2nd Corinthians - Course Material

8/8/2019 2nd Corinthians - Course Material

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The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians

Author and Title:

Again as indicated in the opening salutation, Paul is the author of this letter. Both external andinternal evidence is very strong in support of Pauline authorship. In fact, it is stamped with his style andit contains more autobiographical material than any of his other writings

Date: A.D. 56-60A careful study of Acts and the Epistles reveals the following summary of Pauls involvement with the Corinthian church:

(1) there was the first visit to Corinth (Acts 18:1-18) followed by,(2) the first letter to Corinth (now lost[1Cor. 5:9 I wroteunto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators] ). This was then followed by (3) the second letter to Corinth (1 Cor.).(4) This was then followed by a second visit to Corinth (as noted in 2 Cor. 2:1 not come again to you in heaviness).

(5) This was followed by 2 Corinthians, the third letter to Corinth. (6) Finally, there was a third visit to Corinth (Acts 20:2-3).It should be pointed out that the lost letter(s) were lost only because they were not intended by God to be part of the biblicalcanon.

Because of the riot caused by silversmiths (Acts 19:23-41) Paul departed from Ephesus for Macedonia (Acts 20:1) in thespring of A.D. 56. In the process, he made a preliminary stop at Troas hoping to rendezvous with Titus (2 Cor. 2:13) andreceive news about conditions in Corinth. Not finding Titus there, he pushed on to Macedonia, undoubtedly with concern aboutTitus safety (7:5-6). There he met Titus, who brought good news about the general well-being of the Corinthian church but

bad news about a group who were standing in opposition to Paul and his apostleship. From Macedonia Paul wrote this letter, 2Corinthians. Paul then made his third visit to Corinth during the winter of A.D. 56-60 (Acts 20:2-3).

Theme and Purpose:

Of all Pauls letters, 2 Corinthians is the most personal and intimate. In it he bared his heart and declared his steadfastlove for the Corinthians even though some had been extremely critical and very fickle in their affection for him. Whatconcerned Paul preeminently was the presence of false teachers, claiming to be apostles, who had entered the church. They

promoted their own ideas and at the same time sought to discredit both the person and message of the apostle. SecondCorinthians was written to defend the authenticity of both his apostleship and his message. This was not carried out in a self-

protecting spirit but because Paul knew that acceptance of his ministry and message were intimately bound with the Corinthianchurchs own spiritual well-being.

Second Corinthians, though probably not intended by Paul, treats more with the actual workings of the ministry than allthree of the pastoral epistles do combined. While the pastoral epistles may be likened to an employee manual on the

ministry, this book (2 Cor.) should certainly be likened to a technical manual on ministering to a church and the people thatmake it up.

In the process of Pauls defense, three key purposes emerge: (1) Paul expressed his joy at the favorable response of thechurch to Pauls ministry (chaps. 1-7); (2) he sought to remind the believers of their commitment to the offering for theChristians in Judea (chaps. 8-9); and (3) he sought to defend his apostolic authority (chaps. 10-13).

Theme Verses: 10:7, 18, 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness,according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.

Key Word(s): While the general focus of this epistle is Pauls defense of his ministry and authority, a key wordthat surfaces is comfort (occurring 11 times in 9 verses). As we face the various dilemmas of life, we must all learn tofind our comfort in God who is the God of all comfort.

Key Verses:

4:5-6 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God,who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of theglory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen aretemporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

5:17-19 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things arebecome new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us theministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing theirtrespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

13 Chapters257 Verses

6075 Words


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Key Chapters:

Chapters 89 are really one unit and comprise the most complete revelation of Gods plan for giving foundanywhere in the Scriptures. Contained therein are the principles for giving (8:1-6), the purposes for giving(8:7-15), the policies to be followed in giving (8:16-9:5), and the promises to be realized in giving (9:6-15).

Christ as Seen in 2 Corinthians:

In a later epistle, Paul will stress how we are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10). All we need for life is found in Him. In thisepistle, we see Him as our comfort (1:5), triumph (2:14), Lord (2:4), liberty or freedom for a new life (3:17), light (4:6), judge

(5:10), reconciliation (5:19), gift (9:15), owner (10:7), and power (12:9).

Outline:

I. Primarily Apologetic: Explanation of Pauls Conduct and Apostolic Ministry (chs. 17)A. Salutation . (1:1-2)B. Thanksgiving for Divine Comfort in Affliction .. (1:3-11)C. The Integrity of Pauls Motives and Conduct . (1:1224)D. Restoring a Sinning Saint (2:1-11)E. Gods Direction in the Ministry .. (2:12-17)F. Fruit Which Commends the Ministry . (3:1-17)G. The Ministry of Suffering for Christ ... (4:1-18)

H. The Prospect of Death and What It Means for the Christian .. (5:1-13)I. The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:1421)J. The Ministry not to be Blamed ... (6:1-10)K. A Spiritual Fathers Appeal to His Children .. (6:116:18)L. Pauls Heart Towards Those to whom he Ministers (7:1-16)

II. Hortatory: The Collection for the Christians at Jerusalem (chs. 89)

A. Example of Success in Christian Giving (8:1-5)B. Dependencey on the Grace of God in Christian Giving (8:6-12)C. Equality and Accountability in Christian Giving (8:1324)D. Encouragement to Christian Giving (9:1-6)E. Results of Generous Christian Giving (9:6-15)

III. Polemical: Pauls Vindication of His Apostolic Authority (chs. 1013)A. Pauls Defense of His Apostolic Authority . (10:1-18)B. Paul Forced Into Foolish Boasting .. (11:112:21)C. Final Warnings (13:1-10)D. Conclusion .. (13:11-14)


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II Corinthians

Chapter Theme / Major Event Key verse

1 Gods comfort 1:4

2 Restoring a repentant saint 2:10

3 The ministry of Christ is more glorious than 3:9the ministry of the law

4 The Ministry of Suffering for Christ 4:17

5 The Prospect of Death and What It Means for the Christian 5:8,9,17

6 The Ministry not to be Blamed 6:3.4

7 The Pastoral Heart and Repentance 7:11,12

8 The Grace and Example of Christian Giving 8:9

9 The Cheerfulness of Christian Giving 9:7

10 Pauls Defense of His Apostolic Authority 10:8

11 Pauls Foolish Boasting 11:16

12 Pauls Abundance of Revelations 12:7

13 Exhortations and Benediction 13:11


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II Corinthians chapter 1

Theme: Gods comfort vs.4: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort themwhich are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

I. Pauls Salutation (vs.1,2)

1: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is atCorinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Vs. 1,2 The mark of a Spirit filled believer is their pre-occupation with the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice Pauls termthe church of God which is atCorinth. this will cause problems for any one who doesnt understand thebalanced doctrine of the church- balancing both Local & Universal. See notes.Secondly, note that Paul is an apostle. An apostle is one who is sent forth, from the Greek word-

apostwlov (apostlos). The apostles were the foundational members of the church. Each one had

seen the Lord Jesus Christ after His resurrection, and had the signs of an apostleII Cor. 12:12. There

are 12 apostles of the Lamb, and while some think that Paul was the 12th

and hence the replacement forJudas, Paul does not count himself to be so (I Cor. 15:5).

II. Paul blesses God for comfort in, and deliverance out of troubles (vs.3-11)

3: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;4: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the

comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Vs. 3,4 There are several scriptural reasons for suffering. The one illuminated here is: to make ussympathetic.

SUFFERING

1. To make us Sympathetic II Cor. 1:3,42. To make us Partakers Phil. 3:103. To make us Heavenly minded Col. 3:1-34. To help us rely on Gods Promises Phil. 4:13,195. To make us aware of Christs Sufficiency II Cor. 12:96. For our Chastisement Heb. 12:5-117. To make up that which is behind Col.1:24

It is important to remember that for whatever reason we may be suffering- it is still God who comfortsus.

5: For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6: And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of thesame sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.7: And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the

consolation.Vs. 5-7 The consolation of God is nothing like the consolations of this world. I remember as a kid watching

game shows where the winner got the big money and the other contestants got a toaster or something as aconsolation prize, so that no one could say they didnt get anything. The consolation of God is GodHimself. Hes your Savior, Friend, Comforter, and Heavenly Father. Suffering is a time to draw nearunto Him and let Him show you how real He is, how close He is, how He has been through these thingsas well and can get you through them victoriously.


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Salvation here is not the salvation of your souls, but that temporal salvation that all men are familiar with.That is, being saved in a particular situation, in this instance, not being swallowed up in your affliction,suffering, and sorrow.One more thing about suffering and consolation If a man is called to minister to Gods people, he wontbe any good at it until he has suffered some things; and the more he suffers the better a minister he islikely to be. The things that a preacher suffers are what make him worth listening to- hes got to knowGod! Suffering makes soldiers tough (II Sam. 17:1-14). We are to be conformed to the image of JesusChrist, and that doesnt come without suffering. Consider some of the things that our Lord suffered:rejected by his brethren, lied about, slandered, doubted, rejected by his people, double crossed andbetrayed by a friend, arrested on false charges, deserted by his disciples, humiliated publicly, deserted byhis Father, and all of the physical sufferings of the scourging and crucifixion.

8: For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed outof measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

9: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth thedead:

10: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;11: Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons

thanks may be given by many on our behalf.Vs. 8-11 The majority of commentators say that vs.8 refers to the trouble with the silver smiths in Acts 19,

and that is possible. Dr. Ruckman thinks that it is a reference to something not found in the book of Acts,something where Paul would have felt more eminently about to die. In either case, vs.9 shows us thatGod brought them through such trouble to show them that they can trust Him. After all, He does raise thedead- doesnt He?Notice the three tenses of deliverance- similar tosalvation andsanctification. Past, Present, & Future

Ye helping together by prayeris equivalent to by the means of many persons. And because of the manypersons helping together in prayernow many persons can give thanks on their behalf.

We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help intime of need. The Lord is able to give peace to the troubled conscience, and to calm the raging passions of thesoul. These blessings are given by him, as the Father of his redeemed family. It is our Saviour who says, Letnot your heart be troubled. All comforts come from God, and our sweetest comforts are in him. He speaks

peace to souls by granting the free remission of sins; and he comforts them by the enlivening influences of theHoly Spirit, and by the rich mercies of his grace. He is able to bind up the broken-hearted, to heal the most

painful wounds, and also to give hope and joy under the heaviest sorrows. The favours God bestows on us, arenot only to make us cheerful, but also that we may be useful to others. He sends comforts enough to supportsuch as simply trust in and serve him. If we should be brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we maythen trust God, who can bring back even from death. Their hope and trust were not in vain; nor shall any beashamed who trust in the Lord. Past experiences encourage faith and hope, and lay us under obligation to trustin God for time to come. And it is our duty, not only to help one another with prayer, but in praise andthanksgiving, and thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received. Thus both trials and mercies will endin good to ourselves and others. MH

III. He professes his own and his fellow-labourers' integrity (vs.12-14)

12: For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshlywisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Vs. 12 Paul could look back on all his dealings with the Corinthians with a clear conscience. All theevangelistic work had been done in a straightforward manner. All his doctrinal and practicalteaching were without guile and trickery, and free of heresy. He had done his best to make themdisciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not his own little clique. He had been honest with them pertaining to spiritual things and the things of this world as well. He lived by the grace of God.God keeps things simple.


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13: For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge

even to the end;14: As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the

Lord Jesus.

Vs. 13,14 The are no mysterious writings for them to get caught up in (none other things) like manyChristians are today with the Dead Sea Scrolls and such other rubbish, just the scriptures ( epistles,gospels) which the Holy Ghost bears witness to and the body of Christ accepts and acknowledges. Theyacknowledged Paul in part- that is: they had partly obeyed his instructions and reprovments from his 1 stepistle, and/or they had acknowledged that God used him to lead them to Jesus Christ and that he had apart in their salvation. Especially the later because of their rejoicing in one another. I Thess. 2:19,20 For whatis our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.

The joy and love shared by the saints is nothing to be ashamed of, much less one another.

Though, as a sinner, the apostle could only rejoice and glory in Christ Jesus, yet, as a believer, he might rejoice andglory in being really what he professed. Conscience witnesses concerning the steady course and tenor of the life.Thereby we may judge ourselves, and not by this or by that single act. Our conversation will be well ordered, whenwe live and act under such a gracious principle in the heart. Having this, we may leave our characters in the Lord'shands, but using proper means to clear them, when the credit of the gospel, or our usefulness, calls for it. MH

IV. Gives reasons for his not coming to them (vs. 15-24)

15: And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;16: And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on

my way toward Judaea.

Vs. 15,16 Catholic & Episcopal doctrine teaches the 2nd benefit to be Confirmation afterBaptism, two

separate sacraments- since there are no sacraments in the Bible we may dismiss this teaching.The passage is also used by our Holiness brethren to teach a false doctrine referred to as a second work of grace

also often called a second blessing. The teaching -in short- is that after you get saved you need toprogress up the spiritual ladder to the next spiritual level: that of Sanctification in which your old Adamicnature is eradicated, and possibly after that to the 3 rd level of being filled with the Holy Ghost, alsoreferred to as the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. The teaching ignores the 3 Bible tenses ofsanctification, the doctrine of the two natures of the believer, and the fact that you are baptized in the

Holy Ghost the instant that you get saved. It ignores also that every Christian has the Spirit, the Spiritdwells in them, and they are sealed by the Spirit, and by the baptism of the Spirit they avoid the baptismof fire. Rom:8:9, 1Cor:3:16, 1Cor:12:13, Eph:1:13,

Having looked at what it doesnt teach, let us look at what it does teach. In the context it is most likelyreferring to a monetary offering, as in Rom.1:11. The most mystical spiritual meaning that you can getfrom the context would be that Paul would personally instruct the church (sort of a preaching/teachingconference) as he passed through on his way to Macedonia and then again on the return trip.We should consider at this point thespiritualmeaning of the text, as some will not be satisfied withoutlooking at the 2nd blessing in the lives of Christians today. First, your old nature will be with you untilthe rapture or the death of your body. Second, when you get saved you are as saved as you can be, and assaved as any other Christian still breathing. Thirdly, you get all of God when you get God, but this

brings us to the question of weather or not God has all of you. There is a record in I Sam. 23:1-13, of themen of Keilah who needed and found a savior from the Philistines. They found their savior in David, agreat type of Christ, but he was not their King, Saul was. When their king, Saul, would have them giveup their savior, the Bible tells us that they would do it, so David fled. Just as the men of Keilahappreciated their savior, but obeyed their king, many Christians appreciate Jesus Christ for saving themfrom sin and hell, but they obey the old man with all his lusts enthroned on their heart. Later, after anational crisis, the men of Keilah came to David and asked him to be their king. That is as close as youget to a second blessing, when YOU surrender all to Jesus Christ.


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17: When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according tothe flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

18: But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.19: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and

Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.20: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.Vs. 17-20 There were many in Corinth who doubted Pauls sincereity, but he tells them that his YES means

YES and his NO means NO. Paul doesnt say yes for no, or no for yes; he talks straight without themedicine show vulgarity that has attached itself to the Christian ministry through the works of manytelevangelists and crocked preachers.But more important that Pauls word is the promises of God. To those who ARE IN CHRIST there aresome very positive and good promises, but dont ever apply them to a lost man.

21: Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;22: Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Vs. 21,22 We are STABLISHED, ANOITED, SEALED, AND GIVEN THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT byGod. We have a sure salvation which God has made sure. Why do folks want to mess it up with doingtheir part?

23: Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

24: Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.Vs. 23,24 Paul wanted to come to Corinth sooner, but there were still some hard rebukes to deliver to his

converts. So, he delayed his trip to spare them the grief of such hard reprimands and in the hope that theywould get straightened out on their own after reading his epistles. Paul was NOT a Nicolaitan, he was ashepard to them and as he puts it a helper of their joy. Peter agrees with I Pet. 5:3 Neither as beinglords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

The apostle clears himself from the charge of levity and inconstancy, in not coming to Corinth. Good menshould be careful to keep the reputation of sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve, but on carefulthought; and they will not change unless for weighty reasons. Nothing can render God's promises more certain:his giving them through Christ, assures us they are his promises; as the wonders God wrought in the life,resurrection, and ascension of his Son, confirm faith. The Holy Spirit makes Christians firm in the faith of the

gospel: the quickening of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the comforts of the Spirit are an earnestof everlasting joy. The apostle desired to spare the blame he feared would be unavoidable, if he had gone toCorinth before he learned what effect his former letter produced. Our strength and ability are owing to faith;and our comfort and joy must flow from faith. The holy tempers and gracious fruits which attend faith, securefrom delusion in so important a matter. MH


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Theme: Restoring a repentant saint vs.10: To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if Iforgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ

I. Reasons for Paul not coming to Corinth (vs. 1-4)

1: But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.2: For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?3: And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice;

having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.4: For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved,

but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

Vs. 1-4 I determined this with myself, talking with yourself is not always a sign of craziness; Paul does herewhat the Prodigal did in Lk. 15:17-19, and Nehemiah did in Neh. 5:7, and the Lord does often.

However, the rich man in Lk. 12 was a fool and crazy and he talks to himself as well, so the test must bethe same as when youre talking to someone else: what are you talking about, do you speak as a fool or awise man? Prov. 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Compare with 1:23, Paul not coming to Corinth YET in order to spare the saints there of sorrow through hiscorrection of them. This heaviness is his burden for the spiritual condition of his converts. Paul knewthat these folks turning to Christ had brought him joy and that their attempting to live for the Lord,nourished his joy, but their carnality was a burden to him and an obstacle to their growth in the Lord.Their sorrow over their sin and getting right is the thing that would make Paul glad. This whole idea iscalled TOUGH LOVE in modern Psychology and Dynamic Family Counseling, simply, that if youlove someone, you will help them do right because its healthier than doing how you please. Any one,and for that matter everyone, is better off to have someone who loves them correcting them than someone who doesnt love them.

Weve all heard our folks saying, this is going to hurt me more than its going to hurt you. Here you can see theaffliction, anguish of heart, and many tears that Paul endured to correct his children in the faith.

The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to theirbenefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should alwaysgive pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it must be given. M.H.

II. Directions about restoring the repentant offender (vs. 5-11)

5: But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

6: Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.7: So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should beswallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

8: Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.9: For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.10: To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes

forgave I it in the person of Christ;11: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Vs. 9 Modern corruptions: NIV sight, NASB presence, LB authority, NKJV presenceVs. 5-8 The man referred to was dealt with in I Cor. 5:1-5 1: It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such

fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather


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mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, havejudged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered

together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spiritmay be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

He had been dealt with through church discipline as the congregation in Corinth had followed (vs.6)Pauls instructions. He tells them that he had only been partly grieved: that is, this fellow had hurt hischurch more than he had hurt Paul. Remember the GOAL of church discipline is RESTORATION! Thisman had taken things seriously and repented, confessed, and got right; so Paul instructs the church torestore him. Repentance and confession (I Jn.1:9) should be clearly understood or you could end up in a

mess like the Roman Catholics and any one else who changes James 5:16. The simple rule is: Private sinprivate confession and public sin public confession. To enlarge on that slightly you could say, confessyour sin to the one(s) you sinned against. Sometimes we need the forgiveness of God AND man. Whensome one has been forgiven, they need comfort (vs.7) and love (vs.8). When God forgave you, didnt Heshow you comfort and love? It strengthens the penitents assurance, and possibly avoids future rebellion.Consider when David forgave Absalom (II Sam. 14) that he was brought back but never comforted norshown the love of his father. We must confirm our love toward him.

Vs. 9-11 According to vs. 9 the event of church discipline in Corinth was also a test of obedience for thewhole church. They passed. Youve heard Preacher remark how that many people in the area dontunderstand church discipline at all; theyre very nervous about it. Nothings changed.We see an excellent example of the Priesthood of the Believerin vs.10. Notice that Paul forgave in theperson of Christ. We (his disciples Jn. 20:20-23, Lk. 24:33-36) are his ambassadors and have been giventhis authority. There is NO clergy /laity in a New Testament church. Notice that had this forgivenessbeen withheld Satan should get an advantage of us. There are two reasons to forgive any brother or sisterthat needs it: first, for their sake, so they dont become depressed and bitter, and driven to despair. Theycould be tempted to hard thoughts of God and religion, and so bring an evil report upon Christians asunforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of the ministry. And second, for yoursake, so that it doesnt eat you up like a cancer and make you bitter. Remember Matt. 6:15 But if ye forgivenot men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespassesand Rom. 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live

peaceably with all men. Forgive, comfort, confirm your love, pray for he who has transgressed against you, andif you still have trouble, distance.Finally, odd that we should be reminded about Satans devices and get to the end of the chapter and findmen corrupting the word of God.

As this book is about the ministry, if we have time this evening, we will return to consider the case of arepentent minister; for it is painfuly clear that our day has seen a flood of Gods men behavingthemselves much like this carnal new convert.

The apostle desires them to receive the person who had done wrong, again into their communion; for he was aware of hisfault, and much afflicted under his punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Notonly was there danger last Satan should get advantage, by tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, and sodrive him to despair; but against the churches and the ministers of Christ, by bringing an evil report upon Christians asunforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of the ministry. In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be used,that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or for too great severity towards sinners on the otherhand. Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to make a bad use of our mistakes. M.H.

III. An account of his labours and success in spreading the gospel of Christ (vs. 12-17)

12: Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,13: I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from

thence into Macedonia.14: Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his

knowledge by us in every place.15: For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:


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16: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who issufficient for these things?

17: For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of Godspeak we in Christ.

Vs. 9 Modern corruptions: NIV peddle for profit, NASB peddling, LB hucksters making a goodliving, NKJV peddling

Vs. 12-17 Troas is in the west most part of Asia-minor and across the Aegean Sea is Macedonia. This epistlewas written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, and delivered by Titus. As we know that Paul was on histhird (12:14, 13:1) trip to Corinth, it is likely that he was following the same route as usual (2nd & 3rdmission trips) although this trip is not mentioned in the book of Acts. Titus, Pauls brother (in the Lord)is mentioned 9 times in this book and once in the postscript at the end, once in 2nd Timothy 4:10, andonce in the epistle bearing his name, but never mentioned in Acts. He is later ordained first Bishop of thechurch at Crete. Paul is obviously troubled by missing Titus, but he presses on. We remarked on thesubject ofopen doors in 1st Cor. 16:9. The indication is that the door opened into Macedonia. And anopened door is always good reason to give God thanks. When we follow Gods leading through thedoors he opens, we will be triumphant in Christ. This triumph is connected with making the knowledgeof Christ manifest in every place. Speak up for Jesus Christ!Savour. Savour like the scent of incense. Some are sweet while others are repugnant. We are a sweetsavour unto God as we serve him, but we stink to the world. Thats all right, because the world stinks tous even though they smell great to themselves. That Old Testament tabernacle must have been

something to stroll by on a hot afternoon in the midst of summer. And while the smell of sacrificesstifled some, to God it was a sweet smelling sacrifice. Any one lived by a slaughterhouse? Or a dairy?Or a pig farm? Thats how it is. The world is always running their yap about their good tastes. And thethings they judge to lack good taste, they say that they STINK. My wife hates the smell of a tire store- Ilove it. To her it stinks like smelly rubber and chemicals. To me it has an aroma of expensive, road-grabbing, rock climbing, super traction, sharp cornering, fast moving tires. I feel the same way about agood tire store that my wife feels about a good shoe store, which nauseates me. So, that which is asavour of life unto life to God and our spiritual brethren is a savour of death unto death to the lost world.And visa versa. Its a law, like gravity. And NO ONE would have known it if God hadnt shown it in Hisbook.And, speaking of His book and things that stink, we come to vs.17, that so plainly refers to the corruptersof Gods word (THAT STINK TO HIGH HEAVEN). This verse has been changed in every modern

bible Ive ever seen. Theyre so afraid of the word judging (Jn. 12:48) them for corrupting it, that theyshow their hand when they change the text to peddle or some near variation of that.

A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reasonfor a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name andsalvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour ofdeath unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it quickened them at firstwhen they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal life. Observe the awfulimpressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have nostrength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, isnot of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the

testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak we in Christ and of Christ.M.H.


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Addendum to Notes on Chapter 2

2 Cor. 2:5-11 Restoring a repentant brother: after the error is brought to light and dealt with, especiallyrepentance, and reversal. Then the brother is to be brought back into the fellowship. This is amanifestation of Christian love and forgiveness. But the restored brother may not enjoy all of the benefitsof Gods plan for his life due to his indiscretion. He may know more about the grace of God orforgiveness that many others in the church, but that does not mean that he may continue down his first

path without interruption: he interrupted Gods plan for his life. There are times when God has called aman to do something and then the man messes up and God has to get a substitute. Remember, God is aGod of substitutions, he substituted Christs righteousness for my sin and my sin for Christsrighteousness. When a man, called of God to a work has meddled with sin and made himself unclean; itleaves God having to call another man to the work, and put the first man in a secondary work after herepents and is restored. If you consider what sacred trust, toward God and the church, has been violated by a man who has imitated the sons of Eli, you would be prudent to offer such a man no place ofresponsibility. No one in this class is an ordained minister; so Ill speak as to those who aspire of servingGod and not to those who have been put into the ministry that God called them to, only to trade it for thecheap lure of temptation and cast away every chance of fulfilling their call. Ive heard Preacher say thatsuch a man is not ever to be trusted to tend the flock again, and I agree with him. Back to my subject, the

young man who aspires to serve God. Its true that every work of God is important, but there are somethat require more earnest separation. Consider that though David was a man after Gods own heart, hewas too bloody to build the temple. That work was left to Solomon, who was never so close to God, norwas he as concerned about the temple as David was. Most Christians have heard a preacher refer to Esauas a type of carnal Christian, who missed Gods blessing because he despised his birthright, but laterwhen he wanted it, it had been given to another; and he found no place of repentance though he sought itcarefully with tears. Let me admonish you. If you have a desire to serve God, be careful about yourconsecration- guard it jealously. Devotions are called devotions because youre supposed to beDEVOTED to the object of your devotions. There will be trouble enough without bringing more on.When you presume against Gods grace and think that you can enjoy your sin for a season and then repentin the morning, you dont know what youre getting into. Hosea says They return, but not to the most

High, and John speaks to the seven churches for the Lord of some having left their first love. Thething about trying to come back to your first love, is that its not your first love any more. Now its thirdor forth, or at the best second. Thats why David prayed in Psalm 19, Who can understand his errors?cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not havedominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the

words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, andmy redeemer. Dont presume against the grace of God. You will want to get back on track, but thingswill be different.

(Why do people say that theyll get right with God later? After they have had their high old time,then they come to God? Why dont they say, I want to live my youth for God while Im clean, I want toserve God first, and then try my sinful pleasures. There is a pattern of character that builds a pattern of

behavior: most who live for God first, keep living for God, and most who live for sin first keep living forsin. Imagine if every time your old nature tried to lead you into temptation you responded to it there willbe time enough for that later, right now Im serving God.)

O.K. Lets look at this situation from the point of the offending party. There is forgiveness if you aretruly repentant. Thats great! It usually includes restoration. Thats great too! But thats restoration intothe fellowship of the believers (the church), not necessarily restoration to the work God once called you todo. It does say in Romans 11:29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. And Im notsaying that you will have your calling taken back, you just might not be put (back) into that work.


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Contrasting with what Paul told Timothy I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for thathe counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

God will: call a man first,

then equip and prepare him,

and finally put him into the work he was called to.

If that man wrecks the preparations of God through sin, and his caviler attitude about it; then

hell have to live with his call and the fact that God may never use him for what he was called to do. Youmay have heard some preachers refer to it as being put on the shelf. It is not to say that God wont useyou, but there would likely be SOME time involved in getting prepared again. And God may use yousomewhere else, somewhere less critical. Like having a tool that you dont really trust to do the job,instead of keeping it with the tools you use daily, you stick it at home on a shelf or in a drawer so if youneed it and theres nothing else around you can get it and give it a try. So you have repented of whateverit was that broke your fellowship with the Lord and the church. Youve been forgiven and restored intothe fellowship. Youre still called to serve God; only He may not be letting you into that work you werecalled to. What do you do? Do you get mad at God again and pull stakes and leave? Do you sit aroundand grumble? Or do you say, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Andpurpose in your heart and before God that youll stay faithful and do whatever He lets you, and support

whoever is doing the thing you were once called to do. Remember, the way of transgressors is hard.Well if youre going to stay you must endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Goodsoldiers are trained; you must train. Train to endure hardness. Train your mind to be submitted to theauthorities that the Lord puts in your life. Train yourself to be strong in the battle and loyal to the hosts.You must resolve that whatever comes you will still serve God in the capacity that He allows you to. In

karate, I was told that if you have your hand cut off in a fight with a swordsman, you now have a sharp bone to thrust through the enemys heart. That kind of resolve comes only with premeditation andtraining. I dont say that to be crude, but by way of illustration. Victory remains the goal in all battle,though your situation changes and circumstances change the goal remains constant. Consider thesweeping changes that occur across a battlefield moment by moment; men become wounded, others areslain, some are taken captive, and others lose courage in the midst of the fray. Your goal remains victory

for your King. Give God your all, and be joyous with any handfuls of purpose that He sends your way;stay faithful this time. Stay the course with full resolve. Our God is GOOD, and He offers hope to thehopeless. One day He may say Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for theministry.


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Theme: The ministry of Christ is more glorious than the ministry of the law vs9: For if theministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

I. The ministry of Christ is more glorious than the ministry of the law (vs. 1-11)

1: Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, orletters of commendation from you?

Vs. 1 Paul is not one who uses "letters of recommendation". You may have heard of Christians who come tojoin a new church "by letter", but I like the way that we do it here: folk are accepted on the merit of theirown testimony before the Lord. Paul was not self-promoting, but rather he let the Spirit of God"recommend" him. See II Cor. 10:12-18 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with somethat commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are notwise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributedto us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you:for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, ofother men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our ruleabundantly, To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things made ready to ourhand. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lordcommendeth.

2: Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:3: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but

with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Vs. 2,3 From a human perspective, a man's converts and fruit are his commendation. Mt:7:20: Wherefore bytheir fruits ye shall know them. Notice that the tables of the heart are fleshy NOT fleshly as fleshy pertains toour frame (we are but dust) and fleshly refers to the carnal nature which is at enmity with God. EveryChristian is a letter or a living epistle. We may not all be apostles but we're all epistles. Written fromGod to the world to testify of his goodness and grace. Like letters, we should all be:

1. Written onpreparedmaterial2. Bearing the expressions of the writer

3. Bearing thesignature of the writer4. Legible5. Free ofblots andsmudges6. Recognized by the writer's handwriting.You can do this just think about a letter that youd write and consider what things about it are similar to theChristian as Gods messege to the world.

4: And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:5: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;6: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter

killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Vs. 4-6 The answer is given to his question in 2:16 that we looked at last week. REMEMBER that oursufficiency is of God. A preacher's ability to minister depends on the All-sufficient God of the Bible.

And when a preacher stands up to minister the word, he should be doing more than just reading andcommenting on the bare letter of paper and ink. Spirit, is not a reference to the Holy Spirit, but to thespirit and attitude of one's ministry. The effectuality of the preaching of God's word depends a greatdegree on the spirit of the minister. As in James 5:16The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.The word of God is not bound, but God has allowed this spiritual catalyst to have a great effect on thefruit to be born from preaching. The Old Testament is here referred to as the ministration of deathcontrasting to the Gospel, as the ministration of life; but the Gospel can be just as deadly whenadministered with out the life and spirit of the new man. Consider the difference in the spirit of tellingyour wife "Darling, I love you, I love you more than all the women in the world." Or "I told you I loveyou on our last anniversary, give me a break!"


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7: But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel couldnot stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

8: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

Vs. 7,8 The giving of the Law was no doubt glorious: written with the finger of God engraven in stonetablets (Ex. 31:18), and the skin of Moses' face shone so that the children of Israel were afraid to comenigh; but that glory was not to last. That glory was never passed on to a successor nor all his successors.When we get to the N.T. we see: Jn. 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth, andLk. 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered thesethings, and to enter into his glory?, and 1 Tim. 3:16 received up into glory. Christ is the glory of the New Testament."Which glory was to be done away with"; a good thing to point out to anyone who wants to combine partsof the O.T. with the N.T. (i.e. Mormons, 7th day Adventist, etc.)The ministration of death verses the ministration of the spirit or as John puts it: Jn. 1: 17: For the law wasgiven by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. If you want to compare the differences, look at whathappens to the people when each testament opens. When the law came down: Ex. 32:28 And the children ofLevi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. And when theSpirit came down: Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were addedunto them about three thousand souls.

9: For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed inglory.

"The law condemns us through the knowledge of sin; but the Gospel makes us righteous through the

knowledge of Jesus Christ10: For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

11: For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

Vs. 9-11 The New Testament is so much more glorious than the Old Testament; consider how manyChristians study the O.T., or how many Christians even know all the names of the O.T. books. Liberalswho neither believe nor study the Bible talk about the 'vengeful God' of the O.T. and the 'loving God' ofthe N.T., and while their errors are obvious it shows how plainly and apparently the New Testament isbetter that the Old Testament. It is like seeing the moon in the day time, you may be able to see it, butyou will not perceive it as the source of light, for the sun overwhelms it.

Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human applause, is painful to the humble and spiritual mind. Nothing is more

delightful to faithful ministers, or more to their praise, than the success of their ministry, as shown in the spirits and lives of thoseamong whom they labour. The law of Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad there. Nor was itwritten in tables of stone, as the law of God given to Moses, but on the fleshy (not fleshly, as fleshliness denotes sensuality) tablesof the heart, Eze 36:26. Their hearts were humbled and softened to receive this impression, by the new-creating power of the HolySpirit. He ascribes all the glory to God. And remember, as our whole dependence is upon the Lord, so the whole glory belongs tohim alone. The letter killeth: the letter of the law is the ministration of death; and if we rest only in the letter of the gospel, we shallnot be the better for so doing: but the Holy Spirit gives life spiritual, and life eternal. The Old Testament dispensation was theministration of death, but the New Testament of life. The law made known sin, and the wrath and curse of God; it showed us aGod above us, and a God against us; but the gospel makes known grace, and Emmanuel, God with us. Therein the righteousness ofGod by faith is revealed; and this shows us that the just shall live by his faith; this makes known the grace and mercy of Godthrough Jesus Christ, for obtaining the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The gospel so much exceeds the law in glory, that iteclipses the glory of the legal dispensation. But even the New Testament will be a killing letter, if shown as a mere system or form,and without dependence on God the Holy Spirit, to give it a quickening power. M.H.

II. The vail removed through the power and witness of the Holy Spirit (vs. 12-18)

12: Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:13: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end

of that which is abolished:14: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old

testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

Vs. 12-14 The characteristic of straight Bible preaching is plain talk. Because of the hope you have in Christ,and especially the hope you have as an able minister of the new testament (vs. 6) , you can talk straight


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and usegreat plainness of speech. Consider how careful you have to be when you tell a lie to make all ofyour stories line up. It is a wonderful thing to be a minister of God's truth and never worry about apassage that doesn't line up with your lies. There should be no place in all of scripture that you wouldfear to open up and teach to God's people; because you have nothing to hide. Think for a moment aboutall the places that a heretic would be afraid to teach: A Cambelite in 1 Cor 1:14? A JW in 1Tim 3:16? AMormon in 1st Jn 5:17? Not only can you teach or preach any passage in the whole Bible- you can andshould do it with as natural a manner as your daily conversation. Preach not withgreat swelling words(Jude 16) nor with wisdom of words (1st Cor 1:17), but withgreat plainness of speech.The reference is Ex. 34:33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. Moses would wearthe vail while talking to the people and take it off again when he went to talk with the Lord. The crossreference is messed with in the NIV where they make it appear that he would put the vail on after he hadfinished talking with the people. PHHHHHHHT!! They could not see through the vail to the end of thatwhich is abolished, that is the law. Did you get that? The LAW IS ABOLISHED. And many can't getthat for the same reason: their minds were blinded. As in 2nd Cor.4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blindedthe minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto

them. He says that the vail is still there, except in Christ. That is why lost heretics can't understand theO.T.We can look to the end: the end of the age, the end of sin, the end of the world, the end of Satan, our ownend, we're even commanded in Heb. 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you theword of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

15: But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.16: Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.Vs. 15-16 The blindness is true generally of all lost men but especially of the children of Israel. Here we

must consider two aspects: 1st the Nation and 2nd the individual within that nation.1. The Nation- Acts 28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and

seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyeshave they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should beconverted, and I should heal them. Isa. 6:10: Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes;lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Jn.12:40 Hehath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and beconverted, and I should heal them. Rom. 11:7,8 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the electionhath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that theyshould not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. Rom11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should

be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the

fulness of the Gentiles be come in.2. The individual- just like any lost Gentile, he needs to be born again - Ezk. 14:3-6: Son of man, these men

have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at allby them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that settethup his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORDwill answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart,

because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD;

Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. His leaders will leadhim astray, but he can and should turn back to God- only without guile or any room for the idols in hisheart. If he comes deceitfully the Lord will cause him to be deceived according to the abominations ofhis heart.

17: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.Vs. 17 This verse should be memorized by all Christians as it teaches the deity of the Holy Spirit. You can't be

saved without having the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit ofGod dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) The doctrine of the trinity requiresthat all three members of the Godhead are equally God. Often we think of liberty in the Lord having todo with His presence in a church service, where he relieves us of any oppression that may be there. Butthe context of the verse is the liberty from the bondage of the law, so that we're able to follow the Lordwithout being condemned by the law in mid-stride. Gal. 5:1-5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christhath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised,Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through theSpirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.


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18: But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image fromglory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Vs. 18 How do we with open face behold as in a glass? The cross reference isJas.1:22-25 But be ye doers ofthe word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto aman beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what mannerof man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a

doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. The Bible refers to itself as a glass or a mirror and shows aman what he is like on the inside. Once you look, you have only two options: correctit or ignore it.Problem is that too many Christians don't bother to look any more. Not only do you see what you're like, but you see the Lord. You get a better picture of Jesus Christ from the Bible than any where else onearth: better than the picture that creation paints, better than the image seen in the devoutest of His saints,better than the record of history, better than from visions and revelations. The more time you spend inthis book with his spirit, the more you will be conformed to his image. I saw a Candid Camera show onetime where they were filming people and their pets who had an obvious similarity. You know the fat guywith his bulldog and the society lady with her poodle and so on. It's funny, but it illustrates a truth: themore time you spend together, the more you grow alike. And you don't need to worry about looking likesome dog if you're being conformed to the image of the Son of God. You will be changed from theinside out to be like Jesus Christ; your character, your desires and ambitions, your sense of righteousness

and holiness, your empathy and concern for lost souls. Not only will your face shine, but so will yourheart. When people look at you can they tell you've been with the Lord in his word?Some things about the Bible as a mirror:1. A mirror does not lie2. You shouldstart each day with a look in the mirror3. You need lightto see in a mirror4. A broken mirror gives a false image5. A mirror is alive - always current6. It doesn't matter how many mirrors you have if you don't look in them7. Mirrors fascinate the heathen

Again, this is something that you can do; you dont need to be a Bible teacher, just a Bible student,after all thats all that any of us are. Just think about how a mirror and the Bible are alike (in theireffect, affect, use, reliability, etc.)

It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. The Old Testament believers had onlycloudy and passing glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the outward institution. But thegreat precepts of the gospel, (belief, love, obedience), are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christcrucified, is made as plain as human language can make it. Those who lived under the law, had a veil upon their hearts. This veilis taken away by the doctrines of the Bible about Christ. When any person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is takenaway. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is happy, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God'scommandments. They have light, and with open face they behold the glory of the Lord. Christians should prize and improve these

privileges. We should not rest contented without knowing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working of the Spirit,bringing us to seek to be like the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and into unionwith Him. We behold Christ, as in the glass of his word; and as the reflection from a mirror causes the face to shine, the faces ofChristians shine also. M.H.


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Theme: The Ministry of Suffering for Christ vs. 17: For our light affliction, which is but for amoment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

I. The apostles laboured with much diligence, sincerity, and faithfulness (vs. 1-7)

1: Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God

deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight ofGod.

Vs. 1,2 When you see a therefore in scripture you should always look to see what the therefore is therefor. We have this ministry, 3:6- the glorious ministry of the New Testament, and AS we have receivedmercy we faint not. Fainting is referred to 11 times in the N.T.; 4 in the gospels, 6 by Paul, and once inRev. Were encouraged NOT to faint, given reasons NOT to faint, and told of our reward if we faintNOT.

2Cor:4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;2Cor:4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Gal:6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Eph:3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.Heb:12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.Heb:12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the

Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Many of you have read Spurgeons lecture on The MinistersFainting Fits, where he gives about 11 reasons that ministers do faint, butto sum them up under one cause, we could say that we dont allow God tohave the mercy on us that he desires. And I speak as one most guilty. Thisfainting not is peculiarly connected with the new man, and as such the oldnature is not exempt. If you try to serve God in the power of your flesh youwill faint. This is a work that can only be accomplished in the spirit. Likethis is a job for Superman! Your flesh can no more do the work than a

corpse can. A man of God should be honest; honest in the work hes calledto do and honest in his life. Paul tells us in 1st Tim 3:7 Moreover he must have agood report of them which are

without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. He mentions renounced, not walking, not handling; asways of being the man you should be, the new man. The Pharisees were a crafty bunch, filled withguile: when the Lord asked them about Johns baptism, they wouldnt answer because they looked athow they guessed the people would react and how the Lord would react. Not a lot different than mostmen today, but you should be different.

Vs. 2 Modern corruptions: NIV nor do we distort the word of God, NASB or adulterating the word ofGod, LB we would never try to get anyone to believe that the Bible teaches what it doesnt.That is THEY STILL HANDLE IT DECEITFULLY. There are MANY ways to handle the word of Goddeceitfully, distorting, adulterating, and getting anyone to believe it teaches what it doesnt are only three

of them. They still parade their education around as superior to the book in the laps of their congregation.THE QUESTION IS AWAYS ONE OF FINAL AUTHORITY! And the issue in verse two is whether ornot they HANDLE THE WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY. They do. There are several ways of doingthis:

(a) Add to the text(b) Subtract from the text(c) Take the text out of context(d) Change the text

In each and every case the man replaces the authority of Scripture with another authority: his education,his school, his teacher, his church, his tradition, the originals, his lie.

1. They are men2. Unsound physically3. Spiritual attacks4. Solitary position5. Sedentary habits6. Great success7. Before achievement8. Through long labor9. Single crushing blow

10. Troubles multiply11. Unexplained evil


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The minister of the New Testament should make the truth manifest, that is seen; and in doing that youmust commend yourself to every mans conscience as Paul did. Paul was a great one for the conscience,and his conscience was a great factor in his own salvation: on the road to Damascus the Lord said it ishard for thee to kick against the pricks. The pricks of his conscience. CONSCIENCE: 31 times in the NewTestament, once by our Lord, three times by Peter, 27 times by Paul. When our nation was founded, the fathersbelieved that each man should worship the God of the Bible as his own conscience led him to. That waswhat men referred to as the separation of church and state. The thing about manifesting truth &commending yourselves to mens consciences is that you MUST be real. BE REAL. There is no room inthe ministry for play-acting or hypocrisy. The one thing that Preacher would want you to do as you serveGod is to be REAL.

3: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious

gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Vs. 3,4 The devil is a god and he blinds folk. When some one comes to Christ they have their sightrestored so that they can see Him. There are several things that the repentant sinner can see once his eyes areopened:

1. Their condition as a sinner2. Their need of a Savior3. The helplessness of Religion

4. The vanity of their Pride5. The Love of God6. The Invitation of Jesus Christ

The light of the glorious gospel of Christ is Christ. Hes the light of the world. You cant see with out light andyou cant see without Jesus Christ.Backing up a bit, to the god of this world; many champions of the faith dont know basic Bible truth because theyhave been taught to follow their teaching rather than the Bible. For instance, Satan is a god. 1st Cor.8:5 For thoughthere be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) and Jer. 10:11 Thus shall ye sayunto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

You see there is: one God and there are many gods,One Son of God and there are many sons of God,One Lord and there are many lords,

One devil and there are many devils, perhaps you get the idea. Satanhates mankind because were created in the image of God. To a degree we lost that image at the fall with Satanshelp, but we still retain somewhat of it for He said in Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed:for in the image of God made he man, showing that there is sufficiently remaining an image of God within fallen man tomake murder a capital crime. But as the verse goes on to show: Christ is the image of God. There is not muchcomment regarding that with the most commentators. This could also cause an orthodox Jew to accuse a Biblebelieving Christian of idolatry. I must confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is my idol. I want to be like Him, I wantto behave like Him, I want to think like Him, I want to be holy like Him, I want to win souls like Him, I want tobe compassionate like Him. Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of hisSon, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 1Cor. 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bearthe image of the heavenly.2Cor. 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory,even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Col:1:15: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: Col. 3:10 And have put

on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Heb. 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory,and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down

on the right hand of the Majesty on high; There are many more verse to show the wickedness of idolatry and imagery,but most bad things are a good thing twisted, and that Jesus is the image of God is nothing to be ashamed of.

5: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.6: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the

knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.


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Vs. 5-7 We preach Christ. Always preach Christ. He preaches best who preaches Christ! It is the Biblepattern: Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Acts:5:42 And dailyin the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts:17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ mustneeds have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 1Cor:1:23 But we preachChrist crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

Theres a story Doc used to tell to us: A preacher went into his pulpit one day and found there a note that readSir, we would see Jesus. After he had set to preaching Christ he found another note: Then were thedisciples glad when they had saw the Lord. Preach about Christ Person, His Deity, His humanity, His

sufferings, His glory, His compassion, His friends, His enemies, His offices, His hands, His feet, His thornpierced brow, His cross, His resurrection, His miracles, His temptations, His sermons, His disciples, His sheep,His mercy, His love. Preach about Jesus Christ and you will feed those who love him and those who dont willsee him lifted up that they might be drawn unto Him. Preach Christ and be a servant to those youd ministerto. Preacher was just telling us last night that if you would be of any use to God you must become a servant.The centurian in Matt. chapter 8 had a very good grasp of what being a servant is about, he said For I am a manunder authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my

servant, Do this, and he doeth it. You must youre your place in Gods program and work for the Master. ConsiderMt. 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant : To bear rule in the church you must be aservant. Not that you can say well Ive done that, now where is my office and name painted on the door, etc. Aservant is not one who submits to a singular task with the plan of being promoted so as not to have to soil hishands again once thats done with. Eph:6:6: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of

God from the heart; But one who cares for and tends to the flock, as a shepard cares for and tends to his sheep.Weve made comment about Jesus being the light of the world and in John chapter 1:7-9, and 8:12 last semesterwe saw that all light comes from Jesus Christ, so we will not spend time here in order to finish tonight.We have this treasure, Christ, in earthen vessel, our body. Col. 1:27 To whom God would make known what is theriches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Christ dwells in each believerthrough the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are treasure chests after a sort. Now, each vessel will somewhat filter thatwhich is in it, and that is why we must renounce the hidden things of dishonesty (vs1). The cleaner and clearera vessel is the more plainly its contents appear.

Example: red bottle, blue bottle, green bottle, clear bottle. Each has water in them. The clear one appears to havewater in it. The others may have Kool-aid or something else in them; its not apparent. I hope that you wantthe world to see Jesus Christ in you. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoicein Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phil. 3:3

The best of men would faint, if they did not receive mercy from God. And that mercy which has helpedus out, and helped us on, hitherto, we may rely upon to help us even to the end. The apostles had no base and wicked designs, covered with fair and specious pretences. They did not try to make theirministry serve a turn. Sincerity or uprightness will keep the favourable opinion of wise and good men.Christ by his gospel makes a glorious discovery to the minds of men. But the design of the devil is, tokeep men in ignorance; and when he cannot keep the light of the gospel of Christ out of the world, hespares no pains to keep men from the gospel, or to set them against it. The rejection of the gospel ishere traced to the wilful blindness and wickedness of the human heart. Self was not the matter or theend of the apostles' preaching; they preached Christ as Jesus, the Saviour and Deliverer, who saves tothe uttermost all that come to God through him. Ministers are servants to the souls of men; they mustavoid becoming servants to the humours or the lusts of men. It is pleasant to behold the sun in the

firmament; but it is more pleasant and profitable for the gospel to shine in the heart. As light was thebeginning of the first creation; so, in the new creation, the light of the Spirit is his first work upon thesoul. The treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The ministers of the gospel aresubject to the same passions and weaknesses as other men. God could have sent angels to make knownthe glorious doctrine of the gospel, or could have sent the most admired sons of men to teach thenations, but he chose humbler, weaker vessels, that his power might be more glorified in upholding

them, and in the blessed change wrought by their ministry. M.H.

II. Their sufferings for the gospel were great, yet with rich supports (vs. 8-12)


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8: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;9: Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;10: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest

in our body.

Vs. 8-10 Suffering in the flesh is one of the ways that God brings us close in the spirit. The comparison isbetween the old man and the new man, or the outer man and the inner man, as we know from 2 nd Cor 5:17 weare new creatures. We were just remarking on verse 7 that we have this earthen vessel; thats the troubled,perplexed, persecuted, cast down part of us and of Paul and his companions. The not distressed, not in despair,not forsaken, not destroyed part is the new creature in Christ Jesus. And the life of Jesus being made manifestin our body is the trouble we go through to grow closer to our Lord. Putting off the old man that the new manmight shine through.

11: For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be mademanifest in our mortal flesh.

12: So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

Vs. 11,12 The death that worketh is the death of our old man and the life is the life of Christ, the life of ournew man. Rom. 8:36,37 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless Ilive; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and

gave himself for me. The distinction between us and you in the text is made clear by understanding a pastors heart

toward his flock. The minister is concerned about his peoples health, growth, nourishment, cleanliness, life,and joy. So Paul speaks of death working in himself, but life working in his converts. Eventually some ofthese converts will grow in the Lord and mature, and as God is pleased to He will call some of them into theministry and then they will have death working in them. It is one of the paradoxes of the Christian life: weregiven eternal life, and that more abundantly, but we are told to reckon ourselves dead.

The apostles were great sufferers, yet they met with wonderful support. Believers may be forsaken oftheir friends, as well as persecuted by enemies; but their God will never leave them nor forsake them.There may be fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are not destroyed. The apostle speaks oftheir sufferings as a counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, that people might see the power of Christ'sresurrection, and of grace in and from the living Jesus. In comparison with them, other Christians were,even at that time, in prosperous circumstances. M.H.

III. Prospects of eternal glory keep believers from fainting under troubles (vs. 13-18)

13: We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we alsobelieve, and therefore speak;

14: Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.15: For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the

glory of God.Vs. 13-,15 We have the same spirit as our converts; we have the same spirit that David had. It is the Spirit of

God that gives us faith, that regenerates us, that seals us, that will one day raise us up as He did our Lord. The

Bible says (Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:8, Heb. 10:38) that the just shall live by faith, but the O.T. ref. is Hab:2:4: Behold,his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. The faith which we have is Gods faith, it isa gift like our salvation. The source of faith is the word of God. Thats how He administers faith, through hisword. The reference is Ps.116:10, and its a good rule for every minister to believe and to speak. Dont justspeak; speak that which you believe from the word of God.Vs. 14 is a great promise for the soul winner, you will have your converts presented with you, and this will befurther apparent as we look at the Judgment Seat of Christ next week in ch. 5.Now, he explains that all these things which have happened to him and his fellow laborers have happened forthe good of the Corinthian converts. As that applies to us, some times well go through trouble for the sake ofthose whom we have won or are discipling. I dont understand it exactly, but the suffering of some Christians


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is an encouragement and a help to others. I believe that these sufferings should be endured in the right spiritand attitude without murmuring and complaining. When you reckon yourself dead unto sin it nurtures spirituallife in other Christians. And when this happens God gets the thanksgiving and the glory.

16: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.17: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of

glory;18: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are

seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.Vs. 16-18 We have come full circle, and once again Paul says that we faint not, but this time he explains

something that he left out the first time; the way that out outward and inward man reacts to this suffering.Rom:8:18: For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in

us. This life is so short but it seems so long. The trials are so light but they seem so heavy. The issues are sovain but they seem so important. Once you are able to discern between the eternal and the temporal it will helpyou to endure the sufferings that the Lord calls you to with the right spirit and be able to glorify your God andSavior in the midst of tribulation. Thats what every one that turned you down when you tried to witness tothem is looking for. They want some one to show them how to be happy and full of joy in ANY situation.Look at the Hollywood crowd; theyre rich, popular, beautiful, important, AND MISRABLE. Theyve got itall as the world would say, and they cant stand it. They want what every one wants: something that satisfies.They just dont know that it is Jesus they want, and they wont know until some child of God makes it manifest

to them through their suffering without complaining. Like Nebuchadnezzar wanted to be satisfied, and hethought that hed find it in himself. So he made the golden image and commanded everyone to worship hisimage. But there were three Hebrew children that said NO WAY! Our God is able to deliver us, and even ifHe doesnt we wont bow down to your image. Well, they were put to the test, and it was a lot more real tothem than we want to believe (Daniel hadnt been written yet!). They went into that fire not knowing that Godwould protect them until they were inside the flaming furnace. We are so often disappointed that God doesntdeliver us when and how we think He should, but he delivers for HIS glory not ours. And when the king sawfour men in the fire and the 4 th was like the Son of God, he changed his proclamation that all people in the landshould worship the true God. How much more glorious than if God had done as the boys expected Him to.

The grace of faith is an effectual remedy against fainting in times of trouble. They knew that Christ was

raised, and that his resurrection was an earnest and assurance of theirs. The hope of this resurrectionwill encourage in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death. Also, their sufferings were for theadvantage of the church, and to God's glory. The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching and conversation, are for the good of the church and the glory of God. The prospect ofeternal life and happiness was their support and comfort. What sense was ready to pronounce heavyand long, grievous and tedious, faith perceived to be light and short, and but for a moment. The weightof all temporal afflictions was lightness itself, while the glory to come was a substance, weighty, andlasting beyond description. If the apostle could call his heavy and long-continued trials light, and butfor a moment, what must our trifling difficulties be! Faith enables to make this right judgment ofthings. There are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. And there is this vast differencebetween them; unseen things are eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary only. Let us then lookoff from the things which are seen; let us cease to seek for worldly advantages, or to fear present

distresses. Let us give diligence to make our future happiness sure. M.H.


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II Corinthians chapter 5The Prospect of Death and What It Means for the Christian5:8,9 We are confident, I say, andwilling rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that,

whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

I. The apostle's hope and desire of heavenly glory (vs. 1-8) This excited to diligence.

1: For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house notmade with hands, eternal in the heavens.

Vs. 1 There are some things that we know, and this is (should be) one of them:(1) J n:10:4: And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow h

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