Introduction – NIV Study Bible
a. Author: Paul –traditionally accepted by church fathers (external evidence), plus this one has more autobiographical material than any other of his letters (internal evidence)
b. Date: 55 AD. 1 Cor. 16:5-8 suggests that letter was written from Ephesus before Pentecost in the spring, and it is believed that 2 Cor. was written later the same year, before the onset of their winter, from Macedonia (see 2 Cor. 2:13; 7:5)
c. Recipients: 2 Cor. 1:1: the church in Corinth and Christians throughout Achaia (the Roman province which covered all of Greece south of Macedonia)
d. Purpose: to refute false teachers who had come into the church in Corinth, challenging Paul’s personal integrity and authority as an apostle. They used the occasion of Paul changing his plans (from two short visits to one longer visit, change of itinerary, but he is still coming soon) to say he didn’t keep his word. They also questioned if he was pocketing money intended for famine relief in Jerusalem. Paul answers all these charges.
e. Structure of the letter Paul:
• Explains change of itinerary (chs. 1-7; long response with truth nuggets)
• Encourages the completion of the collection for famine relief (chs. 8-9)
• Stresses certainty he will come, his authenticity as apostle, and readiness to exercise discipline (as an apostle) if necessary (chs. 10-13).
f. Notes:
• note that Paul uses an editorial “we” a lot in this letter, but he is really just talking about himself alone, for example, in 1:8, “the hardships we suffered,” etc.
• While this is the second letter to the Corinthians that we have, it mentions another letter which we do not have, so this would have been at least the third. A “painful visit” is also mentioned.
Bible Project – Highlights
I. Reconciliation after itinerary change/dispute (chs. 1-7)
a. God of all comfort in stress and suffering
b. Distorted values vs. true leadership – not about status; not going to prove credentials (integrity; the church body is his commendation); quotes Jeremiah & Ezekiel; covenant people (old vs. new more glorious (shiny; 3:18), eternal, and transformative) his conscience is clear; competence comes from God (see 3:5-6)
c. Paradox of the cross reveals salvation, God’s character, and a new way of life (“do not be yoked with unbelievers” in 6:14 in context of false teachers)
d. The painful visit and painful letter caused sorrow, but that led to repentance, so that is ultimately a cause for joy (church discipline)
II. Forgotten generosity (chs. 8-9)
a. Unity in providing relief
b. Wealth as a metaphor, sign of transformation to give generously
III. Final challenge (chs. 10-12)
a. Paul’s defense of his authority and mission—humility vs. “superapostles”
b. Sober warnings to check themselves, be humble, and live in Christ’s love
Key Texts:
1:9 – Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.
4:4 – The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
7:10 – Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
9:7-8 – Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
10:5 – We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Practice (2 Corinthians 4:1-12)
◼ Grasping the text in their town. Read and observe.
• Is this text a story? A poem? A teaching? A prophecy? What is the author’s objective in writing this?
• What are words and phrases that catch your attention? Are there terms that warrant further study with a concordance or Bible dictionary?
• Write out what it means to the Biblical audience in one-two sentences.
What this text meant to the Biblical audience:
◼ Measuring the width of the river to cross. Determine differences between the Biblical audience and the modern reader.
• The notes above might help you.
• What is the context? What is happening right before and after this passage? How does these two verses fit into the overall theme of the book?
What are some differences between the Biblical audience and the reader?
◼ Crossing the principlizing bridge. Determine similarities between the situation of the biblical audience and our situation.
• This is where step 1 can really help. Knowing what the text meant to its original audience will go a long way to helping you to determine what we need to hear today.
• Important reminders:
o The principle must be congruent with the rest of Scripture.
o The principle must be reflected in the text.
o The principle must be timeless (relevant to the Biblical and current audience).
• Write out the principle in one-two sentences.
What is the theological principle of the text?
◼ Grasping the text in our town. How does this principle apply to real-life situations today?
o While there is typically only one (perhaps more) theological principles, there are multiple applications dependent on our current life situation and where we (or our audience) are with God. Remember the application must contain all the key elements of the principle. How does this theological principle apply today?