II CORINTHIANS---SPLITS AND SLANDERINGS


INTRODUCTION

II Corinthians is the most autobiographical of all Paul’s epistles.

A.   He reveals his courage and his self-sacrificing love. He speaks of glorying or boasting 31 times.

B.   Paul tells us of some things which happened in his life that are only revealed in this letter.

1)    His escape from Damascus in a basket (11:32,33) cf. Acts 9:19-25 (right after conversion)

2)    His experience of being caught up to the third heaven (12:1-4)

3)    His thorn in the flesh (12:7)

4)    His unusual suffering (11:23-27)

C.   Findlay points out “that it is neither doctrinal nor practical in the strict sense of the terms, but intensely personal, made up of explanation, defense, protestation, appeal, reproach, invective, threatening, with a vein of subduing pathos, blended with the most subtle irony, running through the whole.”

 

BACKGROUND AND CIRCUMSTANCES

1.    After writing the first letter to the Corinthians in which Paul dealt severely with the problems of the sins and abuses of both the church as a whole and certain individuals, he was anxious to see how his letter was received.

 

2.    Titus, who had delivered the first letter, was to have met Paul in Troas where he was to have made a report. Due to a delay, the meeting was not made, and this caused Paul further anxiety. The two finally met in Philippi where the report was made. (2:12, 13)

 

3.    The report

A.   The letter had served its purpose, and both the church and the sinning individual had repented.

B.   New problems had arisen

1)    A vocal minority in the church was stirring up trouble against Paul.

a.    They challenged his apostleship. (11:5)

b.    They accused him of being fickle. (1:17-18, 23)

c.    They accused him of being proud and boastful. (3:1; 5:12)

d.    They ridiculed him for being weak and of a displeasing personal appearance. (10:10) - “Don’t bother about his letters,” some say. “He sounds big, but its all noise. When he gets here you will see that there is nothing great about him, and you have never heard a worse preacher.” --Living N.T.

e.    They accused him of being dishonest. (12:16-19) (Note: Be careful what you say about others - it is always destined to find its way back to the ear of the one you have slandered or criticized.)

2)    False teachers spreading the doctrines of Judaism had crept into the church preaching “another Gospel”. (3:1-3)

 

PURPOSE AND PLAN OF THE BOOK - Paul wrote II Corinthians in order

1.    To set forth the purpose of his sufferings in Asia which was to comfort others (1:3-11)

 

2.    To justify himself in the changing of his plans with reference to his returning to Corinth (1:12-2:4)

 

3.    To give instructions as to the treatment of the offender (I Cor. 5 and II Cor. 2:5-11)

4.    To express his joy at the good news from Corinth (2:12, 13)

 

5.    To represent the Gospel and its ministry as superior to the law and its ministry (2:14-6:10)

 

6.    To appeal for separation inclusive of all kinds, ecclesiastical and personal (6:11-7:1)

 

7.    To plead with them to be reconciled with him (7:2-16)

 

8.    To urge the Corinthians to follow up and consummate their vow to take up a collection for the saints who were in need (chs. 8-9)

 

9.    To establish his authority as an apostle (chs. 10-13)

 

DATE - Probably written from Macedonia (very likely from the city of Phillipi) in the fall of 57 A.D.

 

THEME - The comfort and sufficiency of Christ

 

KEY WORDS: comfort (7 times) and ministry (16 times)

 

A NOTE OF CURIOSITY - It may well be that SECOND Corinthians ought rightfully to be termed THIRD Corinthians. It is evident that Paul wrote more than two letters to this church (I Cor. 5:9). However, it is also obvious that the two we have are the INSPIRED letters.


KEY VERSES: 5:19-21


OUTLINE OF THE BOOK (Because of the personal nature of this book it is almost impossible to outline. The development of the book does not flow as do the other books of Paul.)


SALUTATION (1:1, 2)

  I.     PAUL’S PRINCIPLES OF ACTION (1:3-7:16)

A.   Reasons for his postponement of his visit to Corinth (1:3-2:13)

B.   The Christian ministry (2:14-6:10)

1.    The preacher and his witness (2:14-3:6)

2.    The preacher and his message (3:7-4:6)

3.    The preacher and his troubles (4:7-15)

4.    The preacher and his longings (4:16-5:10)

a.    For the glory (4:16-18)

b.    For the rapture (5:1-5)

c.    For the Savior (5:6-10)

5.    The preacher and his mission (5:11-6:3)

6.    The preacher and his triumphs (6:4-10)

C.   A plea for the separated life (6:11-7:3)

D.   Rejoicing in the repentance of the Corinthians (7:4-16)

 

 II.    EXHORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS IN STEWARDSHIP OF POSSESSIONS (chs. 8-9)

 

III.   PAUL’S VINDICATION OF HIS APOSTLESHIP (chs. 10-13)

A.   Asserts his authority (ch. 10)

B.   Defends his ministry (11:1-17)

C.   Reviews his sufferings (11:18-12:10)

D.   Affirms his sincerity (12:11-21)

E.   Reproves his opponents (13:1-10)

 

IV.   CONCLUSION (13:11-14)