Not-So-Quiet-Time: 2 Corinthians 1

At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 10/11

Day 1: 2 Corinthians 1:1-2
Paul greets the church in Corinth with kindness at the start of this letter. This is important to notice because the background of this letter is that there had been a deep struggle between Paul and the Corinthian church. They had to navigate a painful conflict which had, at the time of this letter, been improved by repentance. In the early church, just like today, the Holy Spirit works to humble and grow us to look more like Him. And sometimes this happens through hard circumstances and disagreements. Ask God to redeem the conflicts and challenges you experience to make you more holy and Christ-like. 

Day 2: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
God comforts us so that we can, in turn, comfort others (3-4). Our struggles and pains put us in a position to minister to others who experience pain. And even though the Corinthian church had caused Paul heartache, he wanted them to know that he was for them and his hope for them was unshaken. The battle for truth and godliness is no easier today than it was two millennia ago. Ask God to help you be patient and humble while you stand for truth even when disagreements are painful. 

Day 3: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
“You also must help us by prayer” (11). Prayer is a must. Prayer is necessary. Why? Because God works through the prayers of his people. He uses prayer to unite us, to mature us, to humble us. And He loves to respond to our prayers for our good and for his fame. Pray today for yourself, for your family, for your church. Lift up needs and difficulties. Lift up the lost and broken. Press hard into prayer “so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (11).

Day 4: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14
Ministry is simple and sincere work powered by the grace of God for the good of his church (12). The tools that God has given for this ministry are prayer (11) and the written Word (13). The goal of ministry is that God’s people “will fully understand” so “that on the day of our Lord Jesus” we will “boast” about one another (13-14). Pray for our church leaders to pray and teach the Word faithfully. And pray for our church to fully understand.

Day 5: 2 Corinthians 1:15-24
Paul wanted to come back and visit the Corinthian church because he loved them. And it was wonderful that the church had gotten back on track and was moving ahead established by Christ and sealed by the Spirit (21-22). But since Paul knew that the church there would be devastated to face him after the way they had treated him, he spared them a visit (23). His goal was not to make them sad, but to battle for their joy (24). Paul was wise enough to know which conflicts were important for the health of the church and which could be avoided. Ask God to give our church the same kind of wisdom. 

Catechism Connection: 2, 98
The tools of ministry are prayer and the Word. “Prayer is offering up our desires to God for things agreeable to his will,” while confessing and thanking Him. (WSC 98). And the Bible “is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him (WSC 2). Let’s humbly use these tools without ceasing. God will use them in mighty ways.

Monthly Memory: Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.