Double Grace: 2 Corinthians 1:15
The Apostle Paul wrote this passage to the Christ-followers in the city of Corinth. He had served them and wanted to come back and double grace them! Let me show you what I mean.
2 Corinthians 1:15, “Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.” (ESV)
Paul moved around the countryside in Asia Minor and had been in Corinth before. He writes telling the Christians there he wanted to come back to them so they could have a second experience of grace.
That phrase “a second experience of grace,” literally means double grace. How would he double grace the believers in Corinth?
The Apostle expands on this idea in Romans 1:11-12, (11) For I long to see you, that I might impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — (12) that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (ESV)
Paul wanted to go to Rome to see the Roman believers to give them some spiritual gift, or literally a grace gift. He wanted to go back to the Christians in Corinth to give them a double grace.
In both cases he was looking to deliver more grace or grace gifts to the Christ-followers!
First Paul needed to come to the believers! In Romans he wanted to see them and in 2 Corinthians he wanted to come to them. It’s about getting together with the people of God to grace them or double grace them.
Basic to the Christian faith is being together to grace one another.
We’re in a time when the COVID-19 thing is keeping us apart. Being together in the presence of one another is about as basic as Christian Fellowship gets.
This affliction needs to pass, and government needs to stop keeping us apart. Christians need to be together safely!
The grace of God is delivered to one another interpersonally!
I met Dr. John Rowe in 1973 when I started Bible College at Pacific Christian College. He was a professor, and one with 3 doctoral degrees.
More than being smart he became my friend and mentor. I met with John over and over and every meeting resulted in me being made better and built up. He double graced me!
When I left full timeministry after 30 years he came to Arizona to see me three times while I was selling Fords. His visits lifted me always. He got together with me and double graced me!
In 2014 John passed away at 84 years of age. I was recovering from triple-by-pass surgery and couldn’t travel to his funeral. I miss my friend and his visits of double-grace. I know I will see him on the other side, and we will be overwhelmed by God’s presence and grace!
Second in the Romans passage Paul wanted to give them a grace gift and in 2 Corinthians he wanted to double grace the Corinthian people. When you get together with people you want to grace them to strengthen them and build them up.
My friend John was doing an interim ministry at a church I had served as pastor for 12 years. He talked with me in 2010 about looking to see if I should go back for a second ministry with that congregation. At the time I was selling Fords in Arizona.
We talked about praying in a spirit of worship to seek God’s direction about what He wants. The approach of prayer John and I talked about is a thing I still do today every day.
He graced me with a prayer approach that’s powerful! God’s answer about going back to that ministry was “no.” Worshipful prayer is what led to God’s answer and it was learned when John double graced me.
Third, double gracing other believers is about being mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
The word encourage is a translation of the Greek word “PARAKALEO.” It means to get next to someone and call out to them!
When someone is going through tough times you get next to them and figure out ways to encourage them. This is tough to do long distance, but when you can get together with a brother or sister and offer words and prayer to encourage you’re double gracing them.
Why do you suppose pastors and others make hospital calls and sick calls on people who are shut in? They’re getting next to them and calling out to them to trust God and keep at it! They’re double gracing them!
Ruth was a member of the church I served in Lemon Grove, Calif. She was retired and had a home paid for and a good car and good income. All she did was go around and take care of people.
Ruth’s friend was suffering with cancer and just clinging to life! She got scared at night, so what did Ruth do? She spent the night with her in her hospital room so she wouldn’t be alone! Ruth did this until her friend died. She was encouraging her! It was an act of double grace.
A few years later I had Ruth’s funeral. Dozens of people where there she had served, helped and encouraged.
After the service one man sat on the front row and just sobbed out of control. I decided I should see if I could help in some way. So, I sat down next to him and asked what was so painful and how I might help him.
He explained he and Ruth had been married for 20 years and had been divorced for 25 years. He didn’t know what he was going to do without her. I asked what he meant by that.
He explained that for the 25 years since they had divorced, she had come to his house daily, cooked, washed clothes and dishes and took care of his house.
He said they couldn’t live together, but he didn’t know what he was going to do without her. He sobbed uncontrollably!
For 25 years Ruth had served, encouraged, and cared for her ex-husband! Amazing!
Ruth had double graced her ex-husband!
Look for ways to double grace people! You will see people touched by the hand of God as He reaches out through your heart and hands.