Rachel Workman: 17 You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas,[f] Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. Where would we be without the Holy Spirit? Without the sacrifice of Christ we wouldn't have it. And because of the Holy Spirit God's word is written on our heart.
23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
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21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
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Allen Michaels: 17 Was I fickle when I
intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in
the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to
you is not “Yes” and “No.”19 For the Son of
God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas[a] and
Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For
no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so
through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.21 Now
it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed
us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and
put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. I am so thankful that Christ
has said “Yes” to me and my family.
23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on
it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to
Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your
faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand
firm.
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Mike Grimm: 18 But as surely as God is
faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the
Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and
Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For
no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so
through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now
it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set
his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come.
Paul
explained that he had intended to visit them twice. The first visit would have
been on his way from Ephesus to Macedonia. The second visit would have been on
his return journey. He did not intend to change his mind when he made those
plans. He did not make promises that he did not intend to keep. God is
trustworthy. The good news is true. Jesus is not a person who keeps changing
his mind. He was the Person about whom Timothy, Paul and Silas had preached.
God says that Jesus is the ‘yes’ to all his promises. Jesus proves that all
God’s promises are true. So when we pray by Jesus Christ we can say ‘Amen’.
This is a Hebrew word that means ‘firm, steady, trustworthy’. We use it at the
end of prayers. It shows that we agree with them. We are sure that God will
answer them. In this way, we give glory to God. People who sold things used the
words ‘to stand firm’ in business. This meant that they would keep their
promises. The mark of possession was a ‘seal.’ It showed who owned it. A
‘guarantee’ (certain promise) was a payment of part of a sum of money. This was
a sign that the full amount would be paid in the future. God gives us the Holy
Spirit to show that we belong to him. One day we will share the glory of heaven
if we stand firm in Christ.
23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on
it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not
that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it
is by faith you stand firm. Paul
acknowledged that the brothers in Corinth stood firm because of their own faith
in Jehovah God. Paul saw no need to control the faith of his brothers, and he
had no desire to do so. He was confident that they were faithful Christians who
wanted to do what was right.
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Tomorrow's reading for 2 Corinthians 2:1-4
2 So I decided that I would not bring you
grief with another painful visit. 2 For if I cause you grief,
who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. 3 That
is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by
the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that
my joy comes from your being joyful. 4 I wrote that letter in
great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve
you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
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