2 Corinthians 13: Are You Perfect?
Verse of the Day: (V11) “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
1. Proof (V1-3)
V1 “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
The Corinthian church challenged the authority of Apostle Paul for the third time to produce proof and evidence that he was truly an apostle and preacher of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul proved to them that all that he preached and taught was all about the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and nothing about himself or his reputation or credential.
V3 “Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.”
2. Power (V4-10)
V4 “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.”
The Corinthian Christians accused Paul of being weak in his preaching and teaching. Paul then explain to them that he was like Christ. Though Christ seemed to be weak when He was mocked, beaten, and eventually crucified, yet He was mighty and strong as He rose again the third day. Similarly, Paul was seen to be weak, yet he was mighty and strong in his testimony for Christ. Paul challenged them to examine their own hearts whether Jesus was truly in their hearts and that they truly lived their lives according to God’s Word.
V5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
3. Perfect (V11-14)
V15 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
Finally, Paul closed his letter to the Corinthian church encouraging them to be perfect, to be of good comfort, to live in peace, and be united in Christ. Indeed, let us strive for perfection as we daily pray and study God’s Word, share the gospel and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost to all.
V14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be perfect as You are perfect.
2 Corinthians 12: Is God’s Grace Sufficient For You?
Verse of the Day: (V9) “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.”
1. Glory (V1-8)
V1 “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
Beside Paul’s life experiences, God also transported him to heaven and revealed to him visions and revelations so that he could write more than half of the New Testament books, namely, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews. However God gave Paul a thorn in his flesh for life so that he would never glory in himself, but only in God.
V7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
2. Grace (V9-10)
V9 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Though Paul suffered much from the thorn in his flesh, yet he experienced God’s grace in his life and ministry. Never once did God’s grace fail him, as he went through life storms. Indeed, when we are weak then are we strong, as God’s amazing grace is sufficient for us.
V10 “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.”
3. God (V11-21)
V15 “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.”
Paul’s prayers was that the Corinthian church shall always be a Christ-centred church filled with God’s love and grace. Sadly he heard that they were anything but Christ-centred, and hence he admonished them to repent and return to God’s love and grace.
V21 “And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, thank You that Your grace is sufficient as I go through life storms.
2 Corinthians 11: Are You Suffering For Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V25) “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;”
1. Simplicity (V1-4)
V3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, warned the Corinthian church that God’s preachers should simply preach God’s Word, the Bible. There were many false preachers, deceived by Satan, the devil, added to or subtracted from the Bible, making their own interpretations and religions. As a result, many people were deceived and misled to fiery hell, instead of glorious heaven to be with God. Let us preach nothing but only the truth!
V4 “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”
2. Satan (V5-15)
V14 “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
Indeed, Satan and his demons can transform themselves into angels of light, and deceived and misled many people to fiery hell. Let us be vigilant of Satan and his demons by staying close to God, and diligently studying the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and fasting and praying and preaching the gospel that all may come to know Christ.
V15 “Therefore it is no great thing of his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
3. Suffered (V16-33)
V25 “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;”
Though Paul was God’s preacher of many churches, and he prayed for them daily, yet he suffered much for Christ’s sake. Many times he escaped death as the Romans were after his life for preaching the gospel of Christ. However, he knew that his suffering was nothing compared to the suffering of Christ. Indeed, let us endure suffering for Christ as we preach and share the gospel of Christ as we know that our labour is not in vain, and one day, we shall meet God and receive His rewards and above all be with Him for ever.
V28 “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to endure suffering for You and Your gospel.
2 Corinthians 10: Are You Gentle?
Verse of the Day: (V1) “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:”
1. Gentleness Of Christ (V1-2)
V1 “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:”
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, confessed to the Corinthian church that though he was bold and sharp in his writing warning them of their sins, yet in person he was meek and gentle like Christ, because there was some believers who strongly opposed him. Indeed, let us be meek and gentle as there shall always be strong opposition in our service to God even from within the church, because the devil seeks to divide and destroy God’s church.
V2 “But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.”
2. Obedience Of Christ (V3-13)
V4 “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Paul knew that he was in no authority and position to rebuke the sins and wickedness of the Corinthian Christians except by God’s authority and power, because only God could overcome the evil power of the devil that sought to destroy God’s plan and purpose, as well as God’s preachers and people. Let us therefore trust and obey God, and seek His wisdom and power, as only God and God alone can overcome the evil power of the devil.
V5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
3. Gospel of Christ (V14-18)
V14 “For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:”
Paul explained to the Corinthian church that he came to preach the gospel of Christ to them so that they would believe in Christ. He had no intention to seek his own glory, but to obey God in preaching the gospel of Christ that all might come to God’s saving grace.
V16 “To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be meek and gentle in sharing Your gospel.
2 Corinthians 9: Are You A Cheerful Giver?
Verse of the Day: (V7) “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
1. Giver (V1-7)
V6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, praised the Corinthian church before the Macedonian church for their generous giving to God. The Corinthian and the Macedonian churches understood the importance of the grace of giving, in other words, the more you give to God and His church, the more God shall bless you, your family, career and ministry. However, many fail to give generously and cheerfully because they fail to trust God, and to realise that everything they have including their precious lives and salvation, truly belong to God. Let us be generous and cheerful givers and see how our generous and cheerful God abundantly bless us, our family, career and ministry!
V7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
2. Grace (V8-9)
V8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”
Though God bless some with riches, He also loves and cares for the poor, and provides and sustains them. However, ultimately God desires that all, whether the rich or the poor, be saved. This is why God cheerfully gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, so that whosoever believes and receives Him, shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Indeed, by grace are we saved through faith in Jesus.
V9 “(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.”
3. God (V10-15)
V14 “And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.”
Paul was very thankful and grateful to God and His amazing grace for providing for the material and spiritual needs of all the churches and saints. Indeed, let us be thankful and grateful to God for everything, especially our salvation, the greatest and unspeakable gift!
V15 “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be a generous and cheerful giver like You.
2 Corinthians 8: Will You Give?
Verse of the Day: (V5) “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
1. Gave (V1-5)
V1 “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;”
Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, cited the example of the generous giving of the churches of Macedonia in helping their fellow churches who were in poverty as a result of famine and persecution. Though these Macedonian churches were also experiencing poverty yet they could give generously because they had fully committed their lives to God. They truly believed that God’s grace was sufficient to sustain them now and forever.
V5 “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
2. Grace (V6-15)
V8 “I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.”
Paul praised the Macedonian churches because they gave willingly from their hearts. Indeed, we have nothing to offer to God because everything we have is of God’s and from God. God’s greatest gift is His grace and love for us when He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. Whosoever believes in Jesus shall never perish into fiery hell but shall inherit the everlasting life with Him in the riches in heaven.
V9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
3. Glory (V16-24)
V19 “And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:”
The glory of Christ is upon all His preachers and servants, the likes of Paul and Titus, when they willingly gave their lives for the Lord’s work and Word in ministering to and providing for both the material as well as the spiritual needs of God’s churches and saints.
V23 “Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to give my life to You as You have given Yours to me.
2 Corinthians 7: Are You Comforted?
Verse of the Day: (V6) “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;”
1. Cleanse (V1-3)
V1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, pleaded with the Corinthian Christians, to flee from their sins and wickedness, and to strive to be holy and righteous in the fear of a holy God. Paul explained to them that he and his fellow preachers sharply rebuked their sins and wickedness, not to condemn or despise them, but because they truly loved them as their spiritual children, and they were always in their hearts whether in life or in death.
V3 “I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.”
2. Comforteth (V4-13)
V6 “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;”
Paul and his fellow preachers were suffering from intense persecution by the Romans and they feared for their lives. However when they heard from Titus, another preacher and Paul’s spiritual son, that the Corinthian Christians had truly repented of their sins and wrongdoings, and were now great examples of holiness and righteousness in Christ Jesus, they were filled with comfort and thanksgivings. Indeed, it is not enough to be sorrowful of our wrongdoings, but true repentance is when we confess our wrongdoings before the holy and righteous God, and choose to believe and receive Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as our personal Saviour and Lord, and commit ourselves to live a holy and righteous life.
V10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
3. Confidence (V14-16)
V15 “And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.”
Paul was filled with confidence and comfort when he heard from Titus that the Corinthian Christians who were once carnal and worldly, had become spiritual and godly.
V16 “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please comfort me as I am going through trouble, trials and testing.
2 Corinthians 6: Are You The Temple Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V16) “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
1. Grace of God (V1-2)
V1 “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.”
Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, pleaded with the Corinthian Christians not to receive God’s grace in vain, because they failed to obey God’s great commission of sharing the gospel that all may know Christ. Indeed, let us have the love and urgency of sharing the gospel otherwise many shall be condemned to fiery hell because of their sins.
V2 “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
2. Ministers Of God (V3-13)
V3 “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:”
The preaching and sharing of the gospel of Christ is not just the responsibility of the full-time pastor or staff, but it is every Christian’s responsibility. Every Christian is a minister of God. It is never the shepherd who produces another sheep, but it is the sheep that produces another sheep. Christ is the Shepherd, and we are His sheep who shall produce another sheep. In spite of opposition and even persecution, let us be patient and trust Christ, our Shepherd, to lead and guide us as we keep preaching and sharing His gospel.
V4 “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,”
3. Temple Of God (V14-18)
V16 “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
What a joy and privilege to know that we are the temple of God once we receive Christ as our personal Saviour! The Lord shall then dwell in us, and walk with us, not only in this life on earth, but for all eternity in heaven. Let us therefore be holy before the holy God.
V17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be Your holy temple by living a holy and godly life.
2 Corinthians 5: Are You Ready For The Judgment Seat Of Christ?
Verse of the Day: (V10) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
1. Judgement Seat of Christ (V1-10)
V7 “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
The judgment seat of Christ is reserved only for Christians. At the judgment seat, Christ shall judge all Christians whether we have lived a faithful life for Christ. We may not be rich or wealthy or successful or famous, but we must be faithful to Christ and His Word.
V10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
2. Love Of Christ (V11-19)
V14 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”
Paul and his preachers were fully committed not only to preach, but even to die for the sake of the gospel of Christ, because of the love of Christ. They believed that Christ loved the world that He left the throne of glory in heaven and became a man, and lived on this earth, and subsequently died at the cross and shed His blood for the sins of the world. On the third day, Christ arose from the dead, thus conquering death. Whosoever therefore believes in Christ shall never perish in hell, but have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Hence the Christians should never live for themselves, but for Christ and Christ alone!
V15 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
3. Ambassadors For Christ (V20-21)
V20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
When we believe in Christ, we are reconciled with God, and we become His ambassadors or representatives in this world. Just like the ambassadors who represent their respective countries, and speak well of their countries and cultures, we represent Christ and His kingdom, and we ought to speak well of Christ by living a faithful and righteous life.
V21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be ready for Your Judgment by living a faithful life.
2 Corinthians 4: Will You Preach The Word Of God?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “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.”
1. The Word of God (V1-2)
V1 “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;”
Paul declared to the Corinthian Christians that he and his preachers continued preaching nothing except Jesus Christ and the Word of God because without God’s mercy they would have been dead. However, there were many false preachers who were preaching everything except Christ and God’s Word in their selfish pursuit of fame and fortune.
V2 “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.”
2. The Image Of God (V3-5)
V3 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”
Many refuse to believe and accept Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, as their personal Saviour and Lord, because they are spiritually blinded by the Devil and the sins and wickedness in their lives. God shall only heal their spiritual blindness, if they truly repent their sins, and believe and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord.
V4 “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.”
3. The Glory Of God (V6-18)
V6 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
God shall shine our hearts as well as send His treasure and power, the Holy Spirit, to indwell in our bodies, which are like earthen vessels, when we truly believe and receive Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour and Lord. Indeed, whether we live or die, we are God’s vessels, as one day, we shall be with like Him, and be with Him in heaven forever.
V7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to preach nothing except Jesus Christ and Your Word.
