EmmDev 2016-05-18 [Treasure in Clay Pots (2Cor)] Introducing 2 Corinthians

Introducing 2 Corinthians

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.      (2Corinthians1:1-2)

For our next series I am going to work through a letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. Although we only have two of Paul's letters to this church in the New Testament, scholars are convinced that the letter we know as 2Corinthians is actually the third letter he wrote to them. Paul refers to a "letter of tears" that he wrote to them and this letter seems to have been lost to history.

The church in Corinth was beset by many challenges:

• There were false teachers who were leading them astray theologically.
• They also had church-political power-grabbers who were trying to discredit Paul.
• There were divides between the rich and the poor.
• Some of their members were behaving immorally and flaunting it.
• They were confused about eating food that had been dedicated to idols.
• They were competing over who had the best spiritual gifts..
• There were some who were getting drunk at communion services

And yet Paul patiently teaches, rebukes, comforts and nurtures this congregation. His first letter addressed some of the tough issues mentioned above. The second letter seems to have been a deep expression of his pain and disappointment over some of the malpractices going on in the congregation.

Now Paul writes to consolidate his relationship with them and to expose those who would use the church for power and influence. Along the way Paul addresses the pain and struggles the congregation faces in the face of a society that is opposed to the gospel and he does this by sharing a great deal about his own struggles and failures.

It is Paul's incredible vulnerability and his great sensitivity to their pain that makes this tough and challenging letter very special.

His opening blessing sets the tone for the rest of the letter:
"May Grace (not power or influence) and Peace (in the face of persecution and resistance) be yours in the Father and the Son"

It's my prayer that our journey through 2Corinthians over the next month or two will be of great comfort to us in the challenging times we face...