Month: May 2018

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Exegetical Notes: 2 Samuel 1:22-2:7

22 “From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

Continues the lamentation of David over the death of Saul and Jonathan (see. 1:17, 18). Officially titled “The Song of the Bow”. 

David highlights both Saul’s and Jonathan’s reputations on the battlefield in verse 22. Jonathan is known for his mastery of the bow and arrow, while Saul is a known swordsman. 

23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions.

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Exegetical Notes: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

9 Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,

Paul uses a bit of honey here to convince the believers in Corinth to complete their original intention of participating in the Jerusalem Offering. (See. 8:6)

“the ministry for the saints” – more specifically the Jerusalem Offering. As Paul would go from town to town on his missionary journey, he collected an offering to present to the believers in Jerusalem.

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So You’re At A Funeral (4 Practical & Polite Helps To Make A Funeral Visitation Meaningful)

One of the greatest opportunities to show genuine care and concern for others is through times of grief. I hope the following words help you communicate your love for others as you seek to be a source of God-sent comfort in their lives.

Don’t Be A Slow Driver

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Exegetical Notes: 2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.

“From now on, therefore” – Places strong emphasis on on the content of verses 14-15. Christ’s death is the foundational act/event that controls our actions: 1) that we would be controlled by his love, 2) that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him [14], and who we are, namely, a new creation [17]. 

“according to the flesh” – NIV translates this as “from a worldly point of view”.

APP: As believers, we should not assign value to individuals based on worldly measurements of worth (i.e. money, power, fame, beauty, etc.). Instead, Christ’s love as demonstrated in his reconciling death (Rom. 5:8) places each person on equal footing. Through Christ, each of us has become “a new creation”. 

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Exegetical Notes: 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

“ourselves” – we live in a world full of self promotion. Much of what fills our social media platforms is nothing more than promoting a well manicured version of our own lives. However, as believers we have a greater duty to promote the life-changing gospel of Christ.

APP: As believers, we should desire that others experience the same eye-opening grace that we have experienced (see next verse).

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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