Explore the Bible Lesson Preview April 29, 2018 Enjoying God s Comfort Background: 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:13 Lesson: 2 Corinthians 1: 3-14 Motivation: What can we learn from trials? Paul had his share of them and can speak as an authority. I. Salutation (1:1-2) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God s will, and Timothy our brother: To God s church at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. A. Author: Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God s will Paul uses a similar greeting in Eph. 1:1, Col. 1:1 and 2 Tim 1:1. Because the Corinthian church had problems with false prophets (2 Cor. 11:4) and problems with Paul s authority (2 Cor. 11:5) Paul begins the letter with an affirmation of his call. and Timothy our brother refers to Paul s close association with Timothy, not as a co-author, but as a fellow minister. B. Date: Believer s Study Bible, p. 1647: Date: A.D. 56-57 After writing 1 Corinthians, Paul visited Corinth (13:1). This was his second visit to Corinth, and it was a painful experience involving a problem of discipline (2:1-6). Paul then wrote to them the sorrowful letter (referred to in 2:4), which has been lost. This was actually Paul s third letter to the church. Titus carried this letter to Corinth and then on his return gave good news to Paul when they met in Macedonia (7:6-8). In relief and thanksgiving Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia probably in the fall of A.D. 56 or 57, after the Macedonian and Jewish civil New Year began in September (8:10). This is the fourth written correspondence from Paul to the Corinthians. The rather precise dating is deduced from the fact that Paul, after sending his letter, visited the 1 / 13
Corinthians in order to receive the offering for the saints in Jerusalem. He spent three months in Greece, i.e., Achaia (Acts 20:1-3), afterwards spending the Days of Unleavened Bread at Philippi (Acts 20:6) and planning to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost (Acts 20:16). C. Recipients: To God s Church at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia. The letter is addressed to a local church plus the Christians in the surrounding area. Normally, when the word church is used in the New Testament, it refers to a specific local group of believers. D. Themes: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2) Although this was a common Pauline greeting, it has special significance for the Corinthians. They especially struggled with false doctrine and disunity. Paul s great prayer for the church was grace and peace, always listed in this order. One must experience God s grace before appropriating His peace. II. Comforted (1:3-7) Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is experienced in your endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will share in the comfort. A. Praise for God s Comfort (3) Perhaps this passage speaks most eloquently to the problem of suffering in the Christian community. God is called the Father of mercies 2 / 13
and the God of all comfort. HCSB : p. 1991: 1:3 Frequently Paul used a form of the verb thank at his point in his letters. For this letter and Ephesians, Paul used praise (see Eph 1:3). God is praised as the source of all blessings. Jesus had taught that your Father also is merciful (Lk 6:36), or kind to the needy. Isaiah 40:1 speaks of God s comfort or relief to the sorrowing. B. Praise for His Timing who comforts us in all our affliction (4) Paul wrote in I Cor. 10:13 that we will not be tested beyond our ability to bear it in Him. In a time of tribulation, the first place we should turn is to God. C. Praise for His Understanding The why of suffering is something we ll never fully understand. Instead of why, we should ask what now? Still, Paul suggests three results of suffering: 1. that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction (4) Other than God, the greatest comforter you will find is one who s been through it. If we depend on God in times of tribulation, we become equipped to comfort others. 2. through the comfort we ourselves receive from God Another result of tribulation is that we are able to experience God s comfort firsthand. 3. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. (5) Paul prayed in Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (cf. Phil 2:3) The fellowship of His sufferings is a pretty elite club. Most Christians, unfortunately, have never joined. True, we all endure trials; however, this special group endures the trials of Christ and accepts them as Christ did! Paul knew firsthand of this fellowship. Belie ver s Study Bible, p. 1649: The word comfort ( 3 / 13
paraklesis, Greek, which can be translated to call alongside, to encourage, to exhort, or, as here, to comfort ) is especially significant. In one form or another this word occurs 10 times in vv. 3-7. The essence of Paul s thought can be summarized thus: God comforts us in our troubles so that we in turn can comfort others in their troubles, exactly as God comforted us. This prayer speaks pointedly to the divine purposes achieved in the life of the believing community through suffering. (John 14:16) D. Praise for His Assurance If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort. (6) Paul could see the big picture. The sufferings He endured and the consolation He received came as a direct result of His ministry to the church at Corinth and sister churches. HCSB: p. 1991: 1:6-7 In speaking of affliction, Paul probably had in mind the suffering he had endured from the Corinthian church during his painful visit to them (2:1), which was for their salvation. He had recently been comforted by news from Titus (7:13). The sufferings of the Corinthians probably referred to the fear and trembling caused by Titus s visit (7:15) III. Tested (1:8-11) For we don t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed beyond our strength so that we even despaired of life. 9 Indeed, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and He will deliver us. We have put our hope in Him that He will deliver us again 11 while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many. 4 / 13
Luke records that Paul was threatened by a riot in Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19). In His first letter to the Corinthians he recounted that he had fought with wild beasts (I Corinthians 15:32). Later in this epistle, Paul enumerates his brushes with death: 39 stripes (5 times), beaten with rods (3 times), stoned, shipwrecked (3 times), and in perils of waters, robbers, countrymen, Gentiles, the city, the wilderness, the sea, and false brethren (II Cor. 11:24-26). We really don t know to which, if any, of these he is referring in these verses. Believer s Study Bible, p. 1649: 1:8-11 Paul had personally experienced the comfort of God in the midst of the greatest sufferings, as well as His deliverance from a life-threatening experience. To express the anguish he had felt, Paul uses a number of words with which many of us can identify: tribulation (v. 4), sufferings (v. 5), afflicted (v. 6), burdened, despaired (v. 8), and sentence of death (v. 9). Paul s deliverance was made possible through a Sovereign God (v. 10) because of the prayers of fellow believer s (v. 11). How the prayers of the saints can in some sense move a Sovereign God is both a beautiful and a mysterious truth taught in the Word of God. (Rev. 5:8; Rom. 5:1-2; Eph. 2:18; John 16:33) IV. Accepted (1:12-14) For this is our confidence: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with God-given sincerity and purity, not by fleshly wisdom but by God s grace. 13 Now we are writing nothing to you other than what you can read and also understand. I hope you will understand completely 14 as you have partially understood us that we are your reason for pride, as you are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. A. Integrity Means Sincerity we have conducted ourselves in the world, and 5 / 13
especially toward you, with God-given sincerity (12) William Barclay comments (The Letters to the Corinthians, pp. 174-75): If we are honest, we will have to admit that we seldom do anything with absolutely unmixed motives. Even when we do something fine, there may be entangled with it motives of prudence, of prestige, of self-display, of fear, of calculation. Men may never see these motives, but, as Thomas Aquinas said, Man regardeth the deed but God seeth the intention. Purity of action may be difficult, but purity of motive is still more difficult. Such purity can come to us only when we too can say that our old self has died and Christ lives in us. (II Cor. 5:12; I Sam. 16:7; Jer. 17:9-10) B. Integrity Means Transparency and purity (12) The word purity is variously interpreted holiness (ASV), godly honesty (Conybeare), pure motives (Williams), and single-heartedness (Knox). Basically, Paul was stating what you see is what I am no hidden actions, no private agenda, no covered sins. The word hypocrite comes from the Greek stage; it is an actor pretending to be something he s not. Throughout his ministry, Paul was able to say, Imitate me as I also imitate Christ. (I Cor. 11:1) Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. (Phil. 3:17). Teachers teach with our lives more than our mouths. (Gal. 5:16, 25) What you do speaks so loudly I can t hear what you say. To be a person of integrity, our walk must match our talk. (Eph. 5:15-17) C. Integrity means Honesty 13 Now we are writing nothing to you other than what you can read and also understand. I hope you will understand completely (13) Paul s word meant a lot to him. He realized that a good name was to be prized more than great riches (Prov. 22:1; Ecc. 7:1). For his critics to cast dispersion on his reliability struck at the very heart of his character. The issues of integrity can all be reduced to one question: Can you be relied upon to be scrupulously honest with yourself, with others and with God? V. Having a Consistent Message (15-22) 6 / 13
A. A Previous Misunderstanding I planned with this confidence to come to you first (1:15) HCSB: p. 1991-2: 1:15-16 First Corinthians had been written while Paul was on reasonably good terms with the church. This is demonstrated by his request for them to participate in the collection for Jerusalem (1 Cor 16:1-3). He had expressed his intent to spend time with them (1 Co 16:5-6). Later he had revised this and had planned to come twice once on the way to Macedonia (the province north of Achaia), and again on the way south from Macedonia on his way to Judea to deliver the offering. Seeing the Corinthians twice would have been a double benefit for them. B. God is Our Model of Integrity God is faithful (18) For every one of God s promises is Yes in Him. Therefore the Amen is also spoken through Him by us for God s glory. (20) Peter writes The Lord is not slack concerning His promise... (2 Peter 3:9) God does what He says He will do. (II Cor. 3:5) C. God is Our Provider 1. He Establishes Us (21) God is the source of our security and significance. We run into trouble when we search in other places for things only God can provide. 2. He Anoints Us (21) this is a special mark of favor from Almighty God! 3. He Seals Us (22) our salvation is sealed by God Himself. 4. He Sent His Spirit for Us (22) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1650: This last blessing has reference to an initial installment which guarantees full payment to follow. The Christian has received eternal life. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion is the initial payment and guarantee that all the benefits of eternal life will certainly follow. This is a 7 / 13
marvelous promise of our eternal security in salvation. (Eph. 1:3-14; I Pet. 5:10-11) VI. Having Concern for Others (1:23 2:13) A. The Right Approach (23) Jesus outlined the rights of believers in Matthew 18:15-17: 1. Believers Have the Right to Be Confronted Face to Face (15) Gossip, backbiting and slander are prohibited in the church (2 Cor. 12:20). The offended person has the responsibility to try to make things right. The direction is to go to him. The object is redemptive in nature, you have gained your brother. 2. Believers Have the Right to Have Accusations Confirmed (16) A matter is not to be made public until two or three fellow believers confirm its correctness. (Deut. 19:15-21; Ex. 20:16) 3. Believers Have the Right to Appear Before the Church (17) The intent of Jesus teaching is to prevent conflict from progressing this far. Unfortunately, some congregations in the past have used this as a starting point, thus giving church discipline a bad name. Having confronted the church by letter (I Cor. 5:1), Paul gives a specific reason why he was not able to appear in person. (23) B. The Wrong Approach I do not mean that we have control over your faith Variously translations render have control over as dictate, have lordship, dominate, and enslaved. In such a sensitive matter as church discipline, one must act as a servant rather than a tyrant. Our ultimate goal is to restore brothers and sisters in redemptive love. 8 / 13
C. Painful Visit and Anguished Letter (2:1-4) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1650: 2:1-4 Paul had made a painful visit to the Corinthians, probably during his three-year ministry at Ephesus (cf. Acts 19:1-20:1). This second visit to Corinth probably took place between the writing of 1 and 2 Corinthians. As a result of this painful visit, Paul also wrote a sorrowful letter to the Corinthians, which the early church believed to be 1 Corinthians. More recently, however, scholars have argued for an intermediate letter written between 1 and 2 Corinthians. If this is correct, this letter, like the first letter Paul wrote to Corinth (cf. 1 Cor. 5:9), has been lost. The proper attitude for correction comes through in Paul s writing. He strikes a chord of sadness rather than triumph. He takes no pleasure in correction but is overcome with many tears. D. Discipline Administered (5-7) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1650: 2:6-8 The Corinthians had at length dealt with the man guilty of incest, apparently excluding him from the congregation as Paul had insisted (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1-6) Word has now reached Paul that the man has repented. Therefore, Paul argues that the penitent has endured sufficient punishment, that he should be forgiven lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow, and that every effort should be made to comfort the penitent man and to reaffirm their love for him. We have within this passage several implications of church membership: 1. Belonging to A Church Is the Normal State of The Believer (I Cor. 5:9-11) Membership has its privileges especially in terms of loving fellowship. In I Corinthians 5:5, Paul commanded the body to excommunicate a person involved in blatant, public sin. (Matt. 10:28) The flip side of kicking someone out of the church (an abnormal state) is that belonging to a church is the norm for every Christian. (Heb. 10:19-25) 2. Belonging to A Church Allows Sorrows to Be Shared he has caused pain not so much to me to some degree-not to exaggerate- but to all of you (2:5) The corporate nature of the church comes through in two ways: 1) Public sin by one member defames the whole body, and 2) reproach on the body is shared by all. (Rom. 12:9-16; 2 Cor. 1:3-4) 3. Belonging to A Church Allows Participation in The Process The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for that person. 9 / 13
(2:6) The word majority implies a voting process. Anytime one votes in a church, he/she is supposed to vote as God leads, not necessarily as he/she personally desires. It is not my vote, it s God s vote! That being said, God chooses to work through people, committees, task forces, focus groups, and church votes to ultimately guide His church. Members are able to express their understanding of God s will through such processes. 4. Belonging to A Church Provides A Support Group As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. (2:7) God doesn t call any Lone Rangers (who, by the way, had a partner!). The mission of the church is redemption. The natural place for redemption is in the context of the family. Paul understood that a repentant sinner needed to be enfolded back into the community of faith. E. Plea for Forgiveness (2:8-11) Note the priorities Paul advances (not necessarily in descending order) 1. Priority #1: Love Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him (8) Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13:13 the greatest of these is love. All we do in a church, even correction and discipline, must be ultimately motivated by love. 2. Priority #2: Obedience to see if you are obedient in everything. (9) Henry Blackaby said, The difference between mental assent and believing faith is obedience. The discipline was a test for the sinner but was also a test for the church. 3. Priority #3: Forgiveness If you forgive anyone, I do too. (10) Paul affirms this truth in Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. In addition to the issue of forgiveness, we also see the issue of cooperation. The church is not an organization but rather an organism. We move together in the same direction. Paul can say in advance that he will be in agreement to what they feel the Lord decides. (Acts 26:17-18) 4. Priority #4: Spiritual Warfare I have done this so that we may not be taken 10 / 13
advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes. (11) What are Satan s devices? a. Disobedience The temptations of Jesus after His baptism were based trying to attract Him to disobey His Father s will. (Matthew 4) b. Distraction When Jesus called Peter Satan (Matthew 16:23), it was because Peter desired the things of man rather than those of God. c. Discouragement - In the parable of the sower (Mark 4), Jesus pictured Satan as plucking up the seed that was sown in their hearts. (15) Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat. (Luke 27:31) d. Disinformation Satan is called the father of lies. (John 8:44) In Acts 5:30, Peter told Ananias that Satan had filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. Satan is the root source of gossip, slander, and false witness. e. Discord In enumerating the things God hates, the author of Proverbs finishes with he that sows discord among the brethren (6:19) God s people are to be known for their love and unity. Satan will use all his schemes to destroy that precious fellowship. Interestingly enough, all these schemes work on our imagination! Satan always pictures everything as worse than it is, God as weaker than He is, and a fellow believer as more devious than he/she is. That s why we re commanded to take every thought captive (2 Cor. 10:4-5) to the obedience of Christ. In Philippians 2:5 we re commanded to Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Satan is waging a battle for our minds; (Rom. 12:1-2) we must let God s peace guard them (Phil. 4:7). F. Paul s Concern for the Corinthians (2:12-13) Even after leaving Corinth, the Corinthians were on his mind. He had sent Titus to deliver a message to the Corinthians and 11 / 13
was distressed when he didn t get a prompt answer. HCSB: p.1993: 2:12-13 Troas was a coastal city in the northern part of the province of Asia. Paul went there after the riot in Ephesus (Ac19:23-41) on his way to Macedonia (Ac 20:1-2). Titus is not mentioned in Acts. He was Paul s proof that gentiles could be converted without works of the law such as circumcision (Gl 2:3). That Paul (the Jew) called both Timothy and Titus brother (1:1) shows that his primary identity was as a Christian rather than as a Jew. Titus was effective as Paul s ambassador in dealing with the Corinthian crisis. Later he represented the apostle to Christians in Crete (Ti 1:4). Application: 1. God provides comfort and security; He expects integrity. 2. The church has a right to discipline believers. 3. The church has a responsibility to always conduct herself with the mind of Christ not believing Satan s lies. Leader Pack: Item 1: Map: Paul s Second Missionary Journey; Item 2: Outline: 1,2 Corinthians ; Item 7 : Handout: Corinthians Time Line No Illustrator Article 12 / 13
Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g ; Dates: 4/26-28 Spring Weekend of Choir; 5/1 All Staff @ Sienna; 5/4 MYA Block Party; 5/5 Men:Serve; 5/12 IMPACT Crawfish Boil @ Hunt; 5/12 - SoFA Recitals; 5/12 CBS Graduation; 5/13 Mother s Day event SPF; 5/17 VBS Director/Teacher training; 5/18-20 Summit Spring Retreat; 5/20 Parent Commitment; 5/20 First Grade Bible Presentation; 5/23 HCHS Graduation Rehearsal; 5/24 FBA 8 th Grade Graduation; 5/25 HCHS Graduation; 5/28 Memorial Day offices closed; 6/1 - Family Night @ Typhoon Texas; 6/8-9 Life of a Single Mom Conf; 6/10 Timothy Ateek. 13 / 13