Walking Thru The Bible

New Testament -- 2 Corinthians

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            Walking Thru The Bible

                2 CORINTHIANS




     Author:  The Apostle Paul          Date:  A.D.  57


     Occasion:  After writing 1 Corinthians, Paul found it necessary to make a


     letter had not been resolved (2 Cor. 2:1; 12:14; 13:1-2). Following this visit,

     he wrote the church a severe and sorrowful letter, to which he refers in 2:4 but

     which has not been preserved for us by the Holy Spirit.  Titus delivered that


       Paul was unable to wait for Titus' return and proceeded to Macedonia

     where Titus meet him with the good news that the church had accepted Paul's

     letter with positive results.  From Macedonia Paul wrote 2 Corinthians and

     followed it up with his final recorded visit to the church (Acts 20:1-4).


     Purpose:  The purpose of this letter was threefold: [1] to express joy at the

     favorable response of the church to Paul's ministry (ch. 1-7); [2] to remind the

     disciples of their commitment to make an offering for the Christians in Judea

     (ch. 8-9); and [3] to defend Paul's apostolic authority (ch. 10-13).


     Basic Message of Paul's "Second Corinthians"


     1.   The Ministration of Righteousness vs. Ministration of Death

       In chapter three, Paul set forth a section of teaching which contrasts the

     ministration of righteousness (the new covenant) with the ministration of death

     (the old covenant). 


     2.   Gospel in Earthen Vessels

       In chapter four, Paul set forth the principle which pertains to the means by

     which the gospel in communicated.  He said: "We have this treasure in earthen


     ourselves."  This is illustrated in Acts 9:11 when the Lord sent Ananias to tell

     Saul what to do to have his sins forgiven rather than the Lord telling Saul Himself. 


     3.   The Unequal Yoke

       In chapter six, Paul called for the Corinthian Christians to break with

     heathenism, and he set forth the teaching on being "unequally yoked."  He

     asked: "...What fellowship have righteousness and iniquity?  or what

     communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with


     agreement hath a temple of God with idols?..."


     4.   Things Honest

       In chapter eight, Paul set an example of how every Christian must provide

     for things honest in the sight of all men.


     5.  The Grace of the Macedonian Churches

       In chapters eight and nine, Paul paid tribute to the gracious

     giving of the churches of Macedonia and shared the great principle of sowing

     and reaping.  Those churches of Macedonia were overwhelmed with afflictions

     and deep poverty, yet they gave liberally to help their brethren in Judea.


     6.  Observations Relative to Charges Against Paul

       Second Corinthians gives more details and greater insight into the

     personality and integrity of the apostle Paul than is given any other apostle or

     disciple of the entire New Testament.  A person has but to read Second

     Corinthians to know that Paul traveled more, suffered more, and sacrificed

     more than any other apostle.


     7.  Conclusion

       Second Corinthians has been difficult for many to understand, but the

     difficulty is removed when we realize that Paul wrote for the benefit of three

     parties--the loyal party, the license party, and the Judaizing party.

       In no place are more church problems raised and settled than are raised

     and settled in Paul's two epistles to the Corinthians.


             Charges Against Paul


       The opposition parties filed certain charges against Paul:  

     1.   The opposition parties charged Paul with cowardice in not coming to

     Corinth as he said he would do.  Paul answered this charge in 2 Corinthians



     2.   The opposition parties charged that Paul's letters were weighty and

     terrifying, but that his physical appearance was weak and uninviting.  (II Cor.

     10:10).  Paul was prepared to demonstrate his superior power not only by

     letter, but also in presence as well.


     3.   The opposition parties charged that Paul had great boldness, but that his

     speech was rude and simple.  (II Cor. 11:6).  Paul admitted he was not

     eloquent but emphasized that he was not simple in knowledge.


     4.   Those in opposition to Paul charged that he was consciously inferior, and

     for this reason he abstained from taking support from Corinth for his labors. 

     (II Cor. 11:7, 8).  Paul knew by whom he had been called to the apostleship;

     and he knew why he had abstained from accepting support from the



     5.   The opposition parties charged that Paul's descent as a true Hebrew was

     a matter to be questioned. Paul's defense:  "Are they Hebrews?  so am I.  Are




     oft" (II Cor. 11:22,23).  I In short, this charge against Paul was ridiculous (2

     Cor. 11:22,23).


     6.   The opposition parties charged that Paul's alleged escape from Damascus

     was preposterous.  In his defense Paul called upon God as a witness: (II Cor.

     11:31-33).  This charge, too, was ridiculous


         An Outline of 2 Corinthians


       Salutation                       1:1-2

     I.   The Personal Concerns of the Apostle1:3-2:13

       1. The Purpose of His Suffering in Asia1:3-11

       2. The Reasons for His Change of Plans1:12-2:4

       3. The Advice Concerning the Offender2:5-11

       4. The Apostle's Anxiety about News from Corinth2:12, 13


     II.  The Glory of the Gospel and Its Ministry2:14-6:10

       1. The Seal of His Apostleship 2:14-17

       2. Superiority of the New Ministration to the Old3:1-11

       3. The Consequent Boldness of the New Ministers3:12-4:6

       4. The Trials and Triumphs of the Apostle4:7-5:10

       5. The Apostle's Motives, Message & Ministration5:11-6:10


     III. The Appeal for Separation and Reconciliation6:11-7-16

       1. For Separation        6:11-7:1

       2. For Reconciliation       7:2-4

       3. Be Assured of his joy over their repentance? 7:5-16


     IV.  The Collection for the Poor Christians at Jerusalem Ch 8,9

       1. Principles for Giving      8:1-6

       2. Purposes for Giving      8:7-15

       3. Policies in Giving       8:16-9:5

       4. Promises in Giving       9:6-15


     V.   The Vindication of Paul's Apostolic Authority10:1-12:18

       1. Paul's Conduct        11:1-15

       2. Paul's Sufferings        11:16-33

       3. Paul's Vision         12:1-10

       4. Paul's Unselfishness       12:11-18


     VI.  Concluding Remarks      12:19-13:14

       1. Appeal for Repentance      12:19-21

       2. Statement of Plans       13:1-10

       3. Greetings and Benediction     13:11-14



           If Any Man Be In Christ

              2 Corinthians 5:17


     I.   IN CHRIST We Have Some Initial Blessings--

       1. We have the forgiveness of sins (Eph. 1:7)

       2. There is sanctification in Christ (1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor. 6:17)

       3. There is salvation in Christ  (2 Tim. 2:10).

       4. There is blessings of being a "new creature" 2 Cor. 5:17.


     II.  The Continuous Blessings of Being IN CHRIST--

       1. The cleansing blood of Christ  (I John 1:7-9)

       2. Joy in Christ in midst of suffering (Acts 5:42)

       3. Consolation in Christ  (Phil. 2:1)

       4. Blessing of new home when this one is over (2 Cor. 5:1)


     III. If Any Man Be IN CHRIST, 

       He Has Been Baptized Into Christ--

       1. Galatians 3:26, 27

       2. I Cor. 12:13

       3. Romans 6:4-6

       To turn this around, if we are not baptized into Christ, then we are not in Christ!


     IV.  After Being Baptized INTO CHRIST, 

       We Have The Responsibility of Staying In Christ--

       1. The one baptized into Christ Has the responsibility of abiding in Christ. 

               John 15:1, 14.

       2. We have the responsibility of faithfully observing all His commandments 

               (Matthew 28:20; James 1:22).



       1. If any man be in Christ he has the hope of heaven when he dies.  (2 Cor. 1:7;

               3:17; Colossians 1:5; 1:23).

       2. Many think they are in Christ when they are not.  They have never been

               "born" into him.  (John 3:1-7; 1 Peter 1:23).

       3. Many think they are "still" in Christ, but they're not.  They are not abiding

               faithfully in him  (2 John 9).


-- Windell Gann -- Walking Thru the Bible -- http://home.hiwaay.net/~wgann/walk.htm
