2 Corinthians 9-10

2 Corinthians 9 Paul had boasted to the Macedonians about the Corinthians’ eagerness to contribute. But now was the time for final arrangements before the offering was delivered to the people in Jerusalem. What was Paul afraid might happen? (3-5) The Corinthians’ eagerness had spurred the Macedonians to give generously. Soon they would accompany Paul to Corinth. Would the Corinthians be “unprepared”? (v.4) Paul knew he had to send Titus and the two brothers to encourage the Corinthians in their faith.

2 Corinthians 9 What promise does God attach to generous giving in verse 6? To richly bless those who give generously. (See Proverbs 3:9,10 and Malachi 3:10-12.) How should the Corinthians determine how much to give? (7) “What he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9 List the benefits to God’s church that would accompany the Corinthians’ gift. Verse 12 Verse 13 Verse 14

2 Corinthians 9 List the benefits to God’s church that would accompany the Corinthians’ gift. Verse 12 The physical needs of the saints in Jerusalem would be met. Verse 12 Verse 13 Verse 14

2 Corinthians 9 List the benefits to God’s church that would accompany the Corinthians’ gift. Verse 12 The physical needs of the saints in Jerusalem would be met. Verse 12 The saints who received this gift would thank God for supplying their needs. Verse 13 Verse 14

2 Corinthians 9 List the benefits to God’s church that would accompany the Corinthians’ gift. Verse 12 The physical needs of the saints in Jerusalem would be met. Verse 12 The saints who received this gift would thank God for supplying their needs. Verse 13 People would thank God for what the Corinthians had done, living a life consistent with their faith. Verse 14

2 Corinthians 9 List the benefits to God’s church that would accompany the Corinthians’ gift. Verse 12 The physical needs of the saints in Jerusalem would be met. Verse 12 The saints who received this gift would thank God for supplying their needs. Verse 13 People would thank God for what the Corinthians had done, living a life consistent with their faith. Verse 14 The Corinthians themselves would benefit, for the saints in Jerusalem would know their love and would remember them in their prayers—prayers that would be answered by the Lord.

2 Corinthians 9 Joyce wants to give. If she gives, she thinks she will have an easier time in life because God will increase her wealth. Is her attitude God pleasing? In our lives as Christians, motivation is everything! Christians should not give with the motivation that if they do, they will get back more to enjoy, as if giving were the way to material prosperity. Rather, they give cheerfully and in confidence that God will supply them with what they need to give more. This is Paul’s point in verse 10. God will increase what we have so that we can give more.

2 Corinthians 9 Why is the right to give such a great gift? Just a few blessings that come from giving: People are blessed, the givers receive blessings from God, the recipients pray for the givers, and God is glorified.

2 Corinthians 9 Summary Paul encouraged the Corinthians to sow generously so they would reap generously. He described all the blessings that would result from their giving.

2 Corinthians 10 Of what did Paul’s opponents accuse him? (1-2) They accused Paul of inconsistency. He was “timid” when he was with them but “bold” when away, as if he were afraid to debate his detractors in person but not from a distance. Some people thought Paul lived and worked by the standards of this world, that is, that he was two-faced and served his own selfish interests. How did Paul counter this charge? (verses 3-5) No! Paul waged war with divine weapons. He demolished all thoughts that set themselves up against God. Paul came to the Corinthians only with the message of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). This message alone could make a person into a new creation (5:17).

2 Corinthians 10 Verse 6 indicates that there were two groups of people at Corinth, each of which had to be dealt with in a different way. Which were these groups? There were Paul’s detractors. (6a) There were also those whom Paul was asking to submit to his leadership so he could deal with his detractors. The second group were sincere, but weak, Christians. (6b)

2 Corinthians 10 From verses 7-11, list several accusations Paul’s enemies made against him. They were confident that they, not Paul, belonged to Christ. (7) Paul was boasting about his authority, pulling rank to get his way. (8) Paul used scare tactics in his letters. (9-11) By what standards were Paul’s enemies evaluating themselves? (12) How did Paul evaluate himself? (13-16) Which was valid? (17- 18) Paul’s enemies evaluated themselves by comparing themselves with others in the congregation. (12) Paul evaluated himself by the role God assigned to him, which extended to the Corinthians themselves, and by the grace God gave him to carry out his mission work. (13-16) Paul’s way was valid. (17-18)

2 Corinthians 10 Sometimes the leaders in a church must deal with a persistent errorist. Why do they need the spiritual support of the congregation before they can do this? If the congregation remains spiritually immature, it will be hard for the congregation’s leaders to move ahead and carry out church discipline. They could be accused of an unloving attitude. What happens when a congregation encourages missionaries to preach the gospel? Missionaries are able to expand their work and the gospel reaches more people.

2 Corinthians 10 Summary Paul defended his ministry against his detractors and worked to build up the Corinthians in faith.