2 Corinthians 2:12, 13 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me of the Lord,… Introduce by describing the leading instances of providential deliverance, care, and guidance in the life of the Apostle Paul. Especially dwell on the cases in which his life was preserved from peril and from the plots of his enemies. The reference made in our text is rather to the gracious way in which his missionary journeyings and missionary spheres had been opened before him; and the illustration may be taken from the singular way in which doors were opened and shut, when the Divine will was for the apostle to preach the gospel in Europe (see Acts 16:6-9). For the figure of a "door" for an "opportunity," see Corinthians 16:9; Revelation 3:8. The truth of the Divine providence ordering our lives is not one that is so familiar to us as it was to our fathers. Possibly our warmer thought of God's fatherly care has taken the place of the colder conception of an impersonal providence. Still, it may be well to revive the older notion and make it glow with Christian sentiment and feeling. I. THE ORDERING OF PROVIDENCE FOR EVERYBODY. Irrespective of religious state and relations. Illustrations of this are found in all times of danger, disease, or calamity. Some are taken and some are left. We constantly read of remarkable providential escapes. II. THE SPECIALTY OF PROVIDENCE FOR CHRISTIANS. It may in part be that Christians more readily recognize the hand of God in their rescuings and guidances, but we may also believe that God gives a special protection to his own. Such a belief may be a great comfort to us, but it must be kept from becoming exaggerated and extravagant. The Christian cannot always be preserved, because his suffering may be for the good of the whole. III. THE ATTITUDE IN WHICH CHRISTIANS SHOULD STAND TOWARDS THE EVER ACTIVE PROVIDENCE. It may be shown to include (1) earnest watchings; (2) patient waitings; (3) prompt actings; (4) full and unhesitating obediences; and (5) thankful rejoicings. - R.T. Parallel Verses KJV: Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,WEB: Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord, |
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