Wednesday in the Word

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text Psalm 110 doesn’t mention a manger, shepherds, or angels. Yet it gives us one of the clearest pictures of who the baby in Bethlehem really is: the eternal King and Priest who will rule over all and bring His people back to God. In this Christmas episode, we trace how Psalm 110 reveals the identity and mission of the Messiah and how the New Testament writers apply this ancient psalm directly to Jesus. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, richer vision of who Jesus is at Christmas, not only the promised son of David, but the greater Lord whom David himself calls “my Lord.” You’ll see how Psalm 110 anchors the Christmas story in God’s larger purpose: a reigning King, a forever Priest, and a sure promise that history is moving toward the day when every enemy is subdued and God’s people stand secure in His kingdom. Series: Christmas Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.

Questions? Comments? Send Krisan a text How can a believer live with real confidence that they belong to God, even while they still struggle with sin? In this episode of Wednesday in the Word, Krisan Marotta walks through key New Testament passages to show how God marks His people inwardly (by a changed heart that endures through testing) and how that mark becomes the basis of true assurance of salvation. In this week’s episode, we explore: After listening, you’ll come away with a clearer, more biblically grounded understanding of assurance. You’ll see that the evidence of salvation is not a flawless life or a perfectly steady heart, but a tested faith that continues to seek God, hate sin, and long for His kingdom. And you’ll be encouraged to view your trials not as proof that God has abandoned you, but as the very means by which He makes it visible that you belong to Him. Start Strong: A New Believer’s Guide to Christianity launches January 9, but you can pre-order your copy now. Just visit StartStrongBook.org for more details.

Paul’s closing charge is often misunderstood. In this passage, “examine yourself” is not a call to anxious introspection but a corrective to a church testing Paul while overlooking the evidence of Christ at work among them. Paul redirects attention from his credentials to their shared life in Christ, using his authority to build them up and aiming for restoration, unity, and peace.

What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh and why didn’t God remove it? Discover how weakness can reveal God's power and reframe your own struggles.

Paul didn’t look the part of a great orator. He wasn’t flashy, eloquent, or impressive by worldly standards, and that’s exactly why his authority was questioned in Corinth. In this episode, we look at how Paul responds to the accusations against him and exposes the tactics of false apostles. Rather than defending himself with status or style, Paul flips the script and boasts in his weakness to highlight the real mark of a servant of Christ. In this week’s episode, we explore: Why Paul calls his defense “foolish boasting” How false apostles used charisma and credentials to gain influence What spiritual deception often looks like on the surface Why Paul refused to accept money from the Corinthians How suffering became the proof of Paul’s genuine apostleship By the end of the episode, you’ll see why style and confidence are poor substitutes for truth—and why a life marked by sacrifice often says more than a platform ever could.

In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul shows how to cut through the noise: he fights lies without theatrics, using God’s power to demolish false ideas, take thoughts captive to Christ, and exercise authority that builds people up. Listen in to learn how to spot the difference between charisma that flatters and truth that frees.

What does it really mean to give generously and why does it matter? When Paul asks for money for the Jerusalem collection, he’s doing more than asking the Corinthians to donate. He’s inviting them to express their faith, restore broken trust, and unite with their spiritual family. If you’ve ever wrestled with when, why, or how much to give, this message will help you see giving in a whole new light.

2 Corinthians 8–9 records Paul's advice to Corinth about the Jerusalem Collection. But it isn’t just about fundraising. In order to understand this event, we trace the story behind the Jerusalem Collection. We look at various passages in Acts, Galatians and Romans. so we can hear Paul’s appeal to Corinth the way his first listeners did.

Have you ever wrestled with whether to speak a hard truth to someone you care about? In 2 Corinthians 7:2–16, Paul reflects on the pain and power of writing a sorrowful letter to the Corinthian church, noting how godly grief leads to genuine repentance.

“Do not be unequally yoked” is not a blanket ban on contact with unbelievers; it is a warning about binding yourself in partnerships that tug your heart away from Christ or deceiving nonbelievers.

Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive God’s grace in vain, exposing the gap between outward claims and reconciliation.

Paul explains why outward appearance doesn’t define true ministry, what it means to be a new creation, an ambassador for Christ, and part of God’s ministry of reconciliation.

In 2 Corinthians 5:1–11, Paul continues his defense of his ministry by explaining how his confidence in the resurrection shapes his message, motivates his courage, and defines his integrity.

2 Corinthians explained: Why Paul doesn’t lose heart in ministry, how weakness reveals God’s power and the gospel brings eternal hope.

Explore why Paul's ministry is more glorious than Moses’. Learn how the Spirit transforms hearts and unveils the glory of the gospel.

What's new about the New Covenant? The new covenant doesn’t just offer help. It creates new people. 2 Corinthians 3:1–6 explained.

Explore why Paul refused to change either himself or the gospel to win more converts and what that means for us today.

When Paul didn’t return to Corinth as expected, some accused him of being unreliable. His response shows us how faith navigates conflict, disappointment, and the hard work of loving others well.

When Paul opens his second letter to the Corinthians, he doesn’t start with doctrine. He starts with suffering, comfort, and prayer. This passage gives us a glimpse into the personal cost of gospel ministry and the beauty of how God uses suffering to encourage others. Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church was complicated. These opening verses set the tone for a letter that’s both tender and urgent. In this week’s episode, we explore: Why Paul refers to himself as “we” and why it matters The complicated backstory behind Paul’s letter How Paul sees his suffering as part of his ministry to others What true encouragement looks like—and where it comes from Why Paul asks for prayer, and what that reveals about Christian community How God meets us in affliction not to remove the pain, but to strengthen our hope By listening, you’ll gain a richer understanding of 2 Corinthians and the heart behind Paul’s words. You’ll see how his story models gospel-shaped leadership—and how our own trials can become a source of comfort to others. Suffering, Comfort & Prayer: What Paul Teaches About Ministry (2 Corinthians 1:1-11) To understand 2 Corinthians, we need three key pieces of context: Paul often uses “we” to refer to himself. Sometimes he means “we apostles,” but often he means “I, Paul.” It’s important to understand who he’s referring to in each passage. Paul wrote a now-lost letter between 1 and 2 Corinthians. This current letter responds to how the Corinthians reacted to that missing letter. Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth was troubled. Some respected him, but others rejected his apostleship and questioned his sincerity. See: How Many Letters did Paul write Corinth? Paul’s Greeting: A Chosen Apostle Paul opens by calling himself an “apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” That’s not just a formality. It’s a gentle but firm reminder to a church that doubted him: God chose Paul to speak for Christ. That calling didn’t come through popularity or persuasion—it came through divine appointment. Paul opens the letter by reminding the Corinthians that he is an apostle by the will of God—not by personal ambition. This introduction is significant because some in Corinth doubt his authority. Paul wants to clarify from the outset that his role is divinely appointed. Paul’s position is like that of an ambassador sent by a president to restore order in a disorganized branch. The local team claims to respect the president but rejects the ambassador’s authority. Paul’s defense is not about personal pride. It’s about preserving the authority of the message and the One who sent him. Suffering, Comfort & Prayer Paul praises God as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). But Paul isn’t just making a general theological point. He’s describing his own life. God has encouraged him in the midst of real affliction, and that encouragement wasn’t just for Paul—it was for the Corinthians too. God encourages us in our affliction, not always by removing it. Paul’s sufferings are part of his ministry; he endures them for the sake of the Corinthian believers. Encouragement becomes something we pass along. Paul is encouraged by God so that he can encourage others. Paul’s hardships in Asia were so severe that he “despaired of life itself.” But that forced him to rely fully on “the God who raises the dead.” Paul invites the Corinthians to join him in prayer—not to increase God’s willingness to act, but to share in the gratitude when God delivers. Sufferings Paul describes intense suffering in Asia—so severe that he “despaired of life itself.” This experience taught him to rely on “God who raises the dead.” He shares this story to deepen his connection with the Corinthians and to invite them to join him in prayer and gratitude. Comfort Encouragement is the process by which gospel truths become rea...

Corinth was a city of wealth, power, and moral decay—an unlikely place for a thriving church. In this episode, we explore how Paul planted the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey and why he stayed longer than expected. You’ll learn about his partnership with Priscilla and Aquila, the cultural challenges he faced, and the strategic vision behind his ministry.