2 Corinthians 12:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
And he said unto me, and the term "he said" is called the Perfect Tense in Greek which means this is going to be a standard condition for Paul. This is a standard principle and concept that is true from God.
2 Corinthians 12:12 - Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
This word patience is the word HUPOMENO which means endurance.
2 Corinthians 12:14 - Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
For I seek not yours, but you: Wow! The word "you" is literally (your soul). He's saying I don't seek what you have, your possessions, your money, whatever. I seek you, your soul. Talk about conviction! The only motivation for service to others is the condition of their soul. Paul says I'm not after your things. The Lord wants me to be concerned about people's souls, not about their possessions. It doesn't matter if they have money or not. It depends upon their soul.
2 Corinthians 12:17 - Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
In the Greek text, this expects the negative answer. Paul did not make gain of them, nor did he send anyone to them to make gain of them.
2 Corinthians 13:9 - For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
The word "perfection" is KATARTIDZO, which means to mend. It's a medical term for the mending of broken bones. It's very important why Paul would not say the word for maturity, but the word for mending. We see the same word in Matthew 4:21.
In Ephesians 4:12, Paul used KATARTIDZO, and we have translated it "equipping of the saints." It has nothing to do with equipping the saints. It's the mending of the saints. He says in Ephesians Chapter 4 that God has given those in ministry for the mending of the saints for the work of ministry.
In other words, the first priority in a believer's life is to get their life mended, healed, so that they can get on their feet and have a good healthy relationship with the Lord. Then they enter into ministry or service as God calls!
2 Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
First of all, farewell literally means to rejoice. CHAIRETE is the Modern Greek term for greetings, either hello or goodbye. So, when he says farewell, he says be rejoicing. But you should also know that in Greek, the word rejoicing has nothing to do with a happy feeling. It's the Greek word for satisfaction or contentment.
Second command, be perfect. Again, KATARTIDZO. Be of good comfort, or encouragement. And again, this is the Passive Voice. It means receive encouragement from God. Be of one mind, frame of mind. It means to have the same approach to life and the things of Christ.
That's all I have for 2 Corinthians. On to Galatians next. We're getting into shorter books so this should go a little quicker. Some of you are probably saying "thank God!"
2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Here, Paul quotes Deuteronomy19:15. And what is interesting is that the word for "word" is the word RHEMA, which is not only the word for a word or speech, but it is also used for a thing, like an issue. What it's really saying is everything is to be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses.
That principle is not only found in the Old Testament, but it was taught by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-21. Jesus said if somebody has offended you, sinned against you, you go to them privately and settle the matter. If he will not hear you, he doesn't want anything to do with what you are saying, the second phase is to take two witnesses to establish what's going on. A lot of people don't understand this phase.
2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; That's not a religious term about the faith. The word faith in the New Testament is a word speaks of literally being under the persuasion of God's Spirit. That's what the word faith means. It means persuasion. So, are you under the influence of God's Spirit? Are you in the faith?
2 Corinthians 13:7 - Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
Now I pray to God that you do no evil; The word evil is KAKOS, which means to do harm or wrong.
2 Corinthians 12:20 - For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as you would not: That is, you expect me to show up, and we have friendly fellowship. But if I show up and find you in a certain condition, then you're going to find me in a different condition than you would have expected.
Lest there be debates, and that's the word for quarreling. Envyings is literally jealousies. Wraths is literally bouts of anger, outbursts of rage. The next one is strifes, and it's related to the word for debates, except this is a political word that means self-ambition.
Backbitings is public slander and defamation. Whisperings is the word for whisper, but it means private slander against others. Swellings, which literally is the word inflation. It has to do with pride. And tumults is disorderliness. It's even used for causing riots, people who cause war and battle in churches.
Quarrels, jealousies, bouts of rage, self-ambition, public slander, private slander, pride, and disorderliness, he says you guys' better shape up, because if I come and I find these things, then I'm going to have to deal with it!
2 Corinthians 12:18 - I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Again, expecting the answer no. Walked we not in the same spirit? Here there is a different Greek word that means yes. Walked we not in the same steps? And again, it's expecting the response of yes. It is important not just for one person to have the proper motive, but make sure that he doesn't send other people with the wrong motive.
2 Corinthians 12:19 - Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
The word think is the word presume. And the word excuse is the word for apologetics, a defense. So again, do you presume that we are making a defense of ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. The word edifying is a construction term that means to be developed, to build a house. He says our whole purpose and motivation is your growth in the Lord. Again, very rare to have a pure motive like that!
Thanks brother Jesse for the time you've taken to help increase our knowledge & understanding of God's Word. Many things have been quite new to me & doubtless, for both knowledge & edification. Speaking of "edifying, a construction term": could the one who has been edified now be called an edifice? Just kidding of course. Then of course, we also have certain in the Church considered as 'pillars of the faith'; so there seems to be good use of terms describing the building up of the Body of Christ on Earth. Thanks again brother - looking forward to Galatians.
Thanks for the humor my brother. I love it! I was reading through your post and as soon as I got to the question mark, I stopped right there and looked to the ceiling, started chuckling, and was wondering if you were serious. Then I continued reading on. That was good. I'm glad that you and others are being blessed by the things I am sharing.
2 Corinthians 12:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
And he said unto me, and the term "he said" is called the Perfect Tense in Greek which means this is going to be a standard condition for Paul. This is a standard principle and concept that is true from God.
2 Corinthians 12:12 - Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
This word patience is the word HUPOMENO which means endurance.
2 Corinthians 12:14 - Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
For I seek not yours, but you: Wow! The word "you" is literally (your soul). He's saying I don't seek what you have, your possessions, your money, whatever. I seek you, your soul. Talk about conviction! The only motivation for service to others is the condition of their soul. Paul says I'm not after your things. The Lord wants me to be concerned about people's souls, not about their possessions. It doesn't matter if they have money or not. It depends upon their soul.
2 Corinthians 12:17 - Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
In the Greek text, this expects the negative answer. Paul did not make gain of them, nor did he send anyone to them to make gain of them.
2 Corinthians 13:9 - For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
The word "perfection" is KATARTIDZO, which means to mend. It's a medical term for the mending of broken bones. It's very important why Paul would not say the word for maturity, but the word for mending. We see the same word in Matthew 4:21.
In Ephesians 4:12, Paul used KATARTIDZO, and we have translated it "equipping of the saints." It has nothing to do with equipping the saints. It's the mending of the saints. He says in Ephesians Chapter 4 that God has given those in ministry for the mending of the saints for the work of ministry.
In other words, the first priority in a believer's life is to get their life mended, healed, so that they can get on their feet and have a good healthy relationship with the Lord. Then they enter into ministry or service as God calls!
2 Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
First of all, farewell literally means to rejoice. CHAIRETE is the Modern Greek term for greetings, either hello or goodbye. So, when he says farewell, he says be rejoicing. But you should also know that in Greek, the word rejoicing has nothing to do with a happy feeling. It's the Greek word for satisfaction or contentment.
Second command, be perfect. Again, KATARTIDZO. Be of good comfort, or encouragement. And again, this is the Passive Voice. It means receive encouragement from God. Be of one mind, frame of mind. It means to have the same approach to life and the things of Christ.
That's all I have for 2 Corinthians. On to Galatians next. We're getting into shorter books so this should go a little quicker. Some of you are probably saying "thank God!"
Blessings to you all in Christ Jesus!
2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Here, Paul quotes Deuteronomy19:15. And what is interesting is that the word for "word" is the word RHEMA, which is not only the word for a word or speech, but it is also used for a thing, like an issue. What it's really saying is everything is to be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses.
That principle is not only found in the Old Testament, but it was taught by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-21. Jesus said if somebody has offended you, sinned against you, you go to them privately and settle the matter. If he will not hear you, he doesn't want anything to do with what you are saying, the second phase is to take two witnesses to establish what's going on. A lot of people don't understand this phase.
2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; That's not a religious term about the faith. The word faith in the New Testament is a word speaks of literally being under the persuasion of God's Spirit. That's what the word faith means. It means persuasion. So, are you under the influence of God's Spirit? Are you in the faith?
2 Corinthians 13:7 - Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
Now I pray to God that you do no evil; The word evil is KAKOS, which means to do harm or wrong.
2 Corinthians 12:20 - For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as you would not: That is, you expect me to show up, and we have friendly fellowship. But if I show up and find you in a certain condition, then you're going to find me in a different condition than you would have expected.
Lest there be debates, and that's the word for quarreling. Envyings is literally jealousies. Wraths is literally bouts of anger, outbursts of rage. The next one is strifes, and it's related to the word for debates, except this is a political word that means self-ambition.
Backbitings is public slander and defamation. Whisperings is the word for whisper, but it means private slander against others. Swellings, which literally is the word inflation. It has to do with pride. And tumults is disorderliness. It's even used for causing riots, people who cause war and battle in churches.
Quarrels, jealousies, bouts of rage, self-ambition, public slander, private slander, pride, and disorderliness, he says you guys' better shape up, because if I come and I find these things, then I'm going to have to deal with it!
2 Corinthians 12:18 - I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Again, expecting the answer no. Walked we not in the same spirit? Here there is a different Greek word that means yes. Walked we not in the same steps? And again, it's expecting the response of yes. It is important not just for one person to have the proper motive, but make sure that he doesn't send other people with the wrong motive.
2 Corinthians 12:19 - Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
The word think is the word presume. And the word excuse is the word for apologetics, a defense. So again, do you presume that we are making a defense of ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. The word edifying is a construction term that means to be developed, to build a house. He says our whole purpose and motivation is your growth in the Lord. Again, very rare to have a pure motive like that!
Thanks for the humor my brother. I love it! I was reading through your post and as soon as I got to the question mark, I stopped right there and looked to the ceiling, started chuckling, and was wondering if you were serious. Then I continued reading on. That was good. I'm glad that you and others are being blessed by the things I am sharing.
The Lord is good!
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