All Saints Reformed Presbyterian Church

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 While under fire from false teachers who claimed he was a vacillator and not a reliable pastor, Paul defends himself and his ministry. In verses 1:18-22, Paul argued that God’s faithfulness preserved his apostolic ministry from being a ministry of ambivalence and half truths. At verse 23 Paul pivots from theological defense to practical…

2 Corinthians 1:15-22 The Latin phrase, sic et non, “yes and no,” is used in many connections in literature and various forms of media. This phrase captures quite well the devastating charge brought against Paul by false teachers as he expresses it in verse 17. While emphatically denying that his ministry and message is characterized by vacillation…

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 It is surprising to hear Paul report about his boasting when boasting has such negative connotations in our common social conventions. Generally, boasting is perceived as irritating and unseemly; yet, Paul’s example of boasting suggests to us that not all boasting is bad. As Paul defends the quality of his ministry, he points to…

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 Paul moves from exalted and general statements about God as sovereign comforter and deliverer of the saints to a specific example of deliverance from his own experience. He explains to the Corinthians that God delivered him from a severe, near-death trial, which was divinely designed to teach him to put his confidence in the…

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 Paul faces his communication crisis by owning his liability. The false apostles in Corinth disparaged Paul’s apostleship arguing that if he had a valid call, then his life would not be full of affliction and suffering. This false claim must have affected at least some in the Corinthian church otherwise Paul would not have…