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  God ’ s power that tears down any stronghold   2 Corinthians 10:3 – 6: "For though we walk (*peripatountes*) in the flesh (*en sarki*), we do not wage war (*strateuometha*) according to the flesh. The weapons we fight with are not of the flesh but are God ’ s power for tearing down any stronghold. We tear down every argument and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. And we are ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete." *En sarki* means "in the flesh," and *peripatountes* means "walking." *Strateuometha* refers to carrying out a ministry or campaign. It means that while we live in this world *in* the flesh, we do not follow the flesh; in other words, we do not conduct ministry with a fleshly mindset. Those who follow the flesh are guided by what is visible to the eye. Those who follow the flesh lack God ’ s power. They at...

  He who sows sparingly reaps sparingly, and he who sows bountifully reaps bountifully.   2 Corinthians 9:6 – 7: "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly (*pheidomenos*) will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully (*eulogiais*) will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly (*lyp ē s*) or under compulsion (*anank ē s*), for God loves a cheerful giver (*dot ē n*)." *Pheidomenos* ( φειδομ έ νω ς ) implies exercising restraint. *Speiron* ( σπε ί ρων ) means to sow seed. The meaning is that if one restrains greed and sows the word of grace, one reaps in proportion to that restraint. *Eulogiais* ( ε ὐ λογ ί αι ς ) refers to the word of God's grace; those who sow seed for the sake of *eulogiais* reap an abundant harvest. Churches often link this passage to the act of giving financial offerings, but that is not the intended concept. Consequently, sermons are used to induce people to give large offerings to the ch...

  On Offerings and Contributions   2 Corinthians 8:21 – 22: "We are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man, so that no one may blame us concerning this large contribution (*hadrot ē ti*) we are administering." Paul instructed the Corinthian church to prepare their contribution in advance — commensurate with the grace they had received — to avoid any embarrassment before the other churches. It is essential to have a precise understanding of offerings and contributions. Jesus spoke after observing the rich and a widow placing their gifts into the offering chest; He noted that the widow had actually contributed far more. The significance of offerings differs between the Old Testament and New Testament eras. Some pastors claim that "the Old Testament tithe was replaced by the New Testament contribution." While Jesus referred to them as "offerings," pastors often call them "contributions" (...

  He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.   2 Corinthians 8:14 – 15: "At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: 'The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.'" Exodus 16:16 – 18: "This is what the Lord has commanded: 'Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person according to the number of people in your tent.' The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little; everyone had gathered just as much as they needed." Practical, immediate concerns loomed larger than God ’ s promised word. Even though the reality was harsh, crossing the wildernes...