1-2 I, Paul, have been sent on a special mission by the Messiah, Jesus, planned by God himself. I write this to God’s congregation in Corinth, and to believers all over Achaia province. May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours! Timothy, someone you know and trust, joins me in 1 this greeting. (2 Corinthians 1:1-2, The Message)
Today we are going to start Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. The historical data on this book suggests that this might have actually been the fourth letter sent to the Corinthians but only two have survived. Corinth was the fourth largest urban area about 45 miles southwest of Athens and a significant trading center in the Greek and Roman empires. The dominant religion was worship of Aphrodite, having a temple with 1000 priestesses who worshipped by enacting fertility rituals. We would consider that sexual imorality was a dominant presence in the city. Paul introduces himself as a messenger sent by God, not self appointed.. He also says that Timothy joins him in the greetings.
We will read that there were other “teachers” who came from Jerusalem teaching a slightly different Gospel and Paul is speaking into this dilemma. Paul wants the Corinthians to see the superiority of the Christian covenant over the old covenant of Judaism. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A theme we are going to see in this second letter is an emphasis on “God’s ability revealed through human inability. The Gospel does not involve strong people doing great things for God, but rather teaches that God does great things through, and despite our afflictions or weaknesses. See 2 Corinthians 2:4-6.
The NIV translates Paul’s greeting in verse 2 of chapter 1 as “grace and peace”. Those are two big words, two major themes in his letter. Because of God’s grace to sinful humanity we can find peace with our creator through the coming of Jesus Christ and his work of reconciliation on the cross. Let’s just sit with the words “grace” and “peace.” As we watch the TV and hear the reports of the many deaths from Hurricane Helene and the many opinions on the presidential election, let us pray for grace and peace in the hearts of those affected. Let’s pray for the grace and peace that comes from God, not from winning and not from wealth but from knowing God walks with us through these days. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 