2 Corinthians

I. History & Greeting A. Background 1. Paul founded the church in Corinth. He spent 18 months there, was their spiritual father. 2. Over the years, the church struggled in many ways: division & cliques, immorality, etc. 3. Self-appointed apostles followed...

I. Paul’s Relationship With The Corinthians A. History 1. It seems that Paul wrote four letters to the Corinthians. 2. One prior to 1 Cor., then 1 Cor. One prior to 2 Cor., and then 2 Cor. B. He Had Intended On Visiting Them. 1. See 1 Corinthians 16:1-17. Paul wanted...

I. Paul’s Appeal To The Corinthians A. Paul Desired To Be Gentle With Them Vs. 1, 2 1. V. 1 Paul compared his involvement with the Corinthians to how Jesus treated people. a. Paul desired to have the same meekness and gentleness that Jesus had. He pleaded. b. Jesus...

I. Paul’s Holy Jealousy For The Church A. Paul’s Spiritual Fatherhood Over Them Vs. 1, 2 1. V. 1- The false apostles often boasted in themselves, and the Corinthians listened to them. a. Paul sarcastically asks the Corinthians for the same opportunity. b. They boasted...

I. Paul’s Reluctant Boasting A. Boasting Of Super Apostles 1. The Judaizers/False Apostles boasted about their “letters of commendation.” 2 Cor. 3:1 2. They loved the praise and recognition of men. B. Paul Had Legitimate Reason To Boast-Visions From God 1. Paul had...

I. What The Corinthians Lacked A. Lack Of Commendation Of Paul Vs. 11-13 1. V. 11- Paul tells them that they should have commended him. a. Paul felt foolish telling them that. He never wanted to promote himself. b. Remember: If Paul is discredited, then his message...

I. Paul’s Visits To Corinth Vs. 1-4 A. Paul’s First Two Visits 1. First visit- He stayed 18 months & founded the church. Acts 18:11 2. Second visit- A brief and painful visit, between the writing of 1 & 2 Corinthians. a. There was such tension between he &...

I. Forgiveness (Review) A. Readiness To Forgive 1. Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” a. Jesus prayed for them while hanging on the cross b. Jesus prayed that some day they would be forgiven 2. Jesus’ readiness to forgive them a....

I. Paul’s Continued Explanation Re. His Choices Vs. 12, 13 A. The Physical Situation 1. After visiting the Corinthians, Paul departed for Troas, and then Macedonia. 2. The visit in Corinth had gone badly. Paul previously wanted to return there, but didn’t. 3. He...

I. Paul’s Proof Of Ministry Vs.1-6a A. History- Letters Of Recommendation V. 1 1. Letters of recommendation were common in the first century. 2. Many apostles/evangelists/teachers were itinerant, traveling from region to region. 3. It was normal for local churches to...

I. Those With Spiritual Blindness A. Those Who Are Spiritually Blind Vs. 3, 4 1. V. 3 - The false apostles that opposed Paul were spiritually blind. a. Paul sought to speak with plainness and boldness of speech, but they could not see the glory of the gospel message....

I. Understanding Mortality Vs. 1-8 A. Mortality Is Passing Vs. 1-5 1. V. 1 - The ministry calling for Paul was a high and costly. Broken body; broken heart. a. For we know - It required much from him. Paul needed to be able to say that he knew. i. Paul was sure of his...

Ambassadors represent their home country while working and living in the country to which they’ve been appointed. For U.S. Ambassadors, government experience and a familiarity with your country’s policies are two of the most important requirements; ability to adapt to...

I. There Are Two Judgments A. Great White Throne Judgment         Revelation 20:11-15 1. Revelation 20:11-15 11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven          fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12...

I. The Ambassador’s Plea Vs. 1, 2 A. Don’t Receive God’s Grace In Vain V. 1 1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 This sets the context for chapter 6. a. Ambassadors for Christ reach out to non-Christians, but also to Christians. b. The main thrust of 5:18-21 is that Paul was...

I. Why & How We Cleanse Ourselves A. Why We Cleanse Ourselves V. 1a 1. The Corinthians had joined themselves to false teachers. a. They had allowed these people to steal their hearts and affections. b. They had compromised their walk with God. c. They had begun to...

I. Inviting Sinful Brothers Back Into Relationship A. Paul Defended Himself Vs. 2, 3 1. The cause of their damaged relationship was them being yoked to unbelievers. (6:12) 2. V. 2- Paul was able to speak to them with a clear conscience. a. We have wronged no one-...

I. Background A. Paul Was Gathering An Offering That Had Been Pledged 1. A large part of Paul’s work during his 3rd missionary journey was receiving a “relief offering” for the poor Christians in Judea. 2. Paul had more than just physical blessings in mind. 3. He saw...

Last week- 1. Giving is a grace. A spiritual gift that God imparts to His people. A willingness to give. 8:1 2. Giving can be done even when one is in need himself. 8:2 3. Giving is to share in the blessing of others. 8:4 4. The Corinthians abounded in many of the so...

I. Grace Giving (8:1) Provokes Others To Give Vs. 1, 2 A. The Willingness Of The Corinthians 1. Paul bragged about them in a holy fashion. 2. The Corinthians did not plan to give in order to gain the admiration of men. 3. But their willingness to give was noticed as a...