2 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 5, Verses 1-4

Not Naked, But Clothed!

[6-25-17]

Review: “The Truth About Now!”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18) [KJV] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Romans 8:18) [KJV] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

NOTE: Paul amazingly refers to all of his troubles, his receiving 39 stripes 5 times, his being beaten with rods 3 times, his being stoned 1 time, his being shipwrecked 3 times, his being a night and a day in the deep 1 time, his facing robbers during his travels, his being persecuted by the Jews, by the heathen, and by false Christians, etc., as “light affliction” [2 Corinthians 11:24-26; current verse].  

18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

NOTE: Paul knew “The Truth About Now!” When we are facing absolutely horrible situations, times of physical suffering, times of mental anguish, “The Truth About Now” is that those horrible things will not last forever! It might seem, at times, that are troubles will never end; but “The Truth About Now” is that everything we see is transitory; it’s temporary! And while our troubles might seem to last for a 1000 years; when compared to eternity they only last “for a moment” [vs. 17].   

NOTE: Another “Truth About Now” is that everything we can see with our eyes right now; everything we can hear with our ears right now; everything we can smell with our nose right now; everything we can taste with our mouth right now; and everything we can touch with our hands right now is temporary! Those things are in the process of passing away! The physicality of NOW will be replaced by the spirituality of THEN; that THEN being when we’re in the presence of those things that “are not seen” at this moment!!! Those things that “are not seen” at this moment that Paul is referring to “are eternal.”

NOTE: Those things that “are not seen” are of a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” that the God Who loves us has prepared for us; and those things will last forever and forever!

 

This Week’s Lesson: “Not Naked, But Clothed!”

2 Corinthians 5:1-4) [KJV] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

(ERV) We know that our body–the tent we live in here on earth–will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever.

(GNB) For we know that when this tent we live in—our body here on earth—is torn down, God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever.

QUESTION: What important fact do we learn from the ERV translation?

ANSWER: Our body is “the tent we live in here on earth.” Our body is not who we are; it is where we live!

QUESTION: What will happen to our body/tent one day if the Lord tarries?

ANSWER: It will be “dissolved” (KJV); it will be “destroyed” (ERV); it will be “torn down” (GNB). In other words, it will die! It will die; I won’t! It will die; you won’t!

“house” – “properly residence” [Strong].

QUESTION: What, in reality, is our body/tent?

ANSWER: It is our residence; it is our home; it is the place we live; it is our address.

QUESTION: What happens when our physical body dies?

• We will “have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (KJV).
• “God will have a home for us to live in. It will not be the kind of home people build here. It will be a home in heaven that will continue forever” (ERV).
• “God will have a house in heaven for us to live in, a home he himself has made, which will last forever” (GNB).

QUESTION: What is the truth about our new “house” in Heaven?

• It will be a “house not made with hands” (KJV).
• “It will not be the kind of home people build here” (ERV).
• It will be “a home” God “himself has made” (GNB).

QUESTION: What does all this mean when we think about our home here being our human body?

ANSWER: Our body in Heaven will not be formed in the womb of our mother; but in the mind of God.

2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

(GW) In our present tent-like existence we sigh, since we long to put on the house we will have in heaven.

Romans 8:18-23; 26-30) [KJV] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

(GNB) All of creation waits with eager longing for God to reveal his children.

20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

QUESTION: What do we learn from vs. 2 of our study, along with the Roman passage above?

• “We groan” “to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” [vs. 2 of our current study].
• All of God’s creation is groaning for the day God reveals His glorified children” [Rom. 8:19, 22].
• We ourselves are groaning awaiting the “redemption of our body” [Rom. 8:23].
• The Holy Spirit is groaning in us for the day that we will be “conformed to the image of his Son” [Rom. 8:26-30].

3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

(ERV) It will clothe us and we will not be naked.

(GNB) by being clothed with it we shall not be without a body.

(GW) After we have put it on, we won’t be naked.

NOTE: We want this “building of God, an house not made with hands” (KJV) [vs. 1]; this new body He will clothe us with, “a home he himself has made, which will last forever” (GNB) [vs. 1].

4) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

(GW) While we are in this tent, we sigh. We feel distressed because we don’t want to take off the tent, but we do want to put on the eternal house. Then eternal life will put an end to our mortal existence.

QUESTION: What are vs. 3-4 telling you and me?

ANSWER: We Christians yearn to go to Heaven; but we don’t yearn to die! We want to be raptured!

Philippians 3:20-21) [KJV] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

A CLOSING NOTE: When we die we will go to Heaven; but we will be naked. We won’t be wearing our clothing/our body/our tent! Our greatest desire is to go to Heaven fully clothed, clothed with our new eternal immortal body. We long to be raptured!

2 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 5, Verses 5-9

God Made Us For Heaven! He Already Sees Us There!

[7-9-17]

 

Review: “Not Naked, But Clothed!”

2 Corinthians 5:1-4) [KJV] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Romans 8:29-30) [KJV] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

QUESTION: What do we learn from vs. 2 of our study, along with the Roman passage above?

• “We groan” “to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” [vs. 2 of our current study].
• All of God’s creation is groaning for the day God reveals His glorified children” [Rom. 8:19, 22].
• We ourselves are groaning awaiting the “redemption of our body” [Rom. 8:23].
• The Holy Spirit is groaning in us for the day that we will be “conformed to the image of his Son” [Rom. 8:26-30].

3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

THE TRUTH: We Christians yearn to go to Heaven; but we don’t yearn to die! We want to be raptured!

Philippians 3:20-21) [KJV] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

A CLOSING NOTE: When we die we will go to Heaven; but we will be naked. We won’t be wearing our clothing/our body/our tent! Our greatest desire is to go to Heaven fully clothed, clothed with our new eternal immortal body. We long to be raptured!

 

This Week’s Lesson: “God Made Us For Heaven! He Already Sees Us There!”

2 Corinthians 5:1-4) [KJV] For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3) If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4) For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

• When the body we live in dies God has a new body for us to live in [vs. 1].
• We inwardly groan to live in that new body [vs. 2].
• That groaning is essentially that we be raptured, instead of dying, and clothed upon with life [vs. 3-4].
• However, death or rapture, we groan to live in our eternal body [vs. 1-4].

2 Corinthians 5:5-9) [KJV] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

“pledge” – “arrhabon” – “a pledge, that is, part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest” [Strong].

(ERV) This is what God himself made us for. And he has given us the Spirit as the first payment to guarantee the life to come.

2 Corinthians 5:17, 21) [KJV] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

QUESTION: What amazing truth is Paul teaching us here?

• God didn’t simply watch me be born, the result of an adulterous act, so that He could throw me the lifeline of the Gospel once I reached that age of accountability, then call me, call me again, and again until I came to Him, so that He could one day, the day of my death or the day of the rapture, invite me to live with Him in Heaven.
• God made me for Heaven! When I was born again I was fashioned for Heaven!
• God foreknew me; He then predetermined that He would conform me to the image of His Son! He then called this sinner to follow Him! He then justified me! He then, at that very moment of saving me, glorified me!
• When I die, or when I am raptured, I will see Jesus as He is, in the fullness of His glory, AND I WILL BE LIKE HIM!!
• I will realize at that moment that I am fitted for Heaven, a fact that God has realized from eternity past!

NOTE: God “wrought us for” this very “thing” (KJV). “This is what God himself made us for” (ERV). We were born into this world; but God made us for the next world! There has never been a moment in eternity when God hasn’t seen us glorified! GOD, I AM SO TIRED OF SEEING ME THROUGH MY EYES; PLEASE LET ME SEE ME THROUGH YOUR EYES!

QUESTION: What other good news does vs. 5 share with us?

ANSWER: God has sent His Holy Spirit to live in us as a guarantee to us that He intends to fulfill His contract of salvation to us!!!

NOTE: God has entered into a contract with us that solely depends on His faithfulness! He has always known that we are untrustworthy when it comes to an ability to earn Heaven; therefore He entered into an agreement with us that depends on His faithfulness, not ours!

6) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

6) [ERV] So we always have confidence. We know that while we live in this body, we are away from the Lord.

7) We live by what we believe will happen, not by what we can see.

QUESTION: According to vs. 6-7 why are we, as believers, always confident in this life?

ANSWER: We believe that what the Bible teaches us is absolute TRUTH; so even though we don’t see Heaven at this time we know it is there; and we know we will one day be going there.

8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

QUESTION: How confident is the believer in the reality of the Heaven the Bible tells us about?

ANSWER: We are so confident in the reality of Heaven that we would rather be there this very moment then remain here.

QUESTION: Why?

ANSWER: We firmly believe that when we vacate this reality we call life we will “be present with the Lord.”

9) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

(ERV) Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.

“accepted” – “euarestos” – “To be well-pleasing to him” [Vincent].

QUESTION: What important truth do we need to glean from vs. 9?

ANSWER: We want to please God whether living in our physical body or living with Him in Heaven.

QUESTION: Why is that important?

ANSWER: Paul is not suggesting that if we Christians don’t live right we won’t get to Heaven; he is telling us that as Christians we will always want to please the Lover of our souls.

Ephesians 1:6) [KJV] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

“accepted” – “charitoo” – “grace-which he freely bestowed” [Vincent].

QUESTION: What does Ephesians 1:6 teach us?

ANSWER: We are only acceptable to God as a result of the amazing grace He has “freely bestowed” upon us. That means that we have done absolutely nothing to earn His grace; He has “freely bestowed” it upon us.

Ephesians 2:8-9) [KJV] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3:27) [KJV] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

2 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 5, Verses 10-13

Are We Crazy Or Sane?”
[7-16-17]

Review: “God Made Us For Heaven! He Already Sees Us There!”

2 Corinthians 5:5-9) [KJV] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17, 21) [KJV] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

NOTE: God “wrought us for” this very “thing” (KJV). “This is what God himself made us for” (ERV). We were born into this world; but God made us for the next world! There has never been a moment in eternity when God hasn’t seen us glorified! GOD, I AM SO TIRED OF SEEING ME THROUGH MY EYES; PLEASE LET ME SEE ME THROUGH YOUR EYES!

NOTE: God has entered into a contract with us that solely depends on His faithfulness! He has always known that we are untrustworthy when it comes to an ability to earn Heaven; therefore He entered into an agreement with us that depends on His faithfulness, not ours!

6) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

NOTE: We are so confident in the reality of Heaven that we would rather be there this very moment then remain here. We firmly believe that when we vacate this reality we call life we will “be present with the Lord.”

9) Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

(ERV) Our only goal is to always please the Lord, whether we are living here in this body or there with him.

“accepted” – “euarestos” – “To be well-pleasing to him” [Vincent].

Ephesians 1:6) [KJV] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

NOTE: We are only acceptable to God as a result of the amazing grace He has “freely bestowed” upon us. That means that we have done absolutely nothing to earn His grace; He has “freely bestowed” it upon us.

 

This Week’s Lesson: “Are We Crazy Or Sane?”

2 Corinthians 5:10-13) [KJV] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Acts 10:40-42) [KJV] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41) Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42) And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

11a) Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;

NOTE: Vs. 9 tells us that “we labor” to “be accepted of him.” Vs. 10 tells us that we will all stand before “the judgment seat of Christ.” Vs. 11 begins with “knowing therefore the terror of the Lord.”

QUESTIONS: Are these 3 verses telling us that God, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, is going to judge all of us, believers and unbelievers, “according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”? In other words, is my good conduct going to be weighed against my bad conduct to determine my destination, whether it be Heaven or Hell?

Revelation 20:11-12) [KJV] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 

1 Corinthians 3:13-15) [KJV] Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14) If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

ANSWER: You, as a believer, will never be judged to determine whether you will go to Heaven or Hell; your eternal destination was determined when you put your faith in Christ.

NOTE: Notice the passage from the Book of Revelation above: when the Lord Jesus opens the particular Book of Records that has your information recorded in it there will be no record of your sins because “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us” [Psalm 103:12] (GNB). In the case of believers He will find our names written in the “Book of Life;” and that will determine our destination.

ANOTHER NOTE: Notice from the passage above from 1 Corinthians: we Christians will still be judged according to our works, but just to determine which works we will be rewarded for.

“The apostle does not say that Christians will be doomed to the fires of purgatory; nor that they will pass through fire; nor that they will be exposed to pains and punishment at all; but he ‘simply carries out the figure’ which he commenced, and says that they will be saved, as if the action of fire had been felt on the edifice on which he is speaking. That is, as fire would consume the wood, hay, and stubble, so on the great Day everything that is erroneous and imperfect in Christians shall be removed, and that which is true and genuine shall be preserved as if it had passed through fire. Their whole character and opinions shall be investigated; and that which is good shall be approved; and that which is false and erroneous be removed” [Barnes].

QUESTION: Judgment Day will be a Day of Terror for some! What was Paul’s reaction to that fact?

ANSWER: He went about preaching the Gospel, the message that sinners could find forgiveness for their sins. He tried earnestly to persuade people that they needed to receive this free gift of grace from a merciful God.

11b) but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

(ERV) God knows what we really are, and I hope that in your hearts you know us too.

12) For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

QUESTION: What is Paul telling the Corinthian believers in vs. 11b-12?

ANSWER: He knew God knew the spiritual integrity he and his team had, and he believed the Corinthian believers knew it also. He hoped the things he was writing to them would help them to silence the criticisms of those who wanted to discredit him.

13) For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

(ERV) If we are crazy, it is for God. If we have our right mind, it is for you.

QUESTION: Why does Paul say such a thing as “if we are crazy, it is for God”?

ANSWER: Evidently the Judaizers, some of the Gnostics, and maybe some of the pagans that were interacting with the Corinthian believers were suggesting to them that Paul, and his company, were crazy.

NOTE: Paul appears to be telling his readers that the very things that his critics saw as “crazy” were those things that he was doing for God:

• He preached a message of a “gift” of salvation that we can’t earn and must, instead, be received [Romans 6:23; Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 2:8-10].
• He performed miracles [Acts 13:8-12; 16:16-18; 16:25-27].
• He often healed the sick [Acts 14:8-10; 18:11-12].
• He spoke of visions [Acts 18:9-10; 2 Corinthians 12:1-4].
• He raised the dead [Acts 20:7-12].

QUESTION: Why does he say that if his team was of a “right mind, it is for you”?

ANSWER: When the Corinthians heard him teach clear truths he was using great clarity for their sakes, so they could understand the glorious gospel.

A CLOSING NOTE: There are many today that think that when we teach that we earn Hell with our actions but can only receive salvation as a gift from God we are crazy. They prefer a sermon that tells them that they are nice people who don’t need a “gift” of salvation because they deserve it. God must grade on the curve and they are certainly much better than their neighbors so they are definitely worthy of Heaven. Many others believe that Bible believing Christians are haters and that they who accept that all people are acceptable to God as they are, they are the real saints of God.  It doesn’t matter to them what the Bible says; it matters what they feel about a loving God.

2 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 5, Verses 14-16

How Should We Make Our Judgments Of One Another?”
[7-23-17]

Review: “Are We Crazy Or Sane?”

2 Corinthians 5:10-13) [KJV] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11a) Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;

NOTE: Vs. 9 tells us that “we labor” to “be accepted of him.” Vs. 10 tells us that we will all stand before “the judgment seat of Christ.” Vs. 11 begins with “knowing therefore the terror of the Lord.”

QUESTIONS: Are these 3 verses telling us that God, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, is going to judge all of us, believers and unbelievers, “according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”? In other words, is my good conduct going to be weighed against my bad conduct to determine my destination, whether it be Heaven or Hell?

ANSWER: You, as a believer, will never be judged to determine whether you will go to Heaven or Hell; your eternal destination was determined when you put your faith in Christ.

11b) but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

12) For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.

QUESTION: What is Paul telling the Corinthian believers in vs. 11b-12?

ANSWER: He knew God knew the spiritual integrity he and his team had, and he believed the Corinthian believers knew it also. He hoped the things he was writing to them would help them to silence the criticisms of those who wanted to discredit him.

13) For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

NOTE: Evidently the Judaizers, some of the Gnostics, and maybe some of the pagans that were interacting with the Corinthian believers were suggesting to them that Paul, and his company, were crazy.

NOTE: Paul appears to be telling his readers that the very things that his critics saw as “crazy” were those things that he was doing for God:

A CLOSING NOTE: There are many today that think that when we teach that we earn Hell with our actions but can only receive salvation as a gift from God we are crazy.

 

This Week’s Lesson: “How Should We Make Our Judgments Of One Another?”

2 Corinthians 5:14-16) [KJV] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

(GW) Clearly, Christ’s love guides us. We are convinced of the fact that one man has died for all people. Therefore, all people have died.

QUESTION: What is Paul’s point here when you consider what he wrote in vs. 13?

ANSWER: Paul is telling us that if he was acting crazy, as his critics suggest, it was because his actions were motivated by the love Christ had for him.

QUESTION: What did he go on to say in vs. 14 that would sound crazy to any unbeliever?

ANSWER: He said that since one man, the man Jesus, died for everybody then everybody was dead.

There is no doubt that there is a sense in which Jesus died for the whole world: And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1Jn_2:2). But the all Paul mentions here is probably ‘all the saved,’ because he also writes then all died. It can only be said that those who join themselves to Jesus by faith have spiritually died and risen again with Him (Rom 6:1-6) [Guzik].

1 Corinthians 12:13a) [KJV] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,

Romans 6:3-5) [KJV] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

1 John 2:2) [KJV] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

QUESTION: What do the above 3 passages show us?

• When we place our faith in Jesus the Holy Spirit baptizes us/immerses us into Jesus [1 Cor. 12:13].
• Because that’s true, when we were immersed into Jesus we were immersed into His death; we died with Him. Consequently, we arose with Christ so that we now can “walk in newness of life” [Rom. 6:3-5].
• Jesus paid for our sins; His death was also sufficient to pay for “the sins of the whole world” [1 John 2:2].

QUESTION: What important truth is Paul teaching you and me here?

ANSWER: Life isn’t always

15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

(GW) He died for all people so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the man who died and was brought back to life for them.

Romans 7:6) [NIV] But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

QUESTION: What in vs. 15 showing us when compared to vs. 14 and Romans 6:4 and Romans 7:6?

• Jesus died for all of us; so there is a sense in which all of us are dead [vs. 14].
• We should now be living our lives for the One Who died for us [vs. 15].
• When we follow this principle we will “walk in newness of life” [Rom. 6:4].
• Walking in this “newness of life” is walking “in the new way of the Spirit” [Rom. 7:6].

QUESTION: What is the simple Biblical truth that Paul is teaching us here?

ANSWER: Christians should be living their lives for Jesus.

1 John 3:23) [KJV] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

John 14:23) [ERV] Jesus answered, “All who love me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them. My Father and I will come to them and live with them.”

1 John 2:6) [KJV] He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

QUESTION: What do we learn from the above 3 passages?

• Living for Jesus means we should “love one another” [1 John 3:23].
• Living for Jesus means we should “obey” His “teaching” [John 14:23].
• Living for Jesus means we should “walk, even as he walked” [1 John 2:6].

QUESTION: What is the point I’m trying to drive home to you this morning?

ANSWER: Paul is teaching us that we should be living our lives for the One Who died for us; and that means that we should be clinging to His teachings that He taught us through His own words, and also through the words of His apostles that He, through the Holy Spirit, inspired them to write.

16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

QUESTION: What does judging “no man after the flesh” mean?

ANSWER: There are many opinions regarding Paul’s meaning here, but I’m going to share mine. You know me; I always tell you that if you want to know what it’s talking about then see what it’s talking about! In other words, what’s the train of thought leading up to this verse?

• Many individuals “glory in appearance, and not in heart.” In other words they boast about external things [vs. 12].
• Those people thought Paul was crazy [vs. 13].
• Those things that they saw Paul doing that they thought were crazy were things Paul did because He was driven by the fact that Jesus loved him [vs. 14].
• All of us should be living our lives for Jesus because He gave His life for us [vs. 15].
• Consequently, we don’t know, or judge, any man by the standards of this world; we know them, or judge them, by how much they are following the Lord Jesus in their life styles [current verse].

QUESTION: What else is he telling us in this verse?

*ANSWER: At first, people could only judge Jesus by what they understood, which was the manner of how everyone they knew was living their lives; in other words, they could only judge Him by what they understood at the time.  Now Paul, and his comrades, judged Jesus by their new found spiritual understanding of how life works. They now understood the Spirit world!

 

2 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 5, Verse 17

“If Any Man Be In Christ!”
[7-30-17]

Review: “How Should We Make Our Judgments Of One Another?”

2 Corinthians 5:14-16) [KJV] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15) And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

QUESTION: What does judging “no man after the flesh” mean?

ANSWER: There are many opinions regarding Paul’s meaning here, but I’m going to share mine. You know me; I always tell you that if you want to know what it’s talking about then see what it’s talking about! In other words, what’s the train of thought leading up to this verse?

• Many individuals “glory in appearance, and not in heart.” In other words they boast about external things [vs. 12].
• Those people thought Paul was crazy [vs. 13].
• Those things that they saw Paul doing that they thought were crazy were things Paul did because He was driven by the fact that Jesus loved him [vs. 14].
• All of us should be living our lives for Jesus because He gave His life for us [vs. 15].
• Consequently, we don’t know, or judge, any man by the standards of this world; we know them, or judge them, by how much they are following the Lord Jesus in their life styles [current verse].

*NOTE: At first, people could only judge Jesus by what they understood, which was the manner of how everyone they knew was living their lives; in other words, they could only judge Him by what they understood at the time.  Now Paul, and his comrades, judged Jesus by their new found spiritual understanding of how life works. They now understood the Spirit world!

 

This Week’s Lesson: “If Any Man Be In Christ!”

2 Corinthians 5:17) [KJV] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(CEV) Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.

(ERV) When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!

(GNB) Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.

(GW) Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.

(NLT) What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

(AMP) Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

(NAS) Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

QUESTION: Why is it true that “henceforth know we no man after the flesh”?

• It’s true that “if one died for all, then were all dead,” [vs. 14], the “all” being Christians [Guzik].
• It’s also true that since Jesus died for us then we should live for Him [vs. 15].
• Because of those facts we, as believers, no longer “know” one another the way that unbelievers “know” each other. We now “know” one another as those who are no longer simply depending on the strength of our “flesh,” but we are depending on the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives [vs. 16].
• We now “know” that we are “new creatures,” the old way we lived our lives is gone, and we now are brand new in Jesus [vs. 17].

QUESTION: What is absolutely amazing about vs. 17?

ANSWER: It informs me that since I am “in Christ” [KJV, ERV, GW, NAS], “belong to Christ” [CEV], “joined to Christ” [GNB], “a believer in Christ” [GW], one of “those who become Christians” [NLT], “[ingrafted] in Christ” [AMP] everything about me is completely different!

QUESTION: How is everything about me completely different?

ANSWER: Everything is different because “old things are passed away” [KJV], “the past is forgotten” [CEV], “the old things are gone” [ERV], “the old is gone” [GNB], “the old way of living has disappeared” [GW], “the old life is gone” [NLT], “the old things passed away” [NAS], “the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away” [AMP].

QUESTION: What else is true that makes everything different about me?

ANSWER: Everything is different because “all things are become new” [KJV], “everything is new” [CEV, ERV], “the new has come” [GNB], “a new way of living has come into existence” [GW], “a new life has begun” [NLT], “the fresh and new has come” [AMP], “new things have come” [NAS].

QUESTION: What else is amazing about vs. 17?

ANSWER: I love the present tense of the verse! “If any man be in Christ;” “he is a new creature;” “old things are passed away;” “behold, all things are become new”!

Concerning “all things are become new”: “new” – “1b) as respects substance; 1b1) of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of” [Thayer].

.

 

 

2 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 5, Verses 18-20

“Who’s Counting? Not God!”
[8-6-17]

Review: “If Any Man Be In Christ!”

2 Corinthians 5:17) [KJV] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(GW) Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.

(NLT) What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

QUESTION: What is absolutely amazing about vs. 17?

ANSWER: It informs me that since I am “in Christ” [KJV, ERV, GW, NAS], “belong to Christ” [CEV], “joined to Christ” [GNB], “a believer in Christ” [GW], one of “those who become Christians” [NLT], “[ingrafted] in Christ” [AMP] everything about me is completely different!

QUESTION: How is everything about me completely different?

ANSWER: Everything is different because “old things are passed away” [KJV], “the past is forgotten” [CEV], “the old things are gone” [ERV], “the old is gone” [GNB], “the old way of living has disappeared” [GW], “the old life is gone” [NLT], “the old things passed away” [NAS], “the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away” [AMP].

QUESTION: What else is true that makes everything different about me?

ANSWER: Everything is different because “all things are become new” [KJV], “everything is new” [CEV, ERV], “the new has come” [GNB], “a new way of living has come into existence” [GW], “a new life has begun” [NLT], “the fresh and new has come” [AMP], “new things have come” [NAS].

QUESTION: What else is amazing about vs. 17?

ANSWER: I love the present tense of the verse! “If any man be in Christ;” “he is a new creature;” “old things are passed away;” “behold, all things are become new”!

**Concerning “all things are become new”: “new” – “1b) as respects substance; 1b1) of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of” [Thayer].

 

This Week’s Lesson: “Who’s Counting? Not God!”

2 Corinthians 5:18-20) [KJV] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

QUESTION: What are the “all things” of vs. 18 that “are of God”?

ANSWER: They are the same “all things” of vs. 17 that “are become new.”

QUESTION: What exactly does that mean to you and me?

**Concerning “all things are become new”: “new” – “1b) as respects substance; 1b1) of a new kind, unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of” [Thayer].

ANSWER: The God Who saved us has made absolutely everything about us a “new” that is “of a new kind,” that is “unprecedented,” that is “novel,” that is “uncommon,” and that is “unheard of”!

QUESTION: What great thing has God done for you and me?

“reconciled” – “1a) to reconcile (those who are at variance); 1b) return to favour with, be reconciled to one; c) to receive one into favour” [Thayer].

ANSWER: God, through the death of His Son, has settled the differences that had put us at odds with Him; which were the sins we committed against Him.

Isaiah 59:1-2) [KJV] Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Matthew 12:30) [KJV] He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

QUESTION: What important truth do we learn from Isaiah in the above passage?

ANSWER: Our sins separate us from a Holy God! When we live in rebellion to God He isn’t listening to us! He isn’t about to help us! The cavalry isn’t coming!

QUESTION: What important truth do we learn from Matthew in the above passage?

ANSWER: If we aren’t on Jesus’ side then we are fighting against Him!

*19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

“Was – reconciling” – These words are to be construed together” [Vincent].

*(ESV) that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Romans 5:6-10) [KJV] For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

“For when we were yet without strength — that is, powerless to deliver ourselves, and so ready to perish” [JFB]. 

7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

QUESTION: What important truths do we learn from the Roman passage above?

• Christ died for us because we were powerless to save ourselves [vs. 6].
• God showed His love for us by having His Son die for us “while we were yet sinners” [vs. 8].
• When we were “sinners” “we were enemies” of God [vs. 10].

QUESTION: Why did God, in Christ, need to reconcile us?

• Our sins had separated us from a Holy God [Isaiah 59:2].
• We were against Jesus; that is, we were on the other side [Matthew 12:30].
• We were God’s enemies [Romans 5:10].

QUESTION: Back to vs. 19 of our lesson: how did God reconcile you and me to Himself?

ANSWER: He “was in Christ” at Calvary to pay the penalty for our sins, which was DEATH! Having satisfied the demands of justice He now offers forgiveness to all who will come to Him. Consequently, I am now reconciled to God because He is no longer “imputing” my “trespasses” against me! My old sins, those I committed before I became a Christian, are washed away; and the sins I now commit are not being recorded in the record books of Heaven! He has “committed” unto you and me this message of reconciliation that we are to share with others!!!

NOTE: A Holy God, as Judge, doesn’t record out sins against us! God, a loving Father, chastises us when we walk in sinful ways. Plant corn! Reap corn! {Hebrews 12:5-6, as quoted from Proverbs 3:11-12}.

2 Timothy 3;16) [KJV] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

NOTE: God prefers to correct us by talking to us through His Word. However, if we refuse His counsel He will allow the reaping of what we sowed to take place.

20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

(GNB) Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends!

QUESTION: What message do we have to share with unbelievers?

ANSWER: “I implore you, as an ambassador of Christ, come to Him and receive His gift of reconciliation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 CORINTHIANS

Chapter 5, Verse 21

“The Righteousness of God In Him!”
[8-13-17]

Review: “Who’s Counting? Not God!”

2 Corinthians 5:17) [KJV] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20) [KJV] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

*19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

*(ESV) that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

QUESTION: Why did God, in Christ, need to reconcile us?

• Our sins had separated us from a Holy God [Isaiah 59:2].
• We were against Jesus; that is, we were on the other side [Matthew 12:30].
• We were God’s enemies [Romans 5:10].

NOTE: He “was in Christ” at Calvary to pay the penalty for our sins, which was DEATH! Having satisfied the demands of justice He now offers forgiveness to all who will come to Him. Consequently, I am now reconciled to God because He is no longer “imputing” my “trespasses” against me! My old sins, those I committed before I became a Christian, are washed away; and the sins I now commit are not being recorded in the record books of Heaven!

NOTE: A Holy God, as Judge, doesn’t record out sins against us! God, a loving Father, chastises us when we walk in sinful ways. Plant corn! Reap corn! {Hebrews 12:5-6, as quoted from Proverbs 3:11-12}.

20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

This Week’s Lesson: “The Righteousness of God In Him!”

2 Corinthians 5:21) [KJV] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

“made him to be sin for us” – “Not a sin-offering, nor a sinner, but the representative of sin. On Him, representatively, fell the collective consequence of sin” [Vincent].

(CEV) Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God.

(GNB) Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.

(GW) God had Christ, who was sinless, take our sin so that we might receive God’s approval through him.

QUESTION: What, essentially, happened here?

ANSWER: Jesus took the blame for our collective sins, and suffered the collective penalty for them; then He turned around and gave you and me the credit for His obedience so that we can enjoy the benefits of it! He went to the cross; we will go to Heaven!

Isaiah 53:4-6) [KJV] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 “griefs” – “1) sickness” [Brown, Driver, Briggs].

“sorrows” – “1) pain, sorrow; 1a) pain (physical); 1b) pain (mental)” [BDB].

(ERV) The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did.

5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

(GW) He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds.

6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

 

Matthew 8:16-17) [KJV] When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. 

Back To Verse 21:

2 Corinthians 5:21) [KJV] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

QUESTION: What does vs. 21 mean when it says of Jesus that He “knew no sin”?

“who knew no sin” – “Alluding to Christ’s own consciousness of sinlessness” [Vincent].

ANSWER: Jesus, as the God Man, knew He had never sinned!

QUESTION: Why is that important?

Leviticus 9:2-3) [KJV] And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD.

3) And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;

Hebrews 9:13-14) [KJV] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

ANSWER: The entire sacrificial system of the Old Testament pointed to the coming sacrifice of the very Son of God; like those sacrificial animals Jesus had to be “without blemish”!

Hebrews 10:11-14) [KJV] And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

QUESTION: What important truth is the author of Hebrews teaching you and me here?

ANSWER: The Law testified to the fact that Jesus was “without blemish;” in other words, Jesus had never sinned.

QUESTION: Does it stop there?

ANSWER: No! Jesus was able to save us to the uttermost! He has “perfected forever” those of us who have fled to the refuge He is!

Colossians 1:21-22) [KJV] And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22) In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Ephesians 1:25-27) [KJV] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27) That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

QUESTION: What amazing doctrine is being taught here?

ANSWER: Jesus had to be found to be “without blemish” so that He would qualify to become our sacrificial offering. Then, by His substitutional death for us He took away our sins and made us to be found “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that” we “should be holy and without blemish!” In other words, we are now righteous before God; or one might say, “the righteousness of God in Him”!