Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

Please remember me in your prayers as I study ahead for the blog. I seek wisdom and discernment from the Lord.  I seek to understand the truth God has for us so that I can clearly convey in this setting. The next book I would like to study through with you is Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia. This is a wonderful book to study, full of spiritual realities and warnings about what hindrances we may encounter in this life. Stern warning of God's judgment upon unrepentant Christians at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.  Paul's second letter to the Corinthians closes with additional words of warning. The apostle threatens to be severe in judging obstinate sinners when it comes to Corinth.  At this point Paul sent his first and second epistles with admonitions and exhortations. He communicated with an apostolic love for Christ and for those people in order t...

False teachers seek to make a lot of money from their followers. 2 Corinthians 12:17  Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?  False apostles gained hold over many of the Corinthian Christians.  Like unscrupulous politicians, they wanted power over them so that they could enrich themselves. Modern televangelists routinely urge their viewers to send in more and more money so that they can enrich themselves. Money sent in by their listeners directly funds a lavish lifestyle.  Some televangelists will say that God wants them to have the best car and bigger homes and money in the bank. This is another gospel of antichrist which must be rejected.  Paul declared with all honesty and transparency that he never personally profited from his apostolic ministry.  He reminded the Corinthians of the truth that none of the men he sent to check up on them ever received financially gained from visiting the church. No apostles of Christ took any funds ...

Paul was not esteemed by Corinthians but God blessed his ministry. 2 Corinthians 12:11  I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.   Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit to make a masterful defence of apostolic ministry.  However, Paul was not one who boasted about his achievements and he was uncomfortable when the spotlight was on his ministry. Paul put the blame for his boasting upon the Corinthians because they did not stand up in his defence as they ought to have done. Therefore, he had to provide a true and verifiable account about what God had done in his ministry.  False apostles dismissed inspired truth that God communicated to His church through Paul and other apostles. False apostles personally attacked Paul's character and integrity.  They mocked Paul for using plain and simple words to preach the gospel of Christ. In su...

Paul received many visions from the Lord that he could boast about. 2 Corinthians 12:1  It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  False teachers boasted about things that they never did or experienced. Paul addressed their personal attacks upon him by glorying in the ministry that Christ gave him.  The apostle continues in this chapter and his strong defense reminds us that the apostolic ministry will always be under attack.  We must always be vigilant and guard against such attacks. It was lawful for Paul to glory in the truth of how God worked in his ministry.  It was necessary for him to vindicate his ministry to stop the Corinthians from being carried away by false apostles. The honor of the gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ was at stake.  Yet, such boasting, though true, was not always the right thing for Paul to do.  He knew that boasting could stir up pride in his own heart and that it cou...

Paul boasted about what God truly did through his ministry.  2 Corinthians 11:16-17  I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.  17)  That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.  Paul was obligated by the attacks from false teachers to vindicate his own character against their slander.  He defended his apostleship for the sake of the Gospel and for the spiritual welfare of the Corinthians.  Paul desired for the Corinthians to be well grounded in the gospel so that they would not be swayed  by heresy. Therefore, Paul acknowledged that only a fool brags about his accomplishments, but this was necessary to refute those who personally attacked him. False teachers boasted about things that they did not do and places they did not visit.  Paul would counter this by boasting about what God did through his ministry i...