Epistles Written in Our Hearts 2 Corinthians 3:2

Paul the apostle asked the church members in Corinth, “Do we begin again to commend ourselves?”, and he questioned, “or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?” In chapter three and verse two of Second Corinthians, Paul told the church members,“You are our epistle written in our hearts”, where we read:

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

The verse begins, “You are our epistle written in our hearts, ...” Paul began with the word, “you” which refers to “the church members in Corinth” “are our epistle” which means “Paul and his companions' letter” “written” or “engraved, inscribed, recorded and enrolled” “in our hearts” which means “within Paul and his companions' soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”. Paul considered the church members in Corinth as “letters of commendation” to him and his companions.

The verse continues, “...known and read of all men:” Paul added the word, “known” which means “perceived, felt and become acquainted with “and read” or “distinguished between, recognized and known accurately” “of all men” which refers to “of each, every, the whole and everyone”. Paul declared how the church members were “perceived” and recognized by everyone.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he regarded the church members as his “letter” of commendation. The lives of the church members were seen and recognized by everyone, and this gave all the credence to Paul and his companions needed. When people receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, their lives should give testimony of those who lead them to him. This was the case and proof for Paul and his companions, and so should we be as “epistles in” their “hearts”.

Next time Paul tells the church members how they are, “manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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