy

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2Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 

‘This ministry’ – this ministry of: Triumph in Christ in every place (2:14). Life unto life in the saved (2:16). Death unto the unsaved. Preaching the pure gospel (2:17). Making people epistles of Christ (3:3). The divine ability of the New Testament (3:6). Giving life. The Holy Spirit (3:8, 3:17-18). Righteousness (3:9). Excellent glory (3:10-11). Liberty and freedom (3:17). The transformation from glory to glory (3:18).

‘Ministry’ [Greek: diakonia] service rendered by a diakonos, a servant.

‘We faint not’ – Six duties in view of mercy and ministry: To faint not (4:1). To renounce the shameful secret things. Not walking in craftiness (4:2). Not handling the Word of God deceitfully. Manifesting the truth to all people. Maintaining a clear conscience before God and man.

‘Faint’ [Greek: ekkakeo] to be faint-hearted (4:1, 16; Luke 18:1; Gal. 6:9; Eph. 3:13).

‘Hidden things of dishonesty’ – Literally, the secret things of shame; the things that wicked people do and which they are ashamed to have known.

‘Dishonesty’ [Greek: aischune] translated “shame” elsewhere (Luke 14:9; Php. 3:19; Heb. 12:2; Jude 1:13; Rev. 3:18).

‘Craftiness’ [Greek: panourgia] to play the villain; act like a rogue; to do holy deeds in an unholy way. Translated “craftiness” (4:2; Luke 20:23; 1Cor. 3:19; Eph. 4:14); and “subtilty” (11:3). The false teachers at Corinth were clever, cunning, and capable of any thing harmful to a foe.

‘Deceitfully’ [Greek: doloo] to beguile, ensnare; to counterfeit; adulterate; disguise. ‘Manifestation’ [Greek: phanerosis] making visible. Used here and in 1Corinthians 12:7 where it speaks of the use of the spiritual gifts. These gifts are the means God has chosen to make visible the truth of the gospel. Paul confirmed and made visible his preaching by a demonstration of it in signs, wonders, different miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:11; Rom. 15:18-19, 29; Heb. 2:3-4).

The Ministration of Death

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2Corinthians 3:7-11 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excells. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious. 

‘Written and engraven in stones’ – the Ten Commandments, in particular, were abolished along with the whole law of Moses (Acts 15; Gal. 1:6; 3:1-5; 5:4). The only ones of the law of Moses that were brought into and made a part of the new covenant are for Christians to obey. The ten commandments were the only part of the law of Moses written on the tables of stone (Ex. 24:12; 31:18; 34:1-4; Deut. 4:13; 5:22; 9:9-11; 10:1-3).

From Galatians 1:6 we see that the Galatians turned back away from Christ to serve the law again – here it was called another gospel which: couldn’t justify (Gal. 2:16; 3:11; 5:4); brings only the curse (Gal. 3:10); is not of faith (Gal. 3:12); cannot give an inheritance (Gal. 3:18); was added only to make sin sinful (Gal. 3:19; Rom. 3:19-20; 7:13; 1Jn. 3:4); was given only until Christ came (Gal. 3:19, 23-25; Heb. 7:28; 9:9-10; Luke 16:16); could not give life nor righteousness (Gal. 3:21); was a schoolmaster to lead to Christ (Gal. 3:24-26; Matt. 11:11; Luke 16:16); is not in force for Christians (Gal. 3:19-25; Acts 15); makes servants, not sons (Gal. 4:1-3); brings bondage (Gal. 4:9, 24; 5:1); was a religion of days, etc. (Gal. 4:10); could not give the new birth (Gal. 4:28-30); was cast out (Gal. 4:21-31); demanded circumcision (Gal. 5:2-3); if observed, cancels grace (Gal. 5:4).

‘Glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance.’ Moses talked to Israel veiled, but when he went unveiled into the tabernacle to talk to God (Ex. 34:33-34). ‘By reason of the glory that excells’ – the reason the new covenant excels the old is that the old was only for a time (2Cor. 3:7; Gal. 3:19, 25; 4:30; Heb. 9:9-10), a place – Palestine (Deut. 5:16; 11:9; 28:8; 31:13), and a people – the Jews (Deut. 5:3; Rom. 2:12-16). The new covenant is for all time, all lands, and all people (Matt. 26:28; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:9-14; 1Cor. 12:13).

A Sweet Savour of Christ

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2Corinthians 2:12-17 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always cause us to triumph in Christ, and make manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 

‘Troas to preach Christ’s gospel’ Paul visited Troas on his second journey (Acts 16:6-8) and perhaps during his third journey (Acts 18:23).

‘To triumph in Christ, and make manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.’ Triumph in Christ means complete mastery over satanic powers (Col. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:14-15). The triumph here is like that of the Romans in which a public and solemn honour was conferred upon a victorious general, by allowing him a magnificent procession through the city of Rome. This was not granted by the senate unless he had gained a very decisive victory or conquered a province. On such occasions, the general was clad in purple and gold woven in figures setting forth his achievements. He wore a crown and in one hand held a branch of laurel, the emblem of victory. In the other, he carried his staff. He rode a magnificent chariot, adorned with ivory and plates of gold, and drawn by white horses. To keep him humble in the midst of all this a slave rode at his back, casting railings and reproaches and enumerating his vices and failures. Musicians led the procession; young men led sacrifices to be offered; then came loads of spoil, followed by the kings, princes, and generals that were taken captive. After these came the triumphal chariot before which people strewed flowers and shouted triumphant cries. Following this came the senate, priests, and the rest of the parade.

‘Savour’ [Greek: osme] aroma (2Cor. 2:14, 16; John 12:3; Eph. 5:2; Php. 4:18). Such a triumph in Christ as described here makes manifest the aroma of His saving knowledge by triumphant ministers wherever they serve.

‘Sweet savour’ [Greek: euodia] sweet perfume (2Cor. 2:15; Eph. 5:2; Php. 4:18). Not the same word in 2Corinthians 2:14. Righteous Christians are a sweet perfume unto God through Christ in all that are saved and unsaved. To the saved, they are an aroma of life unto life. To the unsaved, they are an aroma of death unto death. This is another way of saying, whoever receives the gospel will be saved and whoever rejects it will be lost. The gospel saves saints and damns sinners.

‘And who is sufficient for these things?’ Are the false apostles that lead you astray able to do these things?

‘Corrupt’ [Greek: kapeleuo] adulterate. The idea here is that the false apostles who were disturbing the Corinthians (2Cor. 11:13-15) were mixing the Word of God with their own inventions and were explaining it away to accommodate their hearers to get gain. Much of the Word of God is being adulterated today in many parts of Christendom (2Tim. 4:1-4). ‘Sincerity’ here refers to keeping the Word of God pure, and to delivering it in its purity to mankind.

We Are Not Ignorant

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2Corinthians 2:8-11 Wherefore I beseech you that you would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether you be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 

‘I beseech you that you would confirm your love toward him’ Paul pleads to them to forgive him and confirm their love to him, regardless of the reproach he had brought upon the gospel.

‘To this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether you be obedient in all things.’ I wrote to know whether you have obeyed in all things.

‘I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ.’ I forgive whom you forgive. We must all forgive for the sake of all concerned and do so because Christ has forgiven (Eph. 4:32; Matt. 18:21-35). We must also do this lest satan take the advantage (2:11; Jas. 4:7; 1Pet. 5:8-9).

‘Devices’ [Greek: noema] thought (10:5); devices (2:11); and minds (3:14; 4:4; 11:3; Php. 4:7). It includes the idea of purpose and design. The devil will take advantage of every failure of the Christian using it to get into his life and cause his downfall (1Cor. 10:13; 1Pet. 5:8-9; Eph. 6:10-18). In this case, satan could lead the despairing one into apostasy and hell, or the congregation into undue severity and hardness of heart toward guilty members, working untold harm to the cause of Christ.

‘For we are not ignorant of his devices’ the following works of satan is noted for our information: sin-rebellion (Gen. 3:1; 2Cor. 11:3); works of darkness, including moral sedition and sexual perversion (Eph. 5:11; 6:12; Acts 16:18; Rom. 1); works of wickedness (Col. 1:21); spiritual blindness (2Cor. 4:4); stealing the Word of God (Matt. 13:19); deceptions and false religions (2Cor. 11:14; 1Tim. 4; Rev. 12:9); to kill and destroy (John 10:10); sowing tares, tempting, and sifting saints (Matt. 4:3; 13:25; Luke 22:31); promoting counterfeit worship and miracles (2Thes. 2:8-12; 1Cor. 10:20); causing storms (Job 1:18-19; Eph. 2:2); ruling nations (Matt. 4:8-9; Dan. 10); executing death (Heb. 2:14-15); accusing the brethren (Rev. 12:10); hindering prayers (Dan. 10:12-21); opposing the gospel (Eph. 6:1-18); supervising demons (John 12:31), fallen angels (Rev. 12:7-12), and fallen man (Eph. 2:2; 1Jn. 3:8; John 8:44); causing sickness and disease (Matt. 4:23-24; 9:32-33; 15:22; Acts 10:38); causing infirmities (Matt. 8:17; Luke 13:16; John 10:10; Acts 10:38); causing lunacy and mania (Matt. 4:23-24; 17:14-21; Mark 5:1-18); urging suicides (Matt. 17:15; John 10:10); agitating lusts (John 8:44; Eph. 2:1-3); lying and false prophecy (1Kin. 22; Matt. 24:11, 24; 2Cor. 11:13-15); propagating false doctrines (1Tim. 4; 2Tim. 4; 2Thes. 2; Rev. 13); oppressing men (Acts 10:38); persecuting Christians and warring on saints (Eph. 6:10-18; 1Pet. 5:8-9).  Christ died to destroy and cancel all these works of the devil for believers in this age, and to give complete mastery over them (Col. 2:14-17; 1Pet. 2:24; Luke 10:19; John 14:12; Mark 16:17-18). The only works listed above that will not be put down in this age are: all sin and rebellion among men; satan’s rule of the nations; the reign of death; and the continued opposition of satan to saints. These will be done away in the Millennium (Eph. 1:10; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:1-8; 22:3).

If Any Have Caused Grief

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2Corinthians 2:5-7 But if any have caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise you ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

‘But if any have caused grief, he has not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.’ If anyone has caused grief he has not grieved me [Paul] as much as he has caused pain to you (Corinth congregation]. It would not be fair for me to charge all of you with the blame of the few who have gone astray.

‘Sufficient to such a man is this punishment’ – this refers to the fornicator of 1Corinthians 5:1-13 who had his punishment inflicted by the congregation. This had brought him to repentance, and the people, like those of most congregations, were not so willing to forgive him and receive him back. Paul now writes the second letter instructing them to forgive him and to confirm their love to him, lest he should be overwhelmed by too much sorrow (2Cor. 2:6-8).

‘Punishment’ [Greek: epitimia] censure. The word really means full rights and privileges. The punishment consisted of taking away these rights and privileges which he had in the congregational group (1Cor. 5:1-13).

‘Many’ – the majority. This suggests that some in the Corinth congregation, perhaps relatives did not take part in such punishment.

‘Lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.’ The specific man had already suffered sufficiently. The purpose of the punishment was to bring him to repentance. This had been accomplished and now there was danger of him destroying his life if other believers would not forgive him. This example cannot be used as an example to anyone who chooses to remain in sin and then demands that everyone forgives him but there is no repentance. Without repentance, there can be no forgiveness. Most people, when caught in a sinful act, will demand forgiveness but mostly with the intent to stay in sin. One of the modern fallacies is that men are not required to seek the Lord; that they are not required to repent, pray, call upon God, confess, or do anything else besides belief in order to be saved from sin. The truth is that all these terms are used many times in Scripture to tell people what they must do to find God, as in the following: [1] Seek (Isaiah 55:6; Deut. 4:29; 1Chron. 16:11; 28:9; 2Chron. 7:14; 15:2; Amos 5:6; Matt. 6:33; Acts 15:17; 17:27; Heb. 11:6); [2] Repent (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15; 6:12; Luke 13:1-5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 26:20; 2Cor. 7:8; Rev. 2:5, 16); [3] Call upon God (Isa. 55:6; Joel 2:32; Zeph. 3:9; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:9-14); [4] Confess (Prov. 28:13; Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5; Rom. 10:9-10; 1Jn. 1:9); [5] Pray (2Chron. 7:14; Luke 18:10-14; Acts 8:22); [6] Humble self (2Chron. 7:14; Matt. 18:3-4; 23:12; Luke 14:14; Jas. 4:10); [7] Hear (Matt. 10:14; 11:15; 13:13-15; John 12:47; Rom. 10:9-14); [8] Obey (Rom. 2:4-8; Gal. 3:1; 5:7; 2Thess. 1:8; Heb. 5:9; 1Pet. 4:17). When one truly believes it means that he does these and all the other things required by the gospel (Rom. 10:9-10).

Have Sorrow

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2Corinthians 2:1-4 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that makes me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 

‘I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.’ I decided that it would be best not to see you at all until you have acted by my first letter, putting the evils away from you. I do not want to come to you in sorrow and grief. If I make you sorry enough to cause you to put away sin, then you will make me glad (2:1-2).

‘And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.’ I wrote the first epistle to you so you could correct the evils in your midst, lest when I came I would have to take action and make you sorry by having to deal with those who should make me rejoice. I know that you wish my joy and I wish yours, so if writing will accomplish my present purpose we shall be happier with one another when I do come.

‘For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.’ It is the hardest part of my [Paul] ministry to have to bring judgment, so this is another reason why I wrote to you before I came. My purpose was not to cause you grief but to let you know my love and concern for you. Paul knew the consequences of someone who sinned willfully and was determined to have this individual brought to repentance through this judgment, rather let him be removed from God’s grace (no more sacrifice) as he clearly stated in Hebrews 10:26-31. The warning here to all Christians are NOT TO: Sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth (Heb. 10:26). Renounce Christ as the only sacrifice after we have received Him (Heb. 10:26). Despise the gospel after we have received its knowledge (Heb. 10:26, 28). Tread under feet the Son of God after knowing Him (Heb. 10:29). Count Christ’s blood that once sanctified us, an unholy thing (Heb. 10:29). Do despite or blaspheme the Holy Spirit of grace that we have received (Heb. 10:29). Become an adversary after knowing the truth (Heb. 10:26-27).