2 Corinthians Graphics of



Vital statistics


 Purpose: To affirm Paul's ministry, defend his authority as an apostle, and refute the false teachers in Corinth  
 Author: Paul 
 Original audience: The church in Corinth  
 Date written:  Approximately A.D. 55-57. from Macedonia 
 Setting: Paul has already written three letters to the Corinthians (two are now lost). In 1 Corinthians (the second of these letters), he used strong words to correct and teach. Most of the church had responded in the right spirit; there were, however, those who were denying Paul's authority and questioning his motives.
 Key verse: "So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead 'Come back to God'" (5:20)
 Key people: Paul, Timothy, Titus, false teachers
 Key places: Corinth, Jerusalem
 Special features: This is an intensely personal and autobiographical letter.





Raising Funds Honorably

  1. Be dedicated to God . 
  2. Provide information.     
  3. Show definite purpose and goal
  4. Be enthusiastic
  5. Reveal honesty and integrity
  6. Be accountable
  7. Le people give willingly 
  8. Be generous yourselves
  9. Have someone to keep it moving
  10. Be persistent, trusting God to provide
  • 8:5
  • 8:4 
  • 8:4
  • 8:7, 8, 11
  • 8:21
  • 9:3
  • 9:7
  • 8:7
  • 8:18-22
  • 8:22ff





Principles of Confrontation in 2 Corinthians


 MethodReference 
  1. Be firm and bold 
  2. Affirm all you see that is good
  3. Be accurate and honest
  4. Know the facts
  5. Follow up after the confrontation
  6. Be gentle after being firm
  7. Speak words that reflect Christ's message, not you own ideas
  8. Use discipline only when all else fails 
  • 7:9; 10:2
  • 7:4
  • 7:14; 8:21
  • 11:22-27
  • 7:13; 12:14
  • 7:15; 13:11-13
  • 10:3; 10:12; 13; 12:19
  • 13:2
  Sometimes rebuke is necessary, but it must be used with caution. The purpose of any rebuke, confrontation, or discipline is to help people, not hurt them.  




Paul's Credentials


  1. Commissioned by God
  2. Acted in holiness, sincerity, and dependence on God alone in his dealings with them
  3. Was straightforward and sincere in his letters
  4. Spoke truthfully 
  5. Had God's Holy Spirit
  6. Loved the Corinthian believers
  7. Spoke with sincerity and Christ's authority
  8. Worked among them and changed their lives
  9. Did not give up
  10. Taught the Bible with integrity
  11. Had Christ as the center of his message
  12. Endured persecution as he taught the Good News
  13. Was Christ's ambassador, called to tell the Good News
  14. Tried to live an exemplary life so others would not be kept from God
  15. Led a pure life, understood the gospel, and displayed patience with the Corinthians 
  16. Was trustful and filled with God's power
  17. Stood true to God first and always 
  18. Never led anyone or took advantage of anyone
  19. Handled their offering for the Jerusalem believers in a responsible, blameless manner 
  20. Used God's weapons, not his own, for God's work
  21. Was confident that he belonged to Christ
  22. Would boast not in himself but in the Lord
  23. Had authority because he taught them the Good News
  24. Endured pain and danger as he fulfilled his calling
  25. Was blessed with an astounding vision
  26. Lived as an example to the believers
  27. Was constantly humbled by a "thorn" in the flesh that God refused to take away
  28. Did miracles among them
  29. Was always motivated to strengthen others spiritually 
  30. Was filled with God's power
  31. Passed the test
  32. Was always concerned that his spiritual children become mature believers
  • 1:1, 21; 4:1 
  • 1:12
  • 1:13, 14
  • 1:18; 4:2
  • 1:22
  • 2:4; 6:11; 11:11
  • 2:17
  • 3:2, 3
  • 4:1, 16
  • 4:2
  • 4:5
  • 4:8-12; 6:4, 5, 9, 10
  • 5:18-20
  • 6:3, 4
  • 6:6
  • 6:7
  • 6:8
  • 7:2; 11:7-9
  • 8:20, 21
  • 10:1-6
  • 10:7, 8
  • 10:12, 13
  • 10:14, 15
  • 11:23-33
  • 12:2-4
  • 12:6
  • 12:7-10
  • 12:12
  • 12:19
  • 13:4
  • 13:5, 6
  • 13:9





Principles of Gift Giving
8:1–4
Principle No. 1—Outward circumstances and difficulties should not inhibit generosity in giving.
     •     The Macedonian churches were not giving out of their abundance, rather, they were giving generously out of their poverty.
     •     They gave, not because they had to give, but because they wanted to give.
     •     Their giving far exceeded their financial ability.
•     They viewed this special offering as a privilege, not as an obligation.
     •     Giving is viewed as a Christian “grace.”
•     Joy and generosity are twins-they accompany one another.
8:5
Principle No. 2—All financial giving should be preceded by self-giving.
•     They first gave themselves to the Lord.
8:6, 7
Principle No. 3—Believers should seek to excel in the grace of giving.
8:6, 10, 11; 9:5
Principle No. 4—Worthy stewardship goals should be brought to completion.
Finish what you begin.
•     In spiritual things, there is value in completing what you start.
8:8, 9, 24
Principle No. 5—Generous giving gives evidence of the sincerity of one’s love.
•     One’s motivation for giving should always be love for the Savior and the saints.
8:8, 9
Principle No. 6—There is a connection  between “the grace of God” and “the grace of giving.”
•     The grace of God becomes the supreme motivating factor in a true Christian stewardship.
     •     Our giving should be rooted in His giving.
8:12
Principle No. 7—A willingness to give is more important than the amount given.
8:13–15
Principle No. 8—In the economy of God, the sufficiency of some ministers to the deficiency of other.
8:16–21
Principle No. 9—The expenditure of God’s money should be done judiciously.
•     To honor the Lord.
•     To do vital ministry.
•     To avoid any type of criticism
9:1, 2
Principle No. 10-Generous, spiritual giving will have a positive influence on others’ giving.
9:5–7
Principle No. 11-The attitude in which a gift is give cheerfully and willingly, not grudgingly.
9:8–11
Principle No. 12—Generosity moves the heart of God to supply more seed and meet all needs.
•     “All grace”
•     “Always”
•     “All sufficiency”
•     “All thing”
9:11–14
Principle No. 13—Generosity will result in praise and thanksgiving to God.
9:15
Principle No. 14—Generous giving is the natural response to God’s indescribable gift.
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (2 Co 8.16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Differences between 1 and 2 Corinthians


                    The two letters to the Corinthians church that we find in the Bible are very different, with different tones and focuses. 
 
 1 Corinthians / Practical 2 Corinthians / Personal
 Focuses on the character of the Corinthians church Focuses on Paul as he bares his soul and tells of his love for the Corinthians church.
 Deals with questions on marriage, freedom, spiritual gifts, and order in the church Deals with the problem of false teachers, whereby Paul defends his authority and the truth of his message
 Paul instructs in matters concerning the church's well-being  Paul give his testimony because he knows that acceptance of his advice is vital to the church's well-being
 Contains advice to help the church combat the pagan influences in the wicked city of Corinth   Contains testimony to help the church combat the havoc caused by false teachers 




The Blueprint



  1.  Paul explains his actions (1:1-2:11)
  2. Paul defends his ministry (2:12-7:16)
  3. Paul defends the collection (8:1-9:15)
  4. Paul defends hi authority (10:1-13:14)
 In responding to the attacks on his character and authority, Paul explains the nature of Christian ministry and, as an example, openly shares about his ministry. This is an important letter for all who wish to be involved in any kind of Christian ministry, because it has much to teach us about how we should handle our ministries today. Like Paul, those involved in ministry should be blameless, sincere, confident, caring, open, and willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.   






Second Corinthians Overview