1. The Epistle of Second Corinthians

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. Paul’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6-18)
God has given Paul what was needed to minister the new covenant (3:5-6)
The “new covenant” references the grand scheme of redemption made possible through the blood of Christ (Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:8; 9:15; 12:24; Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 11:25)
It is “new” in respect to quality (kainos vs. neos)
The word “testament” can refer to a contract or will.
It is a life-giving ministry of the Spirit, in contrast to the “letter” which kills.
The “letter” in this context does not refer to “strict adherence to God’s” word, but to the Old Covenant (cf. 3:7; John 6:63)
Jeremiah 31:31  "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—Matthew 26:28  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (cf. Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20)
1 Corinthians 11:25  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.“
Hebrews 9:15  And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 12:24  to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
John 6:63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

6. Paul’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6-18)
The ministry of death VS. the ministry of the Spirit
The ministry of death was engraved in stones (3:7)
It was so glorious that Israel could not behold the face of Moses, but its glory was passing (Exodus 34:1, 29, 34f.)
The ministry of the Spirit (i.e. the new covenant) is more glorious than the ministry of death (3:8)
The glory of the old covenant pales in comparison to the glory of the ministry of the Spirit (3:9-10)
The temporary glory of the old covenant cannot compare with the eternal glory of the new (3:11) (Hebrews 8:13; 13:20)
Hebrews 8:13  In that He says, "A NEW COVENANT," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 13:20  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

7. Contrasting the Old and the New
Old Covenant
New Covenant
Written on tables of stone (3:3,7)
Of the letter (3:6)
Kills (3:6)
Ministration of death (3:7, 9)
Came with glory (3:7)
Passing away (3:7, 11)
Written on tables of the heart (3:3)
Of the Spirit (3:6)
Gives life (3:6)
Ministration of righteousness (3:9)
Exceeds in glory (3:9)
Abides (3:11)

8. Paul’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6-18)
The veiled ministry VS. the unveiled ministry
The “better hope” of the new covenant enabled Paul to use “great boldness of speech” (3:12)
The veil of Moses illustrates that the Israelites were shielded from seeing the passing glory of the old covenant (3:13-16)
Israel was blind to the fact that the true glory of the old covenant was that it was designed to pass away (Hebrews 7:18-19; 8:8-13; Galatians 3:24)
And Israel was blinded to the true meaning of much of the old covenant (Luke 24:25-27; John 5:29)
That veil is lifted when one turns to Christ (Rom. 10:1-4)
Hebrews 7:18-19  For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,  19  for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 8:13  In that He says, "A NEW COVENANT," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Galatians 3:24-25  Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  25  But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Luke 24:25-27  Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  26  Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"  27  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
John 5:39  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
Romans 10:1-4  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  2  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.  4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

9. Paul’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6-18)
Freedom & Transformation in Christ
The Spirit of the Lord provides liberty! (3:17)
The Spirit’s word and work is from the Lord in such close connection that where the Spirit is the Lord may be said to be (John 14:16-18; 16:13-14)
The Spirit of Christ liberates us from sin and the “covenant of death.” (Romans 8:2; John 8:36)
As we see the glory of the Lord reflected in us, we are transformed from one degree of glory to the next – into the image of Christ (3:18; Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:29)
John 14:16-18  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  17  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  18  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
John 16:13-14  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14  He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
John 8:36  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Colossians 3:10  and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
Romans 8:29  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

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