QT 23/07/2024 Tue. 2Cor 1. Being Teachable. 受教的心态.

QT 23/07/2024 Tue. 2Cor 1
READ http://www.esvbible.org/2cor1

Corinth in Paul's time was a well connected cosmopolitan centre of trade. Paul first preached there in A.D. 50, stayed 18 months (Acts 18:4,7) but followed up via letters and messengers. The First Corinthian letter, and the visits of Timothy and Erastus was insufficient to solve the major problems there (Acts 19:22; 1Cor 16:10).

Paul visited them himself. His discipline caused them much pain and they rejected him, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account." (2Cor 10:10)

Paul went back to Ephesus, made up his mind "not to make another painful visit to you" (2Cor 2:1), in order "to spare" them more pain (2Cor 1:23). He wrote 2Cor to them instead.

The Apostle reminded them of the sufferings he and his co-workers had to go through in Asia to bring the gospel to them (2Cor 1:8-11), how God answered prayers (2Cor 1:11) and their exemplary conduct (2Cor 1:12).

Worldly wisdom of the Corinthian brand was to be avoided in favour of relying on God's grace (2Cor 1:12). Paul reminded them subtly that God had appointed him over them  (2Cor 1:21-22) reminding them that "Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith." (2Cor 1:24)

REFLECTION: For the appointed leaders that are leading, are our ways exemplary? For all who are following at one time or another, are we co-operating with our leaders? (Especially when the task is a thankless one, yet necessary for the health of the whole church)

星期二 2024年7月23日 今日读经：哥林多后书1章. 受教的心态.
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/2Co/1/

保罗时代的哥林多是一个四通八达的国际贸易中心。保罗在公元50年的时候第一次在那里讲道，住了18个月(使徒行传18:4,7) 但之后通过书信和同工来跟进。他虽然写了哥林多前书给他们，加上提摩太和以拉都的探访，还是不足以解决在那里的严重问题(使徒行传19:22;林前16:10)。

保罗于是亲自去探访他们。他的管教带给他们莫大的痛苦，他们拒绝了他，“他的信又严厉又强硬，他本人却气貌不扬，言语粗俗。”(林后10:10)

保罗回去以弗所，决定“到你们那里去的时候，不再是忧愁的”(林后 2:1), 因为要“宽容”他们(林后1:23)。他为此给他们写了哥林多后书。

使徒提醒他们，他和他的同工在亚西亚要把福音传给他们时所遭受的患难(林后1:8-11)，神如何回应他的祷告(林后1:11)以及他们的模范行为(林后1:12)。

我们不要靠人的智慧，而是要靠神的恩典(林后1:12)。保罗婉转地提醒他们神已指派他看顾他们(林后1:21-22)，提醒他们“我们并不是要辖制你们的信仰，而是要作你们的同工，使你们喜乐，因为你们在信仰上已经站稳了。”(林后1:24)

反思：对于被任命为领袖的人来说，我们的方式是否配称为榜样？对于那些跟随的人来说，我们是否与我们的领袖合作？（特别是当这项任务吃力不讨好，但对整个教会的健康必不可少时）。