The Epistle of Second Corinthians

Outline of 2nd Corinthians Explanation of Paul’s Apostolic Ministry (1:1—6:10) Greetings from “an apostle…by the will of God” (1:1-2) Past events in Paul’s ministry Trouble in Asia, but comfort from God (1:3-11) Plans for visiting Corinth (1:12-24) Writing out of love produces sorrow, yields forgiveness (2:1-11) Nature of the word Paul ministered Dual aroma of the gospel (2:12-17) The word is ministered thru the Corinthians’ changed lives (3:1-5) A ministry of the Spirit (3:6-18) God’s treasure in earthen vessels (4:1-7) Motivation for ministering An eternal perspective (4:8-18) A future expectation (5:1-11) The love of Christ (5:12-16) Reconciling men to God (5:17-21) Proof that Paul is a minister of God (6:1-10)

Outline of 2nd Corinthians Exhortations to the Corinthians (6:11—9:15) Concerning fellowshipping darkness The Corinthians must open their hearts and separate from the world (6:11—7:3) Comfort and confidence in the Corinthians’ obedience (7:4-16) Concerning the collection for the saints. The Corinthians are to do the following: Follow the examples of Christ and the Macedonian churches (8:1-9) Complete what had been planned and purposed (8:10-15) Prove themselves (8:16—9:5) Sow that they might reap, in order to have more to sow (9:6-15)

Outline of 2nd Corinthians Exoneration of Paul’s Apostleship (10:1—13:10) Paul not to be measured “according to the flesh” (10:1-18) Paul must boast: His selflessness excludes others from being regarded as apostles (11:1-15) His willingness to suffer (11:16-33) His exaltation due to his revelations is tempered by infirmity (12:1-10) His miracles (2:11-13) He spent and was spent so as not to burden the Corinthians (12:14-18) His desire for their edification (12:19—13:10)  Conclusion (13:11-14)

God’s Treasure in Earthen Vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7) The treasure of the gospel is carried by mere humans (earthen vessels) so that the “excellence of the power” can be perceived as coming from God, not men. The jar in the picture is one of two intact jars remaining from the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is in Kando’s antiquities shop in Bethlehem. Dead Sea Scroll Jar

An Eternal Perspective on Temporary Troubles (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) Oppressed but not overwhelmed (4:8-9) Paul was “afflicted” or “hard pressed” in every way, yet not crushed (Matthew 7:14-15; 2 Thess. 1:6) Perplexed* but not driven to despair How can perplexity drive one to despair? Persecuted but not forsaken (Hebrews 13:5-6) Stuck down but not destroyed – knocked down but not knocked out (cp. 4:3; Acts 14:19-20) Θλίβω (thlibō) is translated afflicted (ESV) or “hard pressed” used of pressing grapes, but also of the physical pressure of a crowd or mob. It is found in the following passages: Matthew 7:13-14  "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  14  Because narrow is the gate and difficult (straitened, ASV) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 2 Thessalonians 1:6  since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, Thayer defines the word translated “perplexed” as to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn, to be at a loss with one’s self, be in doubt, not to know how to decide or what to do, to be perplexed. The word translated “despair” (exaporeomai) is an intensified form of the same word for perplexed and it means “to be utterly at loss, be utterly destitute of measures or resources, to renounce all hope, be in despair.” “Stressed, but not stressed out” (Curry quoting Garland) Hebrews 13:5-6  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU."  6  So we may boldly say: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?“ Literal instance -- Acts 14:19-20  Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  20  However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

An Eternal Perspective on Temporary Troubles (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) Dying to share life (4:10-12) Paul carried Jesus’ death with him in his body, both literally and figuratively (Galatians 6:17; Colossians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 11:23) Paul’s willingness to sacrifice his life for the gospel showed that Jesus lived within him (1 Corinthians 15:31-32; Galatians 2:20) His willingness to die for what he preached had resulted in life for the Corinthians. Galatians 6:17  From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Colossians 1:24  I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 2 Corinthians 11:23  Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 1 Corinthians 15:31-32  I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.  32  If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE!“

An Eternal Perspective on Temporary Troubles (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) Speaking the truth from conviction (4:13-14; Psalm 116:10, cf. 116:3, 6-8) Despite the hazard to his life, Paul preached boldly and with conviction because of his confidence in the power of God to raise the dead (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Thess. 4:14) All that Paul was doing to share the gospel was for the sake of the Corinthians (4:15) God’s grace spreading to the Corinthians resulted in thanksgiving “to the glory of God” (2 Thess. 1:12) This passage is found in Psa_116:10. When the psalmist uttered the words, he was greatly afflicted; see Psa_116:3, Psa_116:6-8. In these circumstances, he prayed to God, and expressed confidence in him, and placed all his reliance on him. In his affliction he spoke to God; he spoke of his confidence in him; he proclaimed his reliance on him; and his having spoken in this manner was the result of his belief, or of his putting confidence in God. 1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Thessalonians 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 1:12  that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

An Eternal Perspective on Temporary Troubles (2 Corinthians 4:8-18) Reasons to “not lose heart” (4:16-18) The outward man may be perishing or “wasting away”, but the inward man is being renewed daily (Ephesians 3:16) Affliction is LIGHT and MOMENTARY compared to glory which is WEIGHTY and ETERNAL (Romans 8:18) The focus is on invisible and eternal things, not visible and temporary things (Heb. 11:1, 27; 1 Peter 1:6-8) Ephesians 3:16  that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, Romans 8:18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 1 Peter 1:6-8  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  7  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

Lesson Schedule for our study of Second Corinthians Eastside Auditorium Winter Quarter 2017-18