1. II Corinthians 6:17. This passage is in Isaiah, here, and in Revelation. How should it be applied?

In Isaiah 52:11, God is speaking to Jews who had been exiled in Babylon. Time to come home. Don’t bring anything from Babylon with you. We’re marching to Zion, to rebuild the temple and the walls. Holy time.

In Revelation 18:4, The Lord calls His people out of the Babylon system because He is about to destroy it. So hard it is for the Lot’s wife folks among us to separate themselves from their comforts, even when those comforts involve being yoked to the evils of the world and advancing the world’s agenda.

In the passage before us, no judgment is pending. This is God’s constant call for separation from “Babylon”, the religio/political system that attempts to strangle God’s people either in persecution or pleasure year after year. Can we hear the call out now before the judgment comes, before the bombs are falling?

Come out of her, My people.

2. II Corinthians 7:11. How can we tell if a person has truly repented?

They loathe their own works and the flesh that executed them. They are so angry, not with you, but with themselves, for having been fooled for so long. They have a healthy fear of God. They are on fire for God whereas before their fire was the lustful fleshly burning that destroys all in its path.

Though Paul here is speaking of a particular event, I believe that the characteristics of godly sorrow are easily applied to every need for repentance.

3. II Corinthians 8:6. What is the “Titus” connection in this letter?

Titus was an associate of Paul in the ministry, a convert of the apostle. We don’t see him in Acts, but he is in several epistles, including of course the one addressed to him that bears his name.

Titus had been sent on a mission by Paul to Corinth. Something delayed his return and we see Paul a bit despondent about it in the early part of this letter. He finally joins him in Macedonia, Paul is happy, and then he is sent back to Corinth with this letter you are reading. He is also to deal with the Corinthians about a certain collection for poor saints.

Here Paul urges Titus to work with the Corinthians on fulfilling their responsibilities.

4. II Corinthians 8:9. Jesus was rich, He makes us rich.

Jesus had all the riches of Heaven, and gave them up to come to Earth, so that you through His poverty could become rich.

Have you seen how this is interpreted? The riches of Heaven are what makes a person rich, and Jesus had all of that. Being on Earth by comparison is what makes a man poor, and Jesus experienced all of that. Now, what is it that we are to experience here on Earth that is the result of what Jesus did?

Why not the riches of Heaven, which is where Jesus began? Why can’t we see that the text is saying that we are going to be rich in Heavenly blessings as Jesus was, though for now we follow Him in His poverty here?

The “prosperity” message, common in the pulpits today, needs a proof text or two, and this is surely one that is grabbed and made to do service. But is there any other passage in Scripture that promises earthly riches piled on top of your Heavenly ones?

No one is doubting that Christians will have all their needs met. But I have not found the verse that promises me incredible wealth if I am a Christ-follower. Not here on earth, anyway. There, in the other world, are you kidding? Wealth unimaginable in that City.

Jesus makes us rich with the riches of Heaven and causes us to find our way to that City by way of the Cross, His, and ours.

5. II Corinthians 8:15. Where did this passage come from? What is the application?

Paul lifts this from the Exodus (16) account of the Lord’s provision of manna in the wilderness. The people would gather it six days a week, set it aside daily, and use it as needed. Though some worked a little harder than others because of their various capacities to work or the differing sizes of their containers, lo and behold, when it was measured each day it was discovered that each family had gathered exactly what he needed!

Paul says to the Corinthians that God had blessed them abundantly, but that there were some folks who were short of abundance. Therefore, he says, share the wealth with them, make things equal, as God desires, and one day, who knows, the tables may be turned, and they will be supplying a need you have!

6. II Corinthians 8:18. Was this Apollos?

He was famous. Evidently a great Gospel preacher or at least one who helped spread the Gospel in a great way. Appointed by the churches to assist in the collection for the poor. Perhaps a companion of Paul? Or one who came along with Paul for this mission only?

Most of the men I read have chosen Luke to be this man. I was thinking Apollos because of his reputation as one mighty in the Scriptures, one whom Paul speaks about in I Corinthians as a man that some were beginning to look to as a “denominational” leader.

Here was a chance for competing factions to lay down their silliness and come together for a common cause.

Enough said. No one knows this one.

7. II Corinthians 10:1. Who else called himself “meek” in the Scriptures?

That would be Moses. I bring it out because that line from Moses in the story of his being accused by brother and sister, has often been attacked as an impossibility. How could a man who is truly that meek, say that he is truly that meek?

Perhaps it is not as unusual as one might think to be giving an honest appraisal of one’s character. Both men would surely admit to besetting sins also, sins visible to us in the best seller of all time. Neither man escapes the title of “sinner” but if they both had a meekness about them that was remarkable, why not remark about it if the situation demanded it?

8. II Corinthians 10:1, 11. Compare and harmonize these two verses.

Verse one: Paul says, I am meek when there in person, but bold when writing to you.

Verse eleven: I will be the same in person as I have been in my letters.

Reading verse two gives us the clue that Paul desired to be meek all the time. That is exactly what he intended to be… if possible.

However, don’t let the meek exterior fool you. If I need to be bold, he says, I will be as bold as a lion in your presence as I occasionally have to be in my letters. Don’t push me!