2 CORINTHIANS The Power of Weakness Marilyn Kunz & Catherine Schell 12 Discussions for Group Bible Study Neighborhood Bible Studies Publishers P.O. 56 Main Box Street 222, 56 Main Street Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 1-800-369-0307 email: nbstudies@aol.com www.neighborhoodbiblestudy.org
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from Neighborhood Bible Studies, 56 Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 10522; 1-800-369-0307; nbstudies@aol.com. Copyright 1996 by Neighborhood Bible Studies ISBN 1-880266-21-0 Second printing 2003 Printed in the United States of America Cover photo by Fran Goodrich
CONTENTS How To Use this Discussion Guide 7 INTRODUCTION 10 Discussion 1 2 Corinthians 1:1 2:11 THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT 13 Discussion 2 2 Corinthians 2:12 3:18 FRAGRANCE, LETTERS AND FREEDOM 18 Discussion 3 2 Corinthians 4 TREASURE IN JARS OF CLAY 23 Discussion 4 2 Corinthians 5:1 6:2 RECONCILIATION 28 Discussion 5 2 Corinthians 6:3 7:16 HARDSHIP, HOLINESS AND COMFORT 33 Discussion 6 2 Corinthians 8 GRACIOUS GIVING 38 Discussion 7 2 Corinthians 9 GENEROUS SOWING AND BOUNTIFUL HARVEST 43 Discussion 8 2 Corinthians 10 MEEKNESS OR WEAKNESS 47 Discussion 9 2 Corinthians 11 PAUL AND THE FALSE APOSTLES 52
Discussion 10 2 Corinthians 12 POWER THROUGH WEAKNESS 57 Discussion 11 2 Corinthians 13 COMING TO YOU 62 Discussion 12 2 Corinthians 1-13 REVIEW OF 2 CORINTHIANS 66 Map 69 WHAT SHOULD OUR GROUP STUDY NEXT? 70
INTRODUCTION to 2 CORINTHIANS Corinth, a rich commercial seaport, was located on the narrow neck of land connecting central and southern Achaia, now Greece. Trade routes met there, making it a natural stopping place on the way from Rome to the East. Destroyed by the Romans about 200 years before Paul s first visit, the city was rebuilt by Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. and given the status of a Roman colony. As the administrative capital of the province of Achaia, it was seat of the Roman governor. In the first century A.D. Corinth s population was a mixture of Romans, Greeks, and many Eastern peoples including Jews. It numbered about a half million, with the ratio of two slaves to every free man. Because of Corinth s central location and large mobile population, anything preached there soon spread to surrounding districts. Corinth was noted for the sexual promiscuity encouraged by the temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love, located on a hill above the city. The luxury-loving city had a reputation for self-indulgence, and a tendency to intellectual pride. Paul visited Corinth on his second missionary journey arriving probably the autumn of A.D. 50 (Acts 18:1-18). Jews opposed the founding of the church, but God encouraged Paul with the promise of his protection and the declaration that he had many people in that place. Paul stayed a year and a half on that first visit. Apollos, an eloquent preacher from Alexandria, came later to Corinth, strengthening and extending the young church (Acts 18:24 19:1). 10/2 CORINTHIANS
To understand 2 Corinthians you need to know the possible sequence of events and letters: Paul s first visit to Corinth A.D. 50-52 a letter referred to in 1 Corinthians 5:9, which is lost. a reply from the Corinthians asking further questions (1 Corinthians 7:1) the letter we call 1 Corinthians which Paul wrote from Ephesus in answer to the Corinthians letter. Paul s painful visit indirectly referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:1. Paul s severe letter written from Ephesus in anguish and tears (2 Corinthians 2:3, 4, 9; 7:8) which we do not have. Some scholars think 2 Corinthians 10 13 are part of it. the letter we call 2 Corinthians, written in Macedonia about a year after 1 Corinthians. Paul s third and last visit to Corinth (Acts 19:21; 20:1-3) in A.D. 57 or 58 when he spent three months in Achaia (Greece). Since he was able to write his letter to the Romans during that visit, we assume the Corinthian church had responded well to his letter and received him warmly. 2 Corinthians, the most personal of Paul s letters to the churches, must have been very difficult to write. Paul spent eighteen months at Corinth, supporting himself as a tent maker and preaching day and night. The church that began from his ministry at that time, now several years later question his authority. Some members persist in sin and the church does nothing about it. False teachers bring a variety of charges against Paul. Almost as a parent, Paul writes to prepare the way for another visit which he desperately wants to be a happy one for them and for him. 11/2 CORINTHIANS
The God of All Comfort 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1 2:11 1 DISCUSSION In these chapters, Paul vaguely alludes to details of events that have led to the strained relationship with the Corinthians, but he addresses clearly two great spiritual issues: affliction and comfort, punishment and forgiveness. Since confusing these issues can cause great distress, it is important to observe basic principles in the context of these chapters and apply them to our own situations. READ 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-11 1. On what does Paul base his authority to write this letter to the Corinthian church? 2. In what three ways does Paul describe God and his actions toward us (verses 3, 4)? What illustrations have you seen of the principle that those who have suffered a particular affliction are best able to help others in similar circumstances? 3. What does the description of God as the Father of mercies (RSV), the Father of compassion (NIV), help you 13/THE G OD OF A LL C OMFORT
to understand about his willingness and his ability to comfort us? Note: To comfort means to encourage, strengthen, cheer and console. 4. Paul recognizes that the afflictions he faces are not the result of disobedience. See the Lord s prediction about Paul in Acts 9:15, 16 and Paul s words in Colossians 1:24, 25. How does our tendency to relate affliction to punishment hinder us from receiving God s comfort? 5. What four principles does Paul give concerning suffering and comfort (verses 5-7)? Although the cross was the ultimate expression of the suffering Christ endured, what other mental and physical sufferings did he endure which Paul and other Christians may experience as well? 6. The exact nature of the perilous hardships Paul suffered in Asia is not known. What has Paul learned about himself through such pressure? About God? What perspective has he gained (verses 8-11)? 14/2 CORINTHIANS
7. What part do the prayers of other Christians have in your ability to grow and learn through suffering? READ 2 CORINTHIANS 1:12 2:4 8. What accusations does Paul seem to be answering in verses 12-14? What does he want the Corinthians to understand about his motives, his actions and his letters (verses 12-14, 23; 2:2-4)? 9. Paul s change of travel plans has aroused criticism from the Corinthians (verses 15-17). What warning may this be to us about our tendency to question the motives of fellow Christians? 10. In verses 18-22 what does Paul want them to understand about God, about his promises, and about what God does for Christian believers? In what sense has Christ been the Yes of God s promises to you? 11. Both the Corinthian believers and Paul share God s gift of the Holy Spirit (verses 21b, 22). How do his descriptions (seal of ownership, a deposit guaranteeing what is to come) help you understand this gift? 15/THE G OD OF A LL C OMFORT
Note: Since Corinth was a leading commercial center, Paul used business terms with which the people would be familiar. READ 2 CORINTHIANS 2:5-11 12. The first Corinthian letter (especially chapter 5) and subsequent discipline by the church, have had the desired effect of leading the offender to repent of his behavior. How should the church now treat the offender and why? What dangers does Paul see if the church fails to for-give and restore the repentant offender? S UMMARY 1. Paul recognized that his sufferings and afflictions were not because he was being punished for sin but because he was serving Christ. How do these insights compare with Jesus words about suffering in John 15:18-21; 16:33? 2. In times of affliction we need comfort from God, the source of all mercy and comfort. People who have received strength from God and found him to be the God who raises the dead (1:9) can be God s messengers of comfort to others who are suffering. In what ways is your church or your Bible study group a place of strengthening and of sharing the comfort of God? 3. The punishment mentioned in 2:6 came as a result of a specific wrongdoing, when the one being disciplined 16/2 CORINTHIANS
knew exactly why he was being disciplined. The purpose was to bring repentance. Once this happened, fellow-christians were expected to forgive and comfort him. How can you express this restoration to a Christian who has hurt the group of believers by his or her actions, and who turns and repents? P RAYER Merciful Father, God of all comfort, we come to you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for putting your Spirit in our hearts, marking us as your own possession and guaranteeing you will finish what you have started in us. As you strengthen and cheer us in our troubles, help us to share your comfort with others who are going through hard times. For Jesus sake, Amen. M EMORIZE 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 17/THE G OD OF A LL C OMFORT