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2 Corinthians 7:2-8:15 Encourage One Another

by fol CHURCH on February 24, 2020

However many versions you read this passage in, the theme that comes out loud and clear is: encouragement! The Apostle Paul is reverting back to a personal tone, showing the Corinthians how much he cares for them and wants them to have a ‘close bond of fellowship’. He encourages them in v.4 praising them in the highest tones. They themselves have been a great encouragement to him, too, making him happy despite his trials.

So, as individual believers we can be an encouragement to one another. Just like Titus encouraged  Paul, especially at a time when the latter went through a time of struggle, fighting ‘battles on the outside and fear on the inside’, we can encourage others during tough times. And that is how God ministers into our lives because He is the One ‘who encourages those who are discouraged’. We get to partner with God to bring joy into other people’s lives as they become encouraged to carry on in their relationship with Him and in their work for Him.

The Corinthian church encouraged their leader, Paul, by taking his previous letter seriously, repenting and doing ‘everything necessary to make things right’ (v.11). By Paul’s words they were encouraged to act, even though what he had said was painful for a little while (v.8) Sometimes difficult things might need to be addressed in the church, but let’s encourage our leaders by taking seriously what they say, so things are put right, and we can concentrate on being fruitful for God.

Lastly, a church can also encourage another church in very practical ways. The church in Jerusalem found itself in dire straits, being poverty-stricken due to a famine that had swept the Roman empire (Acts 11:27-30). Paul encourages the Corinthians to join in like the Macedonian church, giving generously to support their brothers and sisters in Judea (as indeed they had promised to do). The church in Corinth had been blessed with so much, spiritually and materially. They were well known for excelling in spiritual gifts, and so Paul encourages them to show leadership also in practical giving. As a church we have also been blessed in every way, having been made rich by the ‘generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (v.9; NLT). Let’s continue to encourage other churches as seems appropriate -for the glory of God!

 

 

 

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Lord God, help us to find creative ways to encourage one another as individuals and as a church. Thank you for blessing us with so much. Help us all to be an encouragement to one another in word and deed, in Jesus’ name, Amen

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