King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, December 05, 2023
Chapters: II CORINTHIANS 1-4
Message: Enduring the Cup With Christ
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today, the one thing that kept going through my mind was when Jesus was in the garden praying to the Father before His passion. He knew what needed to be done, He knew that it was appointed for Him to die on the cross and yet while in His human nature state He still asked if there was a way to remove the cup He was given, [Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.]. You see, we all have a cup to bear and while our human nature will ask God, our Father, “Please remove the cup.” the Holy Spirit will say, “Nevertheless, thy will be done.” and we will actually come out all the better than we before the suffering began, [1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.]
The Book of 2 Corinthians was written Paul to believers at Corinth, and to all believers. The timeline for this letter took place approximately 60AD, and the purpose of the book was to reestablish his authority as an apostle, and show gratitude and thanks for their faithfulness in Christ. What we are to learn from the book is that human weakness provides an opportunity for the power of God to be revealed through us, [2 Corinthians 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.]
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was one of discipline, this one, written about a year later, is one of encouragement. He had it written when he himself was discouraged and heard how they had turned things around, including the man that he had told them to remove from the congregation. Paul wanted to show them how pleased he was that they were living by the true Gospel, and how much of an encouragement they were to him. He points out that there is a reason for the afflictions that we face.
[2 Corinthians 1:1-6 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.]
[by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.] Believe it or not, but the suffering that we found comfort in God through our faith is what those who are suffering right now are comforted with. People are hurting, in fact, there are so many of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ suffering right now that we are hurting as the body of Christ, but we can be comforted and comfort others as well with the reminder that we are not alone, [Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.]
[which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings] The thought of our having to endure suffering as being something that is for our own good really does not bring much comfort in our human nature, but to our spiritual nature, it is the hope that one day the suffering will be over that keeps us going. I do not care how strong our faith, we do get discouraged at times and it does take a toll on our faith and that is where our taking the time to comfort someone else through their suffering will give us the incentive to keep going. Paul, recalls the time when he felt so discouraged that he even despaired being alive.
[2 Corinthians 1:8-12 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.]
[insomuch that we despaired even of life:] Have you ever been in so much pain, whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual that you despaired life? I will admit that I have been there and it literally drains the life out of you and those around you too. Think about it, the last thing we want to hear when we are in pain is someone else wallowing in their pain. I mean how are two miserable people going to comfort one another if all they do is cry about all the problems they have? This is what Paul was trying to say to them and why he did visit them yet.
[2 Corinthians 2:1-5 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.]
[I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice;] When we see others who are uplifted despite their suffering, it gives us hope, and starts encouraging us. If all we do is walk around moping all the time what good are we going to be to others, let alone ourselves? I have been there though and in my sorrows I have walked off jobs, stopped serving in church, stopped talking to friends, all because I tried to handle things on my own. Nevertheless, praise God, He knew that my pain did not cause permanent damage with Him and therefore pulled me through and renewed my hope. In order to overcome any suffering we have to open your heart and give it all to Jesus. Yes, I know that sounds like it will do absolutely nothing when you are in so much pain, but that is the first step. We are not defeated with Christ we triumph through Him.
[2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.]
[To the one we are the savour of death unto death;] Say what? Paul, is referring to this passage, [Jeremiah 43:9-12 Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah; 10 And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them. 11 And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, and deliver such as are for death to death; and such as are for captivity to captivity; and such as are for the sword to the sword. 12 And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.]
God, can find his people wherever they are, His grace was not confined to the land of Israel, wherever His people were, He would find them and take care of them. Notice that God makes one wicked man, or a wicked nation for that matter to judge another. He will punish those who deceive His professing people, in fact, He does not need to lift a finger as they will destroy themselves, [Proverbs 28:10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.]
Paul, reminds us all that, as long as we are saved, we have the power of the living God in us and that is all sufficient for us to not only endure the suffering, but be able to minster to others, that is after we snap out of any self wallowing that we have done.
[2 Corinthians 3:1-6 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.]
[but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers] We can and do endure suffering with one thing, a little thing that Jesus calls grace. Sometimes God does not remove the pain rather makes it bearable by His grace, [2 Corinthians 12:8-10 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.]
Take pleasure in our infirmities, say what? This passage will be in our reading in couple of days so I am not going to go into too much detail, but when we come to God through Christ, and all His grace, He truly is sufficient, plain and simple. We do not realize the impact that we have on those who have no hope in their pain. They see us rejoicing in our infirmities and want to see why we have so much hope and if they see that hope comes through our faith in Christ, then they will find hope in theirs. Without the pain will not see that we have so much more awaiting us, not only in this phase of our lives, but the next phase as we step into eternal life.
[2 Corinthians 3:11-18 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.]
[much more that which remaineth is glorious.] You have the living God living inside of you, stop wallowing in your sorrows, and start walking in faith, knowing His promises, He has much more to show you. The law of Christ was written in our hearts, and the love of Christ is shed abroad through our faith, not written in tables of stone as the ten commandment were given to Moses by God, but of tables of the heart. You are a saved, born again child of the KING! Your name is written in the Book of life, it cannot be removed no matter how many times you fail God. Rejoice in that, and then you will find that hope you lost. Of course, I am preaching to the choir here!
[2 Corinthians 4:1-5 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.]
[In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,] The god of this world is none other than Satan himself and I swear he is working overtime in my family right now, and church as well. My husband’s truck that he has only had since October, but probably only driven it a half dozen times is in the shop because the starter they just put in it burned out. Then he goes to leave this morning in my truck and it had a problem starting, this only after the battery was replaced a few days ago. I actually made up this song telling Satan to go away and that Jesus was coming after him.
[2 Corinthians 4:7-11,15-17 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;]
[yet the inward man is renewed day by day.] When we do everything in our own flesh we are dead because we are not physically capable of dealing with everything, but when we come to Jesus, all things are possible, for He brings life into it all as He renews us daily, [1 Peter 2:19-21 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:]
Today’s Prayer: God, When suffering comes, I admit the last thing I want to do is minister to others, in fact, all I want to do is hide in a corner somewhere and not talk to anyone. When You bring me to my senses, I know that You are always there, ready to pick me up, and show me how to get back to doing the work You called me to do. You are so merciful to me that it tears me up to think that I suffered so long when all I had to do was come to You. Lord, there is no one like You, so loving, so trusting, so fearing, just as a Father should be, You may not remove the suffering right away or at all, but Your grace is sufficient enough to help me through and give me the hope I need to keep going, and I thank You for that. Lord, Walk with me, guide me, and put Your hedge about me, keep me resting on the hope that I know only comes through my faith in You. Let me shine the Light of Your Son through me so that others can know the reason of the hope that is n me. I love You Lord and ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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