Paul s Second Letter to the Corinthians

Transcription

1 Hillside Church of Christ Second Quarter, 2013 Men s Class Returning once again to the scene of a congregation in chaos, Paul s second letter to the church at Corinth (56 A.D.) serves as an effective follow-up to the problems posed in the first letter. This church had been dealing with all sorts of issues from factionalism, lawsuits, disrespect for worship, spiritual gifts, false teachings about the Resurrection, eating of meats, and possibly even incest. The fact that they were still even considered a church of God is remarkable, but the admonition to them is the same that Jesus would make to the Church at Sardis in that, while they had a few people who had not soiled their garments, overall, they needed to wake up, and strengthen the things that remain (Rev. 3:2). Located on a thin water landing between Achaia and Epirus, Corinth contained a land bridge that sailors would often bring their boats across, instead of taking them around the coast. This made Corinth a veritable port city, replete with all the religions and customs of the world. Paul s letter to the Church at Rome is thought to have been written from Corinth, and it is believed the immorality from the city may have provided at least a partial backdrop in his writings in Romans 1: The classes for the next three months will be broken up as such. Date Topic Scripture April 14 The Comfort of Titus 1:1-22 April 21 Purpose of Ministry 1:23-2:17 April 28 Lifting the Veil 2:18-3:17 May 5 Treasure in Earthen Vessels 4:1-5:10 May 12 Leaving the World Behind 5:11-7:1 May 19 Loving the Sinner 7:2-16 June 2 How to Give 8:1-9:15 June 9 Boasting in the Lord 10:1-18 June 16 Boasting Again 11:1-33 June 23 Still Boasting 12:1-21 June 30 Are You Boasting? 13: Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 1

2 The Comfort of Titus (1:1-22) For a book that is so full of pain and suffering, whether at the hand of persecutions or sin, Paul s opening chapter is remarkably comforting, literally. At least ten time the word comfort is used, but it is opposed by at least seven uses of the word suffering or affliction. It can then be surmised that at least one theme of this book is to find that (true) comfort through (true) affliction. He first praises God for the ability to grant that comfort, and describes God as a God of such (1:3), and then ascribes the production of that comfort for him to the Corinthians. Paul would be comforted or afflicted if the Corinthians were living or not living according to God s word, which, given the tone of the first letter, they were not, for the most part. His desire through this letter then is to restore them to that place of harmony. His statements at the beginning are acknowledgements of this fellowship that we enjoy, and the request for more prayers to be delivered concerning this. This book would, in large part, be in response to several false accusations that had been spurned about him, and, more importantly, had led these Christians into false teaching. His desire is to restore them to that place of Godliness based on the teachings that he had given them, instead of following after others, which is really not another (Gal. 1:6-9). His dedication in coming to them was steadfast, with his yes as his yes, and his no, no. He makes a connection to the promises that are made by God, in the surety that they are established and carried out, just as his will. This has another allusion to the purpose of his visit, that just as the promises and condemnations made by God to those who are obedient or disobedient are yes, so is his dedication to coming to them is yes also. Make no mistake about it, he is coming. 1. What did the sentence of death teach the Apostles? (1:8-9) 2. What is Paul s proud confidence? (1:12-14) 3. What role did Silvanus and Timothy play in this letter? Where else in scripture do we see them? (1:19) FOR MYSELF: Do you have a proud confidence in yourself or your local church? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 2

3 Purpose of Ministry (1:23-2:17) You can accuse the Apostles of a lot of things, but you can t accuse them of not caring about the Churches they visited. There seemed to be a stamp on their hearts for every church; Corinth, for Paul, was no exception. Despite his sharp rebuke of them in the entire first letter, Paul makes a plea to them at this point for harmony, stating that his intent in rebuking them was not merely pain for pleasure s sake, but for the purpose of saving their eternal soul. In this way, he describes his work as being with them (1:24), striving towards a common goal of being with Jesus eternally, and working together with them to accomplish that. His chastisement of them in rebuking the fallen saint from 1 Corinthians 5 was to attain the same purpose, finding joy through their collective obedience, and sorrow through their disobedience. They needed to put this one away in order that they may receive him back again. While it has been often misunderstood, one must remember that disfellowship only works if (1) the Church has a relationship with each other in the first place, and (2) that relationship is completely and mercilessly cut from the offender. But the punishment that takes place is so that the one in sin might understand the gravity of his situation; his current disfellowship from Christians is an image of his current disfellowship with God, because of his sin (Acts 8:20-23; Gal. 2:11). Despite these admonitions, many people in today s world find this type of rebuke distasteful, and subsequently leave the Church as a result. However, to those who are being saved, they savor these exhortations as helping them draw closer to God - thirsting for knowledge and craving righteousness. 1. What would have made Paul sorrowful when he came to them? What gave him joy? (2:1-4) 2. What steps would this church need to make toward the offender when he repented? (2:7-8) 3. How could Satan have taken advantage of the repentant sinner s situation? (2:10-11) FOR MYSELF: What should be our motivation for teaching people the gospel? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 3

4 Lifting the Veil (3:1-3:17) After commending himself to them in the four verses previous for being an aroma of life, Paul then begins chapter three by asking if he really needed to commend himself again. After all, they knew who he was, what his teaching was, and what the implications of those teachings were. Paul then appeals to that, and reminds them that their faithfulness is a testament to his work with them, and is sufficient glory for him. Unfortunately, not many will accept such a teaching, preferring rather to stay within the ministry of death, talking about obedience under the Law of Moses. This would be a hallmark of Paul s writings, often appealing to the Jews to throw off such a yoke and embrace the tenets of Jesus full Gospel; dividing their hearts between both, they would eventually be condemned. Paul appeals especially to the superiority of the Gospel, something the hebrew writer would do as well (Heb. 8-9). He describes both as coming in glory, but since one was instituted by God Himself, as well as able to give life, the one that remained was far better. As a metaphor for this, Paul gives the illustration of Moses coming down from Mt. Sinai, where he had been given the Law by God, and how he had to veil his face so that the people would not be an audience to even the residue of God s glory (Ex. 34:29-35). This unwillingness to come to the full Gospel is reflected in the hearts of Jews even in that day, where they were unwilling to come to Jesus for fear of lifting the veil and seeing the full and complete will of God (Jn 1:14; 14:8). When a man turns to the Lord, that veil is taken away (3:16), and we begin to be transformed into the image of God. 1. If both the ministry of death and ministry of life came in glory, why is one better? (3:6-10) 2. Where did the boldness in speech come from? (3:12-13) 3. Why did Moses have to put a veil over his face? (3:14-16; also ref. Ex. 34:29-35) FOR MYSELF: Am I resisting tenets of the Gospel for fear of what full obedience entails? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 4

5 Treasure In Earthen Vessels (4:1-5:10) Understanding what the ministry is that has been entrusted to them (see 3:12-17), Paul states that his preaching on that behalf is a manifestation of truth, not a forum for his cleverness or personal gains. Those that would not accept it then, are not rejecting Paul but rejecting God (1 Thess. 4:8), despite what physical consequences may arise. Paul speaks to that as well, stating that they have this treasure in earthen vessels, a nod to the fact that an imperfect, destructible man is preaching a perfect, indestructible Gospel. Though they may be destroyed, the treasure that is within will not, and their confidence shines forth from two distinct areas: 1. The gospel will live on. 2. They will be resurrected. There is literally nothing that can be done to destroy God s plan, save the cowardice of the individual messenger in delivering it; even at that, there will always be others who have the courage and conviction. For this reason, Paul doesn t frown at the trials coming to him, but exalts in them, knowing a strength found in the faith of God that can t be duplicated by mortal hands. He even calls his tortures at the expense of the Gospel, a momentary, light affliction (ref. 2 Cor. 11:23-28 to see how light they were). His stance is simple to know, but hard to understand - that though the earthly tent is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. C.S. Lewis was famous for making the statement: You don t have a soul. You are a soul; you have a body. That concept of our home being with God rather than earth is repeated somewhat by Paul s statement in 2 Corinthians 5:6, when he says that when we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. Rather our desire is as he states in v.8: we prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Where is your home? 1. What is the Treasure? What is the Earthen Vessel? (4:7) 2. Why does persecution expand the Gospel rather than extinguish it? (4:7-11) 3. What verses in the Gospel did Jesus give to talk about the temporality of earth? (4:18) FOR MYSELF: What things in my life are keeping me from walking by faith, not by sight? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 5

6 Leaving the World Behind (5:11-7:1) What does it mean to be reconciled? Despite the differences over the how, the one thing everyone agrees on is that to be reconciled is to restore a relationship with. Many would falsely claim that praying a prayer or going through specific sacraments are all you need to restore yourself to God, but these take a very narrow and legalistic viewpoint towards it. Logic dictates that if sin is what took us out of a relationship with God, obedience is the only thing that can take us back into it! God knew that the weight of our obedience was not enough to override the penalty of our sins; there needed to be a sacrifice, and Jesus crucifixion was the only thing sufficient. This is the sacrifice that He made, and teaches us to how to be saved through the Gospel (5:18-19). If we understand the cost of the reconciliation, the virtue of living for God will come second nature. Paul admonished the Corinthians to be reconciled with God; how could they do this if they were already Christians? It stands to reason then that one can fall away from the grace of God, and this happens by committing yourself back to the world, despite seeing God. The difference in relationship between a true Christian and man of the world lies in this perception of the Christ. While some still regard Jesus as a mere Teacher, we recognize Him as the Son of God, according the flesh certainly, but as so much more - as the one who was resurrected for our life (5:14-17). Paul tells them to live the same life that he lives, commending them to the same amount of obedience even in the same amount of sacrifice. The list that he provides in 6:1-10 is more than sufficient to cover every sort of scenario that may ever come from our righteousness. Despite what the world thinks, we live for Christ. After this, there is nothing left to talk about. Paul has spoken the truth, but he admonishes them with final words to keep themselves free from harmony with the world, and full of harmony with God. Questions 1. How did God reconcile the world to Himself? (5:18-19) 2. What do people assume about Christians that isn t true? Why? (6:8-10) 3. Where do the quotations in 6:16-18 come from? What s the context of those verses? FOR MYSELF: What is it about you as an individual that separates you from the world? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 6

7 Loving The Sinner (7:2-16) So close should our relationship be with God and with each other, that keeping our holiness intact is the only thing that matters. Righteousness with God trumps every aspect of our relationships in this life; with it, we are one, and without it, we are nothing. This desire in our hearts for the spiritual welfare of one another was prevalent in Paul, when, after he had admonished the sinner in 1 Corinthians 5 and recommended disfellowship, he brings the issue of his repentance up a second time in 2 Corinthians 7 (see also 2 Corinthians 2:1-11). The discipline that was given to him was given out of love, not anger, with the sole aim for restoring that person to Christ. No doubt there exists in the hearts of all Christians a deep sense of pain, whether at the world, our condition, or our longing for Heaven, but the despair that cuts the deepest is seeing our brethren turn their back on God. But the anguish that we feel at such a time is only matched by the joy expressed at seeing him now turn again, and such was the attitude that Paul exhibited in this section. He expresses joy for two reasons: 1. Titus report of the acceptance of the first letter in the spirit it was delivered, and 2. Titus renewed strength in seeing repentance firsthand. Paul remarks about the second in 7:14, saying that his confidence in the Corinthians was found to be true, as they did exactly what Christians should ve done when being rebuked. Many today are offended when someone corrects them, often resulting in anger and defensiveness, and ultimately, rejection of the truth (worldly sorrow). But the attitude of the Corinthians was to administer the discipline in prayerful hope that he would turn. And when he finally did, the joy that resulted was not unlike the joy expressed by God over a sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). 1. Why was Paul confident in them? (7:4) 2. What does Godly sorrow produce in a sinner? Worldly sorrow? (7:10) 3. Why was it important for Titus to see their obedience? (7:13-16) FOR MYSELF: What is your first reaction when someone corrects you? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 7

8 How To Give (8:1-9:15) The next section can very easily be seen as out-of-place or as a departure from the previous things discussed, but in reality the ideas of giving to help other people and forgiveness are quite synonymous. The parable of the unrighteous servant in Matthew 18:21-35 make mention of this, the lesson being that one who understands how much grace they have been given will, in turn, be more willing to give to others as well. The discussion of how to give then begins with that step: 1. Seeing a Need (8:1-15) - While the exact recipient of this need is not given (possibly the saints in Jerusalem per 1 Cor. 16:3), Paul does give an example of worthy giving: the Macedonians, comprised of churches in Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea. Using the principle of equality found in Acts 2:42, Paul speaks to the finishing of a desire to give in the first place. We must first recognize the need to give, but unless we actually finish it, it won t do anything (ref. James 2:14-17). 2. Sending it by Trustworthy Hands (8:16-24) - Part of being a good steward of the Lord s funds is choosing the right avenue to send it through, lest it be diminished by someone s greed. In this instance, Paul sends Titus along with the brother whose fame in the things of the Gospel has spread through all the Churches (8:18). and also by the brother whom they have tested and found diligent in many things (8:22). He sent it by these trustworthy hands to erase any suspicion that there was impure motives within the gift - a harsh but necessary reality. 3. Filling it Before the Time (9:1-5) - If the three men were being sent to them to pick up the gift, it would only make sense that it would be ready when they got there. Unpreparedness speaks to, at the best, laziness, and at the worst, indifference, and neither are becoming of a Christian. Moreover, the ability to have these ready before they get there will allow you to do more, as you have saved beforehand, rather than throwing the leftovers to help after you ve first had your fill (Haggai 1:1-6; Matthew 15:1-6). 4. Deciding For Yourself What You Will Give (9:6-15) - Love and discipleship are two things that can never be dictated by anyone else, they must come from within. If Paul were to tell them how much to give, and command they not give a penny less, then it would defeat the entire purpose of showing that love. It wouldn t be love any more, it would be obligation. What the disciples need certainly is money, but what they need more than that is encouragement from their fellow Christians that they care about them. God s blessings to us are as a result of his love for us, and the same is true for us, and the blessings of God are more easily understood when we re willing to be on the giving end of them as well.s FOR MYSELF: What needs, spiritually and/or financially, do you see in your congregation? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 8

9 Boasting In the Lord (10:1-18) Man is an arrogant creature. Whether it s building a tower to reach Heaven (Gen. 11:1-9), or it s proclaiming to God the wonders of our own righteousness (Matthew 7:15-23), we have always been obsessed with what we can do and show off to our Maker. But the reality is that God is far less concerned with what we find notable (1 Sam. 16:7), and is most happy when we are obedient to Him. This is precisely what Paul says he boasts in. Could he boast in what he has accomplished as an Apostle, and one who was endowed with authority and gifts of the Holy Spirit? Absolutely, but he saw those things as (1) given to Him by God, and (2) to be employed in His service (10:8). He represents these ideas of pride and arrogance in spiritual things as coming from a carnal mind (10:7), and contrasts what he does with what some do in 5 distinct statements: 1. We do not war according to the flesh (10:3) 2. I do not wish to terrify you by our letters (10:9) 3. We are not bold to compare ourselves... by ourselves (10:12) 4. We will not boast beyond our measure (10:13) 5. We are not overextending ourselves (10:14-15) Pride does all these things, and a haughty opinion of yourself goes against the spirit of love he preached to them in 1 Corinthians 13. To boast in the Lord then is not to brag about all the things you can do without God, but all the things you do through God. Ironically, the fame and glory for those accomplishments then goes right back to God, where it should ve been all along. Paul rather glories in his own labors for the Lord, choosing not to exclaim false pride for himself for what others has done, but to break new ground and go into the the regions beyond you (Rom. 15:20). Always growing, ever abounding in the work of the Lord. 1. What are the things Paul says he has done with the weapons of his warfare? (10:4-6) 2. Why is it bold or daring to compare yourself with yourselves? (10:12) 3. Why did Paul not want to glory in what has been accomplished by another? (10:15-16) FOR MYSELF: Am I able to glory in my own work in the Lord? Why or why not? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 9

10 Boasting Again (11:1-33) Having laid the foundation of what to glory in, Chapter 11 is a full-fledged discussion of those things that he has accomplished, just as a simple reminder. It is obvious that others had tried to come in and discredit him, or preach over his gospel in pursuit of their own, and Paul avails himself of this opportunity to make note of it and set the record straight. His wording in this passage is dripping with sarcasm, as he has no doubt heard the things that were being said about him. He asks if he was unskilled in speech (11:6), or sinning through his humility (11:7), or a thief in taking wages from them (11:8)? He then gives the appropriate reasons for doing so, as being for their benefit and example, and shuts down the falsehood of the accusations made against him in their tracks. Though these false teachers had come in and taught a possibly more appealing, albeit more complex doctrine (11:4), all it would prove to be was an agent of Satan, promising truth but delivering destructive lies (11:14-15). The idea of a trophy room is to display all the accolades and honors you have received in your life: Paul s trophy room consists of the scars he has endured to bring them the gospel (Gal. 6:17). To these false claims of honor the Corinthians had rallied around, not knowing that it was the lust for those same accolades that would enslave them (James 2:1-9), but if we are to believe Jesus that the true nature of a disciple is wrapped up in being a servant (John 13), then how can we ever expect to receive such praise from men? But while we are being persecuted for preaching and obeying the true Gospel, we can look at those sufferings as our badges of honor, as evidence of our faith and the increase of our hope. Interestingly enough though, what bothered Paul just as much as the whips, was the concern for all the churches, showing his Christ-like devotion to the mission and the people, despite whatever the world throws at him. 1. What words does Paul use to describe our devotion to Christ? How is this different from teachers today? (11:3) 2. Why would the corinthians be so quick to accept such false teachers? (11:14-20) 3. What was the thing that Paul listed last, that weighed the heaviest on him? (11:24-28) FOR MYSELF: List the trials that Paul had undergone in his life. Measure them against my own. - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 10

11 Still Boasting (12:1-21) Never one to be deterred, Paul now expands his boasting into the spiritual realm; not only does he have more physical proof of his devotion, but he even has a spiritual experience to relate to them (12:1-4). Although he says he will boast in this, it is thought that the main purpose in explaining this was to bring to their mind something they had known already, as if to remind them of such an experience (12:5-6). Despite all this opportunity to boast, Paul says that to even him was given a messenger of Satan, to keep him humble in his duties. Most people would describe such a thorn in the flesh as a limitation or trial to undergo - Paul simply relates that it keeps him grounded. Certainly persecutions and discomforts do that to us, reminding us of Who is ultimately in control, despite how big we think we are. People have speculated that this thorn could have been poor eyesight, a lame leg, or some other physical attribute, but regardless, Paul s attitude with it was given from Heaven, that My grace is sufficient for you. No matter what obstacles, or lack thereof, we have in our way, leaning on the all-sufficiency of Christ is a necessity to remaining a true Christian. For the second time, Paul says that he was not inferior to the most eminent apostles (ref. also 11:5), and it is a fact that the Church at Corinth would do well to remember. The last two chapters of foolishness was necessary to remind them of Paul s position he held as Apostle and teacher to them, and he calls on their remembrance of all these things in order to shun out the false Apostles. Bear in mind then, despite the soothing words of the present teacher, the actions of disciples should remain well-lodged in our memory to either affirm or deny certain allegations. These disciples needed to never forget the things that Paul had taught them, but to preserve the words of sound doctrine for themselves and for their children. Sadly, that s easier said than done. 1. Why was boasting necessary? (12:1) 2. How does a thorn in the flesh help us in our walk with God. Give two answers. (12:7-10) 3. What was Paul hoping to find when he came to them again? (12:19-21) FOR MYSELF: Why is it so hard to hold fast to sound doctrine? What gets in the way? - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 11

12 Are You Boasting? (13:1-14) Two visits out of the way, Paul would now resolve to visit them for a third time, to see for himself once again what the condition of the Church is. The point of this third visit is the same as the others: to complete in them the lacking of their faith, and to prepare them for the coming of the Lord. Having questions about the doctrine of the resurrection as a whole (1 Corinthians 15), Paul goes overboard in stating that they will be judged, and he implores them to make that sure today, rather than when it s too late. His harshness in writing to them now (13:2) is to spare them from when he will eventually come to them later (13:10), as his purpose for ministering is to build them as Christians rather than tearing them down. Nevertheless, they must be corrected, and as the plethora of problems that existed in the first letter showed, there was a lot of work to be done. He implores them test themselves, more so then even he can write to them. The work of examining our spiritual lives should be an ongoing process, continually testing and continually improving, rather than growing stagnant and wasting by the road. The lengths of Paul s love for them shows even in his willingness to be made weak more, to suffer more, to be slandered more, if they will but stand and live for the truth (13:7-8). The five-fold admonition to them in verse 11 is a summarization of all the things he has spoken of in both letters, to: 1. Rejoice. 2. Be made complete. 3. Be comforted. 4. Be like-minded. 5. Live in peace. These two letters from Paul to the church at Corinth show the recovering ability of the soul, and the depths of God s love to restore even one as spiritually deficient as they. All it takes is the willingness and humility to admit what is wrong and to work past it. God has done His part. Have we done ours? 1. Why is Paul now making a third trip to them? (13:1-2) 2. What is the weakness that Jesus was crucified for? (13:4) 3. What did Paul live for? (13:8) FOR MYSElF: Am I in the faith? (2 Cor. 13:5) - Hillside Church of Christ - Men s Class - 2nd Quarter, 2013! Page 12