The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 1: 12 -14 – “Christ's Life & Ministry is Out from God's Grace and not Human Wisdom" • 2 Corinth 1: 12 – “For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. ” – A better translation for boasting is rejoicing • 1 Thess 2: 19 - For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? – How would describe the testimony of our conscience? • Thayer – the soul as distinguishing what is morally good and what is bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending the one, condemning the other. • Vine - that faculty by which we apprehend the will of God as that which is designed to govern our lives. – Here stated - that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity January 29, 2016 Bob Eckel 1

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 1: 12 -14 – “Christ's Life & Ministry is Out from God's Grace and not Human Wisdom" • Define simplicity – Strong - the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy • Godly sincerity – purity, another life! – James 3: 17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. – not with fleshly wisdom • Describe the wisdom of this world and is it distinguishable? • And how does the world system operate? – John 12: 43 - …. they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. • Phil 3: 3 - for we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, – but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. • How does the grace of God so abundantly operate within us? – Rom 12: 3 - For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. January 29, 2016 Bob Eckel 2

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 1: 12 -14 – “Christ's Life & Ministry is Out from God's Grace and not Human Wisdom" • 2 Corinth 1: 13 – “For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end. ” – This relates to the uniqueness of Paul and the task the Lord has placed before him. – To whom is Paul writing? • Will the letter be read to the entire body? – 1 Thess 5: 17 – I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. – And this is for us too; are we in (reading) the Word and (understand, acknowledge) believe Him for what He revealed? • First we read and then we understand (acknowledge). – 1 Thess 2: 13 - For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 3 January 29, 2016 Bob Eckel

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 1: 12 -14 – “Christ's Life & Ministry is Out from God's Grace and not Human Wisdom" • And there's nothing left to be added. – Rev 22: 18 - For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; – And Paul says - Now I trust you will understand • Present active indicative – factual, he believes it and provides this note of encouragement. – even to the end. • What end? – 1 Corinth 4: 5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. • Our great hope – 1 Thess 2: 19 - For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? • 2 Corinth 1: 14 – “(as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are January 29, 2016 Bob Eckel 4

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 1: 12 -14 – “Christ's Life & Ministry is Out from God's Grace and not Human Wisdom" ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. ” – Perhaps not a complete understanding but at least enough to rejoice together. • And this rejoicing must reflect the end, the hope for each and everyone of us. – What do you think they understood in part indicates, and why just in part? • Is this just some of the brethren or does it represent all? – If all, do we at times understand just in part? – But their joint rejoicing reflects their hope. • Phil 1: 16 - that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. 5 January 29, 2016 Bob Eckel