1 Second Corinthians “Paul – A Minister of Christ” Lesson 8 Second Corinthians 7:2-16 Page 10

2 In today’s lesson... Paul’s ministry: Its Benefits to Others Paul’s ministry: Its Benefits to Others A minister’s love and compassion. 7:2,3 A minister’s encouragement. 7:4-12 A minister’s gratitude. 7:13-16

3 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 7:2-3 (NKJV) Paul Pours Out His Heart 2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

4 A Minister’s Love and Compassion 2 Corinthians 7:2-3 Paul had done nothing to hinder their love toward him (v.2) – –He had wronged [injustice] no one – –He had corrupted [false teaching] no one – –He had cheated [taken property, trickery] no one His love toward them abounded (v.3) – –Joy came to him from their well-being and their feelings for him – –He was not condemning [blaming] them, he was encouraging them His words were always intended to help, not harm

5 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 7:4-7 (NKJV) Paul’s Comfort and Joy Paul’s Comfort and Joy 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

6 A Minister’s Encouragement 2 Corinthians 7:2-7 His pride about them should encourage them (v.4) – –They greatly encouraged him by their attitude toward his earlier letter Their “father in the gospel” was pleased with his “children in the gospel” – –Every good son wishes to please his father – –See 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” –1 Cor. 4:14: “I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”

7 A Minister’s Encouragement 2 Corinthians 7:2-7 Paul was “comforted” about the Corinthians (v.4) – –Good children try not to concern their parents (vs.5-7) – –He was pleased with Titus’ report causing him to be overflowing with joy even as he had conflicts without and fears within The credit he gave them should encourage them (v.7) – –He acknowledged all their improvements and ignored none. – –Titus told Paul about their longing, their mourning and their zeal for him

8 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (NKJV) Godly Sorrow Leads to Repentance 8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

9 A Minister’s Encouragement 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 Knowing they had done the right thing should encourage them (vs.8-11) – –Students are encouraged when they have performed well – –Christians are encouraged by God’s approval (See Matthew 25:21, 23) – –We should encourage one another when we do well in the Lord’s work! – –The Corinthians had chosen one of two options: godly sorrow or worldly sorrow (vs.9,10)   Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation   Worldly sorrow produces death

10 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 7:11-12 (NKJV) The Corinthians Took Care of Business 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

11 A Minister’s Encouragement 2 Corinthians 7:11 Their choice of godly sorrow produced in them: (v.11) (a) Diligence (to follow Paul’s command); (b) Cleansing (of the sinful situation); (c) Indignation (at the defensiveness of some brethren); (d) Fear (of reprisal from God and Paul); (e) Vehement desire...(to do what was right about the matter); (f) Zeal (to act quickly and effectively); (g) Vindication (of their action toward the sinner).

12 A Minister’s Encouragement 2 Corinthians 7:12 Realizing that Paul considered them to be important should encourage them (vs.12) – –Discipline was intended not only for the good of the father and the son – –But also for the good of every member of the congregation – –See chapter 2:9: “For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.”

13 Let’s read 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 (NKJV) The Joy of Titus The Joy of Titus 13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. 14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. 15 And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 15 And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16 Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything. 16 Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.

14 A Minister’s Gratitude 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 He was grateful that they had given him comfort. (v13a) He was grateful that they had comforted Titus. (v13b) He was grateful that they had fulfilled his hopes for them (v.14) He was grateful for their attitude toward authority (v.15) He was grateful that he could trust them without reservation (v.16)