Paul continued asking about the things people do because they believe. If Christ didn't rise from death, then what purpose would it serve to baptize in the name of dead people. For that matter, why would he put himself in harm's way if there is nothing to believe in? If that's true then we should follow the saying, "Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we will die." (15:32; Isaiah 22:13) Then Paul advised them not to be fooled, that bad companions ruin good character. Some people wondered what kind of body they would have. Paul told them to stop being foolish and explained that when a seed is planted, it dies and changes form into something new. God gives each his own body. Things are different according to God's will; there are different kinds of beauty. The physical body will die and the spiritual body will rise. Stand firm and know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.
Paul explained how they should handle the collection they had made for God' people in Judea. Paul planned to go through Macedonia and hoped to spend some time, perhaps the winter with them. Paul was in Ephesus until Pentecost because there was a great opportunity there for ministry. Paul asked that if Timothy came to them that they make him welcome. In finishing this letter, Paul told them to stand firm in the faith and do all work in love. He recommended a man named Achaia and his family to them. Paul signed off with words of love in Christ Jesus.
2Corinthians
This letter begins with Paul's greeting. Paul gave thanks to God for the help He gives which grows as it is shared. Sharing in hardships helps to endure them. Paul had been afraid they wouldn't live long when they were in Asia. But it turned out to be proof of God's saving grace. Paul felt proud that their relationship was based on truth and sincerity by the power of God's grace. He wrote to them what they could understand and hoped they would understand more in time. Paul had planned to visit them on his way to and from Macedonia. Paul knew that he appeared to be like people who say 'yes' when they mean 'no' because he did not visit as he had planned. Paul told them he was not trying to tell them what to believe, but trying to support them in the faith.
Paul wanted the people of Corinth to know that he wasn't trying to make them sad with his first letter, but to make them realize how much he loved them. Paul encouraged them to forgive those who had offended them. Without forgiveness Satan gains the upper hand. In Troas, Paul had been very worried because he couldn't find Titus. From there he went to Macedonia. In union with Christ we are led by God and He uses us to let people know about Christ. Because it is God's message, they speak with sincerity as servants of Christ.
Tomorrow read 2Corinthians 3-7
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