2 Corinthians 2

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Devotional

I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

– 2 Corinthians 2:13

Have you ever experienced stress and restlessness? You don’t even need to answer, because I already know you have, and do. Take heart. Paul experienced the same. This is the experience of all people in a fallen world. And I do not believe it will go away, until we are in the presence of the Lord. So, the question is not “how do I get rid of stress and stressors in this fallen world.” The question is, “How do I deal rightly with such stress?”

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

– 2 Corinthians 2:14

The triumph is found “in Christ.” It comes through the diffusing fragrance of His grace, truth, and knowledge flowing into our circumstances.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

2 Corinthians 1

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Devotional

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

– 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Have you experienced the comfort of “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort?” If so, do not miss the implicit teaching of these verses. He comforts us in our trials, tribulations, and troubles, “[so] that we may be able to comfort” others.

If you’ve experienced the grace of God’s comfort and mercy, then you are called to minister the same to others. Who do you know that could use comfort and mercy, today? Reach out to them. Pray with and for them. Be God’s merciful hands reaching out.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 16

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Devotional

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

– 1 Corinthians 16:1–2

These two verses lay out some of the most important teaching surrounding New Testament giving. A collection was received by Paul for Christians that were in need. And this collection was something that Paul expected all crusts to commit to as a must. Thus, regarding the offering to this work, Paul answers the questions of who should give, when should they give it, what should they give, where should it be done, and why.

If you ever had any questions about giving, these two verses would be a good place to begin a meditation.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 15

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Devotional

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

– 1 Corinthians 15:10

May we never forget that our standing with God is all of grace. We are what we are by the grace of God. And may His grace stir us to “labor more abundantly” than anyone else, by God’s grace working in and through us.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 14

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Devotional

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts…

– 1 Corinthians 14:1a

Just incase we missed the point of the previous two chapters, Paul drives it home once more at the opening of 1 Corinthians 14. I think it would be a good meditation to simply think on these six words today.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 13

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Devotional

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

– 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Love is the “more excellent way” of 1 Corinthians 12:31. Love is greater than the “best gifts” we so often earnestly desire. Love excels tongues, prophecy, Spiritual understanding and knowledge, feats of faith, and all giving. If we have not love, we are nothing.

Earnestly desire Spiritual gifts. But seek, more than anything, to excel in love.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 11

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Devotional

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

– 1 Corinthians 11:1

I have had the privilege of leading a church as a senior pastor for 11 years. Prior to that I served as an associate pastor for 10 years. Throughout more than twenty years of pastoral ministry, it has been my desire (and goal) to live my life in such a way that it is worthy of imitation. In so many ways I fall short, and feel like a horrible witness. I’m not sure I will ever feel comfortable saying “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. But it remains my goal.

You may feel like your life is an unworthy example, too. But remember, whether we like it or not, people are watching the way we live, and they just may imitate what they see. Therefore, seek to be a good witness, as enabled by the Spirit of God to do so.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 10

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Devotional

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

– 1 Corinthians 10:12

The ancient Greeks ordered their lives by a set of maxims. Among those, one of the chief maxims was the simple statement “Know thyself.” The point of this, as the Greeks saw it, was to come to a place wherein a person had a proper and honest understanding their true self, so that they would have a humble estimation of who they were. Paul’s exhortation here in 1 Corinthians 10 is somewhat similar.

It is important that you and I gain a humble understanding of who we are, so that we don’t arrogantly think “I’ve got this” when in fact we do not.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 9

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Devotional

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

– 1 Corinthians 9:27

It is essential, for those running the race of the Christian life, to recognize the importance of discipline. The Disciple of Christ brings their body (i.e., their flesh) into subjection, to be controlled by the Spirit of God at work in and through them. Paul made this his aim, and we should too.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon

1 Corinthians 8

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Devotional

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

– 1 Corinthians 8:1

For the sake of understanding 1 Corinthians, it is important to recognize the words “Now concerning” throughout this second half of the book . Paul uses this phrase six times in this book (1 Cor. 7:1, 7:25, 8:1, 12:1, 16:1, 16:12). In each instance it appears that Paul is addressing issues, concerns or questions that the Corinthians had given to Paul in a letter. So Paul is responding to particular questions the Christians at Corinth had, concerning practical realities of Christian living.

I think it is important that we—like the Corinthians 2,000 years ago—seek the wisdom of God, from those that are our elders in the faith.

Helpful Resources

Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik

Read the Scriptures at Blue Letter Bible

Download the YouVersion Bible App

Additional Daily Devotionals

My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers

Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon