Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"Show to them... the proof of your love..."
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:24
APPROPRIATE REGARD FOR THE FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF GOD
Paul had suffered much indignity at the hands of the enemies of the faith. They had doubted his apostleship. They had questioned his authority. They had opposed his ministry in many different ways. He wanted to teach the Corinthians how they should show appropriate regard to those who had proven themselves to be good and faithful servants of God!
“Therefore show to them, and before the churches,
the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.”
2 Corinthians 8:24
1. “Therefore show to them”
a) The word “them”
i) Titus
ii) The brother whose praise is in the gospel (2 Corinthians 8:18)
iii) The “messengers” of the churches (2 Corinthians 8:23).
b) Appropriate regard must be shown to these worthy servants of Christ.
2. “And before the churches”
a) Paul was conscious that the churches were in touch with each other.
b) Some of the churches
i) The Judean churches
ii) The Macedonian churches etc
c) How the Corinthian church regarded the Team Paul sent would be seen by all the churches.
d) They would come to know how the Corinthian church regarded these brethren.
3. “The proof of your love”
a) It was the Lord Jesus who commanded His disciples to love one another (John 13:34-35).
b) Paul had taught the Church much about love (1 Corinthians 13).
c) He had loved the Corinthian church dearly.
d) He desired the Corinthians to be able to show proof of the love of God by their actions.
4. “And of our boasting on your behalf”
a) Paul had glowingly spoken of the Corinthians to people.
b) The Apostle Paul had been “boasting” about the Corinthian church.
i) The word “boasting” does not carry a negative connotation at all.
ii) This word is sometimes translated as “confidence”.
iii) It usually carries the nuance of great joy and pride.
Paul had spoken glowingly about the Corinthians. He wanted them to live up to this reputation!