Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"My joy is the joy of you all."
Text: 2 Corinthians 2:3
JOY IN LIFE AND MINISTRY
It is most natural to desire joy in life and ministry. But there are times and situations where joy is not always possible or available. Sorrow sometimes seeks to prevail. Paul shares more personal glimpses in this text.
“And I wrote this very thing to you, lest,
when I came, I should have sorrow over those
from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence
in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.”
2 Corinthians 2:3
1. “And I wrote this very thing to you”
a) The purpose of Paul’s letter:
i) To address sin problems.
ii) To resolve difficulties.
iii) To restore relationships through reconciliation.
b) Time had to be given
i) For Paul’s letter to be read and digested.
ii) For sins to be addressed and resolved.
2. “Lest, when I came, I should have sorrow”
a) Sorrow would be there if there had been no repentance over sin.
b) Sorrow would have affected the joy that should be in the church.
c) Sorrow always dampens the spirit of the church.
3. “Those from whom I ought to have joy”
a) Paul had high expectations.
b) These were not unrealistic expectations.
c) There must have been some who had been close to Paul.
i) As disciples
ii) As fellow-workers
iii) As spiritual children
d) They would have brought much joy to the heart if they had progressed well.
e) But they would have brought sorrow if they had been misled or had been caught up in sin.
4. “Having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all”
a) Joy is essentially the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
b) There should be joy if all were walking well with the Lord (John 15:11).
Paul was confident that his understanding of joy was shared by all (Psalm 16:11).