Study 2 Corinthians

Chapter One

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How does Paul announce himself?

As an apostle of Christ, by the will of God.
It is proper for a servant of Christ to affirm his authority. He is an ambassador of the King.
All ministry of eternal value proceeds from the cross, as the Lord's bondslaves understand well. Our position on the cross keeps us in a state of true humility.
But the man of God must stand up and declare who he is and by what authority he is acting and speaking, for he will be held accountable to Christ for his actions and words.

Who was with Paul at this time?

Timothy.
This letter was written from Macedonia in Northern Greece, probably from the city of Philippi in A.D. 57.

To whom is the letter written?

To the church (assembly) of God in the city of Corinth, the capital of Achaia.
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are written to God's people. Even the four Gospels, which present Christ to the saved and unsaved alike, are directed toward God's saints. The greater part of the Bible, as in the case of II Corinthians, is written to the called-out people of the Lord.

Who else are addressed?

All the saints in the whole of Achaia.
Achaia was the name given to central and southern Greece where Corinth was located.

What blessing does Paul extend to the saints in Achaia?

Grace and peace from the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does Paul describe God the Father?

As "the Father of mercies (compassion), and the God of all comfort."

What was the Father doing for Paul and Timothy?

God was comforting and encouraging them in all their tribulations.</p>

What is a saint able to do after God has comforted and encouraged him or her in a time of tribulation and affliction?

The saint then is able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort with which he himself has been comforted of God.
There are at least two concepts included here. The first is that a person whom the Lord has brought through a trial will have words of encouragement and advice for another person who currently is going through the same trial.
It is difficult to help someone in serious trouble if we ourselves have never been in deep trouble. Our counsel is apt to be light, lacking in substance.
The second concept is a principal aspect of Christian discipleship. It is a major theme in Second Corinthians and is mentioned several times. We are speaking of death and life, of crucifixion and resurrection.
Life from death, ministry from the cross, strength from weakness, the overflow of resurrection life, "I am crucified, nevertheless I live." Here is one of the key aspects of the Christian discipleship of victory and service.
God raises us up, and by that overflow of resurrection power we raise others up with us. Adam dies, but Christ lives and brings life to others.

What is true of the saint in whom the sufferings of Christ are abounding?

His encouragement is abounding through Christ.
The more suffering there is the more comfort there is. The two go together. As we suffer we reign. We experience the power of Christ's resurrection as we share his sufferings. Mature saints have learned that when trouble increases the grace and Glory of God increase proportionally.
The martyr knows the comfort of Christ in a special way. This is one of the laws of the Kingdom of God. The warrior is given the hidden manna to eat.
If we would carry life to others we must be willing to be brought down to death.

Why is the servant of Christ afflicted?

For the comfort and salvation of those to whom he is ministering. The servant of Christ is brought low so that through him God the Father can comfort and save those who are in need of Divine assistance and encouragement.

Why is the servant of Christ comforted?

So he can comfort those who are going through the same tribulations that he himself has endured.

On what is Paul's hope for the Corinthian saints based?

The knowledge that as they have shared in the sufferings of the apostles, so they will share also in the encouragement that comes to the apostles from God the Father.

Of what situation did Paul wish to inform the saints in Corinth?

Of the great tribulation he had experienced in Asia.

How severe was Paul's trial in Asia?

"We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life."

What did Paul have within himself?

"The sentence of death."

What is the constant attitude of the saint who has within himself the sentence of death?

He or she does not trust in himself but in God who raises the dead.
Here again is our concept of life from death.</p>

What was God's response to the Apostle's trust in Him?

He delivered "from so great a death", He does deliver, and He will yet deliver.

How were the saints in Corinth laboring together with Paul?

By praying for him.

Why was Paul pleased that many of the saints in Corinth had prayed for him while he was in Ephesus?

Because many now would be thanking God for the answer to their prayers, that is, the saving of Paul's life.

Paul's conscience was causing him to boast and rejoice. What was his conscience telling him?

That in simplicity and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom, but in God's grace, he had conducted himself in the world-and especially toward the saints in Corinth.

What did Paul say about his letters to the church in Corinth?

What he writes to them is what he means. There is no double meaning. They can read the letters and understand them.</p>

What is Paul's hope?

The saints will keep understanding him and fully grasp his meaning.

What was true of the understanding of the saints in Achaia?

They had only partially understood Paul.

What will the saints in Corinth recognize when they understand Paul fully?

He is their reason for boasting and rejoicing, just as they are his, in the Day of the Lord Jesus.

What was Paul's confidence?

The saints in Corinth would come to appreciate the genuineness and worth of his apostleship to them.
It appears, from the texts of First and Second Corinthians, that some of the believers in Corinth were unwilling to admit that Paul was equal to the other apostles of the Lord.

What did Paul have in mind to do, as a result of his "confidence" in the church in Corinth?

He was going to make two visits to them: the first on his way to Macedonia, and the second on his return from Macedonia on his way toward Judea. By doing this Paul would bless the Corinthians twice with his presence. Also, they would have the opportunity to assist him on his way to Judea.
This had not worked out. The present letter was being written from Macedonia. Paul had not gone by way of Corinth as he had intended.

What was Paul explaining in verse seventeen?

He knew they were disappointed at his not having stopped by Corinth first as he had planned. He was informing them that his change of plans did not come about because he was a changeable person, making his decisions in the lightness of human emotions.</p>

What does Paul affirm?

His word to the saints in Corinth was a solid word, unchanging, based on the faithfulness of God.

What is true of the Son of God who was preached by Paul and Silvanus and Timothy?

He does not change.

What is true of the promises of God in Christ?

They all are yes. In Christ is the Amen to God's promises. This is the unchanging glory Paul was bringing.

What four things has God done for Paul and for the saints in Corinth?

God has established them in Christ.
God has anointed them.
God has set the seal of ownership on them.
God has given them the Spirit of God in their hearts as the pledge and guarantee of the redemption that will come with the return of the Lord Jesus.

What reason does Paul give for not stopping by Corinth as he had planned?

Evidently he wished to give them an opportunity to solve some of the problems he had mentioned in the first letter, so that his coming to them would not bring additional judgment and sorrow but instead would provide blessing and joy.

How does Paul keep his own role in balance?

He explains to the church in Corinth that he is not a lord over their faith; rather, he is working together with them for their joy. They are founded on Christ. Their foundation is their faith in Him.
To Paul alone, apparently, was given the explanation of the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant. To Paul alone was given the concept of the Body of Christ. These revelations were not entrusted to the other apostles as clearly as they were to Paul. Yet, Paul never lost sight of his own role as a servant of Christ.
Many saints who have been deceived into usurping the Glory of God for themselves were not given anywhere near the greatness of the role and authority that God gave to Paul. Paul was chosen carefully by the Lord for a level of responsibility in the Kingdom of God that has been assigned to few men in history. He did not fail the Lord by claiming glory for himself-a remarkable testimony!