The daily Ablaze posts are coming with me on vacation for a few weeks. Don’t worry, I’ll still be reading while relaxing. Stay tuned for the reading plan’s return.

In this chapter Paul describes so eloquently tension that we all face here on earth. We have been clothed with Christ and now belong to him and therefore have a desire to be with him. In this world there is trouble and hardship and danger but we need not be afraid–when we leave here we will be with Christ forever. No matter where we are (here or in glory) our goal is “to please him” (vs. 9). How does heaven motivate you to please the Lord?

This is a scripture that travels well in my soul “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (ESV)

The days are getting shorter….

In those days as traveling teachers went about they had letters of recommendation detailing their abilities and accomplishments etc. The Corinthian church got on Paul for not having those same letters–which is absurd when you think that they wouldn’t be a church if Paul hadn’t preached the gospel to them. They were his letter. But he is not claiming responsibility for their new hearts–he knows that all sufficiency comes from God. What a great picture of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility side by side.

The church had questions for Paul because he had not been back to visit them. Paul knew, however, that it would be a “painful” visit he decided that he would send Titus instead. He was so troubled by the Corinthian situation that he didn’t preach the gospel at Troas even though he had an “open door”. Even in the midst of this troubled time Paul’s perspective was not focused on himself,

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (ESV)

In 1 Corinthians Paul encourages the church to be unified and in this letter he has to defend himself. Before he gets to telling them why he changed his travel plans he gives some timely suffering advice by saying,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

The last chapter of this letter shows (among other things) this is a real letter. Notice that these are real people that Paul is talking to not make believe people from fairy tale places. Timothy, Apollos and others are mentioned as servants of the Lord. Paul even gives his travel plans. How do you think they received this letter?

Without the resurrection of Christ, Christianity would be an empty philosophy doing little more than making people ‘feel’ better. What bearing does Jesus not staying dead have on believers? Chapter 15 tells us. This is great news…the end of the gospel means the redemption of all things–even our earthly bodies.

“For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”1 Corinthians 15:53 (ESV)

Because Christ lives–we will too forever.

There is so much in this chapter that we could think about. I’ll pick just one area. Notice that Paul talks about prophecy as something that must be weighed against scripture (vs. 29). Also, we see that prophecy is for the edification of the church (vs. 3). The picture is this: No one gives new revelation that all must obey, but prophecy does have a place to encourage the church.

This is probably one of the most famous and beautiful section of scripture in the whole New Testament. People have it read at weddings, crouched into pillows, put on plaques…but remember the purpose. This chapter comes in the context of Paul helping the Corinthians understand how to use spiritual gifts. In chapter 12, he reminded them that gifts were given to build the church and now in chapter 13 he reminds them that gifts must be used in love. In fact, without love one may be gifted in mighty ways but at the end of the day it means nothing. Check out verse 2,

“And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 (ESV)

Makes you think twice about why you do what you do, huh?