Beside Ourselves to God 2 Corinthians 5:13

Paul the apostle shared how he and his companions, did not “commend” themselves to the church members anew which gave the church members “occasion to glory on” their “behalf” so they “may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart”. In chapter five and verse thirteen of Second Corinthians, Paul had the church members consider, “whether we be beside ourselves...or sober” where we read:

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

The verse begins, “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God:” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, seeing then, no doubt, verily and therefore” “whether” or “if” “we be beside ourselves” which means “Paul and his companions were thrown out of position, displaced, amazed, astonished and thrown into wonderment”, “it is to God” or “toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul wanted the church members to know when he and his companions were “amazed and thrown into wonderment”, they were that way as unto “God”.

The verse continues, “or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.”. Paul added the words, “or whether” which means “or if” “we be sober” or “Paul and his companions were of sound and right mind, exercising self control and curbing one's passions”, “it is for” or “it is on behalf of “your cause” which refers to “the church members' ground and reason”. Paul declared when he and his companions were of “sound and right mind”, it was on the church members' behalf .

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he contrasted being “beside themselves” unto the Lord with being “sober” on behalf of the church members. Jesus Christ desires to have a relationship with every person who will “believe” and “trust in” Him, and as Paul and his companions were willing to be “beside” themselves or “sober”, it was always toward Jesus Christ and His message of the gospel. Though others may think we are “beside ourselves” or “sober”, having a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ is the most important “cause” we shall ever know.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “the love of Christ constrains us”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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