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
- Be dedicated to God .
- Provide information.
- Show definite purpose and goal
- Be enthusiastic
- Reveal honesty and integrity
- Be accountable
- Le people give willingly
- Be generous yourselves
- Have someone to keep it moving
- 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
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Principles of Confrontation in 2 Corinthians
Method | Reference | - Be firm and bold
- Affirm all you see that is good
- Be accurate and honest
- Know the facts
- Follow up after the confrontation
- Be gentle after being firm
- Speak words that reflect Christ's message, not you own ideas
- 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
- Commissioned by God
- Acted in holiness, sincerity, and dependence on God alone in his dealings with them
- Was straightforward and sincere in his letters
- Spoke truthfully
- Had God's Holy Spirit
- Loved the Corinthian believers
- Spoke with sincerity and Christ's authority
- Worked among them and changed their lives
- Did not give up
- Taught the Bible with integrity
- Had Christ as the center of his message
- Endured persecution as he taught the Good News
- Was Christ's ambassador, called to tell the Good News
- Tried to live an exemplary life so others would not be kept from God
- Led a pure life, understood the gospel, and displayed patience with the Corinthians
- Was trustful and filled with God's power
- Stood true to God first and always
- Never led anyone or took advantage of anyone
- Handled their offering for the Jerusalem believers in a responsible, blameless manner
- Used God's weapons, not his own, for God's work
- Was confident that he belonged to Christ
- Would boast not in himself but in the Lord
- Had authority because he taught them the Good News
- Endured pain and danger as he fulfilled his calling
- Was blessed with an astounding vision
- Lived as an example to the believers
- Was constantly humbled by a "thorn" in the flesh that God refused to take away
- Did miracles among them
- Was always motivated to strengthen others spiritually
- Was filled with God's power
- Passed the test
- 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
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Principles of Gift Giving
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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
- Paul explains his actions (1:1-2:11)
- Paul defends his ministry (2:12-7:16)
- Paul defends the collection (8:1-9:15)
- 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
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