Power in Weakness: The Message of 2nd Corinthians (Hope - 4:16 – 5:10)

In Second Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explored how God’s power works best in our weakness and how God offers comfort when we’re frustrated and discouraged. He also challenged the Corinthians to give for the sake of others and to share the message of reconciliation. We’re following the outline below:

• Session 1 - Paul’s Greeting (1:1-11)
• Session 2 - A Change in Plans (1:12 – 2:4)
• Session 3 - Forgiveness (2:5-17)
• Session 4 - God’s New Agreement (3:1-18)
• Session 5 - Treasure in Clay Jars (4:1-15)
• Session 6 - Hope (4:16 – 5:10)
• Session 7 - Bringing People to God (5:11 – 6:13)
• Session 8 - The Temple of God (6:14 – 7:1)
• Session 9 - Paul’s Joy (7:2-16)
• Session 10 - Rules for Giving (8:1-24)
• Session 11 - Money for God’s (9:1-24)
• Session 12 - A Major Shift in Tone  (10:1-18)
• Session 13 - False Prophets (11:1-15)
• Session 14 - Suffering (11:16 – 12:13)
• Session 15 - A Coming Visit (12:14 – 13:4)
• Session 16 - In Conclusion (13:5-13)

During our sixth session, we discussed how his faith in the future gave Paul hope (2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:10). The discussion and passage follow.

2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.

For we know that, if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to be further clothed with our heavenly dwelling, for surely when we have been clothed in it we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan under our burden because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. The one who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a down payment.

So we are always confident, even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive due recompense for actions done in the body, whether good or evil.