Book of 2 Corinthians

2 Cor 1 Octavious
Augustus Octavius replaced Julius Caesar after he was assassinated by Brutus and Cassius and was the ruling officer of the Roman Empire while Jesus was alive.

If you find yourself slandered in today’s world there are many ways to set the record straight, for we have access to modern communication and technology.

But in the 1st century, the apostle Paul didn’t have modern media. It was difficult for him to defend himself. Second Corinthians was essentially a document to prepare the church in Corinth for imminent visit in which Paul intended to set the record straight about his integrity and authority.

Paul had founded the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey. But after his departure, false apostles had arrived. Their hurtful slander infected the believers.

These false apostles, Paul declared in 2 Corinthians, were agents of Satan masquerading as ministers of righteousness. Paul described his own sufferings for Christ and appealed to the Corinthians to remember,

“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men” (2 Cor 3:2).

It’s not necessary to answer all our critics or to defend ourselves for the sake of pride or legacy. But when an attack harms the cause of Christ that’s different.

How wonderful to be able to say, as Paul did 2 Cor 5:20-21:

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2 Cor 2 Cornelius Tacitus
Cornelius Tacitus (56-117 A.D.), Roman historian, reports Nero’s persecution of Christians after the great fire of Rome. In passing, he mentions Christus was crucified by Pontius Pilate (the governor that had Jesus crucified). Annals 15.44. (ca. 116 A.D.)

Key Thought:

Those who represent Christ must have a clear message and godly motives and methods, so that their integrity will be obvious even amid slander.

Key Verses:

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor 5:20-21).

Key Action:

Slander in the work of Christ is temporary; service for the cause of Christ is eternal.

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