2 Corinthians Introduction

1 Corinthians

Purpose

Paul’s letter was occasioned by at least two factors. First, he had received word from two sources of divisions in the church (; ).Secondly, Paul had received a letter from the assembly requesting answers to a series of questions. Paul felt obliged to respond.

Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2277). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Purpose and Nature of the Letter

1. The first six chapters were an attempt to correct the contentions in the church brought to his attention by Chloe’s servants (1:11) and to bring about unity in perspective and practice.

2. Beginning in chapter 7, Paul addressed himself to certain questions (introduced by the phrase peri de, “now concerning”) about marital issues (7:1, 25), liberty and responsibility (8:1), spiritual gifts and church order (12:1), money for impoverished saints in Jerusalem (16:1), and the availability of Apollos (16:12).

3. In chapter 15 he reaffirmed and defended the doctrine of the Resurrection, which some denied. It is possible that Paul saw this as a fundamental ill affecting all the preceding discussion, so he placed it at the climax of his letter.

Standing above all the issues with which this letter deals is the very existence of a church in Corinth, a testimony to the power of God and the gospel.

Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2277). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Conclusion

Giving

Going

Growing Up

Greetings

2 Corinthians

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Contacts and Correspondence

These steps, in summary, are: (1) First visit to Corinth. (2) First letter to Corinth (now lost). (3) Second letter to Corinth (1 Cor.). (4) Second visit to Corinth (a “painful visit,” 2 Cor. 2:1). (5) Third letter to Corinth (now lost). (6) Fourth letter to Corinth (2 Cor.). (7) Third visit to Corinth.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Unity

All of Paul’s letters have sections which digress or are discontinuous, but in no letter is this tendency so evident as in 2 Corinthians. The circumstances under which it was composed likely contributed to this but that has not satisfied the numerous advocates who find interpolations rife in 2 Corinthians. Five proposed interpolations may be noted.

Greeting 1:1-2

2 Corinthians 1:1–2 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 cor1

1 Thessalonians 1:1 ESV

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 Thessalonians 1:1–2 ESV

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2thess

1 Timothy 1:1–2 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

2tim

2 Timothy 1:1–2 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 1:1–2 ESV

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1thess1.

phil

1 Thessalonians 1:1 ESV

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

Colossians 1:1–2 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

col1

Philemon 1–3 ESV

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

phile1.

Thankfulness 3-8

2 Corinthians 1:3–7 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

Comfort (or Comfort Defined) 3-8

A. The Person of Comfort vs.3

B. The Promise of Comfort vs.4a

C. The Purpose of Comfort vs. 4b, 6-7

D. The Parameters of comfort vs. 5

1pet

1 Peter 4:12–16 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Trouble (or comfort applied) 9-11

2cor1.9-11

2 Corinthians 1:9–11 ESV

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

E. The Power of Comfort vs.8-10a

F. The Perpetuity of Comfort vs.10b

G. The Participation of Comfort vs.11