Search The Scriptures —Study 8— 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Study 8 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Chapter 8 and 9 form the second section of the letter which relates to the fund which Paul was collecting from the Gentile Churches for the poor in the Church in Jerusalem. It lays very near to his heart, and had great importance in his eyes, as a demonstration of the oneness of all believers as members of one body in Christ.

1.    In what condition were the churches of Macedonia at this time in regard to their circumstances?  Yet, what was their spiritual attitude, and in what four ways did it show itself?  To what does Paul ascribe it?

2.    What is the chief point in the appeal which Paul makes in verses 7-15? Gather out the other points which he makes, and consider them in their application to our own giving.

Notes

1.    Verse 5.  ‘Gave themselves’: i.e, for any personal service the Lord might require of them.

2.    Verse 15.  The story of the manna indicates God’s purpose that in material things His people should have neither surplus not want.  They should, therefore, mutually help one another.  Cf. Ex. 16:18.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7— 2 Corinthians 6:11 – 7:16

Study 7 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 6:11 – 7:16

1.    In what ways does Paul show in 6:14-16 that Christians must be a separate people? What arguments does he use in 6:16-7:1 to lead us to separate ourselves completely from all that defiles, and to endeavour whole-heartedly to make our holiness perfect? Are you willing to test your friendships and your inmost purposes by this passage? Cf. Ps. 139:23, 24.

2.    In what ways does Paul convey the strength of his feelings about the Corinthian Christian and their behaviour? What two kinds of sorrow for sin are here distinguished (a) in their nature, and (b) in their result? By what signs did the Corinthians show that they were genuinely penitent?  

Notes:

1.    6:11-13. Paul’s loving heart overflows towards the Corinthians, and he yearns for a corresponding large-hearted affection from them towards him. Verse 12 means that any sense of constraint they might feel towards Paul arose not from any lack of love in him, but from the narrowness of their own affections.

2.    6:14-7:1. This is a parenthesis, introduced to make clear that when Paul bids his readers to be broadened in their affections, he does not mean increased tolerance of evil. ‘Belial’ is here a name for Satan.

3.    7:10. ‘Godly grief’: i.e, sorrow towards God, regarding the sin as an offence against Him. Cf. Ps. 51:4. ‘Worldly grief’ on the other hand, is such sorrow as the man of the world feels, concerned only with the painful consequences of the sin, and not leading to repentance.   

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6— 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10

Study 6 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10

1.    What great motive dominated Paul’s life, and to what conclusion did it lead him? See verses 14-17. How far are we like Paul in this matter?

2.    5:18-6:2. What does Paul say God (a) has done in Christ and (b) now purposes to do through us? What ought we to tell men, and to beseech them to do, in order to fulfill our God-given task?

3.    Examine the list of twenty–eight particulars in which Paul describes the kind of life and experience into which the acceptance   of Christ and of Christ’s commission led him. To what extend do you find that this describes your life as a Christian?

Notes

1.    5:12. An allusion to the intruders who were undermining Paul’s influence in Corinth. Paul’s purpose in these verses (11-13) is to assure his readers that however he may appear to them, whether mad or sane, in heart he is true to God and to them.

2.    Verse 21. ‘The sin is laid by God upon the sinless One… His death is the execution of the divine sentence upon it…and there is henceforth no condemnation to them that are in Christ.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5— 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

Study 5 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

1.    Why has God placed the ‘treasure’ of 4:6 in a weak vessel—the earthen vessel of man’s frail human nature? How does this arrangement work out in actual experience? See 4:7-12.  How do present afflictions appear to the eye of faith, and what prospect is seen at the end? See 4:13-18.

2.    In 5:1-4 Paul defines one aspect of the future prospect more closely. What awaits him after death? Or, if Christ should come first, as would be Paul’s desire (verse 4), what awaits him at His coming? How is Paul sure that this prospect is no mirage, and what effect has it upon his present aim? See verse 5-10.

Notes

1. 4:10-12. Cf. 1:8-10; 6:9.
2. 5:3, 4. ‘Not be found naked’: a reference to the unclothing that takes place at death, when the spirit leaves its earthly body. Paul’s desire was, as verse 4 shows, that he might live to see the second coming, and to escape death.  Cf. 1 Cor. 15:53.
3. 5:10. The issues of the judgement here spoken of are not eternal life or death; but praise or blame, glory or disgrace. Cf. 1 Jn. 2:28.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4— 2 Corinthians 3:1 – 4:6

Study 4 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 3:1 – 4:6

The intruders at Corinth made much, we may gather, of letters of recommendation which they carried (cf. Acts 18:27), and may have said, or implied, that Paul did not possess such, though he was very ready to comment himself (3:1).

1.    In 3: 6-11 the old and new covenants are contrasted (see note below). List the ways in which the new covenant is shown to be superior to the old.

2.    In this passage Paul describes his own confidence in the work he is doing. What grounds for confidence does the find (a) in the effects of preaching, and (b) in the nature of his gospel? See 3:1-5; 4:1-6.

Note. 3:6. ‘the written code kills but the Spirit give life’: Paul has condensed into these few words the teaching about the law and the gospel which is expounded fully in Rom 7 and 8.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3— 2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:17

Study 3 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 1:23 – 2:17

There had been a gross case of immorality in the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 5:1) and Paul had written strongly about it. This was the reason for his altering his plans. He did not wish to come with a rod (1:23; 2:1), and had postponed his visit in the hope that his letter would achieve its purpose. This had been the case, and Paul now counselled that the offender be forgiven (2:5-11)

1.    What may we learn from the spirit in which Paul administered discipline? What can we learn from his attitude to the situation in Corinth (1:24; 2:4), and from the instructions he gave to the Corinthian Christians, regarding discipline and forgiveness? In what ways can a scandal in church life give Satan and advantage?

2.    Does the Word of God promise that faithful preaching, of the gospel will win all who hear it? How does Paul describe his own experience in this regard? Cf. 4:4

Notes

1.    2:5.  “As for him who was the cause of all this grief, it is not I whom he has grieved, but all of you—in some measure, that is, for I do not  wish to be too severe” (Way 

2.    Verse 14. ‘Leads us in triumph’ in an ancient Roman triumphal procession the captives used to carry censers of incense that diffused their scent far and wide on either side. Paul likens himself to a captive in Christ’s train, diffusing the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2— 2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Study 2 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 1:12-22

1.    To what does Paul’s conscience bear witness regarding his relations (a) with the world, and (b) with fellow-believers? Can you say the same?

2.    Paul makes the remarkable claim that his reliability is to be compared with the eternal faithfulness of God.  What does he tell us here about God’s faithfulness? What three special functions of the Holy Spirit are referred to in verses 21, 22?

Notes

1.    Verse 12. ‘Not by earthly wisdom’: Cf. 1 Cor. 2:6; Jas. 3:13-18.

2.    Verse 13. ‘It is simply untrue that I send any private communications.  The only letters which I write are those which you read out to the congregation—ay, and which you do recognize as the expression of my mind, and will never cease, I hope, to recognize as such’ (Way).

3.     Verse 20. ‘He, who has God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has all God has promised’ (Denney). When we believe this and utter with thankful hearts and appropriating Amen, we glorify God.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1— 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

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).

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Search The Scriptures — Study 0—2nd Corinthians Introduction

Study 0 From 2 Corinthians is:  The Introduction

This letter was written from Macedonia (2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2-4) after Paul had left Ephesus

(Acts 20:1, 2). Paul had met Titus on his return from a mission to Corinth, and the report from a mission to Corinth, and the report which Titus gave greatly relieved Paul’s anxieties, especially in regard to the church’s favourable reception of, and action upon, a severe letter which Paul had written them (2:3, 4; 7:5-16). But, there were still other matters which gave Paul much concern. There was a minority in the church opposed to him, and their influence had been strengthened by the arrival of Jewish Christian, who claimed a apostolic rank, and sought to undermine Paul’s authority by making false insinuations against him.

The whole letter vibrates with strong feeling—glowing with love, weighted down with sorrow, burning with indignation. It is the most personal of Paul’s letters to the churches, for he had been deeply wounded by the doubts cast upon his personal integrity, his love for those whom he had won for Christ, and upon the validity of his apostolic commission. He knew well also that in their attacks upon him his enemies were really striking at his gospel (11:1-5). Hence the vehemence of his defence.

The letter falls into three main sections, chapters 1-7, 8-9, 10-13. The chief theme of the first is the nature of Paul’s Christian ministry----its divine glory and power (2:12-4:6); its human weakness and final reward (4:7 – 5:10) its motive, message and methods (5:11-6:10). The theme of chapters 8 and 9 is the collection which Paul is organizing. He indicates the motives for and blessedness of Christian giving. In the closing chapters Paul feels himself reluctantly compelled to declare what manner of man he is, that his readers may know how far from the truth the slanders of his enemies are. These chapters give an insight into the apostle’s character such as we find nowhere else.  They also contain promises for the weak, and a much-needed warning against the cunning disguises of Satan.