Study 1 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2
Corinthians 1:1-11
1. After a formal greeting and
introduction Paul opens his letter on a note of praise. What particular aspects
of God’s character does Paul give praise for? Why do you think these should be
particularly singled out in this letter? Can we learn from Paul’s experiences
any new lessons about the Christian in his personal relationships with God?
2. What reasons does Paul give in
this passage for wanting the Corinthians to be fully aware of the extent of his
sufferings? What spiritual gain would they get from his suffering (verse 6)?
What part are they to play, and with what result (verse 11)? How faithful are we in our support of those
whose Christian lives entail more than a usual amount of suffering?
3.
Compare the formal greeting of this letter with similar ones in
other Epistles (e.g., Gal. 1:1). On what ground dos Paul rest his claim to
apostleship? How does he describe the church in Corinth in spite of its
defects? What blessings does he ask for
its members? How far are these blessings real to you?
Note.
Verses 8-10 “to be ignorant”: in the sense of ‘to underrate’. The
Corinthians knew of the afflictions, but not of its gravity. ‘I absolutely
despaired of life. Yes, and when I asked, What shall be the end? The whispered
answer of my heart was, Death. ‘This taught me to rely no more on my own
strength, but upon God alone, for He can raise up men actually dead’ (way).
