Problem: Jesus taught that we should love our enemies (Mt. 5:44), but Paul prays a curse over his enemies. This word for “accursed” is anathema. Colin Brown writes,
30
Nov
2021
Month: November 2021
29
Nov
2021
Gal. 1:1-5 – Why doesn’t Paul pray in his introduction?
CLAIM: In Greek culture, most people would introduce a letter with thanksgiving and a greeting. In fact, it was considered shameful and offensive to dive immediately into the letter. Paul opens his letter with prayer and thanksgiving in every other letter. Why not this one?
28
Nov
2021
2 Cor. 12:12 – Does this passage teach that the charismatic gifts were only for the apostles?
Problem: Paul writes, “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles” (2 Cor. 12:12). Cessationist interpreters argue that signs and wonders were given to the apostles in order their unique ministry and message. However, the charismatic gifts are not for today, because this purpose is no longer necessary. Is this the case?
27
Nov
2021
2 Cor 12:7 – What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?
Problem: Paul writes, “There was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!” (2 Cor. 12:7) What is the thorn in the flesh?
26
Nov
2021
2 Cor. 12:2 – What is the third heaven?
Problem: Paul writes that a man “was caught up to the third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2). What is the third heaven?
25
Nov
2021
2 Cor 11:5 – Was Paul the greatest or the least of apostles?
Problem: Here Paul claimed, “I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles” (2 Cor. 11:5). And elsewhere he would have us believe that he is “the least of the apostles” (1 Cor. 15:9). But it would seem that both cannot be true.
Solution: Paul is speaking in different contexts. In one passage, he is speaking with respect to his ability, training, and zeal. However, unlike the other apostles, Paul had persecuted the church of Christ before his conversion and, therefore, considered himself unworthy even to be an apostle (cf. Gal. 1:13; Acts 9:1). So with respect to his preconversion antagonism to Christ he rightly considered himself “the least of the apostles.”
“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
(2 Cor 11:15)
24
Nov
2021
2 Cor. 8:15 – Why does Paul quote Exodus 16:18?
Problem: Paul writes, “As it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack’” (2 Cor. 8:15). Paul is citing Exodus 16:18 here, which refers to the manna given out during the Exodus. Why does he cite this passage?
23
Nov
2021
2 Cor 6:14 – Why is it wrong to marry a non-Christian?
Problem: Paul writes, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14 NIV). Paul’s metaphor for being “yoked” would include partnerships of various kinds—not the least of which would be marriage. Why is it wrong for a Christian to marry a non-Christian?
22
Nov
2021
2 Cor 5:21—How could Jesus be made sin when He was sinless?
Problem: Paul asserts here that Jesus was “made to be sin.” However, many other Scriptures insist that Jesus was “without sin” (Heb. 4:15; cf. 1 Peter 3:18). But how could Jesus be without sin if He was made sin for us?
21
Nov
2021
2 Cor. 5:10 – Will Christians be judged?
Problem: Paul writes, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). Elsewhere, Paul writes: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Will Christians judged by God or not?
20
Nov
2021
2 Cor 5:8 – Is there a waiting period between dying and going to heaven?
Problem: When a Christian dies, will he/she go immediately to judgment, then to heaven, or is there a waiting period? (2 Cor. 5:8; 1 Thes. 4:16-17). It seems that the question here is whether there is a contradiction between the two passages. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” This implies that those whom God has justified will be taken into God’s presence immediately upon death.
19
Nov
2021
2 Cor 3:7, 13 – Did Moses wear a veil when speaking to the people or not?
Problem: Exodus 34:33 (kjv) asserts that, “Till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail [sic] on his face” (cf. v. 35). This implies he had the veil on while speaking with them. But this seems to contradict the statement here in 2 Corinthians 3 that they could not look “steadily” on it, which implies that they were looking at it when Moses spoke (vv. 7, 13).
18
Nov
2021
2 Cor. 2:5-8 – Who is this believer described here?
Problem: Paul writes about a believer that was kicked out of the church in Corinth. Who is he referring to?
17
Nov
2021
2 Cor 2:4 – What is the “sorrowful letter”?
Problem: Evangelical scholarship is divided as to whether there was a lost letter (often called the “sorrowful letter”) in between 1 and 2 Corinthians. Paul writes, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears” (2 Cor. 2:4), and later he writes, “For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow” (2 Cor. 7:8). When Paul refers to an earlier letter, is he referring to a lost letter, or is he referring to 1 Corinthians?
16
Nov
2021
2 Cor 1:8 – Will God give us more than we can handle or not?
Problem: Paul writes, “We were burdened excessively, beyond our strength” (2 Cor. 1:8). However, in his first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1 Cor. 10:13). Will God give us more than we can handle or not?