Scripture Reading : 2 Corinthians 2
Theme : Forgiveness and Encouragement in Christ
Paul hoped that the sinful issues he confronted in his letters would be settled before he visited Corinth again. In this passage, he urged the Corinthians to forgive one of their numbers and also displayed his deep love and concern for them.
- Forgiving the sinner (2:1-11). The individual to be forgiven had apparently verbally and publicly assaulted Paul during his “painful visit” to them. Following Paul’s instructions, the Corinthian church disciplined the sinning member and put him out of the fellowship. He had since repented, and now not only did Paul forgive him, but he also instructed the Corinthians to do so too in order to show mercy (v6), restore joy (v7), affirm love (v8), prove obedience (v9), restore fellowship (v10) and thwart Satan (v11).
- Concern for the Corinthians (2:12-17). The serious riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41) may have prompted Paul’s departure for Troas. But more importantly, Paul hoped to meet Titus (whom he sent to Corinth) there in order to find out how the Corinthian church had responded to his letters. Fearing the worst, Paul’s heart was so heavy with concern that he found it difficult to focus on the open door of ministry at Troas. However, Paul did not look to his circumstances for comfort, joy and encouragement, but took his focus off his difficulties and turn to God. Here, Paul lists five privileges in which he was spiritually triumphant in spite of his circumstances: being led by a sovereign God (v14a), having the promised victory in Christ (v14b), to be an influence for Christ (v14c), to be pleasing to God in Christ (v15-16a) and having the power to serve in Christ (v16b-17).
Praying the Scripture
- The apostle Paul understood the importance of forgiveness. Though he was sorrowed by the offender who assaulted him, he refused to take it personally or carry a grudge against the offender. This is how Paul exemplified the forgiveness that Jesus commanded (Matt 18:21-22). Let’s pray that we will follow Paul’s example in forgiving others for their offences against us.
- Paul was no stranger to discouragement in his ministry, yet he continued to persevere until the end of his life (2 Tim 4:7).The cure to Paul’s discouragement is to focus on his privileges instead of his problems. The contemplation of those privileges – of being associated with the King of kings in His Triumph, of influencing people for eternity, of pleasing God, and of having His power undergirding his ministry – healed his broken heart and restored his joy. Let’s pray that we too will focus on the privileges in Christ whenever we are discouraged in the course of our ministry.
经文：哥林多后书2
主题：在基督里的赦免与勉励
保罗希望他在书信中所提到的罪恶情况能在他二次探访哥林多之前得以解决。在这段经文中，他鼓励哥林多教会要彼此饶恕，并向他们展现自己对他们的爱与关注。
- 饶恕罪人（2:1-11）。那位当被宽恕的人似乎在保罗的“忧愁”探访中曾诬告及公开攻击保罗。哥林多教会按保罗的指示，向那位犯罪的弟兄施行教会纪律，斩断交往。他从此悔改了，而保罗如今不但要饶恕他，还吩咐哥林多教会也要如此行，以展示怜悯（6节），恢复喜乐（7节），肯定爱心（8节），证明顺服之心（9节），恢复团契（10节），并阻扰撒旦（11节）。
- 对哥林多教会的关注（2:12-17）。以弗所一场严重的暴乱（徒19:23-41）或许迫使保罗离开往特罗亚去。但更重要的是，保罗希望在那里与提多（他差派去哥林多的人）相遇，好了解哥林多教会对他的书信有何回应。保罗因心里感到如此沉重，无法专注于神在特罗亚所开的门。然而，保罗并没从自己的境遇中寻找安慰、喜乐和鼓励，而是从困境中转移目光，眼向神。这里，保罗列出他在艰难境遇中在灵里得胜所拥有的五项特权：有主宰万物之神的带领（14节），有在基督里得胜的应许（14节），能为基督影响周围人（14节），在基督里讨神喜悦（15-16节），并有能力事奉基督（16-17节）。
用经文祷告
- 使徒保罗明白宽恕的重要性。虽然他因被人攻击而忧愁，但他拒绝把这事记在心里，或对那人怀恨在心。这就是保罗如何为耶稣所吩咐的宽恕（太18:21-22）作例证。让我们祷告我们会跟从保罗的榜样，宽恕他人对我们的过犯。
- 保罗在事工上常常遇到灰心事，但他继续忍耐，直到终了（提后4:7）。保罗对灰心的决策是将眼目放置在他的特权，而不是他所遇的问题。思想这些特权，如与万王之王在战胜中相连、为永恒影响人、讨神喜悦，及有神的能力守住他的事工，这一切治疗了他破碎的心，并恢复了他的喜乐。让我们祷告每当我们在事工上遇到灰心事时，也会注视基督。
