2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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A PASTORAL HEART
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1
2 Corinthians 1:1-24
2 Corinthians 6:11
“Our mouth is open unto you,
our heart is enlarged.”
A PASTORAL HEART
2 Corinthians is the last of four letters which Paul had written to the Christians in Corinth:
• First Visit. The church at Corinth was established during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 18).
• First Letter. This letter was written to instruct the church at Corinth on the necessity to deal with sinning members (1 Cor 5:9-13). This letter is not included in the biblical canon.
• Second Letter. Sadly, the Corinthian Christians continued to be lax in dealing with sin and carnality. Furthermore, word came to Paul from the household of Chloe (1 Cor 1:11) and Apollos (1 Cor 16:12) concerning contentions in the Corinthian church. Thus, Paul had to address these issues in another letter – 1 Corinthians.
• Second Visit. Paul then paid a visit to Corinth to address the persistent issues. However, Paul was rejected and spitefully entreated, causing him to describe the trip as a painful visit with much heaviness of heart (2 Cor 2:1).
• Third Letter. Despite the ill-treatment he received from the Corinthian Christians, Paul persevered to rebuke the church with a painful letter composed in tears (2 Cor 2:4, 7:8). This letter caused many to have godly sorrow unto repentance (2 Cor 7:8-12).
• Fourth Letter. This is 2 Corinthians. It was written to assure the Corinthian Christians of Paul’s continuing love and care for them despite their earlier mistreatment of him. There was also a need for Paul to defend his Apostleship from the continuing attacks of God’s enemies. Finally, Paul wanted to inform the Corinthian Christians to be ready for his third visit to collect funds for the suffering saints of Jerusalem. This epistle lays bare the pastoral heart of Paul. Do you want to have a heart of a servant like Paul? Study this epistle humbly and be blessed!
THOUGHT: What does it mean to have the heart of a servant?
PRAYER: Give me a servant’s heart, O Father.