In Between.


The next epistles Paul wrote were from prison. God sent him to Jerusalem to be arrested. Yes God sends His children into the middle of hell. It’s to prove who He is and He tells us the truth. Don’t resist the hand of God. It doesn’t matter what we believe. It’s always what God says. And if you are found fighting God. We know who the winner is. If you want the hard struggle you had before Jesus, just fight God. How do I know. I’m walking through hell. And all I see is the footstep before me. Because I’m trusting God to get me through. My life or I should say His life is His plan, not mine. I know the goal. And I’m pressing forward. Jesus gave His life willing for us. And we gave ours to get His.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians 12,13 – Paul’s thorn, Being in Christ.





2 Corinthians 12 - Paul speaks about being caught up to the third heaven, the throne room of God. Hearing things from God that he couldn’t tell any man. vs.7-9 - Paul tells them that a messenger from satan was sent to buffet him. To keep him from exalting himself, because of the great revelations that God gave him. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was the beatings, the stonings and shipwreck, not physical infirmities, that Dr. Luke took care of . vs.12-13 - The signs of a true apostle were performed in their midst. Here Paul tells them, the Judaizers, who are telling them they have the message and not Paul, are becoming burdens to the Corinthians. Paul says that anyone who is lead by the Lord wouldn’t do this to them. vs.19 - Paul isn’t defending his ministry, but Jesus is. Eph.4:11,12.
    2 Corinthians 13 - vs.1 - This is the third time Paul wrote to the Corinthians. Every fact, the things of God, Prophesy, Gifts, Direction and every situation is to be confirmed by 2 or 3 witnesses. vs.5 - Test yourselves, examine yourselves, to see if you are in Christ.
Crain Blanchard.
www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians 10,11 – Paul’s Credentials, Trials and Tribulation.


    2 Corinthians 10 - Paul’s Credentials.

vs.1-6 – While coming against error, We don’t come against flesh and blood, but against spiritual strongholds.
vs.4,5 – (Eph,6:1,2) – The Judaizers came against Paul in Corinth. Here he says that he is the same in his letters or being present among them. vs.12 – “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” Pro.16:2. vs.13-18 – Paul says he didn’t boast beyond that which he knew was right. He boasted about the Lord, for the important thing is that we are approved of God.
2 Corinthians 11 – Paul tells them to be careful and hold fast to the gospel of Christ, which Paul preached to them. Paul humbled himself so that they would receive the gospel, and he didn’t make himself a burden financially. So nothing could hinder them from receiving the gospel. vs.12-15 – Paul describes those who would lead the Corinthians away from the doctrines of Christ as servants of satan. vs.16-33 – Paul says do I sound foolish. Who are those that speak against the doctrines of Christ? Are they Jews, Israelites? So am I. Or they servants of Christ? So am I. Paul told them he had given all and suffered many things just to preach the gospel to them.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians 7,8,9 – Paul’s delight and Collection for Saints.


2 Corinthians 7 – Paul’s delight exemplified.
1) Paul’s high regard – vs.2-4.
2) Why such regard – vs.5-16.
vs.2-4 – After all the time that Paul spent in Corinth, and writing, 3 times, to comfort and correct them, one thing stands out in his letters, is that he loves them in word and deed. vs.5-10 – Godly sorrow leads to repentance. vs.12 – Paul wrote to the Corinthians, so that they would realize what Paul had done, taking care of them. Many times we don’t see what a brother or sister has done for us, until someone points it out.
2 Corinthians 8 & 9 – The collection for the saints at Jerusalem.
Acts 24:17; 1Cor.9:11-13; 1Cor.16:1-3. This is the third time that Paul speaks to the Corinthians about giving to support the local work and ministries elsewhere.
1) vs.8:1-8 – The first reason for the completion of the collection for the church at Jerusalem is: God loves a cheerful giver. vs.2-4 – definition of a cheerful giver.
2) The second reason for giving is Jesus became poor that we could become rich in Jesus. Phil.2:6,7; Isa.53:12.
3) The Third reason for the completion was they had started before to give. They were willing and ready to give. vs.8:14 – Giving makes us equal in the body of Christ. God is no respecter of persons. What God gives to one member, it is to be shared with others. Because all are the same in the body, ministering one to another. 1Cor.12:23-25. Paul, sending Titus ahead to prepare the gift, wanted the Corinthians to be ready. Not to offend any brethren traveling through because of the boasting of Paul. vs.9:10-15 – God supplies all our needs and because of your love in action, all people will glorify God, seeing that He lives and moves in us.
Romans 2:23,24 – We see that because the Jews didn’t keep the law, the world blasphemed God. This is why we are to guard our witness. Being careful of not giving offense in word or deed.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians Ch.6 – Your motivations.


2 Corinthians 6 - vs.1,2 -Motivated by Time - Now is the day of Salvation.
vs.3-10 - Motivated by Suffering - We endure and bear all things and offend no one. So that the gospel can be heard by everyone.
    1) The Thesis - The Proposition.
        6:11-13 - Change you attitude toward me.    
    2) The Antithesis - The Opposition.
        6:14-16 - Change your attitude toward the world.
    3) The Synthesis - Combine the Two.
        6:17-7:1 - Obey and Live.

Crain Blanchard.
www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians Ch.5 – Paul’s Motivations.


2 Corinthians 5 – Paul’s motivation for preaching the Word. vs.1-9 – Motivated by Knowledge – We know that when this earthly body dies, we have a heavenly home from God, so that we may not be found naked. In this earthly body, we long to be with Jesus. In this earthly body we long to be with Jesus. But we are to be of good courage, for we walk by faith and not by sight. In all things we want to be pleasing to the Lord. Isa.64:6 – our righteousness are as filthy rags….vs.10 – Motivated by Judgment – We will all stand before Jesus in judgment, to be rewarded according to our deeds on earth. vs.11 – Motivated by Fear – We having the fear of God, preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. vs.12,13 – Motivated by Unselfishness – We are being unselfish, wanting you to by able t give an answer for your pride in us, to anyone who would speak against you. vs.14,15 – Motivated by Love – Jesus loves us so much, He died for us, that we should live for Him and not ourselves.
vs.16,17 – Motivated by Regeneration – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all thing are become new.” vs.18-21 – Motivated by Reconciliation – Jesus reconciled the world to the Father. Jesus has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus bore our sins that we would become the righteousness of God in Christ.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians Ch.4 – Comparisons.


2 Corinthians 4 – Paul makes comparisons. vs.1,2 – Hidden and The Open – they preached the gospel openly and didn’t hide anything from you. vs.3,4 – The Blinded and Enlightened – the light of the gospel has been blinded from some by the god of this world. vs.5 – The Master and Slaves – Jesus is being preached as Lord and Savior and ourselves as servants of God. vs.6 – Light and Darkness – The light of Jesus is to shine through us into the darkness of the world.vs.7 – The Mighty and the Frail – This light of Jesus, that is contained in our frail earthen vessels, might shine through us to show the majesty and power of God. vs.8-10 – Trials and Triumphs – We go through trials to show the death of Jesus and ourselves, that the life and triumph of Jesus may be manifested in our body. vs.11,12 – Life and Death – John the Baptist said I must decrease and Jesus to increase in order that Jesus be manifested in our bodies. vs.13 – The Written and Spoken – As we believe what is written, the Word of God, we will began to speak faith. vs.14 – The Past and Future – If God raised Jesus from the dead, then He will raise us.vs.15 – Grace and Thanksgiving – The grace that has been given, is to cause people to give thanks to God.vs.16 – The Outer and Inner Man – Though the outer man is dying , do not lose heart, the inner man is being renewed daily. vs.17 – Affliction and Glory – Momentary (long enough to do the work) affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory (our reward in heaven) beyond anything we can think of. vs.18 – The Seen and Unseen – The Temporal and Eternal – we do not look at the natural, but look to the spiritual for they are eternal.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians Ch.3 – Believers are living epistles.


2 Corinthians 3 – vs.1-6 – Each person is an epistle. The Spirit of God has written the epistle upon our hearts. In this we have confidence, that God has made us adequate as servant of the new covenant. Not by the letter of the Law, but by the Spirit of God. The Letter of the Law Kills. People who try in their own strength to live by the Law, will always fail. You’ll find that these people will have no joy or peace and seldom remain in the faith. They become discouraged and despaired. When people are not living up to the standards of Christ, it is because Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the only one who can do the work through us.
vs.7-16 – If the law, which ministered death, came with glory. How much more shall the Holy Spirit, which ministers life, abound in glory. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Israel still has a veil over their hearts, because only in Jesus Christ can the veil be lifted. As the veil is lifted, we are changed, (transformed) (metamorphosis), into the image of Jesus, from glory to glory.

    Transformed - Metamorphosis:
        Meta - involving change.
        Mor - dead, darkness.
        Phorsis - light.

Crain Blanchard. 
www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians Ch.2 – Instruction on Church discipline.


2 Corinthians 2 -Instruction on Church discipline. vs.1-4 - Paul said I don’t want to come to you with the rod, because I want to rejoice with you in your steadfast faith, for you are a part of me. vs.5 - If a problem in the assembly persists, it will effect the whole assembly. (1 Cor.5:6; 15:33).  vs.6-11 - After the Church has disciplined someone, and they repented; the Church is to forgive them and take them back into the fold. vs.12-13 - Paul sent Titus to the Corinthians with the letter, 1 Corinthians, and was looking for Titus’ return, with a report. When he didn’t find him at Troas, Paul went to Macedonia. He found him there. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Philippi, Macedonia. vs.14-17 - We are the representatives of God, the savor of death to those perishing, and savor of life to those saved. We preach the Word.
Crain Blanchard. 
www.joseph1637.com

2 Corinthians Ch.1 – Vindication.


Church at Corinth – Acts 18:1-17.
Judaizers –
1) Bring them to a point of understanding about the gospel.
2) Exhortation about their responsibility and faithfulness in giving.
3) Let the Corinthians know that he had the authority from God as an apostle.
Written from Macedonia.
3rd letter to the Corinthians.
Ch.1-7 – Personal vindication of Paul’s Ministry.
Ch.1 – The promises of God given to us.

2 Corinthians 1 – vs.3,4 – The things that God gives us are to be shared with everyone, like comfort, mercy and love. vs.6 – Our experience, comfort, is for the edifying and building up of the brethren. Paul said that the Corinthians shared in all that he did. vs.20 – The promises of God preached to the Corinthians are Yea and Amen. vs.21-24 – God has given us all things and the outward sign of this is the Holy Spirit. Paul said he did come to them with a rod, so that they would correct themselves by his exhortation, for by faith we stand.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com