2 Corinthians (ACNT)

Top Highlights

“This inscription reveals the importance attached to recognition by communities for benefits conferred within their midst. Indeed, the biblical principle expressed by Paul in 2 Cor. 9:7, ‘God has affection for a cheerful donor,’ would have been well understood in the Greco-Roman world, where the principle ‘It is better to give than to receive’ prevailed in many circles.” (Pages 23–24)

“God went to extreme lengths to save us. Using an extraordinary metaphor, Paul says that God made Christ the essence of sin for our benefit. That is, God accepts the responsibility for exposing Christ to the situation in which sinners, who comprise all human beings, could appear to be just, whereas Christ became identified through the crucifixion as the ultimate sinner. But God did it for humanity’s sake. And God did it not only to clear humanity of sin, but to make possible the opposite type of conduct—uprightness. To heed the call to be reconciled to God means then that we understand the reason for God reaching out to us, namely, to reflect the beneficent character of God, which finds expression in the new life that was described in v. 15.” (Pages 83–84)

“That is, the Holy Spirit begins now with the renovation of the believer’s life. And this present experience, partial though it is because of the co-existence of the ‘flesh, serves as a promissory note which guarantees delivery of the full package that spells complete and abiding fulfillment of the will of God without interference from the sinful flesh.” (Page 74)

“Paul, of course, moves the thought to a far different plane. The word power means the ability to function. That ability is best exhibited in weakness, for it is in weakness that the full extent of Christ’s capacity for overcoming obstacles can be observed. To one who has overcome death all else seems trivial.” (Page 195)