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’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3: 6 -18) • God has given Paul what was needed to minister the new covenant (3: 5 -6) • The “new covenant” references the grand scheme of redemption made possible through the blood of Christ (Jeremiah 31: 31; Hebrews 8: 8; 9: 15; 12: 24; Matthew 26: 28; 1 Corinthians 11: 25) • It is “new” in respect to quality (kainos vs. neos) • The word “testament” can refer to a contract or will. • It is a life-giving ministry of the Spirit, in contrast to the “letter” which kills. • The “letter” in this context does not refer to “strict adherence to God’s” word, but to the Old Covenant (cf. 3: 7; John 6: 63)

Paul’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3: 6 -18) The ministry of death VS. the ministry of the Spirit • The ministry of death was engraved in stones (3: 7) • It was so glorious that Israel could not behold the face of Moses, but its glory was passing (Exodus 34: 1, 29, 34 f. ) • The ministry of the Spirit (i. e. the new covenant) is more glorious than the ministry of death (3: 8) • The glory of the old covenant pales in comparison to the glory of the ministry of the Spirit (3: 9 -10) • The temporary glory of the old covenant cannot compare with the eternal glory of the new (3: 11) (Hebrews 8: 13; 13: 20)

Contrasting the Old and the New Old Covenant • Written on tables of stone (3: 3, 7) • Of the letter (3: 6) • Kills (3: 6) • Ministration of death (3: 7, 9) • Came with glory (3: 7) • Passing away (3: 7, 11) New Covenant • Written on tables of the heart (3: 3) • Of the Spirit (3: 6) • Gives life (3: 6) • Ministration of righteousness (3: 9) • Exceeds in glory (3: 9) • Abides (3: 11)

Paul’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3: 6 -18) The veiled ministry VS. the unveiled ministry • The “better hope” of the new covenant enabled Paul to use “great boldness of speech” (3: 12) • The veil of Moses illustrates that the Israelites were shielded from seeing the passing glory of the old covenant (3: 13 -16) • Israel was blind to the fact that the true glory of the old covenant was that it was designed to pass away (Hebrews 7: 18 -19; 8: 8 -13; Galatians 3: 24) • And Israel was blinded to the true meaning of much of the old covenant (Luke 24: 25 -27; John 5: 29) • That veil is lifted when one turns to Christ (Rom. 10: 1 -

Paul’s Work: A Ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3: 6 -18) Freedom & Transformation in Christ • The Spirit of the Lord provides liberty! (3: 17) • The Spirit’s word and work is from the Lord in such close connection that where the Spirit is the Lord may be said to be (John 14: 16 -18; 16: 13 -14) • The Spirit of Christ liberates us from sin and the “covenant of death. ” (Romans 8: 2; John 8: 36) • As we see the glory of the Lord reflected in us, we are transformed from one degree of glory to the next – into the image of Christ (3: 18; Colossians 3: 10; Romans 8: 29)

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