The Strand Study Bible

Written From Philippi During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

II CORINTHIANS 2:11 - 4:1

1932

killeth, but the 15 SPIRIT giveth life. 7 But if the 14 ministration of death, 16 written and engraven in stones, was glo- rious, 17 so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemna- tion be glory, much more doth the minis- tration of 18 righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was made glori- ous had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which re- maineth is glorious. 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, 19 which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end 20 of that which is abolished: 14 But 21 their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail un- taken away in the reading of the old testa- ment; which vail is done away in 22 Christ. 15 But even unto this day, 23 when Moses is read, 24 the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when 25 it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the SPIRIT OF THE LORD is , there is 26 liberty. The abiding presence of the HOLY SPIRIT transforms the believer 18 But we all, with open face 27 behold- ing as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the 28 SPIRIT OF THE LORD . II Corinthians 4 Paul credits his effectiveness to serve God to the mercy of God Date Written - Fall of AD 57

person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 12 Furthermore, 1 when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a 2 door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, 3 because I found not 4 Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, 5 I went from thence into Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, andmaketh manifest the 6 savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as many, which cor- rupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. II Corinthians 3 Paul reminds the church at Corinth 1 Do we begin again to 7 commend our- selves? or need we, as some others, 8 epis- tles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly de- clared to be the epistle of Christ 9 minis- tered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; 10 not in tables of stone, 11 but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 12 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able minis- ters of the 13 new testament; not of the 14 letter, but of the spirit: for the letter that they are his ministry Date Written - Fall of AD 57

1. Acts 20:1 Note - Paul had visited Troas right before he entered Macedonia in Acts 20:1. 2. Acts 14:27 & I Cor 16:9 & Colo 4:3 & Rev 3:8 3. II Cor 7:6,13 4. Gal 2:1-3 & II Tim 4:10 & Titus 1:4 5. Acts 20:1-2 6. or, “fragrance” 7. II Cor 5:12 & 10:12,18 8. Acts 18:27 9. I Cor 3:5 10. Exo 24:12 11. Ezk 11:19 12. Job 32:21 & I Cor 3:5-7 & 4:6 & Gal 6:3 & I Pet 4:18 & Jn 3:27 & 15:5 & Gal 6:3 13. that is, “new covenant; salvation through the blood of Christ” - Mt 26:28 & Heb 8:6 & 12:24 14. that is, “the OT law” 15. Jn 6:63 & Rom 8:11 & I Pet 3:18 & Rev 11:11 & Eph 2:1,5 16. Exo 34:1 17. Exo 34:29-35 18. that is, “the righteousness of Christ” - Rom 3:21 19. Exo 34:33-35 20. or, “the law” - Gal 3:23-24 21. Psa 69:22-23 & Isa 6:9-10 & Acts 28:25-28 22. Rom 10:4 23. Jn 5:45-47 24. Isa 25:7 25. that is, “the heart; when a person gets saved” 26. that is, “Christian freedom” - II Cor 8:9 & Gal 5:1,13 & I Pet 2:16 27. or, “reflecting in a mirror” 28. I Cor 2:9-16

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2:11 This word ( devices ) is the Greek word QοKPDτD ( noemata ) and denotes “ that which is well thought out .” This word could have easily been translated “well thought out mind games or schemes.” The Devil’s devices (well thought out mind games or schemes) are seven-fold: 1. Satan is always trying to disguise his real person (Gen 3:1) Satan is in the business of using others to do his bidding (II Sam 13:1-3-15). Anyone nice enough to lead you astray is usually being coaxed by Satan to do so (II Cor 11:12-15). Like Satan, his false prophets often appear to be the most pleasant, loving, agreeable, and friendly people you’ll ever meet (even the Antichrist will come disguised as a man of peace - Dan 8:23-25 andII Thess 2:8-11).