The Papyrus 46 Title Page of 2 Corinthians and the last of three pages of 2 Corinthians 12
Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave and Tanzanian Children's Choir - There is No One Else
2 Corinthians 12
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.
3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 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. 8 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.
2 Corinthians 3
3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 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.
4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God.
Where Paul traveled, the man who was never Pope, we can fairly well determine because like Capernaum (the adult hometown of Jesus safe for 13 centuries) - areas had peace and prosperity for centuries. However, at great personal cost and the next generation had some troubles as well.
Why do we look at dry, dusty histories? To see the fruit of those who walked and spoke with Jesus. We know they died for Jesus. What of their fruit for Jesus as time passed? Our histories are currently going to be reevaluating History to reflect modern opinions. What was the fruit of this Love!
What of this man who met Jesus on the Road to murder more Christians for his advancement? What was his life like?
We find Paul saying his authority for Jesus Christ looks like -
Boasting, Gain, Visions, Great Revelations, God's knowledge, Paul's wonder, boasting or foolishness, speaking the truth, refraining from speaking, illness, pleading prayers, weakness and strength.
Finding those severe difficulties Paul faces brings understanding of the sincerity of Paul's belief.
We find Paul in Relationship with Father God.
And still questioned about his veracity.
2 Corinthians 10
For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
How Confident was Paul?
Paul was absolutely first Heaven confident in God being God. The Word and Power of God fulfilling all of His Word and Promises to we who believe in Christ Jesus.
And yet people asked about Paul's authority.
Paul was not concerned about this, beyond that Jesus is proclaimed as God's Salvation.
2 Corinthians 4
Because of this, since we have this ministry, just as we have been shown mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person’s conscience before God.
Paul, in the Holy Spirit continues with this:
see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord
Was Paul concerned with what?!
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
What was the strength of Jesus in His servant Paul!!!
John, in the Holy Spirit, describes Paul:
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Paul with the Holy Spirit was busy giving Life ~
2 Corinthians 3
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 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.
2 Corinthians 12:15
So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.
2 Corinthians 1
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.a 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.
24 we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
2 Corinthians 4
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
15 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.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 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.
2 Corinthians 5
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.
2 Corinthians 6
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 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
11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.
18 “I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 7
4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
8 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— 9 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. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true.
16 I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.
2 Corinthians 8
And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.
Why is Paul an Encourager?
2 Corinthians 13
10 For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
Paul believes Love is triumphant
1 Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
2 Corinthians 13
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Father God, You see the Work of Your Hands and call overwhelming - Good. The Sound of Your Voice - Gentle and Thundering - fill our Life with Your Light. Welcome Jesus, Live in me - let my delight in You fill this life. Jesus makes us forgiven and free in You. Give us the Glory of Your Presence. Father God let us run to Your arms as You Love Your prodigal children.
Father God, Your Angel You call Wonderful gives us Your Words of Life. You are Glorious Lord Father God. Our blessings are here and now and we give Thanks to You for Your Word fulfilled. Lord God let Your Joy be our Strength. We are privileged to be asking in the Name, the Highest Name of Jesus. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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