2nd Corinthians -- Chapter One

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The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, Chapter One

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   SLITHERING through the centuries, the serpent whispers his smooth-tongued promises, beguiling, deceiving, and tempting - urging men and women to reject God and to follow Satan. Satan's emissaries have been many - false prophets contradicting God's ancient spokesmen, "pious" leaders hurling blasphemous accusations, and heretical teachers infiltrating churches. And the deception continues. Our world is filled with cults, "isms," and ideologies, all claiming to provide the way to God.
   Paul constantly struggled with those who would mislead God's people, and he poured his life into spreading the Good News to the uttermost parts of the world. During three missionary trips and other travels, he proclaimed Christ, made converts, and established churches. But often young believers were easy prey for false teachers. False teachers were a constant threat to the gospel and the early church. So Paul had to spend much time warning and correcting these new Christians.
   The church at Corinth was weak. Surrounded by idolatry and immorality, they struggled with their Christian faith and life-style. Through personal visits and letters, Paul tried to instruct them in the faith, resolve their conflicts, and solve some of their problems. First Corinthians was sent to deal with specific moral issues in the church and to answer questions about sex, marriage, and tender consciences. That letter confronted the issues directly and was well received by most. But there were false teachers who denied Paul's authority and slandered him. Paul then wrote 2nd Corinthians to defend his position and to denounce those who were twisting the truth. Second Corinthians must have been a difficult letter for Paul to write because he had to list his credentials as an apostle. Paul was reluctant to do so as a humble servant of Christ, but he knew it was necessary. Paul also knew that most of the believers in Corinth had taken his previous words to heart and were beginning to mature in their faith. He affirmed their commitment to Christ.
   Second Corinthians begins with Paul reminding his readers of (1) his relationship to them - Paul had always been honest and straightforward with them (1:12-14), (2) his itinerary - he was planning to visit them again (1:15-2:3), and (3) his previous letter (2:4-11). Paul then moves directly to the subject of false teachers (2:17), and he reviews his ministry among the Corinthians to demonstrate the validity of his message and to urge them not to turn away from the truth (3:1-7:16).
   Paul next turns to the issue of collecting money for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He tells them how others have given, and he urges them to show their love in a tangible way as well (8:1-9:15). Paul then gives a strong defense of his authority as a genuine apostle while pointing out the deceptive influence of the false apostles (10:1-13:13). As you read this intensely personal letter, listen to Paul's words of love and exhortation, and be committed to the truth of God's Word and prepared to reject all false teaching.

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VITAL STATISTICS
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PURPOSE:
To affirm Paul's ministry, defend his authority as an apostle, and refute the false teachers in Corinth

AUTHOR:
Paul

TO WHOM WRITTEN:
The church in Corinth and Christians everywhere

DATE WRITTEN:
About A.D. 55-57, from Macedonia

SETTING:
Paul had already written three letters to the Corinthians (two are now lost). In 1st 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:
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled 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.

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THE BLUEPRINT
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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 his 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.

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MEGATHEMES
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THEME:
Trials

EXPLANATION:
Paul experienced great suffering, persecution, and opposition in his ministry. He even struggled with a personal weakness - a "thorn" in the flesh. Through it all, Paul affirmed God's faithfulness.

IMPORTANCE:
God is faithful. His strength is sufficient for any trial. When trials come, they keep us from pride and teach us dependence on God. He comforts us so we can comfort others.

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THEME:
Church discipline

EXPLANATION:
Paul defends his role in church discipline. Neither immorality nor false teaching could be ignored. The church was to be neither too lax nor too severe in administering discipline. The church was to restore the corrected person when he or she repented.

IMPORTANCE:
The goal of all discipline in the church should be correction, not vengeance. For churches to be effective, they must confront and solve problems, not ignore them. In everything, we must act in love.

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THEME:
Hope

EXPLANATION:
To encourage the Corinthians as they faced trials, Paul reminded them that they would receive new bodies in heaven. This would be a great victory in contrast to their present suffering.

IMPORTANCE:
To know we will receive new bodies offers us hope. No matter what adversity we face, we can keep going. Our faithful service will result in triumph.

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THEME:
Giving

EXPLANATION:
Paul organized a collection of funds for the poor in the Jerusalem church. Many of the Asian churches gave money. Paul explains and defends his beliefs about giving, and he urges the Corinthians to follow through on their previous commitment.

IMPORTANCE:
Like the Corinthians, we should follow through on our financial commitments. Our giving must be generous, sacrificial, well planned, and based on need. Our generosity not only helps those in need but enables them to thank God.

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THEME:
Sound doctrine

EXPLANATION:
False teachers were challenging Paul's ministry and authority as an apostle. Paul asserts his authority in order to preserve correct Christian doctrine. His sincerity, his love for Christ, and his concern for the people were his defense.

IMPORTANCE:
We should share Paul's concern for correct teaching in our churches. But in so doing, we must share his motivation - love for Christ and people - and his sincerity.

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1. Paul explains his actions

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1. Who wrote this letter, who was with Paul during this time, who was this letter written to, and from whom did Paul give them grace and peace?

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   Paul visited Corinth on his second missionary journey and founded a church there.

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Cross-reference Acts 18:1
(1)
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

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   He later wrote several letters to the believers in Corinth, two of which are included in the Bible. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is lost, his second letter to them is our book of 1st Corinthians, his third letter is lost, and his fourth letter is our book of 2nd Corinthians.

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Cross-reference 1st Corinthians 5:9-11
  
(9)
I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people - (10)not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. (11)But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Cross-reference 2nd Corinthians 2:6-9
(6)
The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. (7)Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. (8)I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. (9)The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

Cross-reference 2nd Corinthians 7:12
(12)
So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are.

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   Second Corinthians was written less than a year after 1 Corinthians.
   Paul wrote 1st Corinthians to deal with divisions in the church. When his advice was not taken and their problems weren't solved, Paul visited Corinth a second time. That visit was painful both for Paul and for the church.

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Cross-reference 2nd Corinthians 2:1
(1)
So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.

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   He then planned a third visit, but delayed it and wrote 2nd Corinthians instead. After writing 2nd Corinthians, Paul visited Corinth once more.

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Cross-reference Acts 20:2, 3
(2)
He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, (3)where he stayed three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

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   Paul had great respect for Timothy, one of his traveling companions.

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Cross-reference Philippians 2:19, 20
  
(19)
I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. (20)I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

Cross-reference 1st Timothy 1:2
  
(2)
To Timothy my true son in the faith:

   Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Cross-reference Acts 16:1-3
  
(1)
He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. (2)The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. (3)Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

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   Timothy had accompanied Paul to Corinth on his second missionary journey, and Paul had recently sent him there to minister.

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Cross-reference 1st Corinthians 4:17
(17)
For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

Cross-reference 1st Corinthians 16:10
(10)
If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.

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   Timothy's report to Paul about the crisis in the Corinthian church prompted Paul to make an unplanned visit to the church to deal with the problem in person (see 2:1).
   The Romans had made Corinth the capital of Achaia (the southern half of present-day Greece). The city was a flourishing trade center because of its seaport. With the thousands of merchants and sailors who disembarked there each year, it had developed a reputation as one of the most immoral cities in the ancient world; its many pagan temples encouraged the practice of sexual immorality along with idol worship. In fact, the Greek word "to Corinthianize" came to mean "to practice sexual immorality." A Christian church in the city would face many pressures and conflicts.

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Paul's Profile
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   No person, apart from Jesus himself, shaped the history of Christianity like the apostle Paul. Even before he was a believer, his actions were significant. His frenzied persecution of Christians following Stephen's death got the church started in obeying Christ's final command to take the gospel worldwide. Paul's personal encounter with Jesus changed his life. He never lost his fierce intensity, but from then on it was channeled for the gospel.
   Paul was very religious. His training under Gamaliel was the finest available. His intentions and efforts were sincere. He was a good Pharisee, who knew the Bible and sincerely believed that this Christian movement was dangerous to Judaism. Thus Paul hated the Christian faith and persecuted Christians without mercy.
   Paul got permission to travel to Damascus to capture Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem. But God stopped him in his hurried tracks on the Damascus road. Paul personally met Jesus Christ, and his life was never again the same.
   Until Paul's conversion, little had been done about carrying the gospel to non-Jews. Philip had preached in Samaria and to an Ethiopian man; Cornelius, a Gentile, was converted under Peter, and in Antioch in Syria, some Greeks had joined the believers. When Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to check on this situation, he went to Tarsus to find Paul and bring him to Antioch, and together they worked among the believers there. They were then sent on a missionary journey, the first of three Paul would take, that would carry the gospel across the Roman empire.
   The thorny issue of whether Gentiles believers had to obey Jewish laws before they could become Christians caused many problems in the early church. Paul worked hard to convince the Jews that Gentiles were acceptable to God, but he spent even more time convincing the Gentiles that they were acceptable to God. The lives Paul touched were changed and challenged by meeting Christ through him.
   God did not waste any part of Paul - his background, his training, his citizenship, his mind, or even his weaknesses. Are you willing to let God do the same for you? You will never know all he can do with you until you allow him to have all that you are!

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Paul's Strengths and Accomplishments
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* Transformed by God from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher for Christ
* Preached for Christ throughout the Roman empire on three missionary journeys
* Wrote letters to various churches, which became part of the New Testament
* Was never afraid to face an issue head-on and deal with it
* Was sensitive to God's leading and, despite his strong personality, always did as God directed
* Is often called the apostle to the Gentiles

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Paul's Weaknesses and Mistakes
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* Witnessed and approved of Stephen's stoning
* Set out to destroy Christianity by persecuting Christians

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Lessons from Paul's Life
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* The Good News is that forgiveness and eternal life are a gift of God's grace received through faith in Christ and available to all people
* Obedience results from a relationship with God, but obedience will never create or earn that relationship
* Real freedom doesn't come until we no longer have to prove our freedom
* God does not waste our time - he will use our past and present so we may serve him with our future

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Paul's Vital Statistics
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* Where: Born in Tarsus, but became a world traveler for Christ
* Occupation: Trained as a Pharisee, learned the tentmaking trade, served as a missionary
* Contemporaries: Gamaliel, Stephen, the apostles, Luke, Barnabas, Timothy

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Key Verses
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"For to me, to live is Christ and to die gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body" (Philippians 1:21-24).

Paul's story is told in Acts 7:58-28:31 and through his New Testament letters.

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Timothy's Profile
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   Painful lessons are usually doorways to new opportunities. Even the apostle Paul had much to learn. Shortly after his disappointing experience with John Mark, Paul recruited another eager young man, Timothy, to be his assistant. Paul's intense personality may have been to much for John Mark to handle. It could easily have created the same problem for Timothy. But Paul seems to have learned a lesson in patience from his old friend Barnabas. As a result, Timothy became a "son" to Paul.
   Timothy probably became a Christian after Paul's first missionary visit to Lystra (Acts 16:1-5). Timothy already had solid Jewish training in the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother. By Paul's second visit, Timothy had grown into a respected disciple of Jesus. He did not hesitate to join Paul and Silas on their journey. His willingness to be circumcised as an adult is clearly a mark of his commitment. (Timothy's mixed Greek/Jewish background could have created problems on their missionary journeys, because many of their audience would be made up of Jews who were concerned about the strict keeping of this tradition. Timothy's submission to the rite of circumcision helped to avoid that potential problem.)
   Beyond the tensions created by his mixed racial background, Timothy seemed to struggle with a naturally timid character and a sensitivity to his youthfulness. Unfortunately, many who share Timothy's character traits are quickly written off as too great a risk to deserve much responsibility. By God's grace, Paul saw great potential in Timothy. Paul demonstrated his confidence in Timothy by entrusting him with important responsibilities. Paul sent Timothy as his personal representative to Corinth during a particularly tense time (1st Corinthians 4:14-17). Although Timothy was apparently ineffective in that difficult mission, Paul did not give up on him. Timothy continued to travel with Paul.
   Our last pictures of Timothy come from the most personal letters in the New Testament: 1st and 2nd Timothy. The aging apostle Paul was near the end of his life, but his burning desire to continue his mission had not dimmed. Paul was writing to one of his closest friends - they had traveled, suffered, cried, and laughed together. They shared the intense joy of seeing people respond to the Good News and the agonies of seeing the gospel rejected and distorted. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the young church there (1st Timothy 1:3,4). He wrote to encourage Timothy and give him needed direction. These letters have provided comfort and help to countless other "Timothys" through the years. When you face a challenge that seems beyond your abilities, read 1st and 2nd Timothy, and remember that others have shared your experience.

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Timothy's Strengths and Accomplishments
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* Became a believer after Paul's first missionary journey and joined him for his other two journeys
* Was a respected Christian in his hometown
* Was Paul's special representative on several occasions
* Received two personal letters from Paul
* Probably knew Paul better than any other person, becoming like a son to Paul

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Timothy's Weaknesses and Mistakes
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* Struggled with a timid and reserved nature
* Allowed others to look down on his youthfulness
* Was apparently unable to correct some of the problems in the church at Corinth when Paul sent him there

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Lessons from Timothy's Life
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* Youthfulness should not be an excuse for ineffectiveness
* Our inadequacies and inabilities should not keep us from being available to God

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Timothy's Vital Statistics
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* Where: Lystra
* Occupations: Missionary, pastor
* Relatives: Mother Eunice.
                  Grandmother: Lois.
                  Greek father
* Contemporaries: Paul, Silas, Luke, Mark, Peter, Barnabas

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Key Verses
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"I have no one else like him [Timothy], who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (Philippians 2:20-22).

Timothy's story is told in Acts, starting in chapter 16. He is also mentioned in Romans 16:21; 1st Corinthians 4:17; 1st Corinthians 16:10,11; 2nd Corinthians 1:1,19; Philippians 1:1; Philippians 2:19-23; Colossians 1:1; 1st Thessalonians 1:1-10; 1st Thessalonians 2:3,4; 1st Thessalonians 3:2-6; 1st and 2nd Timothy, Philemon 1; Hebrews 13:23.

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The God of All Comfort
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2. Whom did Paul praise, what did Paul say he does, why did Paul say he does this, what did Paul say flows over into our lives, and how did Paul say our comfort overflows?

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   Many think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. But if that were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for him. We must understand that being comforted can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us. If you are feeling overwhelmed, allow God to comfort you. Remember that every trial you endure will help you comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles.
   The "sufferings of Christ" are those afflictions we experience as we do Christ's ministry. At the same time, Christ suffers with his people, since they are united with him. In Acts 9:4, 5 Christ asked Paul why he was persecuting him. This implies that Christ suffered with the early Christians when they were persecuted.

3. What did Paul say was for their comfort and salvation, what did Paul say was for their comfort, what did Paul say this produces in the brothers in Corinth, and why did Paul say their hope for them is firm?

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   Paul explains that he and his companions suffered greatly for bringing "comfort and salvation" to the Corinthians. But just as God comforted Paul, God would also comfort the Corinthian believers when they suffered for their faith. He would give them the strength to endure.

4. What did Paul and Timothy say they didn't want the brothers in Corinth to be uninformed about, what did Paul say he and Timothy had been under, what did Paul say he and Timothy had felt in their hearts, why did Paul say this had happened to him and Timothy, what did Paul say God had done for him and Timothy, what did Paul say he and Timothy has set their hope on, and what did Paul say many will do?

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   Paul does not give details about their hardships in Asia, although his accounts of all three missionary journeys record many difficult trials he faced (Acts 13:2-14:28; Acts 15:40-21:17). He does write that they felt that they were going to die, and realized that they could do nothing to help themselves - they simply had to rely on God.
   We often depend on our own skills and abilities when life seems easy, but we turn to God when we feel unable to help ourselves. Depending on God is a realization of our own powerlessness without him and our need for his constant touch in our lives. God is our source of power, and we receive his help by keeping in touch with him. With this attitude of dependence, problems will drive us to God rather than away from him. Learn how to rely on God daily.
   Paul requested prayer for himself and his companions as they traveled to spread God's message. Pray for pastors, teachers, missionaries, and others who are spreading the gospel. Satan will challenge anyone making a real difference for God.

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Paul's Change of Plans
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5. What did Paul say his and Timothy's boast was, how did Paul say he and Timothy had done this, what did Paul say he and Timothy do not do, and what did Paul say he hoped the brothers in Corinth will come to fully understand as they had understood Paul and Timothy in part?

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   Paul knew the importance of holiness and sincerity in word and action, especially in a situation as in Corinth, where constructive criticism was necessary. So Paul did not come with impressive human knowledge (worldly wisdom). God wants us to be real and transparent in all our relationships. If we aren't, we may end up lowering ourselves to spreading rumors, gossiping, and second-guessing.

6. Why did Paul tell the brothers in Corinth he planned to visit them first, what did Paul say he had planned on doing, and what were the two questions Paul asked the brothers in Corinth when he didn't return to Corinth?

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   Paul had recently made a brief, unscheduled visit to Corinth that was very painful for him and the church (see 2:1). After that visit, he told the church when he would return. But Paul changed his original travel plans. Instead of sailing from Ephesus to Corinth before going to Macedonia, he traveled from Ephesus directly to Macedonia, where he wrote a letter to the Corinthians that caused him much anguish and them much sorrow.

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Cross-reference 2nd Corinthians 7:8, 9
  
(8)
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it - I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while - (9)yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.

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   He had made his original plans thinking that the church would have solved its problems. When the time came for Paul's scheduled trip to Corinth, however, the crisis had not been fully resolved (although progress was being made in some areas).

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Cross-reference 2nd Corinthians 7:11-16
(11)
See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. (12)So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. (13)By all this we are encouraged.
   In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.

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   So he wrote a letter instead because another visit may have only made matters worse.

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Cross-reference 2nd Corinthians 2:3, 4
(3)
I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. (4)For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

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   Thus Paul stayed away from Corinth because he was concerned over the church's unity, not because he was fickle.

7. What did Paul say, as surely as God is faithful, their message is not, what did Paul say the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who is preached among them by him (Paul), Silas, and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him has always been, what did Paul say no matter how many God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ, and what did Paul say was spoken by them to the glory of God?

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   Paul's change of plans caused some of his accusers to say that he couldn't be trusted, hoping to undermine his authority. Paul said that he was not the type of person to say "yes" when he means "no." Paul explained that it was not indecision but concern for their feelings that forced him to change his plans. The reason for his trip - to bring joy (1:24) - could not be accomplished with the present crisis. Paul didn't want to visit them only to rebuke them severely (1:23). Just as the Corinthians could trust God to keep his promises, they could trust Paul as God's representative to keep his. He would still visit them, but at a better time.
   All of God's promises of what the Messiah would be like are fulfilled in Christ ("in him it has always been 'Yes'"). Jesus was completely faithful in his ministry; he never sinned; he faithfully died for us; and now he faithfully intercedes for us.

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Cross-reference 1st Peter 3:18
(18)
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,...

Cross-reference Hebrews 2:9
(9)
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Cross-reference Romans 8:34
(34)
Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Cross-reference Hebrews 4:14, 15
  
(14)Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (15)For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.

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   Because Jesus Christ is faithful, Paul wanted to be faithful in his ministry.

8. Whom did Paul say made both him, and the brothers in Corinth stand firm in Christ, and what did Paul say God had done to them?

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   Paul mentions two gifts God gives when we become believers: (1) a seal of ownership to show who our Master is, and (2) the Holy Spirit, who guarantees that we belong to him and will receive all his benefits.

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Cross-reference Ephesians 1:13, 14
(13)
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (14)who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

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   The Holy Spirit guarantees that salvation is ours now, and that we will receive so much more when Christ returns. The great comfort and power the Holy Spirit gives in this life is a foretaste or down payment ("deposit") of the benefits of our eternal life in God's presence. With the privilege of belonging to God comes the responsibility of identifying ourselves as his faithful servants. Don't be ashamed to let others know that you are his.

9. Why did Paul call God as his witness, what did Paul say they did, not that they lord it over the brothers in Corinth, and why did Paul say they did this?

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   The Corinthian church had written to Paul with questions about their faith.

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Cross-reference 1st Corinthians 7:1
(1)
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.

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   In response, Paul had written 1st Corinthians. But the church did not follow his instructions.
   Paul had planned to visit them again, but instead he wrote a letter that caused sorrow to give them another chance to change their ways. He didn't want to visit and repeat the same advice for the same problems. He wrote the emotional letter to encourage them to follow the advice that he had already given in previous letters and visits.

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Answers to 2nd Corinthians 1
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1. Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God...Timothy, our brother...the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia...God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
2. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort...comforts them (Paul and Timothy) in all their troubles...so that they (Paul and Timothy) can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort they themselves have received from God...the sufferings of Christ...also through Christ
3. If  they (Paul and Timothy) are distressed...if they (Paul and Timothy) are comforted...patient endurance of the same sufferings they (Paul and Timothy) suffer...because they (Paul and Timothy) knew that just as we share in their sufferings, so also we share in their comfort
4. The hardships they had suffered in the province of Asia...great pressure, far beyond their ability to endure, so that they despaired even of life...the sentence of death...that they might not rely on themselves but on God, who raises the dead...delivered them from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver them...that God will continue to deliver them as the brothers in Corinth help them by their prayers...give thanks on their (Paul and Timothy) behalf for the gracious favor granted them in answer to the prayers of many
5. Their conscience testifies that they have conducted themselves in the world, and especially in their relations with the brothers in Corinth, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God...so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace...write the brothers in Corinth anything they cannot read or understand...that the brothers in Corinth can boast of Paul and Timothy as they will boast of the brothers in Corinth in the day of the Lord Jesus
6. So that they might benefit twice...to visit the brothers in Corinth on his way to Macedonia and to come back to the brothers in Corinth from Macedonia, and then to have the brothers send him on his way to Judea...When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, "Yes, yes" and "No, no"?
7. "Yes" and "No"..."Yes"...promises..."Amen"
8. God...he anointed them, set his seal of ownership on them, and put his Spirit in their hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come
9. In order to spare the brothers in Corinth that he did not return to Corinth...they worked with them (the brothers in Corinth) for their joy...because it is by faith they (the brothers in Corinth) stand firm

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The Life Application Study Bible - NIV - Zondervan