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The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, Chapter Five
<>< <>< ><> ><> 1. What did Paul say that he and the people in Corinth knew, what is this building, where is this building, how was it not built, what did Paul say they do in the meanwhile, what did Paul say they are longing to be, why did Paul say they longed for this, and why did Paul say for a while they are in this tent (earthly tent), they groan and are burdened?
______________________________________________________________________________ Paul
contrasts our earthly bodies ("earthly tent") and our future resurrection bodies
("a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands").
Paul clearly states that our present bodies make us groan, but when we die we
will not be spirits without bodies ("be found naked"). We will have new bodies
that will be perfect for our everlasting life. <>< <>< ><> ><>
<>< <>< ><> ><> 2. Whom did Paul tell the people in Corinth had made them for this very purpose (everlasting bodies at the resurrection), what did Paul say God has given them, and why did Paul say God had done this?
______________________________________________________________________________ The Holy Spirit within us is our guarantee that God will give us everlasting bodies at the resurrection (1:22). We have eternity in us now! This truth should give us great courage and patience to endure anything we might experience. 3. What did Paul tell the people in Corinth he and the others with him were always confident and knew about, how did Paul say he and the others with him live, how did Paul say he and the others didn't live, and what did Paul say he and the others with him would prefer?
______________________________________________________________________________ Paul was not afraid to die, because he was confident of spending
eternity with Christ. Of course, facing the unknown may cause us anxiety, and
leaving loved ones hurts deeply, but if we believe in Jesus Christ, we can share
Paul's hope and confidence of eternal life with Christ. 4. What did Paul tell the people in Corinth he and the others with him did, what did Paul say they all must appear before, and why did Paul say this must happen?
______________________________________________________________________________ While eternal life is a free gift given on the basis of God's grace, each of us will still be judged by Christ. <>< <>< ><> ><>
<>< <>< ><> ><> This judgment will reward us for how we have lived. God's gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement for faithful obedience. All Christians must give account for how they have lived. <>< <>< ><> ><>
<>< <>< ><> ><> 5. Why did Paul tell the people in Corinth he and the others try to persuade men, what did Paul say was plain to God, what did Paul say he hoped it was for their conscience, what did Paul say he and the others with him were not trying to do, and why did Paul say they were doing this?
______________________________________________________________________________ Those who "take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart" are the false preachers (see 2:17) who were concerned only about getting ahead in this world. They were preaching the gospel for money and popularity, while Paul and his companions were preaching out of concern for eternity. You can identify false preachers by finding out what really motivates them. If they are more concerned about themselves than about Christ, avoid them and their message. 6. Whom did Paul tell the people in Corinth it was for if he and the others with him were out of their mind, whom did Paul say it was for if he and the others with him were in their right minds, what did Paul say compels him and the others with him, what did Paul say the reason was for this, and why did Paul say Christ died for all?
______________________________________________________________________________ Everything that Paul and his companions did was to honor God. Christ's love controlled their lives. Because Christ died for us, we also are dead to our old lives. Like Paul, we should no longer live to please ourselves; we should spend our lives pleasing Christ, who died for us and rose from the grave. 7. What did Paul say he and the others no longer did, whom did Paul say they once regarded in this way, but they do so no longer, and what did Paul say anyone is in Christ was?
______________________________________________________________________________ Christians are brand-new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit gives them new life, and they are not the same anymore. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated - we are re-created (new creations), living in vital union with Christ. <>< <>< ><> ><>
<>< <>< ><> ><> At conversion we are not merely turning over a new leaf; we are beginning a new life under a new Master. 8. Where did Paul tell the people in Corinth that all of this came from, whom did God reconcile them to himself through, and what did Paul say God had given him and the others with him?
______________________________________________________________________________ God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our sins and making us righteous. <>< <>< ><> ><>
<>< <>< ><> ><> We are no longer God's enemies, or strangers or foreigners to him, when we trust in Christ. Because we have been reconciled to God, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have the "ministry of reconciliation." 9. What did Paul tell the people in Corinth he and the others with him were, and what did Paul implore the people in Corinth on Christ's behalf?
______________________________________________________________________________ An ambassador is an official representative on behalf of one country to another. As believers, we are Christ's ambassadors, sent with his message of reconciliation to the world. An ambassador of reconciliation has an important responsibility. We dare not take this responsibility lightly. How well are you fulfilling your commission as Christ's ambassador? 10. How did Paul say God made him (Jesus) who had no sin, and why did God do this?
______________________________________________________________________________ When we trust in Christ, we make an exchange - our sin for his righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ's atonement for sin. In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin - something of immeasurable worth for something completely worthless. How grateful we should be for his kindness to us. <>< <>< ><> ><> 1.
That if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God...an eternal house...in heaven...by human hands...groan...clothed with our
heavenly dwelling...because when they are clothed, they will not be found
naked...because they do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with their
heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life <>< <>< ><> ><> |