Search The Scriptures —Study 9— 2 Corinthians 8:16 – 9:15

Study 9 From The Book of 2 Corinthians Is: 2 Corinthians 8:16 – 9:15

Today’s portion falls into two parts. First, in 8:16-24. Paul explains why he is sending Titus and two others to Corinth, and given them his warn commendation. Second, in chapter 9, he shows the blessings of cheerful and generous giving.

1.    What may we learn from Paul’s example of the duty of giving praise where praise is due? What picture do you have of the personalities of the Christian workers he describes?

2.    What lessons do we learn here about handling money? What kinds of giving does God value?  What reward does He give?

Note. 9:15. ‘His inexpressible gift’: i.e., the gift of Christ, so great as to be beyond description, the spring and pattern of our giving.

                    

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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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