For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. 2 Corinthians 1:5 NABRE
Paul is writing to the community at Corinth, addressing questions and issues in this very lively community. At the opening of the letter Paul is thankful and encouraging for the community. Paul begins his transformation from a Jewish Pharisee to a Jewish Christian when he was working for the temple police to eliminate this new movement of followers of Jesus. He is traveling to Damascus and encounters the risen Christ, through a bright light that temporarily blinds him and a voice. “He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'” (Acts 9:4) This is Paul’s transforming experience and a significantly impactful message is Christ saying “persecuting me.’” Paul doesn’t even know who this is and asks, getting a reply, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (Acts 9:5) To this point Paul is seeking individuals, but Jesus is in communion with his followers. Jesus already has a community as one body, union, disciples and Jesus as head. Paul’s conversion shapes how he sees community, Christ and communion. Paul says Christ’s suffering (later he explains through love Christ dies and therefore we all died) includes the entire community. When Christ suffered the entire community suffers. One hurts all hurt. Therefore when Christ is encouraged, the entire community is encouraged. Paul speaks later about the “Body of Christ” which is clearly in his thinking at this point. If the knee hurts the body hurts, if the eyes are joyful the body is joyful.
The Body of Christ is a strong connection of church, which extends to everything. One suffers and the entire body suffers. It is particularly interesting as it pertains to sin.
Do you feel connected to Jesus as a we? Does your sin impact the entire church?
The Body of Christ is a strong connection of church, which extends to everything. One suffers and the entire body suffers. It is particularly interesting as it pertains to sin. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #suffer #connect #Paul #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways