Daily Bible Reading

Day 94

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 12-13

Look for the promises in God’s word. As you read and find them, write them in your journal along with the scripture reference.

2 Corinthians 12

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

1. It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
2. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven.
3. And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows)
4. was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak.
5. On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses.
6. For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me,
7. even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant.
8. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me.
9. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.
10. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

The Signs of an Apostle

11. I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
12. Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.
13. For how were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!
14. Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15. Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives! If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16. But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit!
17. I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I?
18. I urged Titus to visit you and I sent our brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way?
19. Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up.
20. For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me not what you wish. I am afraid that somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
21. I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.

2 Corinthians 13

Paul’s Third Visit to Corinth

1. This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established.
2. I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone,
3. since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you.
4. For indeed he was crucified by reason of weakness, but he lives because of God’s power. For we also are weak in him, but we will live together with him, because of God’s power toward you.
5. Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test!
6. And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test!
7. Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test.
8. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth.
9. For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.
10. Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!

Final Exhortations and Greetings

11. Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.
12. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
13. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
14. [[EMPTY]]

{2 Corinthians 10-11}   {Daily Reading Guide}   {1 Samuel 1-3}