Exploring Corinthians 28

Consolation Prize

Quick outline of 1 Corinthians

Paul has already written one letter which seems to be lost

The church at Corinth responds to Paul’s letter with more questions

Paul writes his second letter which we know as 1 Corinthians

In his first letter

Paul greets and encourages the Corinthian church ().

Paul corrects them in areas of immaturity ()

Quarrels over leadership ()

Dealing with the church’s lack of judgment on sex and legal disputes ()

Paul addresses issues the church raised in an earlier letter ()

Marriage, divorce, and virginity ()

Eating meat used for idol worship ()

Paul calls the church to order

Head coverings and authority ()

The Lord’s Supper ()

Using spiritual gifts ()

Understanding the resurrection ()

Instructions for greeting other Christians ()

There was possibly a third letter Paul wrote that some think is actually tucked into the end of 2 Corinthians starting at chapter 10 because of the sudden change in tone of his writing. But none the less there was an obvious letter “severe” letter between 1st and 2nd Corinthians which Paul wrote with many tears and sorrow.

Paul was waiting to hear back from Titus with a response to his severe letter and once he finally heard a good report he wrote 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 1:1–2 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3–7 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

2 Corinthians 1:3-

1 Peter 4:15–16 NKJV

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

()

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 1:8–11 NKJV

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

Communities—people who cared for each other, were there for each other and consoled each other were used by the Holy Spirit to spread the good news of Jesus to the known world. Authentic community was experienced with an abundant life lived by a people to whom God was committed and who in turn were committed to each other.

2 Corinthians 1:12-