2 Corinthians 2 The God of all Comfort

Analysis of 2 Corinthians Paul Defends his Conduct towards the Ecclesia (1-7) Salutation (1:1-2) Comfort in affliction (1:3-14) Reasons for Paul's changes of plan (1:15-2:4) Forgiving the offender (2:5-11) Disappointment and joy at Troas (2:12-17) The comfort Titus brought (7:5-16) Treasure in Earthen Vessels (3-5) The Corinthians – a letter from Christ (3:1-6) A fading and an abiding glory (3:7-16) The message of Christ faithfully delivered (3:17-4:6) Treasure in earthen vessels (4:7-15) The sustaining hope (4:16-5:10) The ministry of reconciliation (5:11-6:10)

Analysis of 2 Corinthians Collection for Poor Saints in Jerusalem Receive not the Grace of God in Vain (6- 9) Their response to the apostle's labours (6:11-7:4) Generosity encouraged (8:1-15) Titus and companions sent to Corinth (8:16 – 9:5) Results of generous giving (9:6-15) Defence against his Opponents (10-13) When I am Weak, then am I Strong Defence of his authority and mission (10:1-18) "Foolish" boastings (11:1 – 12:21) Final warnings (13:1-10) Final greetings (13:11-14)

Tensions Declares intention to visit them again - 1 Corinthians 16:5,6 Makes a “painful visit” – 2 Corinthians 2:1 Abandons plan for another visit - 2 Corinthians 1:15,16,23, 2:2 Writes a severe letter - Letter C, sent via Titus (2 Corinthians 2:3,4; 7:8)

Relief Leaves Ephesus for Troas, hoping to catch Titus as he returns - Acts 20:1; 2 Corinthians 2:1 Continues to Macedonia and meets Titus - 2 Corinthians 2:12; 7:5-7; 15,16 Writes Letter D - 2 Corinthians

Comfort (Gk paraklesis) Isaiah 40:1-11 Romans 15:4 John 14:25-27; 15:7,8 “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” 1 John 1:6-2:2 Paraklesis = comfort, encouragement, exhortation, consolation

Giving comfort In grief In loss In failure In affliction In the home To our neighbours At work In the ecclesia In the brotherhood

Comfort in affliction For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. –(2Co 1:5-7)

Effectual fervent prayer For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. –(2Co 1:8-11)

Godly repentance For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldly grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly [breeding and ending in death]. –2 Corinthians 7:10 (Amplified Bible)

Fragrance of the gospel But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ tood among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? –(2Co 2:14-16)

A Roman Triumph When a Roman general won an important military victory, the senate/emperor honoured him upon his return home with a "triumph." The victorious general and his soldiers usually came first. Behind him came the incense-bearers. They carried censers of burning incense, which represented thanksgiving to the gods for victory. Next came the captives, usually consisting of two distinct groups: –Those who had voluntarily surrendered and complied with Rome. They were to be set free after the triumph. –Those who resisted and were forcibly subdued came last and in chains. They were to be executed after the triumph.

The impact of Christ The "triumphant general" is Jesus, who won the greatest ever spiritual victory The "incense-bearers" are Paul and his band--and all who have received Christ The incense is the gospel message The gospel is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who receive it, the wisdom of God >