Page 924 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_09_MacArthur_Bible_Sept.qxd 8/8/03 16:44 Page 905

SEPTEMBER 9
2 Corinthians 1:1–24
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of
1 God, and Timothy our brother,
1:8 trouble which came to us in Asia. This
To the church of God which is at Corinth, was a recent occurrence (following the writing
with all the saints who are in all Achaia: of 1 Corinthians) that happened in or around
the city of Ephesus.The details of this situation
Grace to you and peace from God our are not known. despaired even of life. Paul
2
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. faced something that was beyond human sur-
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord vival and was extremely discouraging
3
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of because he believed it threatened to end his
4
all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribu- ministry prematurely. The Greek word for
lation, that we may be able to comfort those “despaired” literally means “no passage,” the
who are in any trouble, with the comfort with total absence of an exit (2 Tim. 4:6). The
which we ourselves are comforted by God. Corinthians were aware of what had hap-
pened to Paul, but did not realize the utter
severity of it, or what God was doing through
those circumstances.
1:4 tribulation. This term refers to crushing 1:9 the sentence of death.The word for “sen-
pressure, because in Paul’s life and ministry tence” is a technical term that indicated the
there was always something attempting to passing of an official resolution, in this case
weaken him, restrict or confine his ministry, or the death sentence. Paul was so absolutely
even crush out his life. But no matter what sure he was going to die for the gospel that he
confronted him,Paul knew God would sustain had pronounced the sentence upon himself.
and strengthen him (12:9,10; Rom. 8:31–38; not trust in ourselves but in God. God’s ulti-
Phil. 1:6). that we may be able to comfort. mate purpose for Paul’s horrible extremity.The
Comfort from God is not an end in itself. Its Lord took him to the point at which he could
purpose is that believers also might be com- not fall back on any intellectual, physical, or
forters. Having humiliated and convicted the emotional human resource (12:9,10). who
Corinthians, God used Paul to return to them raises the dead.A Jewish descriptive term for
with a strengthening message after he him- God used in synagogue worship language.
self had received divine strengthening Paul understood that trust in God’s power to
(6:1–13; 12:6–11; Luke 22:31,32). raise the dead was the only hope of rescue
from his extreme circumstances.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
5
so our consolation also abounds through world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and
6
consolation and salvation, which is effective more abundantly toward you. For we are not
13
for enduring the same sufferings which we writing any other things to you than what you
also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for read or understand. Now I trust you will under-
your consolation and salvation. And our hope stand, even to the end (as also you have under-
7
14
for you is steadfast, because we know that as stood us in part), that we are your boast as you
you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
will partake of the consolation. 15
For we do not want you to be ignorant,
8 And in this confidence I intended to come
brethren, of our trouble which came to us in to you before, that you might have a second
16
Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, benefit— to pass by way of you to Macedonia,
above strength, so that we despaired even of to come again from Macedonia to you, and be
17
life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in our- helped by you on my way to Judea. There-
9
selves, that we should not trust in ourselves but fore, when I was planning this, did I do it light-
in God who raises the dead, who delivered us ly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to
10
from so great a death, and does deliver us; in the flesh, that with me there should be Yes,
18
whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you Yes, and No, No? But as God is faithful, our
11
19
also helping together in prayer for us, that word to you was not Yes and No. For the Son
thanks may be given by many persons on our of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached
behalf for the gift granted to us through many. among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Tim-
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our
12 othy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was
conscience that we conducted ourselves in the Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are
20
905