1. The Epistle of Second Corinthians

2. Outline of 2nd Corinthians
Explanation of Paul’s Apostolic Ministry (1:1—6:10)
Greetings from “an apostle…by the will of God” (1:1-2)
Past events in Paul’s ministry
Trouble in Asia, but comfort from God (1:3-11)
Plans for visiting Corinth (1:12-24)
Writing out of love produces sorrow, yields forgiveness (2:1-11)
Nature of the word Paul ministered
Dual aroma of the gospel (2:12-17)
The word is ministered thru the Corinthians’ changed lives (3:1-5)
A ministry of the Spirit (3:6-18)
God’s treasure in earthen vessels (4:1-7)
Motivation for ministering
An eternal perspective (4:8-18)
A future expectation (5:1-11)
The love of Christ (5:12-16)
Reconciling men to God (5:17-21)
Proof that Paul is a minister of God (6:1-10)

3. Outline of 2nd Corinthians
Exhortations to the Corinthians (6:11—9:15)
Concerning fellowshipping darkness
The Corinthians must open their hearts and separate from the world (6:11—7:3)
Comfort and confidence in the Corinthians’ obedience (7:4-16)
Concerning the collection for the saints The Corinthians are to do the following:
Follow the examples of Christ and the Macedonians churches (8:1-9)
Complete what had been planned and purposed (8:10-15)
Prove themselves (8:16—9:5)
To sow that they might reap, in order to have more to sow (9:6-15)

4. Outline of 2nd Corinthians
Exoneration of Paul’s Apostleship (10:1—13:10)
Paul not to be measured “according to the flesh” (10:1-18)
Paul must boast:
His selflessness excludes others from being regarded as apostles (11:1-15)
His willingness to suffer (11:16-33)
His exaltation due to his revelations is tempered by infirmity (12:1-10)
His miracles (2:11-13)
He spent and was spent so as not to burden the Corinthians (12:14-18)
His desire for their edification (12:19—13:10)
 Conclusion (13:11-14)

5. Greetings from an Apostle of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:1-2)
Paul identifies himself as “an apostle of Christ by the will of God” (12:12; Galatians 1:15; Colossians 1:25; 1 Tim. 1:12)
Paul writes to “the church of God in Corinth” and all the saints in Achaia (this would include Cenchrea and Athens)
Paul sends greetings of “Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
If Paul is able to send along greetings FROM God and Jesus, what can be inferred about their communication to Paul and through Paul?
2 Corinthians 12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Galatians 1:15  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
1 Timothy 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
Colossians 1:25  of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
The greeting “grace” and “peace” suggest an admixture of Greeks and Jews, or of individuals who appreciate both greetings.
Rom_1:7  To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co_1:3  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Co_1:2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gal_1:3  Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph_1:2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Php_1:2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Col_1:2  To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th_1:1  Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th_1:2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Ti_1:2  To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
2Ti_1:2  To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tit_1:4  To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Phm_1:3  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Pe_1:2  elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
2Pe_1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
2Jn_1:3  Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Rev_1:4  John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

6. Past Events in Paul’s Ministry Paul has been comforted by God (2 Cor
God is praised as “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (1:3)
HE is the paternal source of mercy and comfort.
Note how many times a form of the word “comfort” is used in 1:3-7!
God comforts us so that we may comfort others.
What are the positive outcomes that Paul sees in Christians suffering trouble and affliction?
We may be able to comfort others (1:4)
When suffering abounds, comfort abounds thru Christ (1:5)
It helps others endure sufferings in a way that leads to comfort and the hope of salvation (1:6; 1 Peter 5:9; Romans 5:3-4; Matthew 5:11-12)
It provides hope that fellow Christians will be comforted (1:7)
1 Peter 5:9  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Colossians 1:24  I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
Romans 5:3-4  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  4  and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Matthew 5:11-12  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  12  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

7. Past Events in Paul’s Ministry Trouble in Asia, but comfort from God (2 Cor. 1:8-11)
Paul wants them to know of the extreme trouble he had experienced in Asia (These sufferings are also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:32; 16:8-9; Acts 19:23-41)

8. Past Events in Paul’s Ministry Trouble in Asia, but comfort from God (2 Cor. 1:8-11)
Paul wants them to know of the extreme trouble he had experienced in Asia (These sufferings are also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:32; 16:8-9 and Acts 19:23-41)
The pressure was so extreme “that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” (1:8)
The extreme stress brought about extraordinary trust in God! (1:9; Isaiah 26:3-4)
“We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead”
God delivered Paul, and Paul continues to trust Him (1:10)
Prayer power helped bring about Paul’s deliverance, so that thanks would abound to God (1:11)
The “gift” (charisma) of God was in response to prayer (a work).
Isaiah 26:3-4  You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.  4  Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

9. Lesson Schedule for our study of Second Corinthians Eastside Auditorium Winter Quarter 2017-18