We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory. But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- 2 Corinthians 10:12-18
Just before this, Paul addressed the idea of being superficial and judgmental along with his authority in Christ. Here, he builds on that by addressing the idea of being boastful – when it is acceptable to boast and when it is not.
Paul begins here in verse 12 by highlighting the folly of self-comparison and self-commendation. The Corinthians were likely being influenced by false teachers who were boasting about their qualifications and achievements. These teachers measured their own worth based on their own standards, which Paul points out is both unwise and arrogant.
We see a similar trend in today’s culture. Social media, personal achievements, and public perception can become the metrics by which we measure our self-worth. Paul, however, warns that comparing ourselves to others, especially by worldly standards, leads to pride and misunderstanding of what truly matters. Instead of falling into this trap, Paul urges us to look to God's standards and remember that our value is rooted in Christ alone, not in how we stack up against others.
In verse 13, Paul underscores the importance of staying within the boundaries set by God. He contrasts his own ministry with those who boast without regard for God’s calling. Paul knows that his authority and the scope of his ministry come from God, and he limits his boasting to that. For us, this is a reminder to focus on the areas of service God has called us to. We should not stretch ourselves beyond what He has assigned, nor should we seek validation outside of God's purpose for our lives. Whether in ministry, business, or personal achievements, it's important to recognize the boundaries of our calling and to give glory to God for the work He enables us to do.
Paul clarifies in verse 14 that he is not overstepping his bounds when speaking about the Corinthian church. He and his team were the first to bring the gospel to them, so Paul’s boasting is not rooted in arrogance but in the legitimate work God has done through him. He has every right to speak of his ministry because it directly impacted the Corinthians. It’s not wrong to acknowledge the work God has done through us, but we must give credit to God and remember that it is His power at work, not our own. We humbly recognize that it is God who leads us to success, not our own efforts.
Paul continues to emphasize the theme of not overstepping boundaries in verse 15. He does not claim credit for the work of others, unlike the false teachers who may have been trying to take credit for Paul’s labor. He expresses his desire for the Corinthians to grow in their faith so that his ministry among them could continue to flourish and expand. This is a call to humility and integrity. It is easy to be tempted to take credit for things we didn’t accomplish or to boast about others' work as if it were our own, but Paul models a better way: be content with what God has given you and focus on growth.
In verse 16, Paul shows that he is forward-thinking in his ministry. His ultimate goal is to take the gospel beyond Corinth to new places where Christ has not yet been preached. His desire is to reach new territories, not to take credit for work already done by others. Paul’s ambition was not selfish; it was rooted in spreading the gospel and fulfilling God’s mission. We, too, should have Godly ambitions, looking for ways to expand God’s kingdom rather than seeking personal recognition.
Verse 17 contains one of the most profound statements in this passage: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” Paul echoes the words of Jeremiah 9:24, reminding the Corinthians that any boasting should be in the Lord alone. If there is anything to boast about, it is what God has done, not what we have accomplished in our strength. In a world where self-promotion is celebrated, this verse turns that notion around. We are to boast only in the Lord, recognizing that all we have, all we accomplish, and all we are comes from Him. Whether in ministry, career, or personal life, all credit and glory belong to God. True success is found in being aligned with His will and purposes.
Paul closes this section in verse 18 by reiterating that self-commendation is meaningless. It is not the approval of others or even our own commendation that matters; it is God's commendation that truly counts. In other words, it is God’s approval that defines our worth and success, not human praise. We should seek God’s approval and live in a way that honors Him, rather than striving for the applause or validation of others. This truth brings freedom, as we no longer need to be bound by the expectations or standards of the world but can rest in knowing that God’s commendation is what truly matters. We don’t need to worry about what others think of us, only what God thinks of us – which is that we are truly precious in His sight.
In a world that constantly measures worth by comparison, accomplishments, and self-promotion, Paul directs our focus back to God. He reminds us that our worth is found in Christ, that our ministry is defined by the boundaries He sets, and that any success we experience is ultimately from Him. We are to boast in the Lord, recognizing that it is His power at work in us that accomplishes great things in our lives and through us.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
Have you ever heard that argument that “my sin only affects me”? Or ever used it? Do you think that your sin will only affect you and you can choose to sin freely without anyone bothering about it? Naivety is the only nice word I can think of to describe such foolishness, because our sin does way more than affect us individually. It affects everyone around us and can even have lasting effects around the world.
The deception of thinking our sin only affects us is a deadly vice. The worst part of it is that this deception actually carries the subtle claim that the person making it thinks he/she will not face any consequences for their sin, and even if they do, they don’t care. It reminds me of the crowd and the Pharisees calling for Jesus to be crucified. They wanted Jesus dead so much that they even cursed themselves with Jesus’ blood upon them and their own children, never once actually realizing their own curse. And the Jewish people have, as a whole, not recognized their Messiah for the last 2000 years as a result (other than Messianic Jews who do). But I have noticed a trend that those who want to blatantly sin simply do not care about the consequences of their choices. They want to be left alone, and so they throw out this foolish lie that it’s their choice and their choice alone and don’t bother telling them about it.
The sin that most people use this argument for is regarding sexuality, specifically the sin of pornography. Pedophiles are renown for telling their victims that their sexual engagement was a secret between them. Potipher’s wife sought to seduce Joseph, and I am certain she said many times it would be their little secret and no one else would know. Porn watchers think they are just getting entertained in their bedrooms or on their phones, but they soon lose track of the fact that on the other side of the camera are real people degrading their bodies for such people’s entertainment, arousal, and pleasure. Not all of those people are doing it by choice. The stronger the lusts, the darker they go, and it goes from willing adults to children enslaved to such acts, both in the receiving and participation in such things. Here in El Paso, TX, we are known for drugs and the bars, but the sex industry is actually a bigger money maker. You cannot drive in or out of the city without coming across the adult stores. It’s a huge industry and to say that it only affects you is total naivety.
Besides Adam and Eve and original sin, there are two accounts I will bring up that showcase the severity of how one’s sin affects many others. One account is the unbelief of the 10 spies sent into the Promised Land and the other is Achan. Let’s look at the 10 spies.
When Moses sent 12 spies to the Promised Land to check it out, two of them, Joshua and Caleb, said that the land was ripe for the taking because they believed in their God. The other 10 feared the giants and the walls and did not see God at all, despite just a year earlier having seen God wipe out Egypt, the most powerful nation in the area. Note that Egypt had economic control over this region too, which is why Rahab reported that Jericho was so scared of Israel at their doorstep. But these 10 spies did not believe, and it caused a great uproar among the people to the point of mutiny. So, God chased them back to the wilderness for 40 years for the whole generation to die off.
Think about that. Everyone in the camp who was 20 or older in that camp had to wander for 40 years so their carcasses would not even be found. All adults were doomed to death, and only Joshua and Caleb would get to live beyond it. Now think about this. What about those teenagers in the camp who were old enough to see what God did in Egypt and actually did believe? We aren’t told of such people, but God has always had a remnant of believers. If any adults believed Joshua and Caleb, they didn’t speak up, so they perished too. But those teenagers who were promised freedom and a land of their own were so close and had to wait 40 years before going in. They were robbed of 40 years of enjoyment of the Promised Land because of the unbelief of others. And think of Joshua and Caleb themselves. They believed and were ready to go and they too were robbed of 40 years of land they wanted. You really think your sin only affects you? Some of you boys or men addicted to porn are costing your wife or future wife time of true pleasure and it may be preventing you from having kids too. Your sin prevents others from getting their blessing, not just you from yours.
And what about Achan? Achan, along with all Israel, went to conquer Jericho and yet God told them not to touch anything in the city. No spoils because God wanted them to trust Him more than spoils of war. Yet Achan saw some clothing and some gold, and he took it and hid it in his tent. What happened? Israel went to take on the tiny town of Ai and lost 36 men in a rout. It was public defeat and total shame. One man’s sin cost the nation 36 men their lives and public shame. Joshua came to confront him, and it cost Achan his and his family’s lives (mostly likely because they knew of the sin and did not report it). Again, Achan’s sin affected more than just him.
It does not matter what the sin is, it has long-reaching affects. This does not even address those sins that come back to visit us years down the road. The nice thing about the sins of the 10 spies and Achan is that there were immediate consequences. Many sins, however, do not come with immediate consequences, so we don’t think twice about it. Do not be deceived! God is going to deal with it all, and He knows precisely how to deal with it, too. David did not see the consequences of his sin with Uriah and Bathsheba for a year, and then later it came to full fruition with Absalom’s rebellion. Don’t think it will be any different with us. Our sins will come and find us out, and they will cost others as well.
Fortunately, the Gospel is able to provide an answer to this all. The Gospel not only deals with our sin, but it can save those our sin affects. The rapist and the murderer affect not just the sinner but the victim; the Gospel will either save the sinner or condemn him, but also save the victim. That is why we must give the Gospel to all people. Every person is both a sinner and a victim of other’s sin. We have all be hit by other people’s sins, too. We all need the Gospel. Only the Gospel can resolve it. Trust the Lord and He will set all things right.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
- Psalm 34:14
As parents, we only have so much time with the children who God has given to us. Children are a blessing from God, and it’s high time those of us who are parents and Christians to take this opportunity and responsibility in a much more serious way than many of us have in the recent past.
I believe it is time for those of us in the church who are a part of what is called Gen X, and even those who are older, to stop pointing fingers at those who are younger than us as the problem. We need to realize that perhaps many of them are “The Problem” that so many of the older generations speak of because many of us allowed our children to learn and live in the ways of the world and not grab onto the Christian faith as their own.
For instance, why get upset at them when your child learned at a young age that playing a sport or doing some extracurricular activity on a Sunday morning or on a Wednesday night was more important than going to meet with believers of Jesus Christ in teaching and fellowship? Don’t put the blame on them; take a good look in the mirror. Own your part in their decision to go the world’s way and not God’s way.
I believe it is time to own our part in the younger generation’s tripping up and not living out good, Godly ways. I believe it is time to own the fact that these children may have, in fact, been taught not in the ways of the God of the Bible but in the ways of the world. Why should we be surprised and upset that they have turned out to be “Romans” when many of them have attended the schools of the “Romans” (government-run schools).
I believe we need to set the example of what true humility looks like. I believe it is time for parents and grandparents to own our sin in this area. We need to confess it and ask for forgiveness from God, our children, and quite possibly even from our husband or wife. We need to repent and move on to living out good, Godly ways in all we do. It’s time to own it. By taking it “on the chin” and setting this loving example, we may be dragged through the mud and be called many names, but I genuinely believe that someone needs to lead the way.
So, why not our generation? Why not we Christians?
My wife and I are far from perfect. I can tell you that for my family and me, by becoming vulnerable with my wife and children and accepting responsibility for my part in where difficulty and hurt may have happened, healing can begin. Now, I am not in the least encouraging anyone to accept someone else’s sin as your own. I am encouraging you to own up to your sin and accept the reality of how you may have been sinful. The one you’re speaking and confessing to then has the opportunity to forgive you and, if needed, an open door to admit wrong and sin to you as well. You can then have an open opportunity to forgive them.
Communication is incredibly important. Where there is a lack of communication, negativity fills up that space. If the person you are confessing to won’t forgive or receive your open and honest confession, that is now on them. You cannot force someone to forgive, so please do not anticipate what they are going to say or do in this circumstance. Just allow the Holy Spirit to do what the Holy Spirit can do. Give up control and then surrender to Almighty God.
I cannot tell you that it will be perfect and go how you want. What I can tell you is that Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for the good for those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. Surrender and let God be God. You are His creation.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.” Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
- 2 Corinthians 10:7-11
In this section of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he defends his ministry against critics in the church. Here in these short verses, he addresses the topics of being superficial, having authority in Christ, proper leadership, and true spiritual power.
In verse 7, Paul confronts a common human tendency to judge by outward appearances. While the saying goes to not judge a book by its cover, that is exactly what we are inclined to do. The Corinthian church, like many communities, had fallen into the trap of evaluating people based on superficial factors. Some of Paul's critics likely dismissed him because he did not meet their expectations of what a leader should look or act like. They might have favored more charismatic or physically impressive leaders.
Paul reminds the Corinthians that belonging to Christ transcends outward appearances. Just because someone seems to be strong, eloquent, or persuasive doesn't mean they have a closer relationship with Christ. He gently challenges those who are "confident" in their standing with Christ to reconsider their attitude. In doing so, Paul highlights the fact that his ministry, which may not have been as outwardly impressive, was just as authentic and Christ-centered as that of his critics.
Paul speaks about his apostolic authority in verse 8, which was a source of contention in Corinth. Some people questioned whether Paul had the authority to teach, lead, and guide the church. Paul asserts that his authority is not self-appointed; rather, it is given by God. Importantly, this authority is for the purpose of building up the church, not for self-promotion or control. The phrase "for building you up rather than tearing you down" reveals Paul's heart as a leader. His goal was not to dominate or oppress the Corinthian believers but to strengthen their faith, encourage their growth, and bring them closer to Christ. This is a key principle for leadership in the church: authority should always be exercised for the benefit of others, not for self-interest.
Paul also expresses that he is not ashamed of this authority. He understands that boasting about authority can seem prideful, but he is not ashamed because his authority is divinely sanctioned and directed toward the good of the church. He is confident in his calling, and he is willing to defend it when necessary.
Paul addresses a particular concern about his writing in verse 9, which is likely connected to the previous severe letter he had sent. Some of his critics in Corinth accused him of being overly harsh or intimidating in his letters. They argued that Paul’s letters were powerful and strong, but when he was present, he was meek and unimpressive.
Paul clarifies that he does not intend to scare or bully the Corinthians with his letters. His goal is not to instill fear, but rather to communicate the seriousness of the issues at hand. He wants the Corinthian church to understand the gravity of their spiritual condition and the authority he carries as their apostle. However, his tone is always rooted in love and concern for their spiritual growth. Paul's letters were forceful because he wanted to bring correction, but his ultimate aim was to encourage the church and lead them back to Christ.
In verse 10, Paul quotes what his critics said about him. They argue that while his letters are strong and commanding, when he appears in person, he is underwhelming. These critics seem to be drawing a distinction between Paul’s written words and his physical presence, perhaps trying to undermine his credibility. This accusation reveals the shallow values of those who were judging Paul. They equated leadership and authority with physical presence and eloquent speech. In their minds, a true leader should be charismatic, bold, and impressive. Paul, in their eyes, didn’t measure up to these worldly standards. Paul’s critics likely misunderstood or dismissed the fact that true spiritual authority doesn’t depend on outward appearance or rhetorical skill. Instead, it comes from the anointing of God.
Paul responds directly to his critics’ accusations in verse 11. He assures the Corinthians that his letters accurately reflect who he is; the forcefulness of his writing is not an act or a facade. When he is present with them, his actions will match the tone of his letters. This statement is both a warning and a reassurance.
Paul’s critics may have thought they could disregard his letters as mere rhetoric, but Paul makes it clear that his authority is real, and he will act on it when necessary. At the same time, for those who trusted Paul and valued his leadership, this verse is a reassurance that Paul’s commitment to the truth and to their spiritual well-being remains steadfast. Paul’s statement here is a powerful reminder of integrity. He is the same person whether he is writing from a distance or standing in front of the Corinthians. His ministry is consistent because it is rooted in the truth of Christ, not in human approval or the need to appear impressive.
Paul’s integrity is demonstrated in this passage. Even if some of the Corinthians didn’t think so, he is the same person in his letters as he is in person, and he is not ashamed of the authority God has given him. This consistency is a powerful example for us. We should strive to live lives of integrity where our words and actions align, whether we are in public or private. In doing so, we reflect the character of Christ and build trust with those around us.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
There is a huge debate and controversy these days about whether Scripture should be our primary authority or not. After all, there are a lot of scholars who have come up with some pretty compelling theories regarding science that are hard to argue against. Or so goes the claim. How can we take the Bible seriously when we have all these scientific studies that show things differently than what the Bible says? Are the studies of nature wrong, or is the Bible not meant to be taken as written, and what God actually meant would be revealed through nature? Since “creation” and “Scripture” “cannot contradict,” is the science wrong or is our understanding of Scripture wrong? Which way do we turn?
In the Christian community, there are “Old Earth Creationists” who comprise the bulk of the academics today, the seminaries, and universities who consistently and adamantly bow before the “man of knowledge,” the “scientist,” because there is nothing in this world that trumps modern academia today. Last week, I wrote about this “man of knowledge,” quoting Martyn Lloyd-Jones about it, and I basically asked this question: why are these scientists, who predominately do not consider God in any of their thinking, given such high platforms, other than they had been chosen to be the ones to replace God? Who made these scientists so prominent? They did. Who taught these scientists what they know? They did. It’s all a self-promotion and a deifying of self in this system. Now to be fair, there are genuine and true scientists still out there seeking what God actually did when He created this universe and then judged this planet with a global flood during Noah’s time. But they are few today.
What does the Bible say about creation, namely man’s studies of creation because they are not the same? One thing should be clear: the Bible always puts Scripture ABOVE any of man’s academic studies and the fields themselves. Never is Scripture shared with any other authority. You never find such a notion, and anyone who claims it can always puts that authority above Scripture. They are never held equal even when tried. It doesn’t matter what the authority is or the field of study. Any attempt to make it equal to Scripture has failed because either Scripture won outright, or the false authority was put ahead by false teachers.
Many people cite Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God” as a prooftext that God created the earth over millions of years. The logical leap in that claim is simply astounding, but I would argue that they should read the rest of the Psalm. The first six verses of Psalm 19 describe what the Psalmist sees in his day and calls it part of God’s creation. But then look at vs 7. “The Law of the Lord is perfect….” Perfect. That term is never used to describe creation, especially after the curse of sin. “Very good” is used, and while God did a perfect job, creation, obviously, was corruptible. But Scripture is not. Many try, however, and what they put forth is a product that does not resemble what God did. Man’s sin brought a curse upon the earth. No amount of human tampering can actually harm the Bible – individual physical books maybe, but the actual content of the message, no. Not in the long run.
People don’t realize that this physical creation we study is going to burn in fire. Even when that happens, God’s Word is going to remain until all is fulfilled. The only time any of us will not need a Bible is when we are in paradise with God being with Him and enjoying Him forever. All our scientific studies are just wood, hay, and stubble. They will burn, too. They gain us nothing. And I say that as a science teacher. I love science. I love studying and learning how things operate. But what good does it do us? We have technology, but that has both its benefits and problems. If our technology suddenly died, we’d all be dead. We wouldn’t know how to live or breathe. How did people for 5900 years survive without air conditioning? Think about that.
The more I engage in academia and the more I see the futility of it, I see what Solomon saw: “Vanity, vanity! All is vanity!” Paul saw it. He looked at all his accolades and all his studies, and he would have been the top dog of the top dogs. None were his equal. And he threw it all away as dung because the search for the knowledge of Christ was so far above and beyond the rest. Just think about it. You can study science and creation for ten million years and long before that limit, you will hit the wall, the end of knowing all possible things regarding creation. It is finite. You can know all there is to know about biology, history, archeology, geology, astronomy, etc., and you will hit the limit. But if you study just Scripture, you could do so for all eternity and never begin to reach the depths of its riches. That’s just Scripture. What about God Himself? That is the one reason we will never be bored in heaven and in paradise: we will still be finite people learning about the infinite God.
Look at Psalm 29. This psalm alone is a worship song that puts the voice of God above all things seen in nature. The creation was never designed to be worshiped but to reveal the glory of God. What we see in nature gives us no excuse to reject God but points us to the fact that there is a God who left a record on earth. But God’s voice, His Word, is always superior to anything in nature itself, let alone our very feeble, weak, and low understanding of how it works.
I am not saying to not study anything other than Scripture, but I am saying there is a priority. Paul did not forget everything he ever learned. He simply put it in its proper place. Any knowledge that is not explicitly found in Scripture is only worth pursuing if it uplifts and proclaims Scripture and glorifies God. For me, the study of science is fun and awesome, not because it fills my head but because it leads me to worship. Many people today do not look at our world and worship God. They worship science, themselves, mankind, or the creation itself. God is an afterthought at best. They are not worth following.
Go after God. Seek Him and seek His knowledge. He has revealed His secrets of creation to those who have sought His face and His glory for the benefit of others, but He confounds the self-proclaimed wise and lets them think they are getting something when they actually have nothing. That is one of the reasons why the scientific community today has hardly done a thing in 100 years. Technicians have improved technology, but only condensing (making smaller) and improving what we have, not actually inventing anything “new” or discovering anything worth writing home about. God is not going to share His glory with another, especially that of His creation. Don’t feed those who demand that He does.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
- 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
After spending the last two chapters discussing the theme of generosity, there is an abrupt change in Paul’s letter to the first-century church at Corinth as we begin chapter 10. He begins a defense of his ministry and discusses that the battle we fight as Christians is not in the physical realm but the spiritual one.
Paul begins this section in verse 1 with a tone of humility and gentleness, qualities modeled after Christ. By invoking "the humility and gentleness of Christ," Paul appeals to the church not with harshness or anger but with the same tender spirit that Jesus demonstrated. This sets the tone for the rest of his message, focusing not on confrontation but on correction.
Paul acknowledges the criticism he has received—some in Corinth accused him of being bold and authoritative in his letters but timid when present with them in person. This accusation implies that he is inconsistent with how he presents himself, something that Paul's critics used to undermine his authority. Yet, Paul embraces this criticism, not denying the perception but turning it around by using humility as a strength rather than a weakness. He contrasts worldly power, which relies on force, with the Christlike power he embodies—gentle and humble, yet deeply authoritative because it is rooted in spiritual truth. Humility and gentleness are often misunderstood as weaknesses, but Paul demonstrates that they are central to Christian leadership.
In verse 2, Paul prepares the Corinthians for potential rebuke if necessary. He hopes that when he visits, he will not need to be bold or confrontational but can instead engage with them gently. However, he makes it clear that he will address those who believe he operates according to the world’s standards.
Some people in Corinth were apparently accusing Paul of being worldly or operating out of worldly motivations, perhaps criticizing his style of leadership or his unwillingness to conform to societal norms. Paul reminds them that his authority and methods are spiritual, not worldly, and that his boldness, if necessary, will be directed toward those who refuse to see this. Sometimes boldness is necessary, but it must be reserved for situations where spiritual truth is at stake. Paul’s boldness is never out of personal pride but out of a desire to defend the truth of the gospel.
In verse 3, Paul shifts the focus to a key theme in this passage: spiritual warfare. Although Christians live in the world, we do not engage in battles as the world does. This implies that the strategies, tools, and methods of the Christian life are not those of worldly power, politics, or human strength. In the world, battles are fought with physical weapons and human strategies. But Paul emphasizes that the Christian life involves a deeper, spiritual conflict. Our struggles are not against people or institutions, but against the spiritual forces that stand in opposition to God's kingdom. This verse is a powerful reminder that the Christian life is fundamentally different from the world’s way of living. We are often tempted to rely on worldly solutions—status, wealth, power, influence—but Paul points us to the reality that our true battle is spiritual.
Paul continues this contract in verse 4, making it clear that the tools of spiritual warfare are entirely different from those used in worldly conflicts. The "weapons" he refers to are spiritual weapons, empowered by God Himself. These weapons include prayer, the Word of God, faith, righteousness, and truth—things that may seem weak by the world’s standards but have divine power.
These spiritual weapons are potent enough to demolish "strongholds." A stronghold is a fortress or a place of defense. Spiritually, strongholds represent anything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, such as false teachings, sinful habits, and ideologies that oppose the truth of the gospel. Often, we may feel inadequate or ill-equipped to face challenges because we are looking for worldly solutions. But God equips us with weapons that are far more powerful than anything the world can offer.
Paul continues by explaining how these spiritual weapons work—they destroy arguments and lofty opinions that oppose the knowledge of God (verse 5). The battle is not merely external but also internal. Paul emphasizes the importance of taking every thought captive, making it obedient to Christ. This means that the battle often starts in the mind. Arguments, ideologies, and false beliefs must be confronted and demolished, and every thought must be brought into submission to Christ’s truth.
Paul’s instruction highlights that the Christian’s greatest battlefield is often within their own mind, as they strive to align their thoughts with the truth of the gospel. Taking every thought captive is a practical and ongoing process in the Christian life. We are constantly bombarded with thoughts that may lead us away from the truth. By discerning these thoughts and surrendering them to Christ, we can grow in spiritual maturity.
Paul declares in verse 6 that once the Corinthians have fully obeyed the truth, they will be in a position to confront and deal with disobedience. His desire is for the Corinthians to reach full obedience so that the church can maintain spiritual purity and discipline. Paul is not referring to punishment in a vindictive or punitive sense, but rather to the correction that comes after obedience is established. He wants the church to be in a position where they can uphold truth and address issues of disobedience with a clean heart and pure motives.
Obedience to Christ is not just a personal matter but has implications for the whole church. When we walk in obedience, we can help others do the same. Paul’s call to address disobedience after obedience is a reminder that spiritual growth leads to greater responsibility in helping others follow Christ.
This passage encourages us to confront others not with arrogance or superiority but with the same humility that Christ exemplified. It is important to balance gentleness with the necessary boldness required to uphold the truth, rather than compromising the gospel to avoid confrontation. Our battle is not with each other but in the spiritual realm, to tear down the strongholds in our lives that keep us from God. We must take every thought captive to strive toward becoming obedient to Christ. Our strength comes from God, not from this world.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
Many of us know Psalm 14:1: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” I was reading through the Psalms some time back in the Legacy Standard Version and saw something interesting. The LSB uses the New American Standard Bible as the base and sought to get an even more accurate word-for-word translation to include using “Yahweh” for “Lord” and “slave” instead of “servant.” But in Psalm 14:1, it includes the term “wicked.” The LSB says “The wicked fool says in his heart…” That caught my attention.
One thing I know about Scripture, it does not distinguish between “wicked” and “fool” here. The addition of “wicked” is simply an additional descriptor of a fool. There are not “wicked fools” and “righteous fools.” Fools are wicked, period. That is one of the points here. Psalm 14:1 is not merely talking about full atheists who openly and abjectly reject God’s existence; it also includes those who DO believe in God but live their lives as though He is not around to see and assess each word, thought, deed, and motive.
Let me be clear. Every one of us has been such a fool and lived as such a fool. Read the very end of the verse: “There is none who are good.” We are all wicked in our sinful state that is in such defiance of God that to even acknowledge His existence makes us cringe. And in the pride and stupidity of mankind, people have bought the lie that to deny God’s existence and role is “enlightenment.” The most “educated” people that the world praises think they can figure things out without God; time and time again they prove to be utter idiots. They are constantly wrong, always changing their story with “new evidence” but absolutely refusing to consider the time-proven truths that have always remained.
Look at how the Bible describes the sin-cursed mind.
"The shocking discovery can be best grasped in the following twelve different negative New Testament words that describe the ruin of man's intellectual capacity.
1. Romans 1:28: debased
2. 2 Cor 3:14: hardened
3. 2 Cor 4:4: blinded
4. Eph 4:17: futility
5. Eph 4:18: darkened
6. Col 1:21: hostile
7. Col 2:4: deluded
8. Col 2:8: deceived
9. Col 1:18: sensuous
10. 1 Tim 6:5: depraved
11. 2 Tim 3:8: corrupted
12. Titus 1:15: defiled
- Richard Mayhue: Think Biblically! page 39
This is the mind of the “wicked fool” of Psalm 14:1, and this is the mind of each of us apart from Christ. And yet, as a Church today, we have so embraced the “academic” of this world that we have failed to see this is their mind. It does not matter how many degrees they have. All education is capable of is instructing one fallen man by another fallen man on what fallen men think they have discovered. In reality, education to a sinful person just makes him more sophisticated in his ability to sin. That’s not true learning. And yet we have been so conditioned to listen to these people without question that when the Bible says one thing, the knee-jerk reaction is, “What about all these scientists? How can they be wrong?” The answer to that is they are nearly ALWAYS wrong. They are almost never right. And the few times they are right is when they are forced to admit what a CHRISTIAN has revealed and they have no alternative way to explain it. This is true in science, history, archeology, and everything. Most of the time, the only time the consensus ever says something correct is when they are forced to agree to what an individual discovered, most of the time by those seeking the mind of Christ in what He did and how He did it.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones saw the dangers in this over 70 years ago in his sermon “The Narrow Way”:
"The Christian Church in her utter folly during this present century has been recognizing a new authority, and the new authority, of course, is the man of knowledge, the man of culture, and particularly the man of scientific knowledge; and the church has been at great pains to do everything she can to please this new authority.
This man of learning must never be offended, and in order to please him and duplicate him, the church has been ready to take things out of the Bible. She rejects and throws out the whole of the first three chapters of Genesis. Much of the other history throws out all the miracles. She'll throw out anything in order to make her message pleasing and acceptable to this new authority, the man of knowledge, the man of learning, the man of science."
Yet what does the Bible say about this “man of knowledge”? It calls them all foolish, blind, and ignorant. And guess what? These so-called “great intellectuals even admit it. Listen to this:
“The practice of real-life science is much like figuring out the correct passageway through a maze. Not those printed mazes where you can see from the start where the exit lies, but one that you find yourself inside of, where the exit can only be found by experimenting with different routes.”
- The Grand Canyon: Monument to an Ancient Earth, page 177
Talk about blind people leading blind followers! I’m listening to these guys and thinking, “How can anyone take this seriously?” And then I realize the depravity of man and the desperation to hear anything except what God says no matter how irrational it is. It is foolishness to leave God out of the equation. There is no rationality in any knowledge apart from God.
God is omniscient. He knows everything. – literally everything. He cannot learn because there is nothing for Him to learn. There is no one who can teach God. God has made sure that every single person has innate, pre-programmed knowledge of Him. No one has any excuse. As I have watched many people make their arguments either against God’s existence or without God’s input, I hear people who know full well that God is there, but they just don’t want His say on the matter… and yes, that includes many professing Christians. We have all done it. Some of us still do it. We need to repent of that mindset, especially if we want to be actually intelligent.
Don’t be fooled by the idiocy of the self-proclaimed intellectual. They do know what they speak of and unless their claims have their roots in what God has revealed, it will not only be wrong but it will be out of sin and wicked rebellion against Him. The wicked person may be able to say something correct from time to time, but the Bible is crystal clear we are not to sit at their feet or take any counsel from such people, and we will be blessed if we do not. Trust the Lord; do not rely on your own understanding. Doing the latter is not worth it.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
- 2 Corinthians 9:12-15
Generosity is a very important topic to the apostle Paul; he has spent a large section of this letter focused on this topic, including this passage. Starting in verse 6, Paul focuses on the results of generosity, first discussing how the one who gives is enriched by the process. Here, he thanks and praises God for the generosity of the first-century Corinthian church.
Paul begins in verse 12 by acknowledging the immediate purpose of the Corinthians' generosity: meeting the needs of fellow believers. The term "service" (or "ministry" in some translations) refers to the collection Paul was organizing for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. This act of giving is framed as more than a mere transaction or obligation; it's a form of worship, a service unto the Lord.
The immediate benefit of giving is the fulfillment of material needs. The Corinthian church's contributions were going directly to those in desperate need, highlighting the practical implications of Christian charity. But Paul emphasizes that this act of giving will result in an “overflowing” of gratitude towards God. This suggests that the act of meeting physical needs through generosity leads to spiritual outcomes, such as increased thanksgiving and worship of God. The recipients of the aid would naturally give thanks to God for His provision, which came through the generosity of other believers. This verse reminds us that our acts of kindness and charity have a dual impact: they meet physical needs and inspire spiritual responses, creating a ripple effect of gratitude and worship.
In verse 13, Paul connects the Corinthians' generosity with their confession of faith. Their giving is a tangible demonstration of their obedience to the gospel, proving their faith to be genuine and active. Paul suggests that generosity is not just a commendable trait but an essential expression of Christian obedience. This aligns with the teaching that true faith is always accompanied by works, as in James 2:14-17. Their generosity is a visible sign of their commitment to Christ.
The result of this obedience is that others will praise God. The generosity of the Corinthians not only meets needs but also leads to a chain reaction of worship and thanksgiving directed towards God. Their willingness to share with "everyone else" suggests that their generosity extends beyond the immediate need in Jerusalem. This expansive view of generosity reflects the universal nature of Christian love and the call to be generous to all, regardless of location or affiliation. In this way, their generosity can also be an act of witnessing to their faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul describes the deep spiritual connection that results from the Corinthians' generosity in verse 14. The recipients of the aid will respond with heartfelt prayers for their benefactors, a response born out of gratitude and love. The act of giving can create a spiritual bond between the giver and the recipient. The recipients will feel a deep sense of gratitude, which will manifest in their prayers for the givers. This shows that generosity fosters spiritual unity within the body of Christ. Paul attributes the Corinthians' ability to give generously to the "surpassing grace" of God. This underscores the belief that all Christian generosity is ultimately rooted in God’s grace. It is God who enables and motivates believers to give beyond their natural capacities.
This section concludes in verse 15 with a brief doxology (a specific statement of praise to God), turning attention from the human act of giving to the divine source of all gifts. The "indescribable gift" refers primarily to Jesus Christ, the ultimate expression of God’s generosity. This final verse brings the focus back to God, reminding us that our capacity to give generously flows from our understanding of the gospel and our gratitude for God’s indescribable gift to us.
Paul’s use of the word "indescribable" emphasizes the magnitude of God’s gift in Christ. No human generosity can match the divine generosity displayed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. All Christian giving should be a response to the grace first shown to us in Christ. By ending with this exclamation, Paul grounds all acts of Christian generosity in the gospel. This perspective ensures that Christian charity is not merely philanthropy but an act of worship and a reflection of the gospel.
Paul’s expression of thanks to God serves as a model for how we should respond to God’s gifts. Recognizing the greatness of God’s gift should lead us to a posture of constant gratitude and inspire us to give generously in return. Giving is not just about meeting physical needs but about participating in a spiritual exchange that strengthens the entire community of faith. The act of giving, grounded in the grace of God, leads to an outpouring of gratitude, unity, and mutual care. Ultimately, our generosity points back to the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ, the indescribable gift through whom we have received everything.
These verses call us to embrace a lifestyle of generosity, knowing that our giving has far-reaching spiritual implications. Whether we are giving our time, resources, or talents, we do so as an expression of our faith and as a reflection of the grace we have received. In doing so, we join with Paul in exclaiming, "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. When the Gospel is proclaimed as God gave it, it has the power to either save the soul or further harden it. It has been proclaimed once for all. There will be no additions to it – no more new revelation, no more new Scripture. Once Jesus rose from the dead, all that was left was to proclaim it and teach how to live in light of regeneration and then how things would end. There is nothing more to be said. And as Christians, we are commanded to preach the Gospel as God gave it, with no changes, exactly as it was given, and there is a hefty price for failing to do so.
We are to preach the Gospel regardless of how it is accepted or not. If no one receives it, that’s not our problem as long as we were faithful to the message given. We still give God glory. If everyone receives it, then we have two scenarios: we were faithful and God gave a special blessing, or we were not faithful and we got man’s praise.
We will never be able to preach the full Gospel in one sitting, let alone in our lifetime, so preach the parts we can that specifically address the situations we are facing. But the end goal is still Christ and the solution to all problems is still the cross because all problems are from one thing: sin. That said, any extras, any ‘secondary’ doctrines we deal with, need to be correct too because nothing tells an audience your story is baloney if you need to lead them to a lie in order to expose them to the truth. It does no one any good to load up your talk on totally extraneous stuff and then say, “By the way, Jesus loves you.” It needs to be connected.
Preaching the Gospel is not a competition. That is one thing I despise seeing in the Christian community. And I’ll get on my fellow “young earth creationists” for it as well as “campus ministries” where I have seen it too. They seem to carry that attitude more than some others, where other ministries are competition instead of partners in the same war. Jesus told His disciples to not stop a man preaching in Jesus’ name because he was not against Jesus. There is no need to be part of your “clique” to be able to preach the Gospel. If the Gospel is being preached, praise the Lord.
But what about those who have false doctrines and yet somehow preach the Gospel correctly from time to time and people get saved? We praise the Lord that the Gospel was preached, but that does not mean we endorse the false teacher. We still mark such a person, and we still avoid them, but we do not deny God’s sovereign power to work even through a heretic. We are not to endorse or support said teacher even if some people happened to have gotten saved because they did get the Gospel right on occasion if most of the time, they aren’t preaching the Gospel. They are preaching their own message, so be careful. Endorse those who preach the message correctly, expose those who do not, and praise the Lord anytime the Gospel is proclaimed regardless of who it is from.
Preach a correct response to the Gospel as well. Do not leave someone ready to meet the Lord hanging, but do not seek any manipulative means to get more people to the altar. Provide an opportunity to respond after the message, but if someone is going to respond right then and there, let them do it. Always include the correct response of repentance and faith and be sure the people understand that Christianity is a life of denial of self and a lifting up of God and living with His heart for this world.
The Gospel is not a “Get out of hell free” card, though getting out of hell is a benefit. The Gospel is about the life-changing transformation from a sinner in rebellion against God into a submissive, obedient child of God. The benefits that come with it are just bonuses. We will get to rule, we will get to paradise, and we will get to judge angels, but those are all side effects of being a child of God whose first and foremost purpose is to worship, glorify, and enjoy God forever.
The Gospel is not about heaven. We can talk about heaven, but it’s not about heaven. The Gospel is about the relationship between Jesus and His bride, the Church. It is about the true marriage between Jesus and the believer. That is one thing I have noticed in many of the “heavenly tourism” proclamations: a lack of focus on Jesus and the Father. Many do mention Him, but very casually and rather nonchalantly. When Isaiah and John saw their glimpses of heaven, the majesty and glory of God were all they could think about, as well as their own unworthiness to be there. When these “tourists” go to “visit heaven,” there is no solemnity and the focus is all on the joyous, fun things we get to do. It’s not about God. And worse is when they barely give a mention of how to get there, because they presume their audience is already going. That’s not the Gospel. The Gospel is about God, for God, and towards God, and we simply get to enjoy the side benefits of being there.
As I conclude this series, the Gospel needs to be the focus of every believer – preaching it to others and living it out. If our lives did not change, we did not hear the Gospel, even if it was preached correctly. We did not receive it. Do not worry about what others say about the Gospel. Let God deal with them, whether they receive it or not. And when it is all said and done, let our attitude be, “I am but a humble servant; I have only done that which I ought.”
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
he·don·ism
/ˈhēdnˌizəm,ˈhēdəˌnizəm/
noun
1. the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence.
Philosophy: the ethical theory that pleasure (in the sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good and proper aim of human life.
When I was a child, I was blessed to go to Church every single week. As I got older, I also attended a vibrant youth ministry every single Wednesday evening.
Admittedly, it has taken me many years to realize that while church attendance was and is very important, and I encourage it, that’s not really what influenced my life. Back then, what really influenced my life more than anything were friends and the government-run school I attended. I believe it is time for many of us who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s to admit what way of life and lifestyle many of us really were disciples of. It’s time to admit many of us were trained up and put on the road to hedonism.
I am not saying in every circumstance, but in many, many ways, we were directed toward hedonism being the way of life we should pursue. I encourage you to pray about this. Think about and remember the music, movies. Think about the fact that in the government-run schools we were educated in frowned immensely on not talking about the God of the Bible and not teaching His good and right ways. What was promoted and taught? The philosophy of hedonism. I encourage you to pray and truly seek out God’s counsel on this.
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning;
for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
As I look back on my life, I realize how much I listened to and allowed the ideas of humans to influence my life instead of hearing and obeying God’s ways to live in this world that He has given to us. Just one example in my life is in regard to the meaning of the word love. The Bible is clear that love is long suffering and love is kind, and it does not envy, nor is it self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13). A friend of mine “counseled” me in the meaning of the word and “helped” me to see that love could mean something else. This person encouraged me to see that loving someone could be having sex with another person I desired to be with that wasn’t my wife to “show” her how much I “loved” her, even though we knew that the Bible taught something completely different. Sadly, I began to see the “wisdom” in this new thought. In essence, this person was trying to convince me to live out the philosophy of hedonism, that “pleasure is the highest and proper aim of human life.”
Think about much of the music children and teenagers were exposed to in the 1970s and 1980s:
“Pour some sugar on me”
“Girls, girls, girls”
“Shook me all night long”
“Talk dirty to me”
“When doves cry”
Those of us who grew up listening to songs like these know what they are about. You’re not an idiot and neither am I. These songs and many songs like them are all about hedonism. It is my belief that it is time for those of us who grew up in that time and indulged in hedonism, and possibly still are, need to confess our sin, ask for forgiveness, and repent – turn away from this way of life.
I think if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll see things in our society and even in the Church now have only gotten worse.
I greatly encourage you to begin to strive to live out for Jesus Christ in all that you do. Begin to raise your children in Godliness and not in the ways of the world anymore. As Christ followers, we need to take Romans 12:2 seriously.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:2
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
In this part of 2 Corinthians, Paul is in the middle of a teaching on generosity. This has been his topic since the start of chapter 8, and in the previous section, Paul began to talk about an attitude of generosity. That is the theme he continues here in greater depth.
To start, Paul shares a fundamental principle in verse 6 that governs both the physical and spiritual realms: the law of sowing and reaping. This metaphor, rooted in agricultural imagery, was easily understood by his audience. The analogy is simple yet profound: just as a farmer’s harvest depends on the amount of seed sown, so too do the blessings and results in our lives correspond to the generosity of our giving. Paul had previously discussed this idea in Galatians 6:7, and it is also referred to in Proverbs – 11:24-25, 19:17, and 22:8-9 just to name a few.
In the context of Christian giving, Paul emphasizes that the measure of our generosity directly affects the measure of blessings we receive. However, it’s important to note that Paul is not advocating a prosperity gospel, where giving is motivated by the desire for material wealth. Rather, he is teaching that God blesses those who give out of genuine love and generosity. The “harvest” may not always be material but could manifest in spiritual growth, deepened relationships, or greater joy.
In verse 7, Paul shifts from the principle of sowing and reaping to the attitude of the giver. Giving is not just about the amount but the heart behind it. Paul emphasizes that giving should be a personal decision, made willingly and joyfully. The phrase “not reluctantly or under compulsion” highlights that God values the spirit in which the gift is given more than the gift itself. The statement “God loves a cheerful giver” is key. It reflects God’s own nature, as He gives to us out of love, not obligation. When we give cheerfully, we align ourselves with God’s heart, participating in His joy.
Paul reassures the Corinthians that their generosity will not lead to lack but rather to abundance (verse 8). This verse highlights God’s ability to provide for His people. The repetition of the word “all” underscores the completeness of God’s provision: “in all things at all times, having all that you need.” This abundance, however, is not for selfish indulgence but to enable believers to “abound in every good work.” Paul is emphasizing that God’s blessings equip us to serve others more effectively. The resources God provides are intended to be used in fulfilling His purposes, and as we give, God continues to supply what we need to do good.
In verse 9, Paul quotes Psalm 112:9, a psalm that describes the righteous person who fears the Lord. The imagery of scattering gifts to the poor suggests not just occasional giving but a lifestyle of generosity. This kind of giving reflects a heart transformed by God’s righteousness. The second part of the verse, “their righteousness endures forever,” speaks to the lasting impact of such generosity. Acts of kindness and generosity are not forgotten; they have eternal significance. This verse challenges us to consider the legacy of our giving. Are we sowing seeds that will bear eternal fruit?
Paul continues to build on the agricultural metaphor in verse 10, reminding the Corinthians that God is the ultimate source of all we have. The same God who provides “seed to the sower and bread for food” is the one who will “increase your store of seed and enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” This reassures us that when we give, we are not depleting our resources but participating in a cycle of divine provision. God not only replenishes what we give but also multiplies it, leading to an even greater “harvest of righteousness.” This harvest is not just about material wealth but includes spiritual growth, deepened faith, and increased impact for God’s kingdom.
Paul concludes this passage in verse 11 by summarizing the purpose of God’s blessings. The phrase “enriched in every way” encompasses both material and spiritual blessings. God’s enrichment is holistic, touching every aspect of our lives. However, the purpose of this enrichment is clear: “so that you can be generous on every occasion.” God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Our generosity, in turn, leads to thanksgiving to God. This cycle of blessing, giving, and gratitude brings glory to God, which is the ultimate goal.
This passage first of all reminds us of the idea of sowing and reaping, which is foundational for our generosity. But the attitude of the giver is the most important; we give cheerfully and willingly because God gave to us in that way. We give to honor Him and further His Kingdom on this earth. We can trust that when God calls us to give to Him, He will provide for our needs and bless us abundantly when we give to bring Him glory. In a world that often values accumulation, this passage reminds us of the joy and purpose found in giving, reflecting the generous heart of our Creator.
This forum is meant to foster discussion and allow for differing viewpoints to be explored with equal and respectful consideration. All comments are moderated and any foul language or threatening/abusive comments will not be approved. Users who engage in threatening or abusive comments which are physically harmful in nature will be reported to the authorities.
