I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles. When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!
2 Corinthians 7:4-7
Did you bother to look for another connection with Paul’s thought from yesterday? Find anything? You need to go back to chapter one.
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:20-21
It’s quite likely that Paul is meaning to take his readers back to his opening comments related to all the promises of God being “yes” in Christ. Yes indeed it’s because of ALL of God’s promises, not just the fact that God’s power is working in us and He is walking with us. All of His promises are available to us in Christ. Not just promised to us and ours to possess but realised in Christ too. So it is most likely Paul is referring back to what he said at the beginning of this letter. He is reminding them of all the promises of God, not only those comments he made in the verses just before.
And the easy way? Simply use E-Sword Search by choosing <Bible> <Search> from the top menu bar and typing in “promise” or “promises” and it will lead you to the reference from Chapter 1.
Why does Paul have the highest confidence in the Corinthians? With all the problems they had, yet Paul can still say he has the utmost confidence in them. Because the Corinthians have it right where it really matters. They were encouragers when it came to Titus and through him to Paul. “YOU have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles” and “God who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus [with] the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you.” Clearly they were encouragers themselves which greatly pleased Paul but even more to the point it seemed the issues that had caused the problems had been put to rest because “he told us how much you long to see me and how sorry you are for what happened, how loyal you are to me.” That indeed was good news to Paul. This issue was truly at an end. The matter has been dealt with and the relationship restored. Paul’s confidence lies in the fact that the Corinthians now realise the truth about him and have also realised the truth about themselves. They are sorry for their part in what happened. Therein lies the seed of the solution and that encourages Paul no end.
But as you will see we are not finished with this yet. Over the last chapters Paul keeps returning to this again and again. It is important to him. We will investigate further. But isn’t this just frivolous chatter in between the important stuff? No, this is the important stuff. Relationships are the important stuff. Some of us ignore relationship issues thinking they are unimportant in our attempt to press on with the business of life. Our relationships are the essence of life. If you don’t realise it now you will sometime, your relationships are the essence of life. Just don’t realise it too late.
Sow into eternal things – remember people are eternal. Use your life to sow into the lives of those God brings across your path.
Ian Vail
Through my broken heart I see, that yours is broken too and with your love you’re moulding me so I can be like You.
Debbie Kerner
A friend is a person who can step on your toes without messing up your shine.
Anon
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Anon
Forgive everyone everything. Be a son or daughter of God; be an encourager.
Anon