Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians
"Epistles of commendation..."
Text: 2 Corinthians 3:1
COMPLEX PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST CENTURY
There were many complicated situations that the Church faced in the first century. The following may be highlighted:
1. Books were not easily available.
2. Contact with each other was not easily maintained.
3. The Apostles were the main teachers of New Testament Theology.
a) But there were very few Apostles.
b) The churches had become widespread.
c) The Apostles had to work very hard to ensure that the churches would be well-established.
4. There were many false teachers.
a) They claimed to have knowledge and authority.
b) They infiltrated the churches.
c) They created many problems for the early New Testament Church.
A SECOND ECHELON OF LEADERS
The Apostles had to travel far and wide and often. Their role was indispensable! Thank God there arose some who began to stand out in their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church! They formed the second echelon of leaders and teachers for the early Church. Among these leaders were Timothy and Titus.
EPISTLES OF COMMENDATION
One of the ways in which the church safe-guarded themselves was to use “letters of commendation.”
“Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need,
as some others, epistles of commendation
to you or letters of commendation from you?”
2 Corinthians 3:1