Thrive Ministries International

Paul continues his teaching with sarcasm He tells them the he is not inferior to the “eminent apostles”. Paul came to the Corinthians in a humble way

Paul tells the Corinthians about those who preach another Jesus, who come in a different spirit and who come preaching a different gospel. Paul is confronting false apostles

Paul states his concern that the Corinthians would be deceived and stray from their devotion to Christ.

Paul tells the Corinthians that he has given them to Christ as a pure virgin. Paul's jealousy is to see them become Christ's bride.

Paul knows that as the Corinthians grow that His sphere of influence grows and he will be able to preach beyond Corinth. He boasts in what God has done through him.

Paul realizes as if he will use his authority in a right way it will cause the people to grow in faith and when they grow in faith his sphere of authority will grow.

In these verse Paul talks about the sphere and measure of the authority that God has given him.

Paul answers his critics, I am the same in my presence as in my letters. His critics said he was burdensome and and strong.

The authority that was given to Paul as an apostle was to build the church and not destroy it. Paul was not going to be ashamed of using authority to build people's lives.

We use our weapons to bring every thought to the captivity of Christ., When our thoughts a captive to Christ we experience the enriched life that God has for us.

The enemies of our warfare are imaginations and lofty thoughts raise up against the knowledge of God. These thoughts keep us and others from God's best.

The weapons that we use are empowered by God, they have limitless power. They bring to extinction the fortresses of our lives and of our society

We are humans but we do not war with human weapons. We do not use human planning and scheming to do war against our enemy.

Paul begins talking about his authority. Some Corinthians thought that because he was meek and gentle that his authority was like a man's authority.

The believers at Jerusalem begin to pray for the Corinthians and they begin to yearn for them.

There were two good things that came out of this offering. First, the needs were met and second God received thanks.

Paul talks about having an enriched life because of giving. The enrichment comes as we live and reap the harvest of righteousness.

Paul tells us that the seed and the bread comes from God. He also lets us know that our spiritual life depends on giving. We reap a harvest of righteousness.

In these verses Paul tells us what God does when we give. God causes grace to abound. He satisfies us. He gives us plenty to give some more.

In this podcast we look at the condition of giving. We give on purpose. We give cheerfully. We do not give grudgingly or out of compulsion.