2 Corinthians

Second Corinthians is the most autobiographical of Paul’s letters and probably the most difficult letter that Paul had to write. In previous letters, Paul had exhorted the Corinthian church to correct some abuses that were occurring in the congregation. However, some...

In this section of scripture, Paul is again compelled to defend himself and explain his ministry. Read 2 Cor. 5:12 - Boasting 1. Paul speaks of those who “boast in appearance and not in heart”. What does this mean? 2. Comment on this explanation of verse 12 from...

Read 2 Cor. 6:1-2 - Workers with Him 1. In verse 1, Paul states that we are co-workers together with God. Explain this. (Consider the ministry given to us as explained in 2 Cor. 5:18-21) 2. (vs 1) Describe the grace of God that you have received. a. How might this...

Read 2 Cor. 6:11-13 - Open Your Heart 1. In 2 Cor. 6:1-11 Paul shared principles of ministry, and now he appeals to the church. Can you hear the passion in his words? How does Paul’s approach with the Corinthians follow Eph. 4:15a. 2. What is verse 12 saying about the...

Read 2 Cor. 7:1 - Perfecting Holiness 1. In verse 1a, Paul is referring back to 2 Cor. 6:17-18. What are “these promises”? 2. There is the cleansing that God does in our lives (see 1 Jn 1:9), but there is also one that requires our participation. This is not a...

Read 2 Cor. 8:1-5   Paul speaks of the great example of giving found in the churches of Macedonia. The northern part of Greece is called Macedonia and the southern part is called Achaia. Macedonia included the  churches in the cities of Philippi,Thessalonica, and...

Read 2 Cor. 9:1-7   In the beginning of Chapter 9, Paul continues to speak to the Corinthians about the collecting of funds for the suffering Christians in Jerusalem, but rather than urging them to contribute, he speaks of the manner in which they give. The word...

Read 2 Cor. 10:1-2 1. Though Paul pleads with the Corinthians, he does it with the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Describe those who are meek and gentle. What difference might this attitude have made? 2. Paul reveals that there are some who accuse Paul of “walking...

Read 2 Cor. 11:1-4 1. Though Paul considered his boasting folly, why did he feel compelled to do it anyway? 2. (vs 2a) What did Paul mean that he was jealous for the Corinthians? a. Jealousy is sinful, unless it is godly jealousy. What is the difference? b. Look up...

Read 2 Cor. 11:16-21 - Boasting Fools 1. It seems strange that the words “I speak foolishly” would come from the mouth of the apostle Paul. And yet he has been forced to defend himself as we have seen throughout this letter. Paul has made it apparent that he purposes...

Read 2 Cor. 12:1-6 - Paul’s Vision 1. It appears that those who were undermining Paul’s authority in Corinth boasted of spiritual experiences such as visions and revelations. Paul boasted in his sufferings, and yet he now reluctantly shared this experience. Visions...

Read 2 Cor. 1:1-2  - Greeting   Last week in our introductory lesson we studied verse 1. What stands out to you about this verse or the background information we discussed?   “Grace to you and peace” is Paul’s standard greeting in his letters.     ...

Read 2 Cor. 13:1-4 - Paul Would Be Severe If Needed 1. Verse 1b quotes Deuteronomy 19:15. What is Paul telling the Corinthians? 2. Paul was not hasty in using severity. He had visited and written, he had reasoned and pleaded, he had shown humility and great care. But...

In this section of scripture, Paul is forced to defend himself against the accusation of being fickle and unreliable. This stems from his unfulfilled plan to visit Corinth as stated in 1 Cor. 16:5-7. The NKJV Study Bible has this to say about Paul’s intended visit:...

Even in the life of a godly man like the apostle Paul there were misunderstandings and people who wrongly judged his motives. When these things happen to us we can choose to allow the enemy to destroy relationships and negatively affect ministry, or we can choose...

Read 2 Cor. 2:12-13 - An Open Door for Ministry 1. Paul speaks of a door being open to him. We often ask God to open and close doors according to His will. What does this mean? How might this occur? 2. Read Acts 16:6-10. What do you see? How do these verses relate to...

There were those who were willing to go around and follow Paul; to come into the areas that Paul had plowed, where Paul had planted, and seek to uproot Paul's ministry, drawing people to themselves; seeking to discredit Paul in the eyes of the people. Such was the...

Read 2 Cor. 4:1-2 - Presenting the New Covenant 1. Paul draws a conclusion from the facts of the New Covenant ministry spoken of in Chapter 3. What is his conclusion? (end of 4:1) a. What did we learn about this ministry from 2 Cor. 3:4-18? Record a few main points....

Read 2 Cor. 4:7-12 - Unconquered 1. You and I are the earthen vessels in verse 7. What is “this treasure”? (see 2 Cor. 4:6) a. Describe an earthen vessel, also translated clay pot. b. According to verse 7, why would God choose to put this precious treasure in such...

Read 2 Cor. 5:1 - Assurance 1. From 2 Cor. 4:17-18, how are our struggles described? Compared to eternity, how long are these struggles endured? For what purpose? The things that are seen are temporary, but how long are the unseen things? 2. In 2 Cor. 5:1 there is...