2 Corinthians 3: Who Is Your Sufficiency?
Verse of the Day: (V5) “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”
1. Stone (V1-3)
V2 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:”
Paul commended the Corinthian Christians because they were like epistles or letters of Paul and his preachers that others could read and experience the love of Christ through them. Indeed, Moses once wrote God’s words on tables of stones. Today, God’s words are written in our hearts when we believe in God and His words. As we apply them to our lives, we become God’s letters that all may read us, and come to God’s saving grace.
V3 “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.”
2. Sufficiency (V4-16)
V5 “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”
Paul affirmed them that God was their sufficiency and He shall provide all their needs if they shall receive Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. Indeed Christ came to remove the veil of spiritual blindness from those who would believe in Him so that they shall see and taste the goodness and glory of God. Those in the Old Testament could also have their veil removed from them if they would believe by faith that one day Jesus shall come and die for their sins, and on the third day, He shall raise from the dead conquering death.
V14 “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.”
3. Spirit (V17-18)
V17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
When we receive Christ as our Saviour, the Spirit immediately indwells in us, and our sins are forgiven. We shall then be able to look into the glass or God’s words, and apply them in our lives, so that we are truly transformed into God’s image reflecting His glory.
V18 “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.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that You are my Sufficiency and shall provide all my needs.
2 Corinthians 2: Will You Triumph In Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V14) “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.”
1. Person Of Christ (V1-11)
V10 “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;”
Apostle Paul loved the Corinthian Christians so much that when they had victory over sins he rejoiced with them, and when they fell into sins, he grieved with them over their sins. Paul reminded those who had an unforgiving spirit that even as Christ had forgiven them, they should also forgive others. He warned them of Satan’s strategies of deceit, division and eventual destruction of the church because of hatred and unforgiving spirit.
V11 “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
2. Triumph In Christ (V12-14)
V12 “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord.”
No matter how difficult and depressing Paul and his fellow preachers faced in preaching Christ’s gospel, they always triumph in Christ because Christ shall open the hardest door, melt the hardest heart, and save the worst sinner. Indeed, we shall triumph in Christ, because Christ already had victory over death, and there is nothing that Christ cannot do!
V14 “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.”
3. Savour Of Christ (V15-17)
V15 “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:”
Paul and his fellow preachers were great blessings and sweet savour to the people because they preached Christ’s gospel. However, they were great blessings only to those who believed in Christ because these people shall one day inherit glorious heaven and shun fiery hell. Those who reject Christ had only themselves to blame, because they shall be condemned to fiery hell. Let us therefore be great blessings and sweet savour to all by sharing Christ’s gospel so that all may come to know Christ, and make Christ known.
V16 “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?”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to triumph in You by sharing Your precious gospel!
2 Corinthians 1: Will You Comfort Others?
Verse of the Day: (V4) “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.”
1. Comfort (V1-11)
V3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”
The God of mercies and all comfort shall comfort and console those who fully trust in Him so that they in turn shall comfort others who are also suffering in pain. God allows suffering in our lives so as to test our faith in Him. Let us truly thank God for our suffering because it is through suffering that we experience His mercies and know how much faith we have in Him. The greatest test of our faith in God is when we can still comfort others while we are going through the greatest suffering and storm of our lives.
V4 “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.”
2. Conscience (V12-19)
V12 “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.”
Paul and his preachers rejoiced in living in simplicity, sincerity and a clear conscience before the true God because they knew that they were saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ. It is not so much of what we say, but how we live for Christ. Our walk must talk louder than our talk talks, otherwise, we are just empty vessels and mere hypocrites.
V18 “But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.”
3. Christ (V20-24)
V20 “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”
Paul and his preachers endured the suffering and persecution while preaching the gospel because they knew that Jesus Christ who anointed them shall fulfil His promises to them. Indeed let us trust and believe in God and His promises as they are sure and steadfast.
V21 “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to comfort others even though I am suffering too.
1 Corinthians 16: Are You Addicted To The Ministry?
Verse of the Day: (V15) “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”
1. Adversaries (V1-14)
V9 “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”
Paul warned the Corinthian Christians that though there were great opportunities for them to preach the gospel of Christ, yet there were also many adversaries or opposition. The main opposition was Satan who sought to oppose them from sharing the gospel. God’s goal is for all to be saved and heavenward bound, while Satan’s goal is for all to be condemned to fiery hell. Paul then reminded them to encourage and support Timothy, his spiritual son as well as a young preacher, who would come and serve alongside with them.
V10 “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.”
2. Addicted (V15-21)
V15 “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”
Paul pleaded with the Corinthian Christians to submit and serve closely with the family of Stephanas who were the first converts and who were fully addicted and devoted to the Lord’s ministry. Paul strongly encouraged them to be united for Christ’s sake though Stephanas and some of the leaders might have disagreements on certain minor issues.
V16 “That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.”
3. Anathema (V22-24)
V22 “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.”
Those who refused to love and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ shall be Anathema Maranatha or cursed at Christ’s coming. Let us love and believe in Jesus Christ because He is truly the Son of God who loved us so much that He left His glorious heaven and came to this lowly earth to die on a cruel cross and shed His precious blood for the sins of the whole world. Indeed we are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ through faith in Him.
V23 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be addicted and devoted to Your work and Word.
1 Corinthians 15: Are You Abounding In The Lord?
Verse of the Day: (V58) “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
1. Apostle (V1-10)
V9 “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
Paul humbly confessed and declared that he was unworthy and unfit to be called and chosen to be an apostle because he had persecuted and killed many Christians. However thanks to God’s grace, he repented of his sins, and received Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord. This was why Paul laboured the hardest above the rest of the apostles.
V10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
2. Asleep (V11-50)
V18 “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
The essence of the gospel of Christ is the resurrection of Christ. Without the resurrection, we are men most miserable because when we die we shall be condemned into fiery hell as a result of our sins. However thanks be to God that Christ resurrected from the dead and lives forever. Therefore those who believe and accept Christ as their personal Saviour shall also resurrect from the dead and their souls shall be with Him forever in heaven.
V20 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
3. Abound (V51-58)
V52 “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
The Christians are living during the time when either we die and our souls shall be in heaven or we shall suddenly be caught up to heaven to be with God. Indeed, we shall be absent from our bodies and our souls shall have perfect bodies in heaven. Hence, let us abound in the work of the Lord because we know that our labour is never in vain in Him.
V58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to abound in Your work as I know it is never in vain.
1 Corinthians 14: Will You Prophesy?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
1. Prophesy (V1-18)
V1 “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
Though God blessed Apostle Paul with many spiritual gifts, including the gift of speaking in many tongues or different languages, yet Paul affirmed that his best gift from God, beside charity or love, was prophesy or preaching of God’s word. The greatest joy for Paul was preaching God’s word and witnessing the miraculous salvation of precious souls repenting their sins, and receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.
V18 “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:”
2. Peace (V19-33)
V19 “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”
Though God bestowed Paul with the gift of many languages, yet he would rather speak only 5 words of a language that people would understand, than to speak 5,000 words of a language that confused them and no one understood it. In other words, Paul desired that his words must edify and encourage the people to know the God of peace, and make Him known to others. He would never desire to impress others with his gift of languages if they could never understand him. Indeed, God is the God of peace and not of confusion.
V33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
3. Prophet (V34-40)
V37 “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”
Paul declared that the real test of the true prophet or spiritual man was when he believed that Paul’s writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were God’s commandments. Indeed, Paul’s writings were profitable for doctrine, for reproof of the sins of man and for instruction in righteousness. Paul did not just write God’s word but he lived by God’s word and he did everything decently and in order, and for God’s glory, honour and praise.
V40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to prophesy that Jesus loves, forgives and saves!
1 Corinthians 13: Do You Have Charity?
Verse of the Day: (V13) “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
1. Cymbal (V1-7)
V1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
Though God bestowed Paul with the gifts of prophecy and faith, and chose him, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to write 14 of the 27 books of the New Testament of the Bible or God’s Word, namely, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews, yet he confessed that he was a noisy cymbal and good-for-nothing if he had no charity or love. Indeed, love is God’s greatest gift, because it was love that God sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the whole world.
V2 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”
2. Child (V8-11)
V8 “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.”
Paul explained to the Corinthian Christians that though they were once like children when they first became Christians and only knew certain part of God’s Word, but as they matured in the Lord, they realised that love was truly the greatest gift among God’s gifts.
V11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
3. Charity (V12-13)
V12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
Paul concluded that though there were 3 great gifts: faith, hope and love, yet he affirmed that love was the greatest among them. One day in heaven we shall have no need of faith and hope as we shall see our God, however, we still need love, because God is love!
V13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to love everyone including my enemies as You are love.
1 Corinthians 12: Are You Gifted?
Verse of the Day: (V31) “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
1. Gifts (V1-12)
V1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”
God through Paul taught the Corinthian Christians that every Christian was blessed with spiritual gifts because they were ignorant thinking that only the apostles were blessed with gifts. Though we may have different gifts yet we have the same Spirit to lead us to use our gifts to bless others. Let us therefore be humble when we have many gifts, and be contented when we have few gifts, because every gift is from God, and for His glory.
V4 “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
2. Gentiles (V13-27)
V13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
God through Paul reminded the Christians that regardless of whether they were Jews or Gentiles, and blessed with many or few gifts, they must worship together in one Spirit because they were baptized into one body of Christ. Indeed, let us love and care for one another in the church as we are members of the same body with Jesus Christ as our Head.
V25 “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
3. God (V28-31)
V28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”
Though God has blessed the Christians in the church with many different wonderful gifts such as preaching, teaching, interceding for others, helping others, leadership and administration, and knowing various languages, yet they must use them in the most excellent way which is to lead others to the saving grace of God. Indeed, God’s best gift to us is salvation so that we have a glorious heaven to gain and a fiery hell to shun when we repent our sins and believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour.
V31 “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You for Your wonderful gifts so that I may lead others to You!
1 Corinthians 11: Will You Follow Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
1. Christ (V1-15)
V1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Paul encouraged the Christians to follow him as he followed Christ. Paul was able to do that because his life was a life completely dedicated and committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, Paul was willing even to die for Christ. He also taught the people with regard to leadership at home and in church. The man is the head of the family, Christ is the head of the church, and God is the head of Christ. Though the husband and wife are to love and respect each other, yet the husband is the head of the family. Similarly, even though God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are the Trinity, yet God is the head of Christ.
V3 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
2. Church (V16-19)
V16 “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”
Paul commanded the Corinthian church to discipline members who were contentious and had no respect for the church leadership as well as the program, and especially, the conduct of the Lord’s supper which was an important ordinance to remember the death, burial, resurrection and return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of participating the Lord’s supper in a serious and sober manner, they were taking it lightly and even disrespectfully.
V18 “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.”
3. Chastened (V20-34)
V28 “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”
Paul warned the Christians to examine themselves when they would partake the Lord’s supper, otherwise God would discipline and chasten them. In fact, God punished those who misbehaved at the Lord’s supper with sicknesses and even death. Indeed, let us follow Christ and truly examine ourselves that we be worthy in our words and deeds to participate the Lord’s supper, and receive God’s great blessings and not chastisement.
V32 “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to follow You now and forever.
1 Corinthians 10: Will You Escape Temptation?
Verse of the Day: (V13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
1. Escape (V1-22)
V13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Apostle Paul through the Holy Spirit commanded the Corinthian Christians that though God was faithful who shall provide a way for them to escape from their temptation, yet they must themselves flee from it. The people of Israel time and again sinned against God, not because God was not faithful to them, but because they failed to flee from idolatry and temptation, and hence succumbed to them, and reaped the consequences of their sins.
V14 “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”
2. Edify (V23-30)
V23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Paul explained to them that though they had the liberty to do what was right before God, such as eating food offered to idols, yet they must be careful not to stumble the young believers who might be struggling with their weaker conscience. Indeed, we must be godly examples to these young Christians, that we edify them, instead of stumbling them.
V28 “But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:”
3. Eat (V31-33)
V31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Indeed, whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, let us do all for the glory of God. The essence of God’s teaching is that we put Jesus first, and Others second, and Yourselves last, so that we can have the JOY of God. Those who experience our joy of God shall then come to know our Lord Jesus, and receive Him as their personal Saviour and Lord.
V33 “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to escape temptation by fleeing from it.
