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"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To understand the source and proper use of our comfort
2) To appreciate the value of prayer in working with God, and in
producing thanksgiving in others
3) To see what are proper grounds for "boasting"
SUMMARY
Paul is joined by Timothy as he begins this epistle with greetings to
the church in Corinth, and to all the brethren in Achaia (1-2). A
feature common in Paul's epistles is to start with a few words of
praise and/or thanksgiving, and in this epistle he includes both. He
first praises God for the comfort offered through Christ in the midst
of tribulation, and expresses his confidence that both the sufferings
and comfort he receives because of Christ can work to the benefit of
the brethren at Corinth (3-7). He then informs them of the wonderful
deliverance God provided in Asia (perhaps referring to the "Diana
incident" in Acts 19:23-41), telling them their prayers were
instrumental as well, and that this will lead many people to give
thanks (8-11).
Paul's first order of business after his salutation and thanksgiving is
to offer a defense of his integrity. He begins with a profession of
sincerity and simplicity, both in his conduct and his writing, and then
reminds them that they will have good reason to "boast" in each other
when Christ comes (12-14). Evidently his sincerity had come in
question because Paul had made a change of plans concerning his visit
to them. Therefore he explains that his change was not due to
fickleness, but as God and His promises in Christ are trustworthy, so
is Paul, for God has anointed and sealed him with the Holy Spirit
(15-22). With God as his witness, Paul states that his change of plans
was an effort to spare them. This is not to suggest Paul exercises
some sort of domination over them, for he considers himself as a fellow
worker for their joy (23-24)
OUTLINE
I. SALUTATION & THANKSGIVING (1-11)
A. SALUTATION (1-2)
1. From Paul and Timothy (1a)
2. To the church of God at Corinth, with all the saints in Achaia
(1b)
3. Grace and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
(2)
B. THANKSGIVING (3-11)
1. For comfort in the midst of affliction (3-7)
a. From the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (3)
b. So that we may comfort others in their trouble (4)
c. Which like the sufferings of Christ, our comfort abounds
through Christ, and both work for our salvation (5-7)
2. For deliverance in Asia (8-11)
a. Burdened beyond measure, Paul had despaired of life, and
was left with only his trust in God (8-9)
b. But with the help of their prayers, God delivered him from
death, resulting in much thanksgiving (10-11)
II. PAUL DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY (12-24)
A. HIS PROFESSION OF SINCERITY (12-14)
1. In good conscience he has conducted himself with simplicity
and godly sincerity toward them, and continues to do so in his
writing to them (12-13a)
2. He hopes they understand that they have reason to boast in
each other when the Lord returns (13b-14)
B. THE CHANGED PLAN (15-22)
1. His original plan was visit them on his way to Macedonia, and
to return on his way to Judea (15-16)
2. His planning was not done lightly (17-22)
a. It was not done according to the flesh, in an unreliable
manner (17)
b. But as God is faithful, and the promises of God in Jesus
are reliable, so were his words to them (18-20)
c. Indeed, Paul (along with Silvanus and Timothy) has been...
1) Established with them in Christ and anointed by God (21)
2) Sealed by God, and given the Spirit in their hearts as a
deposit (22)
C. REASON FOR THE DELAYED VISIT (23-24)
1. To spare them, as God can confirm (23)
2. This is not to suggest an attitude of domination over them,
for he views himself as one working for their joy, and he
acknowledges that they stand on the basis of their faith (24)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Salutation and thanksgiving (1-11)
- Paul defends his integrity (12-24)
2) Who joins Paul in writing this epistle? (1)
- Timothy
3) What two groups of people does Paul address in his salutation (1)
- The church of God at Corinth
- All the saints who are in all Achaia (Greece)
4) How does Paul describe the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?
(3)
- The Father of mercies and God of all comfort
5) What is the proper use of comfort we receive from God? (4)
- To comfort those who are in any trouble
6) What two things abound in Christ? (5)
- Sufferings
- Consolation (comfort)
7) Where had Paul experienced some trouble? How serious was it? (8-9)
- In Asia (modern day Turkey)
- Such that he despaired of life, and could only trust in God who
raises the dead
8) What had worked together with God in providing deliverance? What
other effect did it have? (11)
- Their prayers for him
- Thanksgiving to be given by many people on his behalf
9) In what could Paul "boast"? (12)
- The clear conscience that his conduct in the world was with
simplicity and godly sincerity
10) What could Paul and the brethren in Corinth look forward to
boasting in, when Christ comes again? (14)
- Each other
11) What appears to be the reason Paul's integrity was in question?
(15-17)
- A change of plans in visiting them
12) Paul professes that his word is as faithful as what two things?
(18-20)
- God
- The promises of God in Christ
13) What assurances does Paul offer that he is faithful? (21-22)
- That God has established and anointed him, and sealed him by
giving him the Holy Spirit in his heart as a deposit
14) Why had Paul changed his plans about coming to Corinth? (23)
- To spare them
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© Mark A. Copeland, 2001
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