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)

Paul Maintains his Integrity Despite Changing Plans (2 Corinthians 1:12-24) Paul is happy that his conscience approves of how he had conducted himself in the world and toward the Corinthians (1:12; Acts 23:1; 24:16) Those who minister the gospel must have a conscience that is sincere and clear (1 Timothy 1:5, 18-19) The Corinthians had read and understood Paul, and he trusts they would understand “to the end.”* (1:13-14) Paul’s writing contained no hidden agenda or vague words which would enable him to alter his meaning later The Corinthians’ understanding of Paul would result in mutual appreciation and rejoicing on the day of the Lord The Greek word variously translated “boasting” (NKJV), “glorying” (ASV, RV) may be best translated “rejoicing” (KJV) Strong’s dictionary says that καύχησις kauchēsis means “boasting (properly the act; by implication the objective), in a good or a bad sense: - boasting, whereof I may glory, glorifying, rejoicing.” 1 Timothy 1:18-19  This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,  (19)  having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 1 Timothy 1:5  Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, *Probably not “fully understand” as the ESV has, because of the reference to “the day of the Lord Jesus” in v. 14

Paul Maintains his Integrity Despite Changing Plans (2 Corinthians 1:12-24) Paul’s confidence in his own integrity and in the Corinthians enabled him to make plans to visit Corinth (1:15-16) He desired that they might have a “second benefit” His initial plans were to go to Corinth, and then on to Macedonia, and then visit Corinth again on his way to Judea The Greek word variously translated “boasting” (NKJV), “glorying” (ASV, RV) may be best translated “rejoicing” (KJV) Strong’s dictionary says that καύχησις kauchēsis means “boasting (properly the act; by implication the objective), in a good or a bad sense: - boasting, whereof I may glory, glorifying, rejoicing.” 1 Timothy 1:18-19  This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,  (19)  having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 1 Timothy 1:5  Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

Paul Maintains his Integrity Despite Changing Plans (2 Corinthians 1:12-24) Paul’s plans were not made lightly or according to the flesh, nor where they vaguely expressed (1:17-20) He had planned and expressed himself in faithfulness… Just as God is faithful (1:18; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18) Just as the proclamation of the gospel made by Paul, Silas and Timothy was a certain affirmation (1:19) Just as God’s promises in Christ are firm and faithful (i.e. “Amen”) – to the glory of God “through us” (1:20) God had firmly established both Paul and the Corinthians in Christ (1:21-22) They had been sealed by the guarantee of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:20-24, 30; Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:9-11, 14-16*) Titus 1:2  in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, Hebrews 6:18 “…it is impossible for God to lie…” 2 Corinthians 5:4-5  For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.  5  Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. Ephesians 1:13-14  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,  14  who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Galatians 4:6  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" On Romans 8: -- NOTE that the “Spirit is life because of RIGHTEOUSNESS” (doing the right thing!) When one is led by the Spirit, He is a son of God and knows it! The change in His life, as he follows the righteous direction of the Word of God, is his guarantee. It “bears witness” with his spirit. Is it not then this transformational change that bears the “fruit of the Spirit” in one’s life that is a “down payment” of the eternal transformation that every child of God anticipates???!!! BARNES on Romans 8:16 “This pertains to the adoption; and it means that the Holy Spirit furnishes evidence to our minds that we are adopted into the family of God.” MIKE WILLIS: “The Holy Spirit’s work in the first century Christians, as demonstrated by the miracles that were visible to all, was God’s “earnest.” As one received the word of the Spirit in his heart and saw its impact in the change in his life, he received God’s earnest in his own heart.”

Paul Maintains his Integrity Despite Changing Plans (2 Corinthians 1:12-24) Paul called God as a witness as to the reason he did not come to Corinth as first planned: it was to “spare” the Corinthians! (1:23) This is NOT the same as taking an oath, which is to make an assurance of a statement based on the merits of another thing or person. (Mathew 5:34-36) Paul had earlier indicated that if things did not change at Corinth, he might have to come to them with a “rod” of discipline (1 Corinthians 4:21) Paul was not the overlord of the Corinthians’ faith, but was working with them so that they would know the joy of being established in the faith (1:24) Matthew 5:34-36  But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne;  35  nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.  36  Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 1 Corinthians 4:21  What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

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