Being in Christ and Living in Christ (Wed. Sept. 25)

The Word of the Day (Wednesday, September 25)

Being in Christ and Living in Christ

The Word of the Day is “in.” What do we mean when we speak of being “in Christ”? Today, in our reading of 2 Corinthians 13:3-14, Paul uses the term “in” in two senses. He writes, “Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you” (OSB vs. 3). He also says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is “in” you– unless indeed you are disqualified” (OSB vs. 5)? Today, we will analyze our reading cording to the meaning of these two uses. Our study will help us expand our understanding of our relationship to Christ.

Today, in 2 Corinthians 13:3-14, Paul closes what we now call his second letter to the Corinthians. We find that the apostle is preparing the members of the congregation for his third visit. The situation seems to have improved after his “painful visit” in about 55 A. D. and his letter (called 1 Corinthians). However, Paul worries that not every conflict has been resolved in the congregation and that not everyone practicing open and shameful sin has repented.

Paul Will Come “in the Power of God”

If either is the case, Paul will not back down. He will exercise his apostolic authority in the name and power of God (vs. 4) and correct those at fault. We find the key to this passage in a boast of his opponents. They charged that “His letters… are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible” (2 Cor. 9). The apostle responds that he will not come to Corinth in weakness but in the power of God (vs. 4). The sentence construction, however, is complex. Paul says, “You seek a proof of Christ speaking in me…” (vs. 3). Then he says that though Christ “was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God (vs. 4).

In these verses, Paul plays on this contrast between weakness and strength. In a sentence that is parallel to the verse above, he goes on, “We also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you” (vs. 4). In other words, Paul says that in his first visit, he did not come to Corinth with powerful words and compelling wisdom. He came with the message of the seeming weakness of the cross. But if the apostle returns to Corinth, he will come with the power of God, who raised Christ from the dead and lives eternally. In short, Paul will come “in Christ” and manifest the Lord’s weakness and His power. Therefore, he says his visit will demonstrate that Christ is “speaking in me” (vs. 3).

Paul Will Be the Instrument of Christ

What does it mean that he will not come in weakness but in the “power of God”? Paul’s use of the term does not refer to location but function. He comes as the means of God’s power and as the instrument of Christ. Therefore, he will show that Christ is “speaking in” him. That is, Christ will speak through the medium of his voice.

But then, Paul turns the whole matter around. The question to be answered is not whether Christ is “in” the apostle and Paul is Christ’s instrument. The question is whether Christ dwells “in” the members of the Corinthian church. It is a matter of self-examination. If Jesus Christ is “in” them, then Paul’s visit will be a blessing. However, if they believe and act as if the Lord is not “in” them, they are already “disqualified.” That is, they are already spiritual failures.

Being “In Christ” is a Spiritual State of Being

Whether one is “in” Christ refers to a location within a boundary, such as a container. To be “in” Christ is, of course, not a physical position. It is a spiritual state of oneness with the Lord. Since it is an inner condition, no one can say whether another is “in Christ.” However, one must know that through “self-examination” (OSB vs. 5)

For Reflection 

The study of today’s passage raises the same matter for our self-examination. Are we living “in Christ”? Paul wrote in Philippians, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ and to be found in Him…” (OSB Philippians 3:8). To be “in” Christ” means that He becomes “our wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). When we are “in Him,” we have the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). When we live “outside” of the boundaries of His life, we are also “outside” the benefits of God’s grace.

We may believe that we are in the state of being “in Christ’ But are we living in a way that is worthy of this status: are we “living in Christ?” Paul wrote, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (OSB Colossians 3:17). To conduct ourselves in the power of Christ means that we speak and act with the divine power and authority of Christ as His disciples and servants. We consciously live as the instruments of the Lord’s peace, goodness, and love. 

Confronting Corruptive Influences Within the Church (Tues. Sept. 24)

 The Word of the Day is “repented.” Today’s reading from 2 Corinthians 12:20-13:2 concerns a grave matter: the treatment of open and unrepentant sinners in the Body of Christ. The Lord said, “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (OSB Luke 15:7). But what about sinners who do not repent and yet remain in the church?

On the one hand, the Lord taught, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (OSB Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, Paul wrote: “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person” (1 Corinthians 5:11). And again, Paul wrote in two letters, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9 and 1 Corinthians 5:6). Therefore, Paul advises that the church in the assembly should “cast out” the offender, which means to remove them from the fellowship, and “hand him over to Satan," a symbolic act of delivering the person to the consequences of their sin (1 Corinthians 5:5).

TREATMENT OF THOSE WHO ARE A CORRUPTING INFLUENCE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

How, then, should we respond to the unashamed and unremorseful, especially if they are a corrupting influence in the Body of Christ? In our reading from 2 Corinthians, Paul writes that he fears “lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced” (OSB vs. 21).

THE DISCIPLINE OF THE OFFENDERS

In today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 12:20-13:2, Paul counsels two measures against open offenses in the Body of Christ: the discipline of the offenders and mourning for their loss. Drastic actions must be taken against the offenders not because of their sin but because they refuse to repent. This underscores the urgent need for discipline in such cases.

To be sure, the apostle warns that he will not hesitate to correct those who are causing scandal and discord in the congregation. In fact, he says that he will not “spare….” The Greek word “spare” means to “refrain” or “abstain” and has the sense of “holding back” (Strong’s #5339). Accordingly, The New Revised Standard Version translates that Paul will not “be lenient.” Thus, the apostle suggests that although he is weak in Christ, he will still deal with transgressors with the Lord’s power (2 Corinthians 13:4). The Orthodox Study Bible suggests that he will even use his apostolic authority to expel the unrepentant from the church (OSB fn. 12:20-13:4).

MOURNING FOR THOSE WHO REFUSE TO SEEK FORGIVENESS

However, at a deeper level, Paul says that if he comes during the current situation, he will grieve for those who have sinned and refuse to seek forgiveness. The Greek word implies that the apostle will shed tears as one who mourns the death of a loved one (Strong’s #3996, 197). Thus, if Paul finds that many have not repented, he will weep as the Lord Jesus wept over Jerusalem because that holy city also rejected the mercy of God (Luke 19:41).

FOR REFLECTION

St. Philaret of Moscow said, “The Church is holy, although there are sinners within her. Those who sin but who cleanse themselves with true repentance do not keep the church from being holy. But unrepentant sinners are cut off, whether visibly by Church authority or invisibly by the judgment of God, from the body of the church. And so, in this regard, the church remains holy” (Kozheozersky 2011). In other words, the repentance of its members preserves the holiness of the church.

Miracles Happpen, Even Today (Mon. Sept. 23)

The Word of the Day is “signs.” Christianity has its foundation in miraculous events. In our scientific age, we might minimize the importance of supernatural events in the scriptures and the founding of Christianity. But in today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 12:10-19, Paul points to the “signs and wonders” that demonstrate that he is an apostle like the others. Thus, in today’s passage, we learn the significance of miracles and their role in the achievement of our salvation.

Miracles in the Book of Acts

 The Book of Acts recounts an awe-inspiring number of such signs, wonders, and miracles. These extraordinary events, such as people hearing the Gospel in their own languages (2:22), a lame man walking (3:8), earthquakes accompanying prayer (4:31), an angel opening prison doors (5:19), and many more, are not just mere occurrences, but they are manifestations of the divine power at work. These marvels were not only performed by St. Peter but also by Philip, Stephen the Deacon, and the apostles in general, as Luke reports, “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people (5:12).

Miracles By the Hand of Paul

St. Paul insists in today’s reading that he is not lacking in such confirmations of apostleship. He writes, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds” (16:12). Indeed, in Acts Paul blinds a sorcerer (13:11); performs signs and wonders in Iconium (14:3,4); heals a man who is crippled in Lystra (14:8-18); casts out a demon that possessed a slave girl in Philippi (16:16); heals the sick in Ephesus either in person or by handkerchiefs and aprons brought to him (19:11-12); casts out evil spirits in Ephesus (19:12); raises a young man from the dead in Troas (20:12); is not harmed by a poisonous snake bite in Malta (28:5); and heals the father of a leading citizen of Malta who had a fever and dysentery as well as those who were sick on the island (28:8-10).

This sampling of marvelous events demonstrates that Christianity is not merely a philosophy of moral virtue or a program of healthy living. It is founded on the revelation of the supernatural, the extraordinary acts of the transcendent God whose divine Word is continually at work in the world for our salvation, whether people recognize it or not.

The Miracle of All Miracles

Indeed, “signs and wonders” are not the core of the Gospel. The Lord said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matthew 12:39). The miracle of all miracles is the victory of Christ’s triumph over death and the grave. And the wonder of all wonders is the demonstration of the love of God on the cross. All other signs and wonders confirm the message of God’s saving, redeeming, and healing power demonstrated by the death and resurrection of Christ.

Thus, St. Gregory of Nyssa teaches the role of these miracles, “Marvels are not performed for the purpose of terrifying those who happen to be present, but they look to the benefit of those being saved. By these marvels of virtue, the enemy is defeated, and the Almighty’s people are strengthened” (Gregory-of-Nyssa 1978, 68-69).

Miracles participate in God’s work of salvation from evil and the Evil One. Moreover, they reinforce the faith of believers, providing reassurance and strength. The faithful do not put their trust in them, but they testify to the One whose almighty power and goodness are revealed in them. Thus, for Paul, they do not replace the all-important preaching of the cross. But they confirm that he is the apostolic messenger of that Gospel.

For Reflection:  Miracles Today?

Our study invites us to reconsider our understanding of signs and wonders. They play a crucial role in the Gospels and the Book of Acts. The prevalence and significance of miracles in the scriptures raise the question of their relevance in the life of faith today. Has science supplanted miracles as the primary means of healing in body, mind, and soul? 

Why do we pray for one another? Are our prayers not a plea for divine action, even intervention? Could an answer to prayer be considered a miracle? Perhaps we don’t see miracles today because we’re not actively seeking them. This reflection should inspire us to actively seek the miraculous in our lives and to open our hearts and minds to the divine intervention that confirms our faith.

Works Cited

Gregory-of-Nyssa. 1978. The Life of Moses Translated by Abraham J. Malherbe and Everett Ferguson. New York Paulist Press. 

On Guard Against Temptation

The Word of the Day is “watch.” In today’s reading of 1 Corinthians 16:13-24, St. Paul closes his letter with these final instructions: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” (vs. 13). This passage brings to mind the image of a sentinel who does guard duty against all enemies. There is no need for such a lookout in times of peace and security. But in times of war and insecurity, such a watchman is critical. In St. Paul’s mind, we must always be watchful for the threats to our souls and the church. This vigilance can empower us to resist temptation when it comes upon us.

All the moral chaos and faithlessness surrounding us should remind us that “The Kingdom of God suffers violence” in this world (Matthew 11:12). Moreover, the state of our own souls also shows us that, like St. Paul, “we have not finished the fight” (1 Cor. 9:26-27).  But though we are often wounded by temptations, our wounds should not dismay us. St. John Chrysostom said, “Only those who don’t fight are never wounded.”  So, we must be ever watchful for attack and determined to fight the devil lest the unbelief of this age and the temptations of our souls overcome us. 

St. John Chrysostom comments that in our reading, St. Paul was referring to his opponents in Corinth, the deceivers, the conspirators, and the dividers and detractors who had taken over the congregation (NPFP 1/12, 265). But for us, the dangers may not be so clear. What, then, should we watch for? The answer is that anything that is against love has the potential to divide us from God or our neighbor. So then, we should protect love against hatred, bitterness, jealousy, quarreling, and selfishness. Love, when fostered in all circumstances, especially times of tension and struggle, can comfort us and give us hope in the face of negativity.

For Reflection: 

The desert father, Poeman said, “The beginning of evil is heedlessness” (Ward, The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, 173). How can you stand on guard bravely and boldly against all the dangers to your soul and the church?

Wisdom Known Only By Faith (Sat. Sept. 21)

The Word of the Day is “mystery.” Are there things that only believers understand? Is there wisdom that only those who are “mature” in Christ have? In today’s reading of 1 Corinthians 2:6-9, Paul answers, “Yes.” He writes, “We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory” (OSB vs. 7). Today, we will delve into the understanding of the hidden wisdom of God known only to faith.

In today’s passage, Paul seems to be talking nonsense. How can he, a human being, claim to speak about the divine wisdom hidden in the mind of God? How can he maintain that he has insight into what God has ordained before the ages?

The term “ordain” has the root meaning of establishing boundaries. But this setting of limits is accomplished beforehand. Thus, the word means to pre-determine or to decide ahead of time (Strong’s #4309). In verse 9, Paul expresses the same thought with the term “prepare,” meaning to make ready (Strong’s #2090).

What Has God Pre-Determined?

What has God determined before the ages and arranged ahead of time? These are the things of our inheritance in the Kingdom of God. Thus, the Lord says to those who have ministered to the poor and needy–and so to Him–“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you (Matthew 25:44). And in the Gospel of John, Jesus promises, “In my Father’s House are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

Things Incomprehensive to Human Reason

These things of our destiny are incomprehensible to human reason and invisible to ordinary perception. Therefore, Paul writes, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him” (OSB vs. 9). A close reading of this verse finds that Paul speaks of what the physical human eye cannot see and the natural human ear cannot hear. Moreover, when we study this thought, we find that the “heart of the [natural] man” cannot imagine the glories of the Kingdom that the God has made ready for those who are devoted to Him.

So why does Paul write that he speaks of the mystery hidden from the ordinary senses and the “natural” heart? How can he disclose the divine secrets hidden in the depth of the will of the Almighty?

Faith Proclaims and Understands the Mystery

Paul does not proclaim nor do his hearers understand this mystery by human powers. But it can be known. Believers grasp it by faith. Thus, in Colossians, Paul writes about “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations but now has been revealed to His saints” (OSB Colossians 1:26).

St. John Chrysostom explains, “Wisdom is the name he [Paul] gives to the Gospel, to the method of salvation, to being saved by the Cross.” He adds that the “perfect,” that is, the “spiritually mature,” are those who believe” (NfPf1:12, Homily 7). Therefore, we can say that it is faith in the Cross of Christ that understands the wisdom of the “secrets of the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 13:11).

For Reflection: The Things of the Spirit Are Known by the Spirit

Immediately after our reading, Paul goes on to explain how believers gain knowledge of what God has prepared for them. He says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (OSB 1 Corinthians 2:12). Thus, the apostle explains why the “natural man” cannot apprehend God’s plan for our salvation with his ordinary senses and reason. They are things of the Spirit, and so they are “spiritually discerned” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Therefore, believers are spiritually empowered to grasp the hidden mystery of what God has prepared for them by the Spirit given to them.