week 9 day 4

Read 2 Corinthians 1

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%201&version=NIV

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians was blunt and, to some, may have seemed harsh. It’s clear from the document we call 2 Corinthians that, while Paul’s command that the church discipline the immoral brother was obeyed, a core of hostility to the founding apostle exists. From Paul’s description of his antagonists in chapters 10–13, it appears that “false apostles” from outside have exploited the existing hostility and led a serious anti–Paul rebellion.Scholars actively debate just what contacts Paul had with Corinth between his first and this “second” epistle. Most suppose Paul visited the church after his first letter and later wrote a “severe letter” carried to Corinth by Titus (2 Cor. 2:3–4, 9; 7:8, 12). Titus reported the church’s positive response (2 Cor. 7:5–16). But later Paul heard of new, even more serious problems and so wrote this letter, 2 Corinthians, before he finally visited the church (cf. Acts 20:2–3).

Second Corinthians contains a movingly personal defense by Paul of his apostleship and ministry (1–7), instructions that define the New Testament theology of giving (8–9), and a powerful affirmation of his apostolic authority (10–13). The letter is valuable not only for its insight into Paul’s heart, but also as a guide to anyone who seeks to serve others in a godly, loving way.

1:3–5 The Lord Jesus Christ (1:3) is the medium for comfort and compassion. Paul also became an expression of God’s words of comfort. His comfort had the purpose of being shared with others (1:4). Second Corinthians 1:5 restates and emphasizes the balance between sufferings and comfort. Paul reflected on his recent difficulties in Ephesus (cf. Acts 19:23–41) and on how God had been his comfort. He recognized that God had given him a ministry of giving comfort just as he had received comfort from God.

1:6–7 Paul stressed that even his sufferings were designed to give benefit to the Corinthians. He was building to 2 Corinthians 7 and the full expression of fellowship. His sufferings did not point to weakness and lack of qualification or love—just the opposite. On “patient endurance” (1:6), see 1 Corinthians 10:13. The point is that comfort works simultaneously with suffering.

1:8–11 Here Paul is sharing his experiences of suffering to give a lesson in encouragement. The sharing of Paul’s weaknesses was not idle storytelling. It was the vehicle for sharing comfort. Ignorance is the block to sharing comfort. To hide his weaknesses from the Corinthians would only pander to those who thought weakness equaled disqualification. Part of the affliction Paul had experienced in Asia is recounted in Acts 19:23–41. The focus is on God’s purpose of comfort, not the trouble itself. This was a lesson needed by the readers. Another description of God follows (1:10). Paul’s appreciation for the effectiveness of intercessory prayer (1:11) is evidenced also in Romans 15:30–31; Philippians 1:9; and Colossians 4:12.

1:12–14 Paul’s letters were as honest as his life. Paul desired a mutual appreciation with the Corinthians in the Lord (1:14). He wanted them to join him in boasting in the works accomplished by the Lord, rather than quibbling about the external accomplishments of various people.

1:15–16 While Paul was still in Ephesus, he had written to Corinth and said that he would come soon “if the Lord will let me” (1 Cor. 4:19). Paul’s original travel plans are noted in 2 Corinthians 1:15–16. His plan was to visit Corinth, travel north to Macedonia to gather the collection for the Jerusalem church, and then return to Corinth again to get help for his travel back to Jerusalem. But his plans had changed.

His change from those plans is recorded in 1 Corinthians 16:5–7. Instead of traveling first to Corinth, Paul had gone directly to Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:12–13; Acts 20:1). Now Paul had to defend himself against accusations of insincerity and vacillation.

1:17–22 Paul responded to criticisms about his change in itinerary not defensively, but theologically. His defense was God’s consistency—which Paul followed rigorously—based on God’s faithfulness in the gospel and on the foundation of the character of Christ. Essential to the thrust of the letter are the establishment of the believers by God and the internal pledge of the Spirit in the heart (1:21–22).

1:23–24 The link to the previous section is mutual pride and joy (1:24) in the day of the Lord (cf. 1:14). If joy is to be the future’s aim, it must also be the present’s reality. This explains Paul’s change of plans. He would remain absent as long as possible to ensure mutual joy when present. Because of the highly sensitive situation in Corinth, Paul had to be defensive and careful.
Paul stayed away to spare them grief (1:23) and to share joy later (1:24). This is key to Paul’s ministry. He saw his readers as objects of joy (cf. John 17:13; 1 John 1:4). Paul had made a second visit to Corinth (2 Cor. 13:2), and it had been a sorrowful experience. Now Paul wanted to spare the Corinthians and himself another such sorrowful experience (cf. 2:1–2).

Discussion question
How does a leader who uses his authority according to “worldly wisdom” differ from one who does so by “God’s grace?”

Personal Reflection question
Paul found that intense pressures led him to depend on God all the more (vs 9). How do you respond to intense pressures? Do they deepen your walk with God or drive you away from Him?