2 Corinthians 1:1-2

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through a will of God, and Timothy, the brother.  To the assemblies of God that are in Corinth with all the holy ones who are in the whole of Achaia.  Grace to you all and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

With every letter that Paul writes, we need to pay attention to how it is that Paul identifies himself.  In 2 Corinthians, Paul brings out the very traditional word, “apostle.”  Remember that this word is rooted in the Greek to the verb apostello (αποστέλλω).  This verb means “to send out under the authority of another.”  In other words, by calling himself an apostle, Paul is reminding himself and the people of Corinth that he is acting under the authority of God.  He is not a loose cannon.  He is not doing his own thing.  He is not even in charge.  He is following the orders of God.  It is important for spiritual leaders to remember that even though they may lead human beings, they are actually followers of God first-and-foremost.

Why is it important for leaders to remember that they are followers first?  How does this tie in with Christian humbleness?  In what way does this imitate Christ?

Second Thought:

Paul also says that he is an apostle through a will of God.  Here is another statement of humbleness.  Paul is not the person that he is because of his own intelligence and his own effort.  His own intelligence and his own effort and his own decision-making process actually got him to be a Pharisee who was persecuting God’s hand at work!  No, the only reason he is able to follow God now is because of God’s will.  God called to him and got his attention.  Yes, he did choose to listen.  But the process started with God and God’s calling.  It was God’s will that started this in Paul, not Paul’s will.

Have you ever had a moment where in your human decision-making process you find yourself on the other side of what God is doing?  How does that feel?  Why is it important to remind ourselves that everything truly worth doing is worth doing because it originates in God’s will?

Third Thought:

When Paul mentions his audience, he moves quickly to the idea of grace and peace.  He understands that if we are all following God, then grace and peace should naturally exist between us.  Grace and peace can exist between us because it comes from the Father.  Remember that we were at one point enemies of God because of our sinful nature.  But God sent Christ while we were still sinners so that we can find forgiveness through God’s grace.  Through that gracious forgiveness, we can be at peace with God.  This is the model we have from God.  It is the model that we should extend to those around us – even those who are in a position of being an enemy.

Are you a person who extends grace and peace?  What does that feel like to you?  Who else in your life do you know that extends grace and peace?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7