Encouraging Greeting

Kids Time: clip from logos on Corinth

Second Corinthians was probably written less than a year after 1 Corinthians, from Macedonia (some subscriptions to early translations specify Philippi). A date of A.D. 57 is commonly received, but many choose 55 or 56, and Harnack opted for 53.

4 letters Paul wrote to the Corinthians that we know of. Only 2 were inspired by the Holy Spirit and therefore preserved.

1st letter ?

2nd letter — 1 Corinthians

3rd letter ?

4th letter — 2 Corinthians

2nd Missionary Journey, Recorded in Acts 18

Aquila and Priscilla

Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia

Acts 18:11 NASB95

11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Paul turns to the gentiles

Paul brought before the proconsul, Gallio, by the Jews

Wrote Romans while in Corinth

Back to Antioch (sending church)

3rd Missionary journey, Ephesus for 2 years

Delegation from Corinth with questions. 1 Corinthians written.

Leaves Ephesus, meets Titus in Macedonia to find out about Corinthians response to his letter. They disciplined the sinning member but did not send a gift to needy saints in Jerusalem as promised.

False teachers in Corinth undermining Paul’s teaching and questioning his authority as an apostle.

While in Macedonia he writes 2 Corinthians

Believer’s Bible Commentary IV. Background and Theme

Paul’s first visit to Corinth is recorded in Acts 18. It took place on his Second Missionary Journey, just after he had delivered his memorable Mars Hill address in Athens.

In Corinth, Paul worked as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla, and preached the gospel in the synagogue. Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to join him in this evangelistic work, which lasted at least eighteen months (Acts 18:11).

When most Jews rejected his preaching, Paul turned to the Gentiles. As souls were saved—both Jews and Gentiles—the Jewish leaders brought the apostle before the proconsul, Gallio. But the latter threw the case out of court as one over which he did not have jurisdiction.

After the trial, Paul stayed in Corinth many days, and then left for Cenchrea, Ephesus, and the long trip back to Caesarea and Antioch.

On his Third Missionary Journey, he returned to Ephesus and stayed there for two years. During this stay, a delegation from Corinth visited him, asking Paul’s advice on many matters. It was in answer to these queries that 1 Corinthians was written.

The apostle later became very anxious to find out how the Corinthians had reacted to his Letter, especially to the section concerning the discipline of a sinning member. So he left Ephesus for Troas where he hoped to meet Titus. However, failing to do so, he crossed over into Macedonia. It was here that Titus came with news, both good and bad. The saints had disciplined the sinning saint—and this discipline had resulted in his spiritual recovery. That was the good news. But the Christians had never sent the money to the needy saints at Jerusalem, as they had intended to do. That was not so good. Finally, Titus reported that the false teachers were active at Corinth, undermining the apostle’s work and questioning his authority as a servant of Christ. This was the bad news!

These then are the circumstances that called forth the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, written from Macedonia.

I. God’s Greeting

2 Corinthians 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:

A. Through Paul

B. Through Timothy

C. To the Church at Corinth

D. To the Saints of Achaia

application: greet each other.

II. Grace and Peace Extended

2 Corinthians 1:2 NASB95

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Grace from God

This is essentially a prayer or desire that the Corinthians would experience the grace that has been provided to them by the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember the church at Corinth was carnal. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to correct many problems that the church had including a serious sin issue with one of the members. Yet here, Paul extends his desire for them to realize and feel the grace of God. This is a pastor’s heart from Paul as well as a savior’s heart from Jesus Christ. It is loving your neighbor as Christ loved while here on the earth.

Jon Courson’s Application Commentary Chapter 1

The truly anointed brother, the truly mature sister does not fire back. That is why we will see Paul explaining certain things to the Corinthian congregation, but not brutally firing at them. It is why he is firm with them, but never loses his heart of love for them.

B. Peace from God

Similarly, Paul desires the saints at Corinth to experience the absence of hostility between them and himself. This is the result of grace. The only way to posses that kind of peace is to be in communion with the Savior, intent on one purpose, and abiding in Jesus. This letter seeks to help the Corinthians obtain that peace.

Paul could have desired great wealth or good health for the Corinthian believers, but he wanted something far better for them.

Do you have that peace?

C. Trinity Affirmed

We know that inspired scripture is a work of the Holy Spirit moving a man to write the very words of God. The Holy Spirit is prompting, and guiding Paul to write this letter. So, it is a letter from the Holy Spirit. It is also from God the Father and God the Son. Paul here affirms the truth that we serve a singular God who exists as 3 distinct persons. Each has will or desire to give grace. Each desires to give peace to the one who believes in God’s plan of redemption.

III. Blessing

2 Corinthians 1:3 NASB95

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

God and Father — God is no longer known as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a monumental shift in identity.

Psalm 121:1–2 NASB95

1 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.