Reading for December 18th

Read Ecclesiastes 1.12-18. In 1.12-18: The Teachers' experiment. Though any king of the southern kingdom would fit this description, Solomon is likely implied. In verse 13: Mind: In Hebrew, "heart," the seat of thinking. Wisdom refers to practical as well as speculative, knowledge. The Teacher begins with an empirical investigation into what is useful in life. In verse 14: Chasing after wind: Literally, "shepherding the wind," a futile exertion of energy.. This phrase will be repeated 8 more times in Ecclesiastes. In verse 15: Given the proverbial ring of the statement, some suggest that the Teacher is quoting a well-known saying. In verse 17: Wisdom, madness, folly: The list of items from one extreme to the other suggests the complete range of experience. In verse 18: A second proverbial statement, likely original to the Teacher. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 17th

 Read Ecclesiastes 1.1-11. In verse 1: Superscription. Like many Psalms, the book begins with an editorial comment; it alludes to Solomon. Teacher: Hebrew Qoheleth; a form of "qhl" ("assembly"), its meaning is not clear. In verse 2: The book's theme. Vanity in Hebrew "hevel," meaning "vapor, wind," things transient and impermanent. Vanity of vanities in Hebrew superlative: The most insubstantial thing. In verse 3: The dominant question. Is there any benefit from life? The reader is introduced to vocabulary that will be repeat throughout the book: Under the sun refers to wearisome earthly existence, and toil bears a negative connotation. In verses 4-11: Nothing ever changes. The Teacher laments the inability of human activity to alter the flow of existence. The sun, wind, and streams repeat their predictable, " no sum" circuits, just as human are never satisfied with what they see or hear. In verses 10-11: Throughout the book, the Teacher grieves that even the righteous ones are not remembered after death. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 16th

 Read 2 Corinthians 13.1-13. In verses 1-4: Final warnings. In verse 1: Third time: 12.14; the quotation is from Deut 19.15. In verse 2: Paul resumes the tone of a stern father (1 Cor 4.18-21). In verse 3: Again, the tone is sarcastic. They could have asked: How do we know your apostolic call is legitimate? In verse 4: Like 4.7-12, Paul's lifestyle bears the stamp of Christ's death and resurrection. Defining the resurrection power as the power to discipline is a new wrinkle.  In verses 5-10: Parting advice. In verse 5: Such advice, taken seriously, makes them less vulnerable to the pressures of outside teachers. The presence of Christ within them should give them confidence to chart their own course (Rom 8.10). In verses 6-10: These are the words of an anxious father-self-doubts, fear that his children will never grow up, willingness to be weak as long as the children are strong. In verse 10: He closes with a father's threat (10.8; 12.19. In verses 11-13: Farewell and benediction. In verse11: Such advice brings harmony. In verse 12: The holy kiss was a form of liturgical greeting that may have originated in early Christian circles (Rom 16.16; 1 Cor 16.20). In verse 13: The trinitarian form of the benediction is distinctive. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 15th

Read 2 Corinthians 12.14-21. In 12.14-21: Fatherly love and anxiety. In verse 14: Third time: The founding visit (Acts 18) was followed by the painful visit (12.1), which prompted this severe letter. Writing from Macedonia, he now ready to come a third time (13.1). What is yours; He did not wait for their money. The parent-child image extends through both letters (11.2; 1 Cor 4.14-15). In verse 16: Crafty explains his denials in 2.17 and 4.2. In verses 17-18: The sending of Titus and the brother described in 8.16-24 appears to be in view. Taking advantage could be applying pressure to participate in the collection. In verse 19: His self-defense has occurred under oath. Building up defines the purpose and limits of Paul's use of authority ( 10.8). In verse 20: Some of these vices of social disorder have been present for a long time (1 Cor 1-4). In verse 21: Sexual sins have not figured prominently in 2 Corinthians, although they are included in the warnings of 6.14-7.1. These fears may go back to the first letter (1 Cor 5.7). Comments or Questions..  

Reading for December 14th

 Read 2 Cor 12.1-13. In verses 1-10: Experiencing visions and revelations of the Lord. In verse 1: Paul now moves to a different order of boasting. In verse 2: The person in Christ is surely Paul himself . Fourteen years ago would put it shortly after his conversion, probably in the 30's In verse 3: The language suggests an ecstatic experience, in which he was taken out of the body. In verse 4: Paradise is where God dwells (Lk 23.43; Rev 2.7). Hearing unrepeatable things describes the revelations in greater detail (v.1). What he saw is emphasized less. In verse 5: Such an experience enabled Paul to distinguish his ordinary self from the one caught up into heaven. In verses 6-7: In talking about such experiences, less is better. In verse 7: What this thorn in the flesh was no one knows, though many guesses have been made. Messenger of Satan is literally "angel of Satan." In verse 8: The Lord can be either God (1 Cor 1.2) or Christ (13.14). In verse 9: Power of Christ: Christ transmits the power he experienced in the resurrection (4.11; 1 Cor 6.14). In verse 10: Weak ... strong expresses the paradox of the cross (1 Cor 1.25). In verses 11-13: Concluding the fool's speech. In verse 11: Super-apostles: 11.5. I am nothing: Again Paul speaks sarcastically. Mimicking the opponents (10.7).In verse 12: Paul occasionally refers to his wonder-working ability (Rom 15.19). It is developed more fully in Acts. In verse 13: Their argument could have run: You were much closer to Philippi; they supported you financially (Phil 4.15). Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 13th

 Read 2 Corinthians 11.16-33. In 11.16-33: A fool speaks! In verse 18:They boast in self achievements (10.2-4). In verse 19: This recalls Paul's description of the "spiritual people" in 1 Cor 4.10. In verse 20: They submit to false apostles' demand for money. In verse 22: These labels identify them as Jewish Christians. Unlike Paul's opponents in Galatia, they do not require circumcision and observance of the law (Gal 5.2-6).  In verse 23: Ministers of Christ: Their language is Christian (11.4). Madman: 5.13. In verses 23-27: This list of hardships is longer and more detailed than others (6.4-10). Acts 13-28 confirms many of these details. In verse 24: This indicates Paul was under synagogue jurisdiction. In verse 28: Anxiety: This was especially seen in the way he awaited Titus' report (2.12-13; 7.5, 13; 1 Thess 2). In verses 30-33: This episode caps the list of hardships. In verse 31: The use of the oath underscores that the claims that follow the claims will be hard to believe (Gal 1.20). In verses 32-33: This may be the escape referred to in Acts 9. 23-25. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 12th

 Read 2 Corinthians 11.1-15. In 11.1-15: Paul's love for the Corinthians. In verse 1: Foolishness: this anticipates the fool's speech that follows (11.16-29). In verse 2: The image is a father whose daughter has deeply disappointed him. In verse 3: Gen 3.3. Led astray suggest sexual seduction. In verse 4: The opponents are obviously Christian. Another Jesus probably means an understanding of Christ completely different from Paul's, perhaps one emphasizing Jesus' miracle-working power and resurrection to the neglect of his human limitations and crucifixion. Different spirit is possibly different understanding of the Holy Spirit. Their different gospel certainly placed them at odds with Paul (Gal.6-9). In verse 5: Super-apostles: This is doubtless Paul's label for his opponents (12.11). It need not refer to the twelve apostles, but could be a derisive way of referring to competing missionaries. In verse 6; He echoes their criticisms of him. In verses 7-9: In keeping with the policy outlined in 1 Cor 9, he preached without pay. Humbling myself refers to working to support himself. Other churches: He received financial support from the Philippians (Phil 4.15).In verse 11: His opponents might have argued: If he loved you, he would accept your money. In verse 12: Equals: They wanted to have equal claim on the church. In verse 13: The language is unusually harsh. Apostles probably means "missionaries," rather than some of the twelve apostles (8.23; 12.11-13). In verses 14-15: Calling them ministers of satan intensifies the criticism. Comments or Questions...