Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Paul continues to hammer home the importance of tithing and giving. 2 Corinthians 9:1-2  For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:  2)  For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.  Giving our tithes and offerings to support our local church and missions is a very important topic that can be traced through the Old and New Testaments. God has a lot to say about how much we give, what our attitude toward giving should be and we must pay attention. Failure to understand what God teaches us in His Word about tithes and offerings will rob us of His blessing if we do not obey. In these verses Paul speaks very respectfully to the Corinthians, and with great skill.  He continues to strongly urge them to love that which puts others needs before our own needs. He still presses them about their contribution for t...

  Here is a note about an index containing all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019.   An index for  all lessons  posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on  September 7, 2022. An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published  J anuary 24, 2023. An index for all lessons posted in 2023 was posted on  February 28, 2024.  The index for all lessons posted in 2024 was published on January 21,2025.  We move into Nehemiah 8 and Ezra comes back on the scene.  First, we see that the Spirit of God moved in the hearts of those who were redeemed to unite them to act as one man.  It was a voluntary assembly of a united people who wanted to hear God's Word. They met next to the Water gate and this location reminds us of how God describes His Word like rainfall, snow, and water. This pictures God's Word as rain that nurtures and sustains life. God's Word enters our heart to transform and change us. We are cleans...

God used Titus as a strong supporter of Paul's gospel labors. 2 Corinthians 8:16-17  But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.  17)  For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.  Paul gave an account of those who helped collect the offering at Corinth for the poor saints.  He started with Titus because God put a burden in his heart to help relieve the poor saints in Judea. The words "earnest care" means that Titus had a sense of great urgency to encourage the Corinthians to finish taking an offerings to relieve the saints at Jerusalem. We can trust God to work things out properly.  When Paul thought to send Titus on this mission, he then discovered that Titus already had a great desire to do this and was ready to go to Corinth. Those who love and serve God have no hesitation when called upon to meet a need or serve in a particular manner. Paul sent an unname...

2 Corinthians 8:1-2  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;  2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  In chapter eight, Paul is going to teach about Christian giving, tithes and offerings. He will point us to the selfless examples of churches in the Macedonian region. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ that is a glorious gift of God to all who hear and heed the gospel (See Ephesians 2:5-10). Macedonia was a Roman province where Paul and his helpers planted churches at Thessalonica, Berea and Philippi. People living in that Macedonia were rather poor in comparison to other provinces, yet these impoverished Christians  generously gave to support gospel ministry. Corinth as a city was very wealthy due to a confluence of land and sea trade routes. Yet, Paul had to urge the Corinthians to financially su...

2 Corinthians 7:8-9  For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.  9)  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.  God's Spirit guided Paul to share his heart with the Corinthian Christians.  The apostle openly declared his deep and abiding love for this people, even though he endured slander from false teachers who led them astray. He was rejoicing that his first epistle to the church had the desired impact. Namely, that the people were convicted of the various sins for which Paul rebuked them. Their conviction led to sorrowful hearts and true repentance, and this was very good for the church. Conviction of sin from God leads to repentance but the world's sorrow leads to death. 2 Corinthians 7:10  For god...

Paul's loyal love for the Corinthians reflects Christ's loyal love for us. 2 Corinthians 7:1-3  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  2)  Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.  3)  I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.  The Holy Spirit guided Paul to constantly remind us of our need to know Jesus Christ and His doctrines because God's promises are the foundation of our hope. Because we have this great hope we must daily dedicate ourselves to living for the glory of God. Then, the apostle shared his heart that was full of love and joy for the Corinthian Christians.  He poured his heart and soul into their lives even though the church had many issues to correct. He always showed them God's will so that they might su...