the epistle of second corinthians Outline of 2

the epistle of second corinthians

Outline of 2 nd 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: 15) • 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)

Outline of 2 nd 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: 1015) • Prove themselves (8: 16— 9: 5) • Sow that they might reap, in order to have more to sow (9: 6 -15)

Outline of 2 nd 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)

Paul Maintains his Integrity Despite Changing Plans (2 Corinthians 1: 23 -24) • Paul called God as a witness as to the reason he did not come to Corinth as first planned: it was to “spare” the Corinthians! (1: 23) • This is NOT the same as taking an oath, which is to make an assurance of a statement based on the merits of another thing or person. (Mathew 5: 34 -36) • Paul had earlier indicated that if things did not change at Corinth, he might have to come to them with a “rod” of discipline (1 Corinthians 4: 21) • Paul was not the overlord of the Corinthians’ faith, but was working with them so that they would know the joy of being established in the faith (1: 24)

Loving Rebuke Produces Repentance (2 Corinthians 2: 1 -11) • Paul had decided not to come to Corinth AGAIN in sorrow (2: 1 -2) • He had already made a second short visit to Corinth which grieved him (2 Cor. 12: 14, 21; 13: 1 -2) • The one whom Paul has made sorrowful (by rebuke) is the one who can make Paul glad (by repentance) • Paul’s earlier writing was aimed at producing joy for himself and the Corinthians (2: 3 -4) • He had written out “much affliction and anguish of heart” not to grieve them but to show his love for them (Proverbs 27: 6; Psalm 141: 5). • True love expresses itself this way (Prov. 3: 12; Rev.

Loving Rebuke Produces Repentance (2 Corinthians 2: 1 -11) • The sinner at Corinth was not merely a grief to Paul, but to all the Corinthians (2: 5) • The “one who caused grief” is almost certainly the fornicator of 1 Corinthians 5. • His sin endangered the whole church (1 Cor. 5: 1, 6), being both a reproach and an evil influence (Jude 12) • Therefore, the punishment inflicted by the majority of the church was appropriate (2: 6) • But now expressions of forgiveness, comfort, and love were needed and appropriate (2: 7 -8) • The danger is that the repentant sinner would be swallowed up with “too much sorrow” (Matthew 5: 4; Isaiah 61: 1 -3)

Loving Rebuke Produces Repentance (2 Corinthians 2: 1 -11) • Paul’s previous letter was a test of the Corinthian’s obedience in all things (2: 9; Genesis 22: 1, 12; Hebrews 11: 17) • Paul extended forgiveness just as the Corinthians did (2: 10) • To do anything less would allow Satan to gain an advantage (2: 11) • What specific “device” of Satan are Paul and the Corinthians thwarting by forgiving this brother? (Leviticus 19: 18; Colossians 3: 13 ; Ephesians 4: 31 -32; Hebrews 12: 15)

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