2 Corinthians 2:1-17                    November 21, 2010

Questions To Answer:

Why does Paul say that he had written such an emotionally painful letter to the Corinthians (2:4)?

What danger would the penitent person face if the Corinthians did not forgive and comfort him quickly (2:6-8)?

What other danger would the Corinthians face if they did not obey God's word and forgive others (2:9-11)?

How could the Corinthian Christians make some people think of life while making some people think of death at the same time (2:14-16)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 7:8-11; 1 Corinthians 5*; Galatians 6:1-2

* I do not think we can prove that the immoral Christian in 1 Corinthians 5 is the same one discussed in 2:5-8, but the same principles would also have applied.

2 Corinthians Topic: Faith                    November 28, 2010

Questions To Answer:

What has Paul learned about faith as a result of his affliction in Asia (1:8-11)?

In 4:13, Paul quotes Psalm 116:10. Carefully read 2 Corinthians 4:11-14, and then compare it with the context of that psalm. How is Paul's situation when writing the letter like that of the Psalmist's?

Paul connects walking by faith to his desire to be at home with whom and absent from what (5:6-9)?

What does Paul hope will happen as the faith of the Corinthians grows (10:13-16)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 8:6-8; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13; 15:1-2, 10-19; Psalm 116:3-13

2 Corinthians 3:1-18                    December 5, 2010

Questions To Answer:

What does Paul say is his letter of reference or commendation to the Corinthians (3:1-3)?

Who has made Paul and adequate servant, and what is he serving (3:5-6)?

Paul uses the glory of Moses' face in Exodus 34:28-30 to illustrate the limited glory of something. What is it (3:7)?

In 3:12-16, Paul says that the truth of the gospel would be veiled to Israel, just as Moses' shining face had been veiled, unless they would turn to to Christ. What are some things that those people could refuse to see?

What is happening to Christians as they see the glory of the Lord reflected in the gospel (3:17-18)?

Other Readings: 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; Exodus 34:28-35; Matthew 13:10-16; Acts 18:27-28; Romans 7:6-11

2 Corinthians Topic: Power and Glory                     December 12, 2010

Questions To Answer:

According to 4:7-11, why does God have the great power of the gospel carried by frail human beings?

Why had the Lord told Paul that He would not take away the problem that was bothering him so much (12:7-10)? Why had that reason made Paul happy?

Weapons must be used for the right purpose to be used powerfully and effectively. What purpose do the weapons in 10:3-6 serve?

How may we be transformed into glory as we live on earth (3:18)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 13:2-4; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:12-16

2 Corinthians 4:1-18                    December 19, 2010

Questions To Answer:

What does Paul say he would do to commend himself to other men in a godly way (4:1-2)? What things would he not do?

What does Paul say is the result of suffering, even to the point of death, for Jesus (4:8-10)?

What does Paul say is happening to him on the outside (4:16)? What is happening on the inside?

How does Paul compare the affliction we suffer to the glory that is waiting for us (4:17-18)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; Romans 8:18; Philippians 3:8-11; Colossians 1:15-20; 2 Timothy 2:8-11

2 Corinthians Topic: Glorification and Exaltation                    December 26, 2010

Questions To Answer:

What does Paul say the Jewish Christians would do after receiving the contribution from the Gentile Christians in Corinth and elsewhere (9:13)?

Why has Paul humbled himself to preach the gospel to the Corinthians without taking money from them (11:7)?

What does suffering temporary afflictions on earth bring us (4:16-18)?

What kind of exaltation does Paul imply is wrong in 11:16-21?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:4; 1 Corinthians 10:29-33; 15:40-43; John 17:1-10; Romans 15:5-9

2 Corinthians 5:1-11                    January 9, 2010

Questions To Answer:

What will we still have even after our earthly tent or dwelling (our body) is destroyed (5:1)?

Why are we groaning while we have our earthly bodies? What do we really want (5:2-4)?

What should we desire more than being in our bodies (5:6-8)? Where is our true home?

What will be the basis of our judgment before Christ (5:10)?

What should we feel compelled to do as a result of our fear of the Lord (5:11)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Romans 2:5-8; 8:22-25; Philippians 1:21-26

2 Corinthians Topic: Flesh and Spirit                    January 16, 2011

Questions To Answer:

From what must we cleanse ourselves in both flesh and spirit (7:1)?

What does Paul mean when he uses the terms “flesh” and “fleshly” in 1:12, 17?

What does Paul mean by not recognizing men according to the flesh in 5:16-17? What should we do instead of recognizing men that way?

If we want to have the fellowship of the Spirit (13:14), the freedom that the Spirit brings (3:17-18), and have the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge (1:21-22; 5:5), what must we do (3:6)?

Other Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 5:3-5; Romans 8:3-13; Galatians 5:16-17

2 Corinthians 5:12-6:2                    January 23, 2011

Questions To Answer:

Christ died for all and all died (5:14-15). In what sense did all die?

Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature or a new creation (5:17). How is this different than having the new body of which we have read in 5:1-4?

How did God reconcile the world to Himself through Christ (5:18-21)?

Paul quotes from Isaiah 49:8 when writing about the “acceptable time” and the “day of salvation” (6:1). To whom was the LORD speaking in that passage?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 5:1-4; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Isaiah 49:1-13; Galatians 3:13-14; Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 1:19-23

2 Corinthians Topic: Purity                    January 30, 2011

Questions To Answer:

What impure thing has Paul refused to do with the gospel (4:1-2)?

What are the Corinthians to do to stay pure regarding the idol worship around them (6:15-18)?

What attitude in Corinth could endanger the purity of their faith in Christ (11:2-4)?

What has Paul earlier warned the Corinthians to avoid in order to keep their morals pure (1 Corinthians 15:33)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 7:1-2; Philippians 1:15-19; 1 Timothy 1:5; Titus 1:15

2 Corinthians 6:3-18                    February 6, 2011

Questions To Answer:

What kinds of things does Paul list in 6:4-5 as showing that he is a true servant of God?

Paul lists pairs of opposites that show he is a true servant of God in 6:8. Different groups of people would describe him in completely different ways. How do such opposite statements both show his true status?

What is keeping the Corinthians from truly accepting and appreciating Paul (6:11-13)?

With what kind of people does Paul warn the Corinthians against getting entangled (6:14)?

What kind of relationship does God promise to those who are faithful to Him (6:18)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 11:23-28; 1 Corinthians 9:11-12; Isaiah 52:8-12; Ezekiel 37:26-28; Ephesians 5:6-12

2 Corinthians Topic: Heart                February 13, 2011

Questions To Answer:

Who are letters written in the heart in 3:2-3? (Hint: there could be more than one answer.)

Why could many of the Jews read the Old Testament but fail to see that Jesus is the promised Messiah (3:15-18)?

How does Paul describe the intensity of his feelings for the Corinthians in 7:2-3?

What phrase does Paul use to describe how the Corinthians ought to determine what to give (9:7)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 4:1, 5-6; Exodus 35:4-5; Jeremiah 31:31-33; Romans 10:6-10; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 3:19-21

2 Corinthians 7:1-16                February 20, 2011

Questions To Answer:

After Paul has said that his heart is open wide (6:11) and that the Corinthians have been narrowed in their care for him (6:12), what does he ask them to do (7:2)?

What are Paul's expectations for the Corinthians in the future (7:4, 16)? How have they been treating him?

How had God used Titus to help Paul at a difficult time (7:5-7, 13-15)?

What good things has sorrow brought to the Corinthians (7:9-11)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 2:1-4; Acts 20:33-34; Colossians 1:24-25

2 Corinthians Topic: Joy and Sorrow            February 27, 2011

Questions To Answer:

Paul describes himself as working with the Corinthians for their joy in 1:24. The next verses in Chapter 2 describe a decision he has made to avoid causing them sorrow. What is that?

As Paul describes himself with a series of opposites in 6:8-10 he describes himself as “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”. From which points of view could he be described as each of those things?

What had given Paul great joy in the midst of affliction and sorrow in Macedonia (7:4-7)?

Paul says that the Macedonians have made a contribution to the poor Christians in Judea with an abundance of joy in 8:2. Which circumstances mentioned in the same verse could have caused them sorrow?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 1:24-2:4; Matthew 5:10-12; Hebrews 12:9-13; James 1:2-4

2 Corinthians 8:1-24             March 6, 2011

Questions To Answer:

In what way could the Christians in Macedonia have given “beyond their ability” to the poor Christians in Judea (8:3)?

What would the Corinthians prove by completing their work of giving to the Christians in Judea (8:7-8)?

How would the Corinthians' gift to the Christians in Judea provide equality between them (8:13-15)?

What is Paul trying to avoid by being careful about how the gift to the Christians in Judea was being handled (8:18-21)?

What would the Corinthians' gift to the Christians in Judea demonstrate about themselves (8:24)?

Other Readings: 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; Exodus 16:14-18; Romans 15:25-27; Philippians 2:3-8

2 Corinthians 9:1-15             March 13, 2011

Questions To Answer:

How long have the Corinthians been planning to give to the poor saints in Judea (9:2)?

What could happen if the Corinthians are not prepared to give when the time comes (9:5)? What sin could they then commit?

What will God give to the one who gives generously to Him (9:8-11)?

What would the gift to the poor Christians in Judea produce in addition to relieving their needs (9:12-14)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 7:4, 14-16; Psalm 112:5-9; Proverbs 11:24-25; 19:17; Acts 11:28-30; Galatians 6:6-10

2 Corinthians 10:1-18              March 20, 2011

Questions To Answer:

What attitude does Paul have toward the Corinthians as he is being bold toward them (10:1)?

What does Paul seek to destroy with his spiritual weapons? How completely does he intend to conquer the heart of each person (10:4-5)?

What have some people said about Paul's abilities as a speaker (10:10)?

What are some people doing that shows that they have no understanding (10:12)?

Where does Paul say his authority reaches? Where does he hope to preach soon (10:13-16)?

Other Readings:    1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 4:18-21; 14:36-38; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Romans 15:18-21; Ephesians 6:10-13

2 Corinthians Topic:    Commendations                             March 27, 2011

Questions To Answer:

Some people in Corinth have acted as if they need some sort of letter of commendation from Paul. What does Paul say that his letter of commendation is (3:1-3)?

Why does Paul say that the Corinthians should have commended him (12:11-12)?

How have Paul and those who have worked with him commended themselves to other men (4:1-2)?

What is wrong with the way that some in Corinth have tried to commend themselves (10:12-13, 17-18)?

Other Readings:    2 Corinthians 5:11-15; 6:3-10; 7:9-11; 1 Corinthians 8:8; Acts 14:23-26; Romans 16:1-2

2 Corinthians 11:1-15                 April 3, 2011 

Questions To Answer: 

From what is Paul afraid the Corinthians' minds might have been led astray (11:2-3)? 

What does Paul say that the Corinthians were too willing to accept (11:4)? 

How does Paul say that he had humbled himself earlier for the Corinthians' sake (11:7)? 

What does Paul say that he is trying to keep the false teachers from having an opportunity to do (11:12-13)? 

Other Readings: 1 Corinthians 9:9-14; Genesis 3:4-5; John 8:44; Galatians 1:6-9; Philippians 4:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

2 Corinthians Topic:             Preaching              April 10, 2011

Questions To Answer:

What word does Paul use repeatedly to describe his preaching about the relationship men could have with God in 5:18-20?

Why did Paul use boldness (or plainness, KJV) in his preaching (3:12)?

Paul and those with him did not preach themselves but Jesus Christ, but what did they preach about themselves (4:5-6)?

What motivated Paul to persuade men to obey the truth in his teaching (5:10-11)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 10:13-16; 1 Corinthians 1:17-24; 9:15-18; Acts 10:34-43; Romans 10:12-15; Galatians 1:6-12

2 Corinthians 11:16-33             April 17, 2011

Questions To Answer:

What does Paul imply the Corinthians have been willing to tolerate from the false teachers in 11:19-20?

Paul's “credentials” in 11:22 remind us of what he would list about himself in Philippians 3:4-8. What would Paul's point be in bringing up his background in Philippians?

Paul is probably writing 2 Corinthians about the time that the events of Acts 19-20 are occurring. What are some of the events in Acts 21-28 that could not be included in the list in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27?

How does Paul react to those who are weak and being led to stumble into sin (11:29)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 9:22-23; Acts 9:22-25; 21:30-36; 23:12-16; 27:39-44

2 Corinthians Topic:            Paul's Persecutions                         April 24, 2011

Questions To Answer:

What does Paul say he can do because God comforts him in his afflictions (1:3-6)?

How severe does Paul say the persecution in Asia has been in 1:8-10?

How is the life of Jesus manifested in Paul's body (4:8-12)?

What does Paul say is producing glory for him (4:16-17)?

Why does Paul say that he can be content with persecutions and other problems (12:10)?

Other Readings: 1 Corinthians 4:10-13; Matthew 5:10-12, 44-47; Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:10-12

2 Corinthians 12:1-21          May 1, 2011

Questions To Answer:

  Where in the Bible can you also find examples of words from heavenly visions that were not to be recorded or spoken, as in 12:4?

  Why has Paul been given his “thorn in the flesh” (12:7)?

  How has Paul been compelled to be foolish by the Corinthians regarding boasting about himself (12:11)?

  In 12:19, Paul makes clear that his explanations have not been given to defend himself. What has been the real goal of his statements?

  What does Paul fear that he may find upon arrival at Corinth (12:21)?

Other Readings: 2 Corinthians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; Luke 13:10-17; Romans 5:1-5; Revelation 10:1-4

2 Corinthians Topic:    Confidence                                       May 8, 2011

Questions To Answer:

How have Paul's actions allowed him to have confidence that he has served God faithfully (1:12-14)?

What allows Paul to confront those who are disobedient with boldness and confidence (10:1-5)?

How have the Corinthians justified Paul's confidence in them regarding Titus' visit (7:13-16)?

Why does Paul feel it necessary to speak to the Corinthians in the “confidence of boasting” (11:16-18; see also 10:8-9, 12-18)?

What reason does Paul give for only “boasting” in his weaknesses (12:5-10)?

Other Readings:    Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 3:21-26; Galatians 5:7-10; Philippians 3:2-7; 1 John 3:21-24; 4:17-21

2 Corinthians 13:1-14                                              May 15, 2011

Questions To Answer:

What would Paul prove by not sparing the disobedient in Corinth when he arrived (13:1-3)?

In what sense was Jesus crucified in weakness (13:4)? Does this have anything to do with 12:9?

What does Paul say the Corinthians need to do to see if they are in the faith (13:5-6)?

What does Paul pray that the Corinthians will do and what does he pray that they will be made (13:7, 9)?

Why has Paul written so many things to the Corinthians before visiting them again (13:10)?

Other Readings:    2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4; 1 Corinthians 4:7-10; Matthew 18:15-20; Romans 6:3-4

2 Corinthians Topic:    Love                                         May 29, 2011

Questions To Answer:

Paul's purpose for the letters has not been to bring sorrow; what are they supposed to bring (2:4)?

What should the love of Christ cause us to do with our lives (5:13-15)?

How would the Corinthians be able to prove the sincerity of their love (8:1-8, 24)?

Paul loves the Corinthians, and because of that he does not tolerate evil among them. Which group among them does he criticize in 11:10-13? 

What did Paul call upon the Corinthians to do to solve the difficulties between them in 6:11-13?

Other Readings:    1 Corinthians 8:1-3; 13:1-8; Matthew 5:43-48; John 13:34-35; Romans 8:35-39; 13:7-10