Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you. Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
2 Corinthians 1:13-16
It is ironic that I tell you that you need to read between the lines and then a few short verses later Paul tells you “there is nothing written between the lines”. I am sure a number of the astute ones among you picked up on that irony. Let me explain. Firstly there is a need to read between the lines with Paul. Most especially when it comes to the Corinthians letters more than any other epistles of Paul. ‘Because they are a continuing series and because there are things that have happened in between the letters that it’s necessary to keep your wits about you and read between the lines.
Paul’s comments about reading between the lines are in terms of their understanding of what he has written. He is saying. “You don’t have to second guess me. You don’t have to be thinking I say one thing while I mean another. What I am saying to you is plain and there is nothing you can’t understand. Just take my comments at face value and don’t look for hidden meaning. He goes on to say I hope you come to a point of understanding us and our motivation in the future even if you don’t understand us now.
Notice his next comments relating to visiting twice. You will need to take some time to reconcile those comments with the past history of Paul’s contact with the Corinthians and the outline of the book of Acts of the Apostles. Taking note of the contact details and the places mentioned and reconciling that with what has been happening and planned between them. I would rather you discover it for yourself and not have me tell you. Tomorrow we will move on to something of the BIG picture tied up in those words of Pauls above in verses 15 and 16. Something that has always fascinated me and left me pondering the significance. Not that I have it all figured yet but I am certainly interested to say the least.
There are so many authentic little snippets that are hidden in Bible verses. It is really fascinating when we look deeply. The secret to uncovering them is reading between the lines and paying close attention to the detail in the text. Do it, see what you can come up with. I think it will amaze you.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which God has opened for us.
Helen Keller
Keep dreaming God’s dream for you. “At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable.”
C. Reeve