SUMMARY: The Galatians knew that they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed, not when they obeyed the law. Nevertheless, they still felt insecure in their faith because faith alone seemed too easy. The main argument of the Judaizers was that Gentiles had to become Jews in order to become Christians. Paul exposed the flaw in this argument by showing that real children of Abraham are those who have faith, not those who keep the law. When Paul says that non-Jews (Gentiles) are no longer bound by these laws--ceremonial, civil, moral--he is not saying that the Old Testament laws do not apply to us today; he is saying that certain types of laws may not apply to us. For further understanding, Paul says, "Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed." In conclusion, "All who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus."
SUMMARY: The church leaders ("pillars")--James (the half-brother of Jesus, not the apostle), Peter, and John--realized that God was using Paul to reach the Gentiles, just as Peter was being used so greatly to reach the Jews. After hearing Paul's message, they gave Paul and Barnabas their approval to continue working among the Gentiles. The judaizers accused Paul of watering down the Good News to make it easier for Gentiles to accept, while Paul accused the judaizers of nullifying the truth of the Good News by adding conditions to it. The argument came to a breaking point over a meal both Paul and Peter were present for. When it was just Peter and the Gentiles, Peter had no issue sitting with them. "But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn't eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision." Peter probably thought that by staying away from the Gentiles, he was promoting harmony--he did not want to offend James and the Jewish Christians. But Paul thought that Peter's action violated the Good News. By joining the judaizers, Peter was implicitly supporting their claim that Christ was not sufficient for salvation. Paul directly confronted Peter over the matter.
SUMMARY: Paul begins by reiterating in his letter to the church in Galatia that Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God planned, in order to rescue us from the evil world we live in. There is only one Good News. Anybody who preaches something other than the good news of what Paul already referenced should be cursed. Zealous Jewish Christians believed that the Old Testament practices, such as circumcision and dietary restrictions, were required of all believers. Because these teachers wanted to turn the Gentile Christians into Jews, they were called "Judaizers." Paul conveys that his message comes from Christ. He retells the story of how he used to be a very zealous Jew, persecuting God's church. He notes that before he was born, the Lord chose him and called him, by way of his marvelous grace. Paul talks of how the Son was revealed to him. Paul notes that he associated with Peter and James, Christ's brother, who affirmed his apostleship. People from the provinces of Syria and Cilicia were saying, "The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy," and praised God because of it.
SUMMARY: When Paul arrived the third time in Corinth, he would not be lenient toward unrepentance and sinners. His actions could include (1) confronting and publicly denouncing the Corinthians' behavior, (2) exercising church discipline by calling them before the church leaders, or (3) excommunicating them from the church. The authority Paul had received from the Lord was to strengthen the believers, not to tear them down. In his final greetings, Paul tells the Corinthians to "Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace." Doing that, he says, will keep the God of love in your life.
SUMMARY: Paul explained that he didn't know if he was taken up in his body or in his spirit, but he had been in Paradise. Paul told about this incident to show that he had been uniquely touched by God. Paul says that he has a "thorn in his flesh" to keep him from becoming proud. God has placed it there. On three different occasions where Paul tried to beg the Lord to take it away, the only response he got was, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Paul again explained that everything he did for the believers was for their edification, not to enrich himself. Paul was planning what would be his third visit to Corinth. He explained that, as before, he didn't want to be paid, fed, or housed; he only wanted the believers to be nourished with the spiritual food he would feed them.
SUMMARY: Paul talks to the Corinthians about false apostles. He can't comprehend how gullible the people are being...listening and believing anyone who dictates well. It appears that Paul's messages in letters may not have been received with full belief, because Paul never requested he be paid for his words. Other speakers in areas of Greece would demand payments based on how proficient they were at delivering speeches. Since Paul set his price at $0, natives could have presumed that he was very poor at what he did. Paul says these false prophets will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. Paul says he'll boast of how weak he is, thus affirming God's hand on his life. "I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again...Once I was stoned...Three times I was shipwrecked...I have worked hard and long, and during many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm."
SUMMARY: Paul's opponents questioned his authority. He responds to this charge in chapters 10-13. "I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn't tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority." Greece was known for its eloquent and persuasive orators. Evidently, some were judging Paul by comparing him to other speakers they had heard, and Paul was perhaps not the most powerful preacher. Paul mentions that the only comparisons taking place need to be of one's self to God; not person to person. "Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended."
SUMMARY: Paul mentions that it was the Grecians' enthusiasm for putting together offerings for the church in Jerusalem that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to do so. However, at the time of writing this letter, the Corinthians had not followed through on their commitment to give. Titus and the two other church leaders were going to visit Corinth to ensure that the money was collected. Paul notes that the giving still needs to remain cheerful, and not obligatory or from pressure.
SUMMARY: Paul challenges the Corinthian church to act on their plans of collecting money for the Jerusalem church. He laid out these four principles: (1) Your willingness to give enthusiastically is more important than the amount you give; (2) you should strive to fulfill your financial commitments; (3) if you give to others in need, they will, in turn, help you when you are in need; (4) you should give as a response to Christ, not for anything you can get out of it. The Macedonian church has set a standard, which Paul based his goal for the Corinthian Church off of. Paul notes that a couple other brothers will be sent with Titus. He asks that the Corinthians continue to be very hospitable to these servants of the Lord. "Show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified."
SUMMARY: Paul expresses confidence and pride in the Corinthian church. Paul comments, "We live or die together with you," indicating the union he seeks to have with the believers in Corinth. Through Titus, Paul learned that the Corinthian church was sorry for what had happened (their behavior slipping). Paul was filled with joy when he learned of the Corinthians' loyalty to him. Paul is glad that the letter he sent brought sorrow upon the Corinthian church, because it clearly pushed them in the direction of repentance--leading the believers away from sin and toward salvation. Paul says there's no need to regret in circumstances like that. Paul again iterates how happy he is that Titus was welcomed with open arms by the Corinthians.
SUMMARY: Today is the day for salvation; delay no more. "We serve God, whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us imposters. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything." Paul tells believers not to team up with unbelievers, whether in the context of personal or business relationships (friends, spouses, etc.) "What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil?"
SUMMARY: "While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life." Paul touches on the Christian's responsibility to be an ambassador for God. In his letter, he reiterates that Paul and his crew are not trying to brag about themselves, for they are merely servants for Jesus' sake. Paul notes that Christians, like him, have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. Once one belongs to Christ, they became a new person. Christianity is summarized in a well-put line from Paul, who says "God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sins so that we could be made right with God through Christ."
