our prayer is that you may be fully restored

2 Corinthians 13:1-14

On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored (perfection). This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And so he calls them to put things right before he come, so that when he does he may not have to call them to order with harsh discipline.

After last-Minute instructions and farewell, Paul closes with the lovely words of 'the grace'

Why?

Paul still encourages the Corinthians church,  Examine yourselves to see whether they are in the faith. Do you realize that Christ Jesus is in you? So am I.

Even we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. The Lord hopes we could be fully perfect. 

The authority the Lord gives me for building others, and not for tearing others down.

Bear in mind that I am the servant of the Lord to witness the love of the Lord and truth of the Lord is living in me.

How?

I can not do everything right, but rely on the Lord to be fully restored in God's grace!

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 

Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

Paul looks forward to his third visit to Corinth. And the reason for the tone of afraid he will find the same bickering splinter groups, the same arrogance and general disorder that made him write the first letter. He is afraid his pride in them will take a knock, in the face of typical 'Corinthian' sins: sexual promiscuity, bitter quarrel, and disorder.

Why?

Paul is love the Corinthian church so he wrote this letter to remind them.

Paul is not the least inferior to the "super-apostles" he humbly said, "even though I am nothing". 

Paul did not give burden to them for he loves them, and the peach gospel should be free for God loves us and gave our grace is free either. We can't look at a man by his charge or title, this is the value of this world.

Paul did to them all for their strengthening. 

--------------

保羅所做的和使徒一樣。保羅和哥林多教會有些疏離感，沒有拿他們的奉獻，可能有些誤會，為此保羅降低姿態。保羅顯明使徒為的是生命成長，不是為了從教會得利。這是一種付出的概念。不拿奉獻另外一個觀點是把哥林多教會看作自己的兒女，為兒女費心費力、付出是應該的。

保羅希望他再去哥林多教會時他們能夠彼此接納，共同要求自己符合聖靈的教導，問題就很簡單。把教會當成自己的家人。

--------------

How?

Learning from Paul for he is our example to follow Jesus Christ.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Vision and revelations: We know of three early visions from Acts: on the Damascus road; at the house of Judas and in the Temple at Jerusalem

A man in Christ. ie. A Christian, Paul is speaking of himself. The 'third heaven' is a Jewish expression meaning to be actually in the presence of God. Paul is describing the presence of God. Paul is describing the most sublime experience imaginable.

A thorn in my flesh: This may be some physical illness or a reference to the unremitting opposition he encountered. Either way, it was a constant source of pain and depression - Satan's work - yet the means God used to keep Paul humble and to demonstrate his power.

Why?

We are nothing can boast about, for Paul has the right to boast in his experience. But Paul rather boasts about his weakness for God's grace is sufficient for us, God's power is made perfect in our weakness.

The experience of the power of the Lord makes us more confident in Christ. But it is our own experience to witness the existence of the Lord in our lives. But more important is to be humble in our life. 

My life, my health, my welfare, and all of my home and life is the grace of the Lord. 

Keep following the way of the Lord and trust in Him. This is the best blessing.

------------

分享了14年前的經歷，卻沒有說內容為何。哥林多教會很重視這些神祕的經歷，所以不得不把這些經歷說出來，因為教會已經偏離真道。保羅用第三人稱來說，來誇口。不以內容來誇口。他聽到的是人說不出來的。他也不是在誇口。保羅避免人把他神格化，免得他自己驕傲，有一根刺，撒旦的攻擊，保羅也不自誇自憐，也許是他靈性上的軟弱，不斷的要依靠主，神也給人另外一種經歷，也許是困擾、苦難。要人在試探中靠主得勝。這不符合羅馬人的觀點，應該要得勝。難在基督的得勝是在苦難中。

舊約先知大量透過異象來講神的救恩有甲乙新約中，耶穌已經來了，所以然不再有異象來描述。因為這些異象不重要，所以保羅沒有寫下來。我們見證是神的作為，還是誇自己的經歷。這一切都是為基督的緣故。

------------

How?

God's grace is sufficient for me, my power is made perfect in weakness.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast.  You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 

Apostleship does not consist of oratory and lording it over the church. Paul is not lacking in any of the qualities of true apostleship. As for earning his own living, he was concerned that no one should think him a sponsor and anxious not to burden them.

Why?

Compare the identity or world value Paul can boast than any other apostle. He suffered even more than others, Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? Paul explained his suffering for Christ, no one like Paul has done.

If he must boast, boast of the things that show my weakness. Even no one knows the God and father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that he is not lying.

------------

保羅成為使徒所受的苦難，為弟兄姊妹的事辛勞，擔心的苦，在外邦地被迫害，而且能喜樂的在服事。看一個基督徒的能力不是看他講道、看他教會多大，而是看他如何面對他的遭遇，心中的己太強的人就會去講自己的功勞、成果……從他所受的苦難在證明他是耶穌的使徒，耶穌和保羅都不提自己做了多少事。由所做的事神是否記念來看。真正基督的僕人不會誇口，如保羅。

-----------

How?

How great Paul has done for the Lord, no one can compare with Paul, Paul is our example to learn.

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ

2 Corinthians 11:1-15

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 

I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Paul engages in some mock boasting of his own, tongue-in-cheek, to shame his converts and opponents. He relates the vision and revelation God has given him but says he can not tell then what he heard or saw.

Why?

Paul explained and asked people in Corinthian to keep the original accepted gospel, which belongs to one husband, to Christ. There are some false teachers, who preached different spirits, and don't like Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning.

Paul may be untrained as a speaker, but he does have knowledge. Paul did everything to them and did not give any burden to the Corinthian church. 

It is the judgment: Their end will be what their actions deserve.

-------------

教會內認為保羅沒有收費來教他們表示保羅沒有料，不是使徒。保羅為什麼不收費，自居卑微，使哥林多教會的人高昇，即得福音。不要讓人家以為信福音要付費。保羅收了別的教會的奉獻來這裏服務。所有在生活、福音事工的費用都是馬其頓教會補足，為了不使哥林多教會的人增加負擔。有人認為保羅沒有收他們的奉獻，關係不好。當時許多人不僅支用教會奉獻，甚至於斂財。保羅希望和他們一樣，保羅破壞行情。保羅就是不拿，人即使做對的事一樣有人攻擊，惡人把別人的善扭曲為惡，做錯的事反而變成善的事、合理化。大家都這樣做，我就和大家一樣，社會上許多人做錯事卻說成這是歷史的共業！光照亮我們的黑暗，我們就不在黑暗裏。

--------------

How?

Trust in the Lord and obey God's word following the way of Jesus Christ. Our end will be what our actions deserve.

It is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends

2 Corinthians 10:12-18

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.

Their boasting counts for nothing: it is God's commendation that is all-important. Paul engages in some mock boasting of his own, tongue-in-cheek, to shame his converts and opponents. He relates the vision and revelation God has given him but says he cannot tell them what he heard or saw.

Why?

Someone will boast about what they did in the church, actually, there is nothing can boast about, even the tongue, talent or preaches. Let the one who boasts in the Lord. 

It is easy to boast when we have done something successfully. It is the grace and blessing of the Lord with us so we can do something looks successful. 

How?

Give thanks and honor to the Lord. Even in the church, we are a small part of the body of Christ. Do our best under the base of Jesus Christ.

We live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does

2 Corinthians 10:1-11

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.

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.

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.

Paul now turns his attention to the hostile minority at Corinth who has challenged his authority and criticized his behavior. This sounds very like a continuation of the old rival cliques of 1 Corinthians 1-4. They show the same conceit, the same old mistaken standards of judgment. They have attacked Paul on a number of counts:

He may be a brave letter-writer, but meet him face to face and he's a coward. He is no speaker.

Why?

Paul is humble and gentle of Christ before Corinthians, but someone looked at him as a coward and no good speaker. People of Corinthian look at their appearance and their certificate to judge a man.

Actually what we have should be the life inside our appearance, when the spirit of the Lord is inside our hearts we will show love and gentleness outside.

Yes, we are living in this world but we do not wage war as the world does. 

Those people who are judging by appearances, they should consider again who belongs to Christ just as much as they do.

-----------

10-13章 多半直言不諱說哥林多教會的人，一群人猶太信徒強調口才，得到啟示等來當作使徒的憑證。以此來批評保羅，針對這群不悔改的人。

勇敢是指講放膽指責教會中一些人，懲治不信的信徒。保羅也是屬血氣的人，但是不靠血氣的方法，堅固的營壘就是人鋼硬的心。把人的心奪回來，得著基督的心。用福音的大能使心柔軟，順服基督。我們的敵人是我們內心的鋼硬。保羅不希望用嚴厲的手段而是使人的心歸回。

保羅得到的權柄是為了建造教會，但是其他人是用權柄來打倒不認同他們的人。完全沒有私心！保羅不去收別人傳福音的成果，保羅一直在開拓教會，這都是神賜的恩賜，並且希望所建立的教會繼續向外傳福音。要評斷好不好，不是人講的，主講的才算是。教會的權柄是拿來服事人。誇口當指著主誇口。

------------

How?

When people know I belong to Christ, I should live out the appearance of Christ.

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 

Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

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.

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.

The Jerusalem church seems to have been in financial trouble almost from the start, probably because the break with Judaism cut converts off from their families and often cost them their jobs. Paul was quick to encourage the Gentile churches in Galatia, Macedonia, and Corinth to help their Jewish fellow Christians. By doing so they would learn the duty and blessing of systematic Christian giving, and at the same time show their appreciation of what they owed the Jewish parent-church.

Practical instructions rub shoulders with spiritual principles in these chapters Christain giving is a loving response to the self-given of the Lord Jesus. Christians should need no urging to give cheerfully and generously. Those with more than they need will make up the incomes of those with too little so that all have enough.

Why?

Paul teaches us how to do on the generosity given.

For the Lord has given me so much grace, so I should generously give either.

Given is like devoting to the Lord, the Lord will remember and give us the feedback more.

Actually, it is not based on earning but on the Love to help others. Jesus is love so we should love each other.

--------

肯定他們很樂意奉獻方式來鼓勵哥林多教會，誇哥林多教會一年前就開始奉獻，其他教會也跟著你們奉獻，哥林多教會顯然很看重面子！

教導奉獻是幫助更多人，顯明主的榮耀……

奉獻的原則與意義：1)甘心樂意:神會賞賜更多 卻不是為了更多的想法，奉獻後不會不夠 

2)透過這些短暫的錢財成為不朽壞的仁義價值

3)叫神的名得榮耀

4)更多人因為此感恩，收到的人，奉獻的人都把榮耀歸給神

5)收到的人也更與教會的人與主連結

奉獻的價值產生數倍的價值。

---------

How?

They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.

If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have

2 Corinthians  8:1-24

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.

Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

Now that confidence is restored. It is possible to raise the matter of the relief fund for the poor in Jerusalem. Titus had helped the Corinthians make a start, following Paul's instructions in his earlier letter. Now his is to return and supervise the completion of the collection., accompanied by delegates from the Macedonian churches as a safeguard against any charge that Paul was embezzling the fund.

Why?

Paul encouraged Corinthians may excel in this grace of giving. There are excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love.

More important is the willingness in our hearts to love others, and to share what we have.

--------------

奉獻是恩典，馬其頓教會願意奉獻，沒有人向他們募款，他們主動要求的，他們是不僅按著力量而且超過他們能承擔的。不是為了要給別人看，而是現把自己奉獻給主，全然的願意。奉獻財物以前先把自己奉獻出去。俗語有錢出錢，有力出力。聖經沒有說有錢可以不出力，也沒有出力可以不出錢。從奉獻中也可以看見人的生命如何。

保羅勉勵他們不要擔心奉獻夠不夠多。神不會要求人奉獻人不能的事情。人若有願做的心必蒙悅納，但是也要辦成。保羅要求他們奉獻為了均富，奉獻是借給神，神必償還。

--------------

How?

May my life is a life of sharing for the Lord is rich and gave me rich in everything.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.

For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 

So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.

He has reached this point in the story at 2:13. and Now he takes it up again. At last, Titus is able to set Paul's mind at rest. The Corinthians' reaction to his letter is all he could have hoped. The result has been entirely good. The apostle's relief and joy are overwhelming. His faith in them has been completely vindicated.

Why?

Comfort comes from love, through Titus, Paul was comforted by his message and his words from Corinthians.

No one like judgment or criticism but if confess our sins and let Godly sorrow may bring repentance that leads to salvation, and no regret. But world sorrow brings death, and there will be worse consequences.

The first letter to Corinthians made their sorrow, but it is good for them for their sorrow led to repentance.

So Paul was glad and had complete confidence in them.

-----------

保羅說明他為什麼要寫信?

不是要定他們的罪，不是要站在那一邊。誇對方願意悔改，哥林多教會是否有什麼可取的?對於使徒責備的態度，願意面對自己的問題，願意悔改！禮遇帶來責備他們信的提多！我們不可能緩存 問題的教會，而是願意接受責備，反省，悔改的態度。

保羅收到回應的信而感恩，在馬其頓受到逼迫，因知道哥林多教會對他熱心得到安慰，提多受到禮遇他也歡喜，保羅看重他的同工。什麼是我們應當看重的?我們關心的人的生命成長。我們是否更關心主的心意?我愈在乎的人，愈在乎他的回應。耶穌與我們之間的互動更重要。

------------

How?

Be aware of what I am doing and what is my mind, may the Holy Spirit lead my mind and give me the light in my way every day.

purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness

2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 

Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing,  and I will receive you.”

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Paul's feelings are deeply stirred. He longs for the Corinthians to match his own complete open-heartedness towards them. The change of tone at 6:14 is abrupt - but there is no evidence that this section has been misplaced, as some argue. Paul's love for his churches always holds them to the highest standard. he has warned them before of the dangers of compromise with the pagan world. Now he stresses the utter incongruity of permanent relationships between Christians and heathens. The issue here is the same as in 1 Corinthians 8-10. Verse 16 is the key: Paul makes it clear that there is no common ground between God's Temple and a temple that honors false gods. Clearly, his earlier letter has not resolved some of these issues: the Corinthians still clung to their old ideas and social patterns.

Why?

It is not the problem of withholding our affection from you, but it is the problem that we can't yoke together with unbelievers. There is no commonality between righteousness and wickedness.

We are the temple of the living God, so we have to purify ourselves from everything and keep perfecting holiness.

----------------

與神和好，就可以與人和好。

勸哥林多教會對保羅敞開如同保羅也向他們敞開、坦誠、直言不諱。主要問題是缺乏愛，有競爭的心，互相防衛，憑外貌看人，豈不與世界一樣。

良人屬我，我也屬他，丈夫屬於妻子，妻子屬於丈夫，孩子屬於父母，父母屬於孩子。這是保羅與哥林多教會關係。我們和教會也是如此彼此敞開、彼此接納。

----------------

How?

Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

運氣與機會 箴9:11-12

 20220918 台南聖教會 主日

高敏智 牧師  箴9:11-12

11. 我又轉念：見日光之下，快跑的未必能贏；力戰的未必得勝；智慧的未必得糧食；明哲的未必得資財；靈巧的未必得喜悅。所臨到眾人的是在乎當時的機會。

12. 原來人也不知道自己的定期。魚被惡網圈住，鳥被網羅捉住，禍患忽然臨到的時候，世人陷在其中也是如此。

知道 + 熱情  守約+施慈愛：  男女相愛結婚，後來又離婚

機會+機遇   巧遇    徐志摩的偶然    時空不一樣，目標不同，方向不同

命運+選對   運氣

李白 雲想衣裳花想容，春風拂檻露華濃。若非羣玉山頭見，會向瑤臺月下逢。

知道+ 熱情，信心+行動---> 熱情

1)因為 知道而精準 （非巧合）         路得（你的神就是我的神）以利沙（我必不離開你）

2)因為 熱情而赴約（看見信心）     

3)因為 珍惜而永恆  （愛與守約）

一、非巧合

人們常因為無知，不知，只找自己的道路

是人不知而非命運   人若信共其有，則定準自己的遭遇

神是預知而非預定   若人硬著頸項，則失落起初的揀選

離開自己的惡(驕傲） --->神建立栽植，作物成長，人為何費心?

二、看見信心

所臨到眾人的是在乎當時的機會

撒該的熱情洋溢，攤子與四個朋友的熱情

三、愛與守約

婚姻有婚約： 不合不是理由，應當彼此接納缺點，守約才能持續，批評只會使人後退

只要我們願意，每天都有巧合

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way

2 Corinthians 6:1-10

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Weight the cost of discipleship, incredible though it seems, against the 'eternal weight of glory being made ready for Chris's faithful followers and you have the true balance of things.

Why?

As we know that we belong to Christ, we won't care what others say, but honor the Holy Name of the Lord. For we are servants of God we commend ourselves in every way.

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. For the glory of the Lord, we may suffer any pain, distress, and hard environment for Christ is risen, and we have hope and eternal life.

---------

替基督求你們與神和好，我們也要彼此和好。消極是我們不叫教會被妨礙，不叫人懷疑而被譭謗。避免不當的行為攔阻別人信主。積極是我們顯出好行為，活出基督徒的生命！堅持真理，不管人怎麼說。不求自己的榮耀、益處。得著豐富的生命。當一個人可以再去給別人就是富足的。不徒受神的恩典，進一步活出神的榮耀，在苦難中卻能活出富足的生命，似乎一無所有卻是樣樣都有。

-----------

How?

May the Holy Spirit leads me walking on the way of the Glory God. Remember I am God's co-worker. 

If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

But the future, in all its glories and certainty, eclipses any suffering the present can hold.

Why?

Paul did is for the Lord, if it is our of mind it is for God; if Paul is in our mind, it is for us. In order our understanding.

All of all is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. So Paul and we are Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. Because of Christ, the new creation has come, and the old has gone.

How?

We are living not for ourselves, but for the Lord, and I am the ambassador of Christ, I have the ministry of reconciliation with others.

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Tent: our body, Paul is an ordinary greek expression, which at the same time reminds us of the body's impermanence.

Why?

Paul shared his secret that he does not lose heart, no matter what happens, even the dead, he belongs to the Lord. His hope is in heaven, Paul believes if he is dead he may stay with the Lord forever. The body on the earth is temporary, but there is unseen eternal life.

What is our goal in our life? It is to please the Lord. Paul has the confidence that he prefers to be away from his body and at home with the Lord. Now he has a mission from the Lord to do on the world.

What we see is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

How?

How great the confidence Paul has, it encourages us that follow Paul and have confidence as Paul, we know where we will be when we passed away.

We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God

2 Corinthian 4:7-15

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Cheap pottery lamps, or, if Paul is picturing the Roman triumphal procession, earthenware pots were deliberately chosen as a foil to the magnificent treasures inside.

Why?

For we have this treasure in jars of clay, this jar is our body, but Jesus is in it, so it lighting to others, let life is at work in others.

Because Jesus is inside us so even we are persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. 

Our bodies carry the death of Jesus, so the life of Jesus may be revealed in our bodies.

Paul mentioned the power of his service comes from Jesus. Paul always carries around in the body the death of Jesus, so the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 

When Jesus' life lives in us, we don't afraid of the risk and burden of the environment, for our strength comes from Jesus Christ. When we don't afraid of the dead, who can do to us.

------------------

寶貝：神榮耀的光，讓黑暗權勢逃跑的光。得以見主的榮光，光已經照在我們心裏，我們有主榮耀的形象，這就是寶貝。

這些苦難、逼迫中顯出神的光，死在我的身上發動，不顧自己的死活，使哥林多教會得生命，因為耶穌的死，保羅、傳道人的死也是教會成長的原因。

因為我們知道1)有復活的盼望，2)為了榮耀神，3)讓更多人得恩惠

不喪膽：我們沒有遇到這些逼迫，神不會讓我們沒有預備好去承擔這些逼迫。我們沒有宗教逼迫，但是有內部的問題反而是教會最大的落敗原因。看不見的價值觀、私慾等是教會更大的逼迫！

------------------

How?

Jesus is my life, my way, and my strength to preach the gospel.

Since through God’s mercy we have this ministry

2 Corinthian 4:1-6 

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Why?

Paul's ministry is through God's mercy, not by any human beings.

Paul's preaching is Jesus Christ, and he and his co-workers are servants for Jesus' sake. Here Paul explained what and why he so hard to preach the gospel.

Jesus Chris is the light shining in the darkness, shining in our hearts, this is the light of the knowledge of God's glory.

How?

I am glad that I can be a Christian, I may have the light of Christ in my heart. This is the grace of the Lord on me.

For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life

2 Corinthians 3:1-11

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Past, present, and future interweave in these chapters. As for the past, the old covenant has been replaced by a new life-giving one.

Why?

All Christians are the letter from Christ. written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. We should be a witness to God's glory.

Jesus Christ through his raising from death and the Spirit gives us new life. So the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. The letter is the ten commandments. It defines the sins of people. But the Spirit brings life to those who trust in Jesus Christ as the Lord.

All of us have the glory from Jesus Christ, because of the Spirit is with us.

-----------

因為那字句是叫人死，精意（或作：聖靈）是叫人活。文件叫人死，聖靈才能叫人活，有能力，能夠堅持下去。我們服事的來源是聖靈，不是神學院畢業證明，某牧者的推薦信，或是某些研究結果，講道內容等。這些都不能叫人得勝。

服事的依據，生命的來源。顯揚基督的香氣，保羅的服事誰能擔的起呢? 誰推薦保羅來的? 推薦我的信是基督寫的，神用聖靈寫真的，就是哥林多教會，就是你們的見證。生命的改變就是最大的信心。服事因為是出於神！是神呼召他的！這推薦信不是寫在紙上，而在保羅服事的教會信徒的心裏面。服事的正當性。對哥林多教會的責備不是出於怒氣，而是出於愛心。

保羅沒有否認文字的推薦價值，也沒有否認舊約先知，摩西盼佈律法都可發出榮光，榮光也會漸漸失去，何況來自聖靈的事奉力量更有榮光。我們比摩西、以利亞更有榮耀！

-----------

How?

The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Do I live out the glory of the Lord? May the Spirit help us and remind me, and give me a clean heart to follow Jesus.