“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV). Paul instructed the Corinthians on how to give toward the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. He emphasized that giving must come from the heart. The Greek word translated
“The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting” (Psalm 50:1 ESV). This psalm was attributed to Asaph, one of David’s chief musicians and a Levite who also bore the title of “seer” or prophet (2 Chr. 29:30). Asaph, along with his sons after
“Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life… But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.” (Psalm 49:7, 15 ESV). This psalm bears the inscription: “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.” Its very heading tells a
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV). Solomon continued his study of life “under the sun,” limiting his observations to the physical world. From this earthly perspective, the grave (Sheol)
“For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:5–6 ESV). Paul described how he and his companions entered Macedonia exhausted and troubled. The background for
“I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14 ESV). In Solomon’s book of Ecclesiastes, he referred to himself as the Preacher (Qoheleth) who looked at life “under the sun” and concluded that everything was “vanity” and like “striving after wind.” The
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.” (2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV). Paul testified that his perspective on Christ and others had been completely transformed. Before his encounter with the risen Lord, he had judged
“When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38:7 ESV). The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, asking a series of questions meant to humble him. The Lord asked where Job was when He laid the foundation of the earth, when the “morning stars sang together
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV). Paul described the gospel as a priceless treasure placed within ordinary and fragile “jars of clay.” In the first century, clay jars were cheap and breakable, yet used to
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5 ESV). Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that his confidence did not rest in himself. He claimed no self-sufficiency, no self-confidence, and no self-empowerment. His calling, message, and authority all came from