2 Corinthians 5-9 – December 4

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” The context of this statement is Paul speaking about living for eternal reward instead of temporary gain. He said in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” To “live by faith” is to deny ourselves in this life for the joy set before us. To live by faith means we keep focused on how “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
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In 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul said, “the love of Christ compels us.” If we are compelled and motivated by God’s love, we will stay on course and our life will be fruitful. Christ died for all since all people were spiritually dead without Him. Christ was compelled by love and we can follow in His example.
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Paul quotes or paraphrases some of God’s promises from the Old Covenant in 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 and in doing so he makes known that the full extent of these promises can only be realized in the New Covenant. Verse 16 is from Leviticus 26:11-12, where the LORD says, “I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.” In the Old Covenant, He dwelt in a Tabernacle (tent) made with hands; in the New Covenant, He dwelt in the Tabernacle of Christ and now in all of us (the body of Christ). Considering these great promises we are to walk in holiness by the fear of God (7:1).
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To encourage and instruct the church of Corinth, Paul described how the churches of Macedonia gave aid to help those in need. He told them how it was the grace of God (see 2 Cor. 8:1) that enabled them to freely give beyond what they were able (verse 3). God’s grace was at work in them to be able to give freely (in love) above what they were able (in faith). In verse 7 Paul says how the Corinthians are abounding in things like faith, speech, knowledge, diligence, and in love, but then he goes on to say make sure you “abound in this grace also.” God’s grace enables us to give freely and generously in love, without worry, knowing that God will meet our own needs. God’s grace working in our life will cause us to always have “all sufficiency in all things” and “have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). To God be glory!