Episode Synopsis:

When Paul left Ephesus to visit Corinth in what is known as the “painful visit,” he became the object of a personal attack from an unnamed party. This was bad enough, but what made the matter worse was the fact that the Corinthians had done little if anything to support the apostle. This forced Paul to send the so-called “severe letter,” the text of which is lost to us. We may not have the letter, but we know the effects it had upon the congregation because they are explained to us in chapter 7 of 2 Corinthians. In the severe letter, Paul called upon the Corinthians to discipline the party who attacked him and caused so much disruption in the Corinthian church. It is also implied that he addressed the fact that some of the Corinthians were still engaging in practices which were not consistent with their profession of faith in Christ–sexual immorality and pagan idolatry.

Paul was forced to wait for word from Corinth to learn of the letter’s impact. Apparently he was on pins and needles until Titus brought word of the letter’s impact. Titus’s report gave Paul joy and comfort, especially when he learned that the letter brought about the desired result–“godly sorrow,” which he contrasts with “worldly sorrow.” The latter is the disappointment of failing to attain worldly things, while the former produced a sense of grief within the congregation that they had not done the right thing and needed to make things right. As difficult as this was for all concerned, the “severe letter” led to the repentance of the Corinthians, which was the best possible result.

Once Paul learned of the outcome, there was a great sense of relief that the Corinthians stepped up and did what was required. Therefore, when Titus brought news of this to Paul, both he and Paul were greatly comforted by this circumstance. Paul is now able to boast both in Titus’s work in Corinth, as well as in his own efforts in dealing with this issue. He can boast that the Corinthians were doing the right thing as difficult as that was. Paul had to confront the Corinthians–which required a painful visit and a severe letter. But things have changed. Now he can boast about them.

For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

Episode Synopsis:

Paul continues his defense of his apostolic ministry and office. In chapter 6, verses 3-10, he lays out an incredible catalog of those hardships which he has endured so as to preach the gospel, along with evidence of how God has sustained both Paul and his Gentile mission throughout each of these difficult trials. He has been slandered and praised and has experienced just about every possible human emotion along the way. He is not bragging as his opponents are doing, but pointing out the ways in which God has enabled him to conduct a ministry faithful to the gospel as centered in the cross of Christ and the message of the reconciliation of the holy God to sinners. None of the false teachers and braggarts in Corinth have such a track record of faithfulness.

Paul lets the Corinthians know that he has no secret agenda, nor is he withholding anything from them as their father in the faith. But he does regard them as children in need of instruction and warning. He challenges them to consider what it means to be numbered among the people of God. The Corinthians are to be careful not to ally themselves with those so-called Christians who claim to be believers, but whose conduct shows them to be otherwise. Paul also reminds the Corinthians not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers since Christians compose the temple of the Lord as indwelt by his Spirit. The Corinthians are to break all ties to paganism and separate themselves from it.

As the living temple of the Lord, Christians are to strive to demonstrate godliness and holiness of life which reflects their status before God. As is his practice, Paul distinguishes between the imperative mood (what believers are in Christ) and the imperative (how their conduct should reflect the fact that they are the temple of the living God), and as such are to avoid the defilement of the body typical of Greco-Roman paganism–such as sexual immorality and idolatry. Christians are to strive to bring holiness to completion–part of which is to embrace Paul as an apostle of Jesus Christ, just as he accepts them as those for whom he cares deeply.

For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

Episode Synopsis:

I am reluctant to say that one portion of Scripture is more important than others. But there are biblical passages packed with theological content and which have stirred much debate among the people of God across time, as does our text for this episode, 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2. In this section, Paul lays out what might just be the big picture thesis statement for Paul’s Gentile mission–and perhaps even for the entire New Testament–1 Corinthians 5:19- “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” Christ’s redemptive mission is made clear–he came to save sinners, not help us become better people nor transform culture. He also gave to the church our marching orders–preach the message of reconciliation, the basis for all Christian hope–the knowledge that God is no longer angry with us.

Reconciliation is an important matter for Paul. The term refers to removing the ground of hostility between two parties so that they might be reconciled. In this case, the human race, fallen in Adam, is estranged from the holy God because of the guilt of our sins. But Paul’s emphasis falls upon the fact that we have been reconciled to God through the saving work of Christ. This raises questions about the nature and extent of the atonement–a major point of contention between Calvinists and those who hold to some version of a universal atonement. How can Calvinists affirm that Christ died for the elect only when Paul says Jesus died for the world? But then how can those holding to a universal atonement (as do Arminians) affirm that Christ’s death does not avail for all those for whom he died? People can and do perish eternally (on this view), after Christ has died for them. We’ll discuss the debate over the nature and extent of the atonement in this episode because our text raises these important questions.

A second issue raised by Paul is eschatology. His “two Adams” doctrine (cf. Romans 5:12-21) and his eschatology of new creation culminating in a day of final judgment is set out in these verses. In Paul’s federal or representative categories, Adam represents the entirety of the human race (all), while Christ represents those truly in the new covenant (for our sake). Paul ties the new creation to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (v. 17) and sees it as a present reality to be fully realized on the day of salvation, when our Lord Jesus returns to raise the dead, judge the world, and usher in the fullness of new creation–a new heaven and earth. This leaves no room for a future millennial age as many assume.

When Paul speaks of a favorable time before the day of salvation, he’s referring to the mission of the church as assigned here. Christians are ambassadors for God, and are given the assignment of taking the message of reconciliation (the cross of Christ) to the ends of the earth. Paul’s instructions not only define the church’s mission and evangelistic endeavors, but he also defines the church’s message– “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself.” Any message proclaimed by the church other than that specifically assigned by Paul will inevitably reflect pagan influences such as those against which the Corinthians found themselves struggling. We are not to be gospel-peddlers, but preachers of Christ and him crucified!

For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/