2 Corinthians STUDY BOOKLET€¦ · The letter we know as 2 Corinthians was written by the great missionary apostle Paul. Paul’s first trip to Corinth occurred somewhere around

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STRENGTH in Weakness | 2 Corinthians

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Table of Contents

Series Overview…………………………………………………………………………..3

Helpful Resources……………………………………………………………………… 6

STUDY 1 | The God Who Brings Comfort………………………………….. 7

STUDY 2 | Always Yes in Christ………………………………………………… 9

STUDY 3 | Able to Minister…………………………………………………………11

STUDY 4 | Treasure in Jars, Dwellings in Heaven……………………14

STUDY 5 | Reconciling Ambassadors of Christ……………………….17

STUDY 6 | Sorrow, Joy and Complicated Relationships…………20

STUDY 7 | Generosity in Gospel Ministry………………………………….23

STUDY 8 | Super Apostles vs Not-So-Super Apostles…………… 26

STUDY 9 | The True Strength of Gospel Ministry…………………… 29

These studies are adapted from 2 Corinthians: Finding Strength in Weakness by Paul Stevens (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1990).


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Series Overview Authorship

The letter we know as 2 Corinthians was written by the great missionary apostle Paul. Paul’s first trip to Corinth occurred somewhere around A.D. 50 (see Acts 18:12-17 and the timeframe established by Luke). It was during that first visit that the church in Corinth was established. Corinth was a lively church composed of first-generation Christians, but affected significantly by the culture of its city. Corinth was the Las Vegas of the Roman Empire. Some new believers polluted the church with their secular attitudes in business and sexuality. Others became superspiritual and boasted about their experiences (visions, prophecies and tongue-speaking, among others). In the course of time they wrote to Paul for advice. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in about A.D. 55 to address these questions and various problems. Then, it seems, the Corinthians turned against the founding apostle. This is a crucial fact to know in order to understand 2 Corinthians; this letter was born in hurt. After having paid a second “painful visit” (2 Cor 2:1) and writing a “sorrowful” letter, now lost (2:4), Paul’s relationship with the Corinthians was at breaking point. Deciding not to visit the church again because of the strife attached to his person, Paul apparently sent his associate, Titus (7:6-16, 8:16-24). 2 Corinthians appears to have been written in response to the Corinthians’ positive reception of Titus. It was sent at a moment in which there had been healing in the fragile relationship between the apostle and the church.


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Purpose and Themes

Paul’s purposes in writing this letter appear to have been fourfold. First, he was seeking to continue the relationship rebuilding that Titus had successfully begun. It grieved Paul to be out of fellowship with any church, let alone one he had founded. Second, Paul was concerned about newly arrived ministers in Corinth who preached a different gospel. Seizing on the Corinthians’ immature embrace of all things impressive, these “super apostles” were greatly influential in preaching what Paul refers to as “a different gospel”. Whatever their message might have been, Paul regards the real danger that they present as lying in the implicit theology that measures God’s saving work in Christ by outward marks of success. Third, due in part to these new ministers, Paul needed to re-establish his rightful position as an apostle authorised by Christ. Much of 2 Corinthians concerns the legitimation of an apostle. In the opening and body (2 Cor 1:1 – 2:17; 3:1 – 7:16), but also in the ‘collection’ chapters (8:1 – 9:15) and in Paul’s closing defence of his ministry in Corinth (10:1 – 13:14), this is the theme of the letter. The question is whether Paul, who lives in weakness, bears the power and authority of Christ as the apostle to the Corinthians. Fourth, and less centrally, Paul was writing to remind the Corinthians of their promise to contribute to the collection for the impoverished Jewish Christians (chs.8-9). This, too, had been complicated by Paul’s changed travel plans and the relationship breakdown between the church and him. In terms of an ultimate purpose and unifying theme, the relational conflict of 2 Corinthians is perhaps the best medium for revealing the distinctive message of this letter. Paul’s fundamental


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purpose for writing is to remind the Corinthians that Christ meets us at our point of desperate weakness, not only before we’re saved, but after. Against the false triumphalism of his opponents, Paul proclaims a gospel in which God’s power is demonstrated best in human weakness. The cross, of course, stands as the ultimate expression of this truth, and it is a gospel truth we need to hear as much now as our Corinthian brothers and sisters needed to hear then.


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Helpful Resources


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STUDY 1 1:1-11 | The God Who Brings Comfort 1. Recall a time in your life when friends comforted you while you were hard-pressed and despairing. What qualities in their friendship with you enabled them really to comfort you? Read | 1:1-7 2. After his customary greeting, Paul breaks into “praise”. What brings about this apparently spontaneous worship? 3. What is the connection between the sufferings of Christ and the comfort of Christ? • In what ways have you experienced God’s comfort in a

difficult situation? 4. Why do you think our experience of God’s comfort enables us to comfort others who are suffering? Read | 1:8-11


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5. How would you describe Paul’s hardships “in the province of Asia”? (Big/small? slight/severe?) What did Paul discover about the meaning of such hardships in the Christian life? 6. Having gone through such hardships, why do you think Paul loves rather than hates God? 7. Why might Paul have shared so openly with the Corinthians the realities of his Christian experience? How might it have benefitted the Corinthians (and his relationship with them)? Final Thoughts and Application 8. Based on Paul’s experience and teaching in these opening 11 verses: • How can hardships draw us closer to God instead of away

from God?

• What do we learn about suffering and comfort within the Christian community?


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STUDY 2 1:12 – 2:11 | Always Yes in Christ 1. In your experience, what are some of the things that contribute to, and what are some of the effects of, relationship breakdown? Read | 1:12-22 2. For Paul, what ought to define human conduct in relationships, and what ought not to? 3. What had Paul originally intended to do, travel-wise, and why? 4. Why do you think Paul moves from talking about the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ of his travel plans to the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ of the gospel message? What is the link? • Consider v.20. Can you think of a time when the truth of this

verse has been an encouragement to you? Read | 1:23 – 2:11 5. What is Paul’s explanation for having changed his travel plans and broken his promise to come and visit the Corinthian church?


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6. What do we learn about the nature of Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church? 7. In vv.5-11, Paul refers to a particular individual and incident within the Corinthian church. Presumably the man in question has been excluded from the fellowship as a judgment on sinful behaviour. What is Paul’s advice? And what is the basis for it? Final Thoughts and Application 8. While there are factors unique to this situation (the state of the early church; Paul’s apostolic responsibility to the Corinthian fellowship): • What are some of the ways we might find ourselves in a

similar situation as Paul and the Corinthians did?

• How might Paul’s experience, and the fundamentally

positive truths of the gospel, help us to resolve the various relational breakdowns we encounter?


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STUDY 3 2:12 – 4:6 | Able to Minister 1. How do you feel about being told that becoming a Christian means becoming a ‘minister’? Read | 2:12 – 3:6 2. Paul confesses that, ministry-wise, “the Lord had opened a door” for him in Troas, but he didn’t take it. Yet in v.14 he uses the image of a Roman post-battle victory march to speak of being led in “triumphal procession”. How is Paul able to speak of his triumph “in Christ” in the same breath as confessing his weakness? • When has Christ enabled you to “triumph” in the midst of a

personal struggle? 3. What do you think Paul means in vv.15-16 when he says we are “the smell of death” to some and “the fragrance of life” to others?


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4. In contrast to those who boasted about their “letters of recommendation”, Paul says the Corinthians are his letter. What does he mean by this? 5. In 2:16 Paul had asked, “Who is equal to such a task?” What answer does he give in 3:4-6? • How does Paul’s answer encourage you? How could it

encourage even the newest and humblest Christian believer?

Read | 3:7-18 6. According to Paul, how does our ministry under the New Covenant contrast with ministry under the Old (see also vv.3-6; also Jeremiah 31:31-34)? Why is it “more glorious”? • What does v.18 reveal about the process and goal of our

lives as Christians under the New Covenant?


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Read | 4:1-6 7. How does Paul’s ministry contrast with the practices of the those who in v.2 discredit the gospel? 8. What forces does Paul see at work behind those who reject and those accept his gospel? Final Thoughts and Application 9. How does 2:12 – 4:6 challenge the way you view and do gospel ministry?


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STUDY 4 4:7 – 5:10 | Treasure in Jars, Dwellings in Heaven 1. Why do you think we find it easiest to talk about our strengths and hardest to talk about our weaknesses? Read | 4:7-18 2. What are some of the ways Paul contrasts the glory of the gospel with the weakness of those who preach it? 3. We often assume that our weakness will hinder the gospel and detract from it. On the contrary, how does our weakness reveal God’s power? • When have you experienced God working through your

weakness? 4. When Paul refers to “carrying around” in his body “the death of Jesus”, and “being given over to death for Jesus’ sake”, what might he be speaking of? In what way does this ‘reveal’ Jesus’ life?


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5. In 4:16 Paul says we do not lose heart (also 4:1). On what basis can we be confident that our lives and ministry will not be pointless or fruitless? Read | 5:1-10 6. What are some of the words and images Paul uses to contrast our “earthly tent” with our “heavenly dwelling”? • In what ways does this encourage you?

7. According to Paul, what should we be “always confident” about? • In what ways does this challenge you?


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8. Taking the entire passage into consideration, what do you understand Paul to be saying when he declares in 5:7 “We live by faith, not by sight”? Final Thoughts and Application 9. How does the reality of v.10 help us in our gospel witness, even when we’re “hard-pressed on every side”?


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STUDY 5 5:11 – 6:13 | Reconciling Ambassadors of Christ 1. What is the role of an ambassador? What would you say are some basic requirements to fulfilling that role properly? Read | 5:11-15 2. What motivates Paul in ministry (see 5:10-11)? For example, what do you think is behind his exhortation that the Corinthians “take pride” in his ministry (5:12, 14)? 3. In v.13 Paul speaks of being “out of our mind […] for the sake of God” and “in our right mind […] for you”. He seems to be comparing the tendency of the new ‘apostles’ to speak in ecstatic, ‘spiritual’ gibberish, with his own experiences of ‘speaking in tongues’. Why? What point is he making? • In what ways do we “commend ourselves” to others, rather

than to God, in our spiritual/ministry lives?


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4. Paul says that Christ “died for all”. What does this suggest to us about the gospel message and how we go about proclaiming it? Read | 5:16 – 6:2 5. What do you think Paul means when he says he/we once regarded Christ “from a worldly point of view”? Why does he “no longer do so”? 6. In describing his message, Paul uses the words reconciliation and reconciled five times (vv.18-20). What does it mean to be “reconciled to God” (how might it differ from forgiveness, or friendship)? What has Christ done to make reconciliation possible? 7. Why do you think Paul would tell the Corinthians, who are already Christians, “Be reconciled to God” (v.20)? • In what ways has the truth of reconciliation with God

through Christ helped you in your various relationships?


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Read | 6:3-13 8. Consider the list of further ‘credentials’ Paul puts forth here. Why would such a list remove rather than place “stumbling blocks” before people trying to find their way to God? Final Thoughts and Application 9. How does Paul’s example help us be more effective ambassadors for Christ, especially to people who are ‘turned off’ by Christianity?


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STUDY 6 6:14 – 7:16 | Sorrow, Joy, and Complicated Relationships 1. Recall an experience of deep sorrow (possibly a significant loss, hurt or disappointment). What were some of the things that helped you move through that sorrow? What were some of the good things, if any, that came after the sorrow had passed? Read | 6:14 – 7:1 2. Using strong, contrasting imagery, and drawing on Scripture, Paul makes a rather forthright statement about not being “yoked together with unbelievers”. Marriage seems to be in view, but perhaps not exclusively. What other types of relationships might Paul have in mind? 3. What reasons does he give for avoiding such unions (vv.14-16)? Why might this have been particularly relevant for the Corinthian church (cf. 1 Corinthians 5-10)? 4. Is this at odds with the otherwise inclusive message of the gospel? Why/why not?


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Read | 7:2-13 5. There is a great deal of history and depth of feeling behind Paul’s words here. Despite the relational baggage, he speaks very positively about the Corinthians. What makes Paul so “confident”, “proud” and “encouraged” (v.4) about them? 6. Referring to their response to his ‘sorrowful letter’ (v.8), Paul compares “worldly sorrow” with “godly sorrow”. What is so destructive about “worldly sorrow”? What are the positive indications and constructive results of godly sorrow? How has Paul seen this at work in the Corinthians? Read | 7:14-16 7. Why might Paul have “boasted” of the Corinthians, and in what way have they “proved [his boasting] to be true”?


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Final Thoughts and Application 8. If “godly sorrow” is so beneficial, why do you think so many Christians shrink from the relational work, discipline and tough love required to bring it about in others? 9. In what areas of your life might you be most in need of “godly sorrow”?


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STUDY 7 8:1 – 9:15 | Generosity and Gospel Ministry 1. What positive and negative feelings do you have about people raising money for a Christian cause? Read | 8:1-15 2. In what ways are the Macedonians excellent examples of generosity? 3. Why is Jesus the supreme example of sacrificial giving? 4. In both chapters Paul refrains from using the word money. Instead he speaks of sharing, service, offering, grace and gift. What insights do these words give us into the nature of giving? 5. What is the primary goal that governs Paul’s appeal for gifts (vv.10-15)?


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• What should the principle of equality mean to us as we consider our bond with believers throughout the world?

Read | 8:16 – 9:5 6. What care does Paul take to avoid any suspicion of dishonesty or self-interest as he handles this large gift? • What sort of equivalent practices do/should we have in

place in our lives/ministry? Read | 9:6-15 7. Some people teach that giving money to the Lord’s work results in your getting more money for yourself. What does Paul say about the personal benefits of giving? 8. What benefits does our giving produce in others, both materially and otherwise (v.12-14)?


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Final Thoughts and Application 9. What difference does Paul’s teaching in these two chapters make to: • The stewardship of your resources?

• Your attitude toward giving? (N.B. Paul’s emphasis in v.7 on cheerful giving)


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STUDY 8 10:1 – 11:15 | Super Apostles vs Not-So-Super Apostles 1. Who are the sorts of people our society/world generally considers to be impressive, successful and worthy of respect and admiration? Read | 10:1-6 2. What exactly is Paul appealing to the Corinthians for? What is his main criticism of them? 3. What are some of the contrasts Paul describes between “the weapons we fight with” and “the weapons of the world”? • What do you think it looks like for us to “take captive every

thought and make it obedient to Christ”? Read | 10:7-18 4. To his critics, what was “unimpressive” about Paul and his ministry?


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5. Referring obliquely to someone at Corinth who appears to have been a leading critic of his ministry (v.7b), what does Paul point to as evidence of his true, Christ-appointed apostolic credentials? 6. What do you think it means to be someone who “commends themselves”? Why does Paul think this is “not wise”? 7. Paul doesn’t seem to dismiss “boasting” out of hand. However, he does say that he “will not boast beyond proper limits” (v.13). What sort of boasting does Paul have in mind here? How does it differ from that of his opponents (see Jeremiah 9:23-24)? Read | 11:1-15 8. Paul’s main criticism of the Corinthians is that they “look only on the surface of things” (v.7a). In light of this, what is Paul’s great fear for them? 9. Looking at this whole section (10:1 – 11:15), what marks of the “super apostles” justify Paul’s description of them as “false”, “deceitful” and “masquerading”?


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• What kind of Christian leadership today might fall under the

Paul’s judgement? Final Thoughts and Application 10. In your Christian life and ministry: • In what ways are you liable to “commend yourself”?

• Conversely, in what ways can you rightly “boast in the Lord”?


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STUDY 9 11:16 – 12:10 | The True Strength of Gospel Ministry 1. Can you think of a time when the boasting of someone else made you want to/caused you to engage in one-upmanship and ‘boast back’? What do you think is behind that impulse? Read | 11:16-29 2. How would you describe Paul’s tone here as he declares his intentions to boast? 3. Paul consistently links “self-confident boasting” with foolishness. Why? What’s foolish about it? 4. In parodying the super apostles’ boasting, Paul begins with his impeccable Hebrew heritage (v.22). However, he then transitions to a very different set of ‘credentials’. How does Paul’s history of hardship and suffering in vv.23-29 bolster his claim to be “more” of “a servant of Christ” than the super apostles are (N.B. The slight change in emphasis in vv.28-29)?

• Do you ever feel you suffer hardship for the sake of the gospel? Is it something you welcome, to some degree, or something you avoid at all costs?


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• Would you say you have a similar concern for the spiritual health of your Minchinbury church family as Paul has for the churches he’s connected with?

5. How does Paul’s experience in escaping Damascus support his claim that “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”? Read | 11:30 – 12:10 6. In belated response to the apparently ecstatic boastings of the super apostles, Paul describes his own spectacular spiritual experience. Yet he won’t even name himself, instead referring in the third-person to “a man in Christ” who was caught up to paradise (v.2). Why do you think he refrains from boasting about such an exalted experience? On what basis does Paul believe he should be evaluated by the Corinthians (vv.5-6)? 7. While no conclusive answer can be given concerning the details of Paul’s “thorn in my flesh” (v.7), what do we know about this bitter reality he faced (and how he viewed it)? 8. What was accomplished by Paul’s repeated prayer for the removal of his thorn?


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• What do we learn from this about the value of persistent

prayer in relation to our handicaps, weaknesses and problems?

9. In contrast to Paul’s ecstatic experiences, the simple answer to his prayer (v.9) is considered to be the summit from which we gain the most complete view of Paul’s apostleship. What effect did this answer have on Paul himself? • What help do the Lord’s words give us in responding to the

‘health, wealth and success’ gospel that continues to be widely promoted today?

Final Thoughts and Application 10. In what ways can you envision God taking something evil or destructive in your life and making it serve a good purpose?


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2 Corinthians STUDY BOOKLET€¦ · The letter we know as 2 Corinthians was written by the great missionary apostle Paul. Paul’s first trip to Corinth occurred somewhere around

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