2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (Part 2) Paul's Explanation of His Conduct

Paul’s Explanation of His Conduct, 2 Corinthians 1-7

The salutation—1:1-2

• The author: 1) His commission: a) He represents Jesus Christ; b) His credentials—by the will of God; 2) His companion (Timothy)

• The recipients:

1) The church of God (universal sense)—in what sense? a) God called it; b) God maintains it; 3) God completes it; 4) It is His from beginning to end.

2) At Corinth (the local branch)

3) Saints in all Achaia: a) To Corinth directly; b) All of southern Greece indirectly

• The greeting, v. 2: 1) Grace—unmerited, undeserved, unsolicited favor of God. 2) Grace is the foundational principle of the church age; 3) Paul begins all his teaching with grace; he wraps up all his teaching with grace; 4) Peace—wraps up all the benefits of redemption

The biblical doctrine of divine comfort, 1:3-11

• Emphasis on divine comfort from God, 1:3-7

• Emphasis on the deadly peril that comes from men, 1:8-11

Divine comfort, 1:3-7

• The source, v. 3: 1) God; 2) He is our Father; 3) Under Father, there are two attributes that stand out: a) Mercies; b) All comfort: Total sufficiency

“Comfort”

• Does not convey the idea of “cozy”

• Three elements involved—(paraklesis): 1) Stand by another; 2) To encourage; 3) . . .anyone undergoing severe testing

• The idea of God being comfort is . . . : 1) Presence; 2) Support; 3) Pain

• Real genuine support—God is comfort to us

• Trinity is involved: 1) The Holy Spirit—John 14:16, 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; 2) Jesus Christ—I John 2:1; Hebrews 2:18; 3) Father, I Corinthians 1:3

Principle: God never encourages us as believers for our own sake (1:4).