Day 334, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Corinthians 16; 2Corinthians 1:1–2:11
Camaraderie—How do we encourage one another?
Things we share bring us together into a common bond. Sometimes this happens by choice, and we become friends. At other times, we are brought together in a war or a disaster as neighbors seek to help neighbors in crisis. People who would not otherwise become acquainted become friends. They help each other, sacrifice for each other, and bonds are formed.
In the early church, Christ was the common bond between believers of different cultures. Not only did they share the same faith, but they also shared the same experiences of suffering for his name.
Collection for poor suffering believers
Jews hated Christians and would not do business with them. Because of this, in today’s Bible reading, we see the Apostle Paul collecting money from churches in Asia Minor (Turkey) to meet the needs of poor Jewish believers in the church of Jerusalem (1Corinthians 16:3). We should also help others in need, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.The Galatian church has already committed to help, and now Paul wants the Corinthian church to help, too. Paul doesn’t just want their money, however, he wants to encourage them when he comes to visit.
What is our motive in our dealings with people? Do we seek to help them or use them? Do we just hold our hand out for money and favors, or do we give people a hand up by encouraging them?
Standing Firm
Before the apostle ends the letter to 1Corinthians, he sends along greetings from other believers. He then leaves them with an exhortation, a final word persuading them to live in a way that pleases God. Their culture is perverse. The Corinthians face idolatry and sexual temptations, deceiving doctrines, and division. In some ways, Paul’s exhortation sums up the message of the letter: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love” (16:13-14, NIV).
In our churches and personal lives, we share similar challenges and temptations. By listening to Paul’s warning, we can obtain victory over them. Let’s continue in the Word of God so we can be firm in the faith.
Recognizing helpers
Paul ends his first letter to the Corinthians by naming people who have helped the Corinthians and himself. He urges the Corinthians to “submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it” (1Corinthians 16:16, NIV).
We should recognize, as Paul does, that there are people who are making sacrifices for us. In some ways, they are contributing to our welfare and perhaps to the whole church. No matter how small the contribution may seem, they still deserve some recognition. Have we thanked the ministers and their spouses, the financial officers, nursery workers, children’s ministry workers, youth workers, janitors, musicians, or the prayer warriors and those who write words of encouragement? Paul gives thanks to those who have helped him and the church, and he remembers them by name. We should do the same.
2Corinthians is really Paul’s fourth letter to the Corinthians. Although we just finished 1 Corinthians, it was probably his second letter. It is named 1Corinthians because it is the first letter to that church we have in our Bibles. From (1Corinthians 5:9-11; 2 Corinthians 2:3-4), it appears that the first and third letters were somehow lost and not included in the sacred Scriptures.
The book of 2 Corinthians responds to a painful visit he made to them and is a defense for Paul’s apostleship. Paul shares a common bond of suffering with the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 1:1–2:11). Knowing they are not alone in their pain and distress is an encouragement, not only to Paul but to us as well.
When we suffer, we can encourage others. How? By
Praying
Paul writes,
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many (2Corinthians 1:8-11, NIV).
Suffering teaches us to rely on God, set our hope in him, and give thanks to those who carry our burdens in prayer. As Christians, we are all in this together—we are comrades in the faith. We need to support each other. If some of us aren’t Christians, God offers us forgiveness, peace, spiritual life, and the comradeship of fellow believers (more...).
The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the N.T., edited by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, pp. 551-552.
Discussion
How is camaraderie between believers shown?
What does suffering teach us?
Focus Verses
2Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
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Looking Ahead: We are fellow workers in God's harvest field, but sometimes that is forgotten. How do we Commend ourselves before others and get their Support? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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