1. The Epistle of Second Corinthians

2. The City of Corinth
In Paul’s day, Corinth was a relatively new city of about 400,000 inhabitants.
The city had been destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C. A century later, it was rebuilt by Julius Caesar and given the status of a colony.
The population of Corinth included people of many nationalities and cultures. Jews were present in sufficient numbers to have a synagogue (Acts 18:4)

3. The City of Corinth
Corinth’s location on the southern end of the Isthmus which joins the Peloponnesus to mainland Greece was ideal for trade.
In New Testament times, Corinth was the chief city of the region and the capital of the Roman province of Achaia.

4. Geographic & Cultural Background of Corinth
Though it was not famous for its philosophers, Corinth was well known for its industry and trade, and for its pursuit of immoral vices.
A “Corinthian” came to mean a playboy without morals.
“To spend time with harlots.”
“A temple to the goddess Venus, or Aphrodite, existed in the old city, with a thousand female slaves who served as priestesses and committed ritual fornication with those who came to worship the goddess of love and fertility.” (Waldron, p. 107)
“What culture was to Athens, vice and corruption were to Corinth.” (Bobby Graham)
Some Corinthian Christians had previously been idolaters, fornicators, homosexuals, thieves, and drunkards (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

5. The Lechaion Road in Ancient Corinth, with a clear view of the Acrocorinth in the distance

6. Corinth
The Corinth area viewed from atop the Acrocorinth The remains of the ancient city are located in the center of the photo (in the midst of a modern village).

7. Background of 2nd Corinthians
On his third missionary journey, Paul returned to Ephesus and labored there three years (Acts 19:10; 20:31)
During this time, Paul had several contacts with Corinth. When he heard of the church’s problems, he made a short visit to Corinth (2 Cor. 2:1; 12:14, 21; 13:1-2)
This visit was depressing because he had to confront their problems (Willis, 2 Corinthians, BTB, p. 6)

8. Background of 2nd Corinthians
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus. He was planning after Pentecost to journey through Macedonia to Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:5-8)
After writing 1 Corinthians, Paul left Ephesus and traveled to Troas (2:12-13)
Paul then traveled to Macedonia and wrote the epistle we know as Second Corinthians (7:5; 9:4)

10. Background of 2nd Corinthians
In the mean time, Titus who had been sent to Corinth, returned with a report (2:12-13; 7:5- 7, 14)
From this report, Paul knew that at least one earlier problem had been resolved (1 Cor. 5)
More instruction and encouragement was needed regarding the collection for the saints (chpts. 8 & 9)
The Corinthians were still debating among themselves the validity of Paul’s apostolic authority. (10:1-2; 10)
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (probably Philippi) in an effort to put the Corinthians in the right frame of mind for his upcoming visit.

11. Themes in 2nd Corinthians
The ministry of an apostle
Paul writes extensively on the significance and authority of the ministry of an apostle.
It is a “ministry of reconciliation” to God (5:18-20; 3:6)
Giving up is not an option! (4:1)
His behavior must be of the highest caliber so that he would “give no offence in anything, that the ministry not be blamed” (6:3)
Paul must show himself to be a true minister of Christ, in contrast to the false apostles and deceitful workers who would mislead the Corinthians (11:13-15, 23)
True apostles must commend themselves as ministers of Christ by their commitment and willingness to endure afflictions (6:4; 11:23ff.)

12. Themes in 2nd Corinthians
Comfort in affliction
The God of all comfort enables us to comfort one another (1:3-4)
Spiritual comfort is found in loving concern for one another, repentance, and forgiveness (2:6-8; 7:4-13)
In Christ, we may “be of good comfort” (13:11)

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