December 6, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

2 Corinthians 10 - Paul defends his authority as an apostle.  He speaks of his "weapons" as mighty to bring down "strongholds" verse 4.  He warns against false impressions, verse 7, and he shows his intense desire to reach into "regions beyond" to bring people the Gospel, verse 16.

2 Corinthians 11 - Paul warns against false teaching and says that even Satan can transform himself into an "angel of light" verse 14.  To me, this shows Satan has lost his original beauty and the only way he can look appealing is that he has to resort to deception.

2 Corinthians 12 - Paul gives an account of "a man" who most believe is Paul, himself.  This man went into the "third heaven" which is God's abode to see things unimaginable!  Paul was given a "thorn in the flesh" to keep him from boasting.  God refused to remove it but gave Paul the clear teaching that God's grace is always sufficient for anything we could ever face, verse 9.  Paul actually said he "takes pleasure in infirmities..." because in his weakness God shows Himself strong!

2 Corinthians 13 - Paul encourages the readers to examine themselves, verse 5, to be sure their faith is genuine.  This chapter also gives one of the few places in Scripture where all the members of the Trinity are mentioned, verse 14.