2 Corinthians
  1. Background Information
    1. Author: Paul
    2. Date: c. 55 AD
    3. Occasion
      1. Paul founded the church during an 18 month stay
      2. He wrote an initial letter that is lost
      3. He then wrote 1 Corinthians
      4. He planned to make two short visits to Corinth but then had to change his plans and intended to make one longer visit
      5. Some began to question his apostolic authority
        1. Some said that he changed his mind
        2. Some said that he made his plans using the flesh instead of following the Spirit else he would not need to change his plans
        3. Some said that you couldn't trust what Paul said
        4. Some said that he didn't have the right "credentials"
      6. Paul made a short, unexpected trip to Corinth to deal with problems there
        1. We do not know exactly when this visit was
        2. Probably took place between the writing of 1 & 2 Corinthians
      7. Paul now writes 2 Corinthians to defend his apostolic authority and to defend his ministry
    4. Purpose
      1. Defend his ministry
      2. Defend his authority
      3. Prepare them for his visit
      4. Prepare them for the offering for the poor in Jerusalem
    5. Question of unity
      1. Problem stated

        2. From the beginning, early church fathers have seen 2 Corinthians as one complete letter from the hand of Paul. However, there has arisen a new theory that sees 2 Corinthians as the combination of two letters from the hand of Paul. The last four chapters are seen as a separate, harsh, letter that was appended to the end of the original 2 Corinthians (ch. 1-9)

      2. Arguments supporting two letters
        1. In 2:3-4 Paul refers to an earlier harsh letter.
        2. They say that the last four chapters are "out of harmony" with the rest of the letter.
      3. Arguments for the unity of the letter
        1. There is no historical evidence that the unity of the letter was ever questioned
        2. The consensus of the early church is that 2:3-4 refers to 1 Corinthians
        3. The last four chapters are not out of harmony with the rest of the epistle. They fit well the theme of the book.
        4. No early manuscript breaks the book up
  2. Outline
    1. Paul Explains His Ministry
      1. Salutation (1:1-2)
      2. The God of all comfort (1:3-11)
      3. Paul's Integrity (1:12-6:10)
        1. The purpose for his change of plans (1:12-2:4)
        2. Forgiving the repentant (2:5-11)
        3. Minister of the New Covenant (2:12-3:18)
          1. It is God who leads Paul
            1. Roman Triumph Procession was given for a Roman General after winning a battle, killing 5,000 souls, and capturing territory for the empire. They would have a "ticker tape" parade through Rome ending at the Coliseum where the captives were to entertain the Romans by being fed to the lions. During the parade the women would burn incense. This incense would be a smell of sweet savor to the victors but a smell of death to the conquered.
            2. Parallels what happened after Pentecost. There were 5,000 saved from Satan's dominion. The preaching is a sweet smelling savor to those saved but a stench to those who are perishing
          2. Paul does not need letters of recommendation
          3. Paul is a minister of the Spirit
            1. Letter is Law which brings death
            2. Spirit gives life
        4. Description of his ministry (4:1-
          1. Ministry is from God
          2. Renounced secret ways
          3. Does not use deception
          4. Does not preach himself
          5. Persecuted and suffered for the ministry
          6. Motive is the belief in the resurrection
          7. Motive is to "please him" while in this body
        5. Why God gave us the ministry of reconciliation (5:11-21)
          1. Terror of the Lord
          2. Love of Christ compels us
          3. Christ died for all
          4. Live for Christ and not for ourselves
          5. New creation
          6. Gave us the ministry of reconciliation
          7. We are ambassadors
        6. Paul does not want to be a stumbling block
      4. Don't be unequally yoked (6:12-7:1)
      5. Final appeal (7:2-16)
        1. He did not exploit anyone
        2. The result of his letter
        3. Paul's boasting in the Corinthians
    2. Paul Exhorts them to Give (8-9)
      1. They Gave of Themselves First (8:5)
      2. They Gave Abundantly (8:2)
      3. The Gave During Difficult Times (8:2)
      4. They Gave Willingly (8:4, 8, 11)
      5. They Gave Proportionally (8:12)
      6. They Gave Knowing that God Would Supply Their Needs (8:14)
      7. They Gave Realizing That They Would Reap What They Sow (9:6)
    3. Paul Expounds on His Authority (10-13)
      1. Defends his ministry (10)
        1. Defends against the attack from false teachers (v. 2)
        2. Defends the spiritual nature of his ministry (v. 3-6)
        3. Defends his authority
          1. Prefers to use his authority to build up, not destroy
          2. The false teachers would rather tear down
          3. It is easier to demolish a building than to build it
        4. Defends his mannerisms
          1. His letters were bold because the problems they addressed demanded boldness
          2. His presence was "weak" because he did not want to be dictatorial (though he had that right)
          3. He did not compare or commend himself
          4. He did not boast in his own accomplishments
            1. He did not build on another man's work
            2. He wanted God to have the glory
      2. Defends the purity of the church (11:1-15)
        1. The church is the bride of Christ and is to remain pure for Him
        2. Purity can be lost
          1. Beguiled by Satan
          2. Another gospel
          3. Another Christ
        3. Paul defends his manner of livelihood
          1. His detractors ridicule him for NOT taking wages from the Corinthians
          2. Paul explains that he did it for the gospel's sake
          3. He "robbed" other churches to minister to them
          4. It was they who were robbing the Corinthians
        4. False and deceitful workers were entering in
          1. They looked good by men's standards
          2. They were Satanic, but looked like angels of light
          3. Their end would be according to their works
      3. Defends his boasting (11:16-12:10)
        1. Corinthians were glad to follow false teachers who boasted in themselves, so Paul decides to try their approach
        2. In comparison to the false teachers
          1. Paul had just as good Jewish credentials
          2. Paul had more sufferings
            1. They boasted in their successes
            2. Paul boasted in his sufferings
      4. Defends his apostleship (12:11-13)
        1. His experience was better than the false teachers
          1. His revelations

            2. First, God honored Paul by giving him visions and revelations. Paul saw the glorified Christ on the very day he was converted (Acts 9:3; 22:6). He saw a vision of Ananias coming to minister to him (Acts 9:12), and he also had a vision from God when he was called to minister to the Gentiles (Acts 22:17).

            During his ministry, he had visions from God to guide him and encourage him. It was by a vision that he was called to Macedonia (Acts 16:9). When the ministry was difficult in Corinth, God encouraged Paul by a vision (Acts 18:9-10). After his arrest in Jerusalem, Paul was again encouraged by a vision from God (Acts 23:11). An angel appeared to him in the midst of the storm and assured him that he and the passengers would be saved (Acts 27:23).

          2. His glimpse of glory
            1. Note that it happened 14 years prior
            2. Paul, up to this time had never mentioned it
            3. He mentions it now only as a defense
            4. He never used this previously to get a crowd
            5. Many who claim visions today do not follow Paul's pattern.
        2. His sufferings were superior to his detractors
          1. Note previous chapter and what Paul went through
          2. Paul presently had a thorn in the flesh
            1. Not all sickness is the result of sin
            2. Some sickness is for God's glory
            3. God balances both blessings and burdens
            4. Both are to be used for character development
        3. His "credentials" were better than his detractors
          1. They had letters of recommendation from men
          2. He had the SIGNS of an apostle
            1. Discuss the nature of these signs
            2. Cessation or continuation?
          3. He did not take money from them
            1. Neither he nor Titus took money from them
            2. He gave to them, not took from them
          4. He treated them like a father would treat his children
        4. He will deal with sin and false teacher when he comes
          1. Deal with it correctly: mouth of two or more witnesses
          2. Paul compares his "weakness" to Christ
            1. Christ's weakness was His strength
            2. Paul's weakness allowed God to be strong through him
          3. Corinthians had better examine themselves