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but also by the comfort he received from you

  ...but also by the comfort he received from you...   2 Corinthians 7:7: "It was not only by his coming (*parousia*) but also by the comfort (*paraklesis*: exhortation) he received from you that he comforted us; he further gladdened us by reporting (*anangellon*) your longing (*epipothesis*), your mourning (*odyrmon*), and your zeal (*zelon*) for me." "He" refers to Titus. It means that not only was Titus present, but the exhortation received through him concerned the Corinthians. The Lord, through Titus, spoke of — or proclaimed — the spiritual state of the believers in the Corinthian church. *Anangellon* ( ἀ ναγγ έ λλων ) refers to a proclamation from above. The content of this proclamation involved their *epipothesis* (yearning) and *odyrmon* (mourning). *Zelon* refers to zeal. *Anangellon* carries the meaning of showing or speaking. Although Paul had rebuked them in his first letter to the Corinthians — causing them sorrow — he learned through Titus tha...
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Let Us Cleanse Ourselves from Every Defilement of Flesh and Spirit

  Let Us Cleanse Ourselves from Every Defilement of Flesh and Spirit   2 Corinthians 7:1 – 2: "Therefore, beloved (*agapetoi*), having these promises, let us perfect holiness in the fear of God and cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit (*molysmos sarkos kai pneumatos*). Make room for us in your hearts (*ch ō r ē sate*); we have wronged no one (*ephtheiramen*), harmed no one, and exploited no one (*epleonekt ē samen*)." *Agapetoi* refers to those loved by the Lord — meaning us, including Paul and the saints of the Corinthian church. *Molysmos sarkos kai pneumatos* refers to that which defiles both the flesh and the spirit. Here, *sarkos* does not mean the physical body (*s ō ma*), but rather the "body of sin" (flesh). The "defilement of flesh and spirit" relates to the state where the spirit is dead due to the body of sin; the remedy is believing that the body of sin has died through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Roma...
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Open Your Hearts Wide

  Open Your Hearts Wide   2 Corinthians 6:11 – 13: "O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, and our hearts have been opened wide. You are not restricted in us, but you are restricted in your own affections (*splanchnois*). I speak as to children (*teknois*); open wide (*platynthete*) your hearts also in return (*auten antimisthian*)." The statement that our mouths have been opened means there is a word God delivers through our mouths. The fact that our hearts have been widened means God is enabling your hearts to be widened through us. *Splanchnois* ( σπλ ά γχνοι ς ) refers to the bowels or inner parts. In the context of being "restricted in your bowels," it refers to the "belly" from which living water flows — signifying the place where *ho Logos* (the Word) dwells within the believer's spirit. The term implies the womb where a fetus resides; just as a fetus receives life-sustaining nourishment, the believer receives the water of life fro...
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As Servants of God in Everything

  As Servants of God in Everything   2 Corinthians 6:4 – 10: "Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." Paul describes what it means to be a servant of God. He speaks of both his own self-assessment and how others viewed him in his role as a servant. Regarding himself, he acts with the mindset of "dying daily"; regarding other...
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