2 Corinthians 13

1 - 10 Further Warning

I like verse 5: "Examine yourselves to see wheter you are living in faith. test yourselves. . . "

11 - 13 Final Greetings and Benediction

"Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace."

See y'all at A.T.!

2 Corinthians 12

1 - 10 Paul's Visions and Revelations


To keep Paul from being too boastful, a messenger of Satan has given him a thorn in his flesh. Paul appealed to God, but God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." This is a good lesson for when we feel that we don't have this or that. (I get caught up in this every day).

11 - 13 The Signs of a True Apostle


"The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, signs and wonders and mighty works." (12)

14 - 21 Paul's Concern for the Corinthian Church

Paul is concerned about quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. Also that folks haven't repented from impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced. (My notes give references to other "vice lists" in the Bible)

2 Corinthians 11

1 - 15 Paul and the False Apostles

Paul begins by giving an analogy of a wedding. (the church is the husband & the Corinthians are the "chaste virgin"). Then he says a "serpent" deceived the Eve, and they began to subsribe to "another gospel" (it is unfortunate that Paul doesn't tell us specifically what that teaching is . . . )
Paul states how he will work against "false boasters" and their "deceitful gospels" (Even Satan disguises himself as and angel of light).

16 - 33 Paul's Sufferings as an Apostle

Paul goes over his credentials again. (He even mentions the time he escaped from the governor via a basket from the window!)

2 Corinthians 10

1 - 18 Paul Defends His Ministry

Paul defends the criticsim that he is boasting. He's simply telling it like it is. I like the quote from Jeremiah: (17) "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

2 Corinthians 9

1 - 15 The Collection for Christians at Jerusalem

Another "minute for mission." 6. ". . . the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will reap bountifully."

My notes say this chapter might have been a separate letter (to Achaia).

2 Corinthians 8

1 - 15 Encouragement to Be Generous

Paul talks about the importance of being generous, especially in sharing the gospel. My notes state that when he mentions "sharing" in verse 4, it can be used to describe Christ, his body and blood, and his sufferings.

Later (14) Paul talks about a "fair balance" - that we shouldn't have too much abundance when there are others in need.

16 - 24 Commendation of Titus

Good old Titus!

2 Cornithians 7

2 - 4 The Appeal Resumed

Paul continues his appeal for the Corinthians to open their hearts.

5 - 16 Paul's Joy at the Church's Repentance

Paul states that he is not sorry his letter brought sadness because it caused the church to repent. He tells how grief and sorrow can lead to repentance (and therefore joy)

2 Cornithians 6

1 - 10 The Ministry of Reconciliation (continued)

Now is "an acceptable time" to accept the grace of God!

11 - 13 An Appeal to the Heart

Since Paul is speaking from the heart, he asks the Corinthians to open their hearts to him.

14 - (7:1) The Temple of the Living God

Paul warns about being "mismatched" with unbelievers. It is hard to be a Christian when around unbelievers. Paul asks that we "cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God."

2 Corinthians 5

(4:16) - 10 Living by Faith

"Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day." Paul insists that even though we are getting older and will die, there is the promise of a greater life in God later. "5. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."

Paul states that we walk by faith and not by sight.

11 - 21 Ministry by Reconciliation

We must preach the gospel and (16) "regard no one from a human point of view"

Good line for memorization: (17) "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!"

God conconciled himself through Christ - that in is Christ He reconciled the world. Here it is - the line that states that Jesus died for our sins!

2 Corinthians 4

1 - 6 The Glory of God and the Gospel

". . . the god of the world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This is why it is hard for unbelievers to see the truth of the Gospel. This reminds me of the OT when God "hardened the heart" of Pharoah.

5. "For we do not proclaim ourselfs; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake." All glory goes to God. The final line of this section is good for memorization: For it is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

7 - 15 Treasure in Clay Jars

Since clay jars are so cheap and fragile this is a good metaphor for having something precious in something that will break so easily.

2 Corinthians 3

1 - 3 Paul's Credentials

Paul mentions his "letters of recommendation." My notes say he uses "letter" as metaphors in which (1) the community is Paul's letter of recommendation; (2) they are a letter engraved on his affections for all to see and read; (3) they are a letter from Christ that Paul merely delivers; (4) they are a letter written by the Spirit on the tablets of human hearts.

4 - 18 Confidence toward God

Any qualifications we have come from God.

Paul speaks against those whoe appeal to the Moses but don't see any comparable glory in Paul's life as an apostle or in the gospel he preaches. Paul says that Christians have a glory of their own that far surpasses that of Moses. "To this day, in fact, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed." (15 - 16)

Great Quote: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Remember Moses and his veiled face. We are being transformed into the image of God.

2 Corinthians 2

1 - 17 Pain etc.

Paul says he didn't want to come when there was pain.

Some good advice: "If anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure (not to exaggerate) to all of you. This punishment by the majority is enough for such a person, so that on the contrary you should forgive and encourage him instead, or else the person may be overwhelmed by excessive pain. Therefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him." (5 - 8)

Great metaphor: "For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing . . ." (Let's hope it doesn't smell "fishy")

Question of the day. Since it easier to punish those who cause pain or to "forgive and encourage him" what are some strategies to forgive?

2 Corinthians 1

1 - 11 Paul's Greeting

Paul must be speaking who are suffering because he says, "For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow." (5)

12 - 24 Paul's Conduct

Paul apologizes for not going to Corinth. And for being "wishy-washy" - "Or do I make my plans according to human considerations, so that with me it is "yes, yes" and "no, no"? As God is faithful, 11 our word to you is not "yes" and "no." (17-18)

Deuteronomy 34

1 - 12 Moses' Departure and Epitaph

Moses goes to Mount Nebo and dies at the age of 120 (he still had good eyesight and "vigor." He was burried in a valley in the land of Moab, (but know one knows exactly where).

Joshua (full of the spirit of wisdom) does as the Lord commanded Moses.

Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perfrom in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and nd all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sign of all Israel (10 - 12).

Question of the Day: Name three things that Moses did.

Deuteronomy 33

1 - 29 Moses' Testamentary Blessing

This is Moses' blessing of each tribe of Israel.

26. "There is none like God . . . (27) He subdues the ancient gods, shatters the forces of old; he drove out the enemy before you and said, "Destroy!"

29. "Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawind to you and you shall tread on their backs."

Deuteronomy 32

Congratulations, Fireboy!

Victoria "Tori" Grace. 5/13/07

She's beautiful, man!

1 - 51 The Song of Moses

Moses sings the song about the relationship between God and Jacob (Israel). God sustains Jacob in time of need. Then Jacob becomes fat and sacfrices to strange gods. The Lord becomes jealous spurns Jacob's sons and daughters. He says, "I will hide my face from them." In the end, "the Lord will vindicate his people, have compassion on his servents when he sees that their power is gone . . . " (36) God will protect His people. Praise the Lord!

Moses recites the song to the people and tells them to take heart of them and command their children to keep God's law.

God tells Moses to climb Mount Nebo and die there (as Aaron died on Mount Hor). There he can view the land God promised the Isrealites, but he may not enter.

Deuteronomy 31

1 - 29 Acts of Conveyance and Investiture

When Moses finishes speaking, he says to them that since he's getting old (120! Trivia from my notes: a) it's 3 generations and b) it's the maximum age allowed to humans according to Genesis 6:3), God has told him not to cross the river Jordan. The Lord will cross instead and destroy any nation against Israel.

Moses summons Joshua and tells him to be strong.

Moses writes down the law and gives it to the priests & sons of Levi, who carry it to the Ark. He commands them to read it every 7 years (At the rate we're going that will be about the time we get back to it . . . ).

God tells Moses his time to die is near. He asks for Joshua to be commissioned. He tells Moses that after he dies, the Isrealites will forsake him again and turn to other gods. He tells Moses to write a song so that the Israelites won't forget. The commissions Joshua and Moses writes the song and teaches it to the Israelites. Moses asks for the Law to be put beside the Ark of the Covenant and he calls an assembly.

Question of the Day: Moses knows he is going to die. In what way does he prepare for the Law to go on after him. Can we do similar things in our lives?

Deuteronomy 30

1 - 20 Prescriptions for Renewal of Covenant

Moses tells the Isrealites what will happen if they keep the Covenant. (A convincing chapter) If you keep the commandment "then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you . . . (3) Even if you are exiled to the ends of the worls, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will bring you back. (4)" The Lord will circumsise your hearts so you will love the Lord.

11 - 14. Surely keeping the commandments aren't too hard for you.

15 - 20. Moses has set before the Isrealites life and prosperity but also death and adversity. If they obey God, they will prosper, but if they turn away, they shall perish.

Question of the Day: What does it mean that the Lord will "circumsise your heart" (6)?

Deuteronomy 29

1 - 29 The Covenant Enacted at Moab

This chapter begins the conclusion of the book. Moses summons Isreal and sums up how they've heard the story. He tells them they are each individually accountable to keep God's law. He also warns them about what will happen if they break God's law. 29: "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever, to observe all the words of this law."

Question of the day: I like how Moses describes the Israelites' disobediance as stubborness. In what ways does sin sprout from stubborness?

Deuteronomy 28

1 - 46 Covenental Blessings and Curses

My notes: "The blessings affirm that national security, prosperity, and political preeminence are intrinsic consequences of Israel's fidelity to the covenant relationship." English: You do good and good things will happen to you.

On the other hand, if you don't do good; bad things will happen (curses).

47 - 68 Scenarios of Curse

If Israel doesn't follow the covenant, it will be reversed by God.

Question of the Day: J.P.?