Reading for December 8th

 Read 2 Corinthians 8.1-15. In 8.1-9.15: The collection. In 8.1-7: Macedonian generosity. In verse 1: Churches of Macedonia probably means Philippi, Thessalonica, and Beroea (Acts 16-17). In verse 2: Severe ordeal: The founding of these churches had met stiff resistance (1 Thess 1.6; 3.1-5; Phil 1.29-30). In verses 5-6: Privilege translates: "charis," used several times in chs. 8-9, for collection itself (vv. 6-7 and v. 19). Since it designates both God's generosity (8.1; 9.14) and Christ's generous act (8.9), it properly describes the collection as a concrete expression of good will toward others. In verse 7: Earlier Paul commended their possession of these gifts (1 Cor 1.5-7). In verses 8-15: Christ's generosity. Genuineness of your love maybe their love for Christ (5.14; Rom 12.9). In verse 9: Christ is similarly portrayed in the early Christian hymn in Phil 2.5-11, where he also serves as an example for Christian behavior. In verses 10-11: Paul had given instructions about the collection in 1 Cor 16.1-4. In verses 12-14: The principle of fair balance can be expressed another way: Since the Jews have bestowed a spiritual blessing on gentiles, they are entitled to receive a physical blessing (financial support) from gentiles (Rom 15.27). In verse 15: Ex 16.18. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for December 7th

 Read 2 Cor 7.2-16. In 7.2-16: Paul rejoices over the church's repentance. In verse 2: These charges explain his defense in 2.17 and 4.2. In verse 3: I said before: When is not certain; possibly 4.12. In verse 5: This resumes the discussion in 2.12-13. In verses 6-7: The consolation Paul received from Titus' good report about Corinth is expressed in the opening prayer (1.3-7). In verse 8: This the "tearful letter" mentioned earlier (2.3-4, 9), probably chs. 10-13. In verses 9-13: Godly grief, literally "grief according to God," results in God's reconciling love (5.18-21). Either the congregations repentance is in view-they finally sided with Paul (v. 12)--or the individual who did the wrong admitted it (2.7). This is one of the few times repentance occurs in Paul's letters (12.21; Rom 2.4). In verses 13b-16: These remarks confirm Titus' pivotal role in the crisis. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 6th

 Read 2 Corinthians 6.14-7.1. In 6.14-7.1: Separating from evil. This section interrupts the train of thought (compare 7.2 and 6.13). Most likely it was a separate letter composed on another occasion. Some scholars this is the "previous letter" of 1 Cor 5.9. In verse 14: Good and evil are seen as absolute opposites in separatist communities like Qumran and parts of early Christianity (1 Thess 5.4-5; Jn 3.19-21), but moral choices are often presented as clearly opposed options (Deut 30.15; Mt 7.13-14). In verse 15: Beliar, also Belial occurs often in non-biblical literature, especially that from Qumran, to describe the leader of the forces of darkness, Satan. It only occurs here in the New Testament. In verse 16: Idols and Temple are incompatible (1 Cor 10.20-22). Combines Lev 26.11-12 and Ezek 37.27. In verse 17: Combines Isa 52.11 and Ezek 20.34. In verse 18: Paraphrases 2 Sam 7.14, drawing on Isa 43.6 (see Jer 31.9). Lord Almighty reflects 2 sam 7.8 (see Am 3.13). In 7.1: 1 Thess 4.1-6. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 5th

 Read 2 Corinthians 6.1-13. In 6.1-13: Working together with God. In verse 1: 1 Cor 3.9 confirms with him as a correct rendering of the Greek. In verse 2: Isa 49.8. In verse 3: This echoes the defensive tone of chs. 10-13. In verse 4: Servants of God: ("theou diakonoi") should be rendered "ministers of God" for consistency. In verses 4-10: Paul's lists of commendations includes hardships (vv. 4b-5) and virtuous behavior (vv. 6-7) lived out among life's contradictions and puzzles (vv. 8-10). Many elements of this self-portrait are confirmed in Acts 13-28, as well as Paul's other descriptions of his ministry (1 Thess 2). The paradoxes of vv. 8-10 specify the ways he has embodied the dying and rising of Christ (4.10-12). In verses 11-12: This final appeal indicates experienced (11.1-6). It continues in 7.2-4. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 4th

 Read 2 Corinthians 5.11-21. In 5.11-21: The ministry of reconciliation. In verse 11: Well known: Nothing is hidden in ministry as defined in 4.2. In verses 12-13: The tone is defensive. Commending himself and being beside himself echo his opponents' criticisms (4.5; 10.12; 11.16). In verses 14-15: Love of  Christ: Christ's love is meant (Rom 8.35; Gal 2.20), though love for Christ results. Died for all: Christ's death is a sacrifice with universal benefit (Rom 18-19). All have died: We might expect,"All can live." But v. 15 explains No longer to live for oneself is death to the self (Gal2.20). In verse 16: Human point of view: What it means to see Christ this way is disputed: knowing merely the historical facts about Jesus?trying to understand Christ without seeing God's bigger story? failing to see Christ as the funnel of God's spirit? In verse 17: Christ is the sphere of God's new creation (4.5-6); to enter Christ is to experience old becoming new. In verses 18-20: God as the prime mover continues an earlier theme (2.14; 4.1; 5.5). Reconciliation makes enemies friends (Rom 5.10). Ministry of reconciliation continues God's work (6.1). In verse 21: Rom 8.3 Gal 3.13. Comments or Questions..

Reading for December 3rd

 Read 2 Corinthians 5.1-10. In 5.1-10: Looking tot he future with confidence. The perishable body is compared to an earthly tent in Wis 9.15. Building from God may recall Mk 14.58, where Jesus' resurrected body is envisioned as a reconstructed temple not made with hands. Christ's resurrection gives the believer hope of inhabiting a similar dwelling. In verses 2-4: Mixing the image of inhabiting a building with putting on new clothing is awkward, but intelligible. Taken off: this reading makes more sense than the alternative. Dying is like shedding a tent. Burden recalls the affliction in the list of hardships (4.8-9). Resurrection life swallows up mortal existence (1  Cor 15.42-57). In verses 5-6: God's raising Christ begins the preparation (4.14; 1.21-22) and establishes confidence (4.1). In verse 7: Faith in Christ's resurrection changes the way we "see" (4.13-15, 18). In verses 8-9: Phil 1,.23-24. In verse 10: Resurrection faith establishes a time of accountability (Rom 14.10; 1 Cor 15.32-34). Comments or Questions...

Reading for December 2nd

 Read 2 Corinthians 4.1-18. In verses 1-6: Ministering under God's light. These remarks develop 2.17. To stand in God's presence can cause one to lose heart. In verse 2: Paul's language recalls ancient descriptions of false philosophers. Ministry carried out before God in public view requires higher standards than those found among religious impostors. In verse 3: Veiled: Paul admits his teaching can be difficult to understand (2 Pet 3.15-16). In verse 4: God of this world likely describes Satan (2.11; Jn 12.31). Image of God: As God's image, Christ reflects God's dazzling brilliance (3.18; Heb 1.3). In verse 5: The gospel is the message, ministers the messengers (Rom 10.9). In verse 6: The quotation draws on Gen 1.3 and Ps 112.4. Creation has been reenacted in Christ (5.17). In verses 7-12: Embodying Jesus' death and life in ministry. In verse 7: Treasure refers to the gospel (4.3-4). Its source of power is God (Rom 1.16-17). In verses 8-9: This list of hardships echoes the opening prayer (1.3-7; 1 Cor 4.9-13). In verses 10-11: Paul's apostolic lifestyle models the message he preaches: He dies and rises with Christ (Rom 6.8). In verse 12: Paul's experience with death enables him to transmit life to his churches. In verses 13-18: Ministering in the spirit of faith. In verse 13: Ps 115.1 in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures). Spirit of faith is the capacity to believe. In verse 14: What Christ experienced in his resurrection, ministers will experience along with their churches (Rom 8.11). In verse 15: Grace is spread by those who speak the faith they believe (v. 13). In verse 16: Outer nature and inner nature correspond to body and spirit (1 Cor 5.3; 7.34). Christ's spirit renews the believer's spirit (3.18). In verse 17; Eternal weight of glory is the fullness of God's glory already revealed in Christ (3.18). In verse 18: This aptly summarizes Paul's understanding of hope (Rom 8.24-25; Heb 11.1-3). Comments or Questions..