GLORY, GRIT & GRACE · between the apostle Paul and the Corinthian church. In fact, 2 Corinthians...

GLORY, GRIT & GRACE2 Corinthians

TERM 3 & 4 PRAYER NIGHTS22 August 14 November

INTRODUCTION

STUDY ONE Suffering and Comfort – 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

STUDY TWO Godly Sincerity – 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11

STUDY THREE Up to the Task? – 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6

STUDY FOUR Why be Bold – 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

STUDY FIVE Why Not Lose Heart – 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

STUDY SIX Always Confident – 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

STUDY SEVEN Christ’s Ambassadors – 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

STUDY EIGHT Open to Whom? – 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1

STUDY NINE Encouraging Signs – 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

STUDY TEN Generous Fellowship – 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:5

STUDY ELEVEN Sowing Righteousness – 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

STUDY TWELVE Godly Assertiveness – 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

STUDY THIRTEEN Godly Jealousy – 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

STUDY FOURTEEN Godly Boasting – 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:13

STUDY FIFTEEN Godly Warning – 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14

Contents

The letter of 2 Corinthians reveals a troubled relationship between the apostle Paul and the Corinthian church. In fact, 2 Corinthians is at least the fourth letter that Paul has written to Corinth (and he had visited there at least twice). The first letter, which is not preserved in the Bible, apparently contained some instruction on the moral purity of the church (1 Corinthians 5:9). The second letter, called 1 Corinthians, addressed many important issues including an underlying triumphalist winners’ culture in the church. The third letter, again not preserved, was a painful letter in which Paul apparently confronted disobedience within the church (2 Corinthians 2:3, 4, 9, 7:12). Paul’s fourth letter to Corinth, called 2 Corinthians, is a very personal letter in which Paul explains and defends his ministry to the Corinthians.

In his opening to 2 Corinthians, Paul explains how his suffering qualifies him (rather than disqualifies him) for gospel ministry (2 Corinthians 1:1-11). He then defends the integrity of his ministry and the choices that he has made in managing his relationship with the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 1:12-3:6). Paul places his ministry in the context of the glory of the new covenant, which enables him to persevere through hardships (2 Corinthians 3:7-5:10). On that basis, Paul appeals to the Corinthians to open their hearts to him and to God, and expresses confidence in them based on positive reports (2 Corinthians 5:11-7:16). Paul calls upon the Corinthian church to take their part in contributing to the collection for the impoverished church in Judea, employing a combination of shrewd persuasion and biblical exhortation (2 Corinthians 8:1-9:14). Finally, Paul places himself alongside the glamorous so-called ‘super-

Introduction

apostles’, to whom the Corinthians were so attracted, and calls upon the Corinthians to compare his credentials, motives and integrity with theirs. Their restoration in the gospel was at stake (2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14).

2 Corinthians highlights the glory, grit and grace of Christian ministry. True Christian ministry is not glamorous but it is glorious. It requires grit in painful relationships and difficult circumstances. It involves grace, constantly received from God in weakness and then given to others, even difficult people!

This letter not only provides encouragement and instruction to Christians involved in ministry. It also shows us the kind of ministry that we should value and the kind of church that we should aspire to be. There is a danger in looking for the wrong kind of glory in the wrong kind of places – we can end up losing Jesus himself. True glory (God’s glory) is seen in the face of Christ and displayed when his people channel his grace to others.

Corinth was a large, dazzling, cosmopolitan city with a success-culture. It was a wealthy centre of commerce and a powerful political hub in the Roman Empire. Impressiveness, status and personal honours were highly valued. It is not surprising that a self-effacing ministry like Paul’s struggled to gain acceptance there. Nor that a humbling gospel faced constant subtle challenges from the prevailing culture. In our context, we should relate to these struggles as we study the letter of 2 Corinthians.

MACEDONIA

ACHAIA

AGEAN SEA

Philippi

Thessalonica

CorinthAthens

Map Places mentioned in 2 Corinthians

ASIA

Troas

Ephesus

Suffering and Comfort Study One | 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Read 2 Corinthians 1:1-111. The usual formula for a letter in Paul’s day was: Sender to

reader, greeting. How this formula was filled out gives a foretaste of the writer’s main concerns. (a) How does Paul fill out the formula (vv.1-2)? (b) What does it indicate were his main concerns?

2. After the greeting, Paul usually begins his letters by giving thanks to God for some positive attribute in the recipient (see, e.g., Rom 1:8, Phil 1:3-5, 1 Thess 1:2-3, Col 1:3-4). The fact that there is no such thanksgiving here hints already that Paul is not entirely satisfied with the recent reports he had received from the church at Corinth. Instead, Paul praises God for the comfort/encouragement God has given him and his companions. (a) What does Paul say is the purpose of this comfort (v.4)? (b) In what sense might Paul and his companions “share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ” (v.5 NIV)? (c) In what way will the Corinthians benefit from both the distress and the comfort of Paul and his companions (v.6)? (Hint – see the flow of logic in vv.3-4) (d) Have a look at 2 Corinthians 7:5-7. What does this tell us about (at least one of) the means God used to comfort Paul in his hardship? (N.b. Paul is writing this letter from Macedonia)

3. In vv.8-11, Paul gives slightly more detail to the troubles/afflictions he had been facing (verse 8 begins with “For” – i.e. it explains what he was just writing about, though this is not translated in the NIV).

(a) Look again the phrases Paul uses to describe these troubles (vv8-10). How would you summarise what he experienced, in 1-2 words? (b) It is probable that the suffering Paul refers to happened while he was at Ephesus (the major city of the provice of Asia). Read Acts 19:23-20:1. What does this passage tell us about the kind of persecution Paul faced there? (c) Why does Paul say these hardships took place (vv.9-10)?

4. The kind of suffering Paul writes about in this passage is suffering for being a Christian (this is what he means by sharing “in the sufferings of Christ”, v.5) (a) From the passage, how can we support Christians who suffer in this way? (b) What tangible things would you like to start doing to support Christians who suffer in this way? (c) What has been your experience of suffering in this way? Have you ever seen suffering that leads to the encouragement of others? (d) Paul tells the Corinthians that God comforts those who suffer, and that this comfort produces patient endurance. In doing so, he probably intends to embolden them to stand up for Jesus. Does this knowledge embolden you to stand up for Jesus? Why/Why not?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our mission partner Karen, serving the Lord in Dubai among Japanese expats.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4

1. Paul speaks of boasting in vv.12-14 (a) What is it that Paul boasts in? (b) Is it wrong for Paul to boast in this way? Why/why not?

2. What might it look like to conduct oneself according to ‘worldly wisdom’ rather than ‘God’s grace’? (e.g. 2:17; 4:1-3)

3. From where he was ministering in Ephesus, Paul had initially planned to visit the Corinthians twice – once on his way to Macedonia, and once on the way back (1:15-16). Instead, he ended up travelling through Troas to Macedonia (2:12-13). Have a look at the map in your booklets to get an idea of these routes.

Paul then defends his change of plans against accusations they were made for trivial reasons and demonstrated a lack of integrity on his part (1:15-2:4). As we shall see, such accusations could not be further from the truth!

4. Paul appeals to the God’s faithfulness and work to defend his message and character (vv.18-22) (a) What promises has God made that have find their ‘Yes’ in Christ? (b) How do you think Paul links this message to his own integrity? (c) Why does Paul’s connect his capacity to stand firm to the giving of the Spirit?

Paul speaks of a previous ‘painful visit’ (2:1). We are not given exact details, but it appears that Paul came under personal

Godly Sincerity Study Two | 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11

attack during the visit. A ‘severe letter’ (2:3) followed, urging church discipline (2:9) and repentance (7:8-9) from the wrongdoers.

5. Why did Paul change his travel plans?

6. How do Paul’s actions reflect his deep commitment and ‘depth of love’ (2:4) for the Corinthian church? (7:8-12 displays the outcome of the ‘severe letter’)

Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Paul instructs the Corinthian church on how to proceed in reinstating a member who had received formal discipline for their sin. Some have suggested it is the sexually immoral man who was with his father’s wife from 1 Corinthians 5:1-8. While possible, this seems unlikely. Since the offense appears to be against Paul himself, it is probably someone who was directly connected to the ‘painful visit’.

7. How does Paul instruct the guilty party to be treated by the church?

8. What does Paul see as the ultimate goal of church discipline?

9. How would you characterise Paul’s attitude and conduct through these passages?

10. At times we will deal with painful situations amongst believers where there has been sin and conflict. How might Paul’s example – his goals, attitude and framework – guide us to act with godliness in such situations?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our mission partners Kate & Bijaya, serving the Lord in Nepal.

Read 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6

1. Last week, we saw that the route of Paul’s travels had been the cause of criticism from some in the church at Corinth. They had accused Paul of fickleness, for changing his mind after saying he would visit. Paul had previously said he would travel from Ephesus to Macedonia via Corinth (1:15-16), but then he “made up [his] mind that [he] would not make another painful visit” (2:1). As 2:12-13 shows, Paul instead travelled first to Macedonia via Troas. (a) On the map in your booklet, refamiliarise yourself with both Paul’s original itinerary, and the route he actually took. (b) What other reason does Paul give here for travelling via Troas? (c) Paul says he lacked peace of mind in Troas “because I did not find my brother Titus there”. Paul had hoped to hear news from Titus about how the Corinthians had received the “severe letter” (cf. 7:5-7, 13-15). Given Paul’s commitment to evangelism, what do these verses show us about the extent of his concern for the Corinthians?

2. In 2:14-16, Paul uses two images to describe his and his companions’ ministry: a victorious military procession, and a wafting aroma. Whether they are triumphant soldiers or captives of war in the procession is debated among scholars and Bible translators (e.g. NIV1984/ESV say the former; NIV2011 says the latter). The procession and aroma images are possibly linked, since incense was used in Roman military processions (though it is also likely that Paul is referring to the “pleasing aroma” of a sacrifice to God e.g. Lev 8:21, 28). (a) How does the image of an aroma capture the nature of Paul’s evangelistic ministry? (b) In what way is the nature of evangelism similar or different for us today?

Up to the Task? Study Three | 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6

3. In verse 16 Paul asks “who is equal to such a task?”, meaning the life-and-death task of evangelism. The implied answer to this is “no-one” (see 3:5). However, it seems there are some travelling preachers who have gained influence at Corinth who do think their own abilities prove them worthy for the task of preaching. They are those who “peddle the word of God for a profit” (v.17). These peddlers also carried with them letters of recommendation (3:1) – references to convince the Corinthians to give them an audience. We will meet these travelling preachers at a number of points in the letter, but especially in chapters 10-13. (a) List the ways that Paul’s ministry differ from the peddlers’ ministry (from 2:17-3:6)? (b) What does it mean that the Corinthians are Paul’s letter? (c) By what criteria do people often judge ministries today? How does that contrast with the qualities shown in Paul’s ministry?

4. Paul’s comparison of “tablets of stone” with “tablets of fleshly hearts” in 3:3 is a reference to the difference between the old and new covenants (the 10 Commandments were written on stone tablets, Exod 3:18). In the next section of the letter (3:7-18), Paul will go on to write about the superiority of the new covenant. In what ways is the new covenant different and/or superior to the old, in 3:3-6?

5. What dangers can we fall into when we forget that “our competence comes from God” (3:5): (a) In our own ministry? (b) As a recipient of the ministry of others?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our partner organisation, Moore College.

1. How would you describe your experience of communion with God?

Paul has claimed that the evidence for his ministry’s authenticity was spiritual. His competence came from God because, in the new covenant, “the Spirit gives life” (3:6). That is where Paul’s confidence came from. In 3:7-18, Paul underlines the significance and wonder of the ministry that he has been given by contrasting it with old covenant ministry.

Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-11.

2. In what sense did old covenant ministry “bring death”? In what sense was it glorious?

3. Why is new covenant ministry far more glorious than old covenant ministry?

4. What warning is there here for Christians who might take on elements of old covenant law, thus trying to mix old covenant ideas with Christ? (e.g. taking on OT food laws; seeing church buildings as temple-like spaces; seeing Christian ministers as priest-like mediators)

In the Greco-Roman world, “glory” referred to a person’s reputation and would have been highly prized in an impressive place like Corinth. In a Jewish context, “glory” was associated with the presence of the LORD and is described almost as a physical substance that filled places with brightness, such as the tabernacle in Exodus 40:34-38. It could also mean God’s honour and displays of his character. For example, he refused to yield his “glory” to idols (Isaiah 42:8). Moses’s spectacular experience of God’s glory on Mt. Sinai involved both the LORD’s presence and his character (Exodus 33:18-20, 34:4-7). Paul argues that glory is now found in a different way.

5. Why might it be hard for us to see the glory in gospel ministry?

Why be Bold Study Four | 2 Corinthians 3:7-18


This paragraph spells out the implications of the previous paragraph (“Therefore…”). It draws on Exodus 34:29-35. Moses had to veil his face but Paul could be “very bold” (i.e. open/public). In v13 Paul states that Moses veiled his face to prevent the Israelites from looking intently at “the end [i.e. goal] of what was passing away” (NIV). They were not ready for the glories of a direct relationship with God in his presence.

6. What do you think made the “minds” of the Israelites “dull” (hard/stubborn) to the goal of God’s glorious presence?

7. How does God take away the veil in Christ?

8. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the removal of the veil when a person turns to the Lord?

9. How important is it to acknowledge that “the Lord is the Spirit”?

10. In the context, what is the “freedom” that the Spirit brings?

11. What is the goal toward which the gospel is bringing us according to v18? How is this being achieved?

12. What should this mean experientially for the Christian?

13. If this “comes from the Lord who is the Spirit”, what should we do about residual dullness that gets in the way of this experience?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our mission partners Graham and Wendy Toulmin, serving the Lord in DR Congo at the dental training school.

1. What has your experience of sharing the gospel been like?


2. What aspects of chapter 3 is Paul referring to in 4:1?

3. How does this lead to open, transparent ministry practices (vv2-3) and perseverance in gospel- ministry (v1)?

4. To what does Paul attribute the veiling of the gospel in some people?

5. For the veil to be removed, what is required from: (a) the preacher (v5)? (b) God (v6)?

6. What is the nature of conversion process according to v6? How do you relate to this in your experience?


7. What experience is needed for the gospel messenger in order for life to be at work in their hearers according to vv7-12?

8. What should this look like in our context, particularly in contrast to triumphalist ministries?

Why not Lose Heart Study Five | 2 Corinthians 4:1-18


9. Read Psalm 116:10 in context. In what ways does Paul relate to that Psalm?

10. What is the ultimate hope that drives Paul’s ministry to the Corinthians?

11. In the context, what is (a) the inner renewal, v16, and (b) the eternal glory, v17, that Paul mentions?

12. What are the “seen” and “temporary” things that might distract you from the “unseen” and “eternal” things that motivate Christian service?

13. How does this passage help you not to “lose heart” (v1, v16) in serving Christ and the gospel? What difference is it going to make to you?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our mission partner Bishop Isesomo, serving the Lord as a Bishop in Democratic Republic of Congo.

1. What different ideas have you heard about what happens when we die (both inside and outside Christian circles)?


2. Paul contrasts the “earthly tent” with the “heavenly dwelling” (vv.1-4). (a) What reality do these two pictures refer to? (b) What are the differences between them?

3. It has been a popular idea in Christian culture that for believers, life after death involves an eternal disembodied (spirit-only) state in heaven. What does this passage say to that idea?

It is important to note that while this passage is open about whether believers receive our resurrection bodies in death (i.e. in heaven now), or at Christ’s return, other passages are clearer. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he writes that it’s at the return of Christ that we receive new bodies (1 Cor 15:23, 42-44). In the meantime, physical death now means that a believer is “with Christ” (Phil 1:20-24), presumably in a non-bodily sense.

4. Paul twice says he “groans” in longing for his heavenly dwelling. (a) What, do you think, might be the cause of this? (b) Do you identify with Paul here? Why/Why not?

Always Confident Study Six | 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

5. Verses 6 and 7 both speak of Paul’s confidence. (a) From vv.5, what is this confidence grounded in? (b) Why might this confidence mean that Paul and his companions “make it our goal to please” the Lord?

6. Verse 10 speaks of Christ’s future judgment. While is is true that every human will one day face judgment, the context makes it likely that “we all” here refers to all believers. This judgment of believers is not about justification or condemnation (our justification is secure in Christ, Rom 8:1). Rather, it is an evaluation of our works leading to commendation being given or withheld (to explore this further, see 1 Cor 3:10-15, 4:1-5; Mtt 25:14-30). (a) How is this truth another motivation for Paul “to please him”? (b) How aware are you of this truth? Does it motivate you to change anything in your life and ministry?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our mission partners Michael and Jo Charles, serving the Lord in Chile at the Anglican Bible College. (Currently on leave in Australia.)

1. How might you start seeing others in a different light when you become a Christian?


2. What motivates Paul’s ministry according to this paragraph?

3. Why must gospel ministry be a matter of the heart and not just the face?

4. In what sense must a person “die” in order to truly serve Christ (vv14-15) and why might such people be difficult for others to “take pride in”?

5. What does it mean in practice to be “compelled” (“controlled”/“constrained”) by the love of Christ?


6. What might regarding someone (including Christ) “according to the flesh” look like? How should this change when one becomes a Christian?

7. V17a literally says, “so that if someone is in Christ, a new creation.” Some English translations supply, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”, but others “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come”. Both are possible and both describe the alternative to seeing people “according to the flesh” (v16). What is the nature of the new creation as it has begun already (a) in a believer’s life, and (b) at universal level?

Christ’s Ambassadors Study Seven | 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2

8. How does the new creation change a person’s worldview?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2.

9. How do these verses put our ministry in the context of God’s grand plan?

10. In what way should this (a) humble us, (b) encourage us and (c) transform us in our service of Christ?

11. What does being reconciled to God involve according to v21?

12. Paul calls upon the Corinthians to be reconciled to God although elsewhere in the letter he speaks about them as Christians. He also assume that they have received the grace of God but urges them not to receive it “in vain”. In what kind of situation might Christians need such encouragement?

13. What reasons are we given in this passage to care about gospel ministry?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our mission partners Matt & Donna who work in Bible Translation in India. (Currently on leave in Australia)

1. How have previous passages in 2 Corinthians informed us of the kind of ministry that should be seen as “commendable”?


2. Can you see any natural breakdown of Paul’s list in vv4-10?

3. What descriptions wo uld you use of Paul’s ministry experience based on these verses?

4. Are there any elements that you can relate to?

5. Why was it important that the Corinthians opened their hearts to Paul?

Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1.

6. What does it mean to be “yoked together” and where might such a situation lead?

7. From what you know of the situation in Corinth, might Paul be warning his original readers about here (bearing in mind his appeal in vv11-13)?

Open to Whom? Study Eight | 2 Corinthians 6:3-7:1

8. In what kind of scenarios might the same warning apply to us?

9. How do each of the Old Testament quotes in vv16-18 emphasise the gulf between believers and unbelievers?

10. Why might we need to be reminded of this gulf?

11. What does “purifying ourselves” and “perfecting holiness” (7:1) look like in relationships with unbelievers?

12. Who are the biggest influences in your life at present (people you know personally or just listen to and admire)? Is their influence in your life proportional to their biblical commendableness?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our mission partner Conor Clarke, who works for SWISH, teaching and coordinating scripture in local schools.

In the previous chapter, Paul described the Corinthians as “withholding” their affection from Paul and his companions (6:12), and appealed to the Corinthians to “open wide [their] hearts” (6:13). Having urged them to separate themselves from the influence of unbelievers (6:14-7:1), Paul begins today’s passage by again appealing for the Corinthians’ affection: “Make room for us in your hearts.” The rest of chapter 7 is then Paul’s attempt to help the Corinthians realise why it would be right to do so.


1. What accusations seem to be have been made against Paul (v.2)? (These are probably the cause of their affections being withheld.)

2. What evidence does Paul give of his love for the Corinthians? Work carefully through the whole passage together.

3. What indications are there that the Corinthians, despite withholding their affection, are actually earnestly loyal to Paul? Work carefully through the whole passage together.

Encouraging Signs Study Nine | 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

After 2-3 years of preaching and teaching in Ephesus, Paul “came into Macedonia” (v.5) via Troas (2:12-13) (see the map in the front of your booklet). At some point after leaving Ephesus, Paul dispatched his trusted co-worker, Titus, to Corinth, with a “severe letter”. In Troas, and then in Macedonia, Paul had anxiously waited for Titus’s return, to hear news of how the Corinthians had responded to the letter. This happened with “the coming of Titus” (v.6).The letter confronted disobedience within the church, urging the Corinthians to discipline one man in particular (2:5-11). It is probable that this man had opposed the leadership and ministry of Paul during his “painful visit” (2:1).

4. What is the difference between “godly sorrow” and “worldly sorrow”? If appropriate, describe your own experience of “godly sorrow”?

5. “A relationship of genuine love will necessarily involve moments of pain” (a) To what extent do you agree with this statement? (b) How does this passage illustrate the truth of this statement? (c) Where have you seen this truth at work in your own life? (d) How open are you to church leaders, in love, acting in discipline, as Paul did with the “severe letter”? (e) How ready and willing are you, in your positions of leadership (in ministry, as parents, in the workplace), to take such disciplinary action?

6. Do you have affection for those in Christian leadership positions over you? Why/why not?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our partner organisation, Bush Church Aid.

For several years in the mid-50s, Paul embarked upon the collection of “a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem” (Rom 15:26). This collection was taken from the mainly-gentile churches of Asia (Turkey), Macedonia and Achaia (Greece), as Paul travelled through these regions on his third missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:16) (see the map in your booklet).

Paul had previously written to the Corinthians about this collection (1 Cor 16:1-4). In 2 Corinthians, chapters 8-9 are devoted to urging them to give generously, as well as conveying the logistics of the plan.

1. Paul begins chapter 8 by writing about the generosity of the Macedonian churches (the province to the north of Achaia, which included Thessalonica and Philippi). (a) How does Paul describe their generosity? (8:2-4) (b) Why would Paul want the Corinthians to know about the Macedonians, according to 8:7-8?

2. How does Paul use the incarnation and death of Christ to motivate the Corinthians to give? (8:9)

3. How else does Paul motivate them, in 8:10-12?

4. What is the end goal for the collection, according to 8:13-15? In what way is this principle applicable to us today?

Generous Fellowship Study Ten | 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:5

5. In 8:16-24, Paul lays out some of the logistics of the plan. Three men (at least) will be coming to Corinth to complete the collection: Titus, “the brother who is praised by all the churches” (8:18), and the brother who “is zealous” (8:22). (a) What does Paul tell us about each of these men? (b) Why is it important for the Corinthians to know these things? (8:20-21)

6. Why does Paul think “there is no need for me to write to you about this service”, according to 9:2?

7. Why would it be bad for the Corinthians to be unprepared, according to 9:3-5?

8. How is this passage not a big guilt trip by Paul? (Make sure you refer to the passage in your answer!)

9. The collection was bigger than just providing financial aid. It was also a powerful symbol of fellowship between churches – especially churches of different ethnicities. (a) What avenues are open to us as a church today, to financially express such fellowship? (b) What role could you play in this?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our partner organisation, Compassion.

1. How do you feel about it when your church asks you to give more money?

2. Why do you think that people are so suspicious of churches when it comes to money?

3. From 2 Corinthians 8-9, in what circumstances was Paul writing to the Corinthians on the subject of financial giving? (see also Rom 15:25-28)


4. What is the principle that Paul is stating in v6?

5. How might it be helpful for a Christian to think of their financial giving as sowing?

6. What is God looking for in us as we give our money away? (See v7) What factors should a person take into account as we “make up our minds” how we will give? (See 8:8-10)

7. What are some wrong motives for Christian giving (resulting in giving “reluctantly or under compulsion”, v7)?

8. What is the promise in vv8-11 for the person who gives with true generosity?

Sowing Righteousness Study Eleven | 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

9. Have you ever experienced something of this promise?

10. What stops you from giving more money away?

11. How does our financial giving impact others according to vv11-15? (And on the flipside, what message is sent by stinginess on the part of Christians?)

12. What criteria should a Christian use to decide which causes to support financially?

13. How can you promote greater generosity in (a) yourself, and (b) your Christian brothers and sisters? What are you going to do about this immediately?

14. How could you set up your life and finances differently to free more money for giving?

15. How can you ensure you follow through on your intentions and train your heart to love giving?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our partner organisation, Anglicare.

In chapters 10-13, the tone of the letter changes somewhat. Paul writes with a new firmness and urgency. While Titus had earlier arrived with good news about how the Corinthians had responded to the “severe letter,” it seems that the church was still at risk of turning away from Paul’s authority. As becomes increasingly clear, a group of showy travelling preachers have intruded into the church, and begun gaining influence (Paul later ironically labels them “super apostles” 11:5, 12:11). Paul directs much of chapters 10-13 against these intruders.


1. The intruders had spread the idea that Paul and his companions lived “by the standards of this world” (v.2 NIV). Essentially, they were saying Paul’s ministry lacked any supernatural or spiritual power. (a) In what sense are they partly right, according to v.3? (b) In what sense are they mainly wrong, according to vv.3-4?

2. Read Ephesians 6:10-20. (a) What insight does this passage give us about the kinds of other-worldly weapons Paul refers to in verse 4? (b) In what sense to you conceive of your life as a Christian today as spiritual warfare? Should you? Why/why not?


3. The intruders had also accused Paul of lacking presence and being contemptible as a speaker (v.10, see also v.1 where he is called “timid”). Clearly, they were themselves were

Godly Assertiveness Study Twelve | 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

skillful and showy speakers: rhetoric was highly valued in the ancient Greco-Roman world – especially in a brash, cosmopolitan centre like Corinth. (a) Read 1 Cor 2:1-5. What does this show us about why Paul chose to speak the way he did? (b) By going along with the intruders’ assessment of Paul, Paul says the Corinthians are “judging by appearances” (v.7). In what ways can this kind of outward comparison of leaders occur in churches today? How can we avoid it?

4. A number of times in this passage, Paul writes that he will likely need to be “bold” towards the intruders (v.2, 11). In v.6, continuing the spiritual warfare imagery, he also writes that once the Corinthians’ obedience to God is complete, he will be ready to punish (or take vengeance against) the intruders’ disobedience. (a) What does Paul’s boldness show us about the seriousness of the situation at Corinth? (b) In what situations could you imagine a church leader legitimately acting with such boldness today?


5. Paul’s God-given mission is made extremely clear throughout the New Testament. As the “apostle to the gentiles” (Gal 2:8, Rom 11:13, Acts 9:15), he had been commissioned by God to preach the gospel in gentile regions – especially in places “where Christ was not known” (Rom 15:20).

(a) In what way did the Corinthians fit into this “sphere of service” (v.13 NIV)? (b) What is Paul’s hope/strategy for his ministry in Corinth, according to vv.15-16? (c) How had the intruders interfered with the God-given sphere of service, and Paul’s gospel-growth strategy? (d) Paul was not generally opposed to other people ministering in churches he had planted. For example, Apollos had already done so at Corinth (Acts 18:27, 1 Co 3:5-6), as had Priscilla and Aquila at Ephesus (Acts 18). What, then, was the difference with the ministry of the intruders at Corinth?

6. Paul speaks of “boasting in the Lord” (v.15) and the Lord commending gospel ministers (v.18). This contrasts with the intruders, who “commend themselves” (v.12). (a) What do these phrases mean? (b) In what ways might we carry out our ministry so that it is the Lord we boast in, and who commends us, rather than ourselves?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.

1. How can you tell the difference between authentic gospel ministry and fake gospel ministry?

In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul defended his right to assert his ministry in the Corinthian church against those who wanted to ignore him in favour of other, more ‘showy’, influences. In 2 Corinthians 11:1-15, he gives a strong defence of his approach and warns against those so-called ‘super-apostles’.


2. Why do you think Paul allows himself to be dragged into “a little foolishness”?

3. What was at stake, according to vv2-4?


4. What seem to have been the main criticisms levelled at Paul in comparison to the super-apostles and how does he defend them?

5. What principles had Paul been employing in his ministry to the Corinthians?

6. How should these principles translate into our context?

Godly Jealousy Study Thirteen | 2 Corinthians 11:1-15


7. On what basis do you think Paul goes further than seeing his opponents as misguided Christians to seeing them as servants of Satan?

8. How do these verses serve as a warning to us?

9. What do you see as the important areas (if any) in which today’s church lacks discernment?

10. How might a Christian increase their discernment without becoming judgmental and petty?

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.Pray also for our partner organisation, Langham Partnership.

1. What things are considered worthwhile boasting about in our world?

11:16-12:13 comes in the midst of Paul contending with the newly arrived ‘super-apostles’ Paul saw them as extremely dangerous, because they sought that to turn the Corinthian church away from the gospel itself (2 Cor 11:13-15). Their attempts to undermine Paul in the eyes of the Corinthians was a means to this end.


2. Why is it that Paul resolves to boast like a ‘fool’ to convince the Corinthians?

3. What is Paul suggesting about the so called ‘Super Apostles‘ in vv.19-21?


Paul delivers what is called the ‘fool’s speech’ (11:21-12:10), which appears to parody the way the Super-apostles would assert authority. Paul has already noted that the super apostles are those that like to bignote and compare themselves to (10:12-13). This is what they were trying to do to Paul. It appears they boasted of their Jewish heritage (11:12), accomplishments, persuasive words, and visions and revelations (12:1-4). It is on these ground they base their authority. It is also likely that they dismissed Paul as a ‘fool’ (literally ‘unwise’) because of his suffering, humiliation and misfortune.So Paul employs their foolish tactic of of ‘boasting’ uses it to highlight the authenticity of his apostleship.

4. What specific things does Paul ‘boast’ in?

5. What ties together Paul’s ‘boasts’?

6. How would Paul’s boasts contrast him to the super-apostles?

7. How does Paul’s attitude and conduct in (11:28-29) towards the churches compare with that of the false apostles (11:.19-21)?

Godly Boasting Study Fourteen | 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:13

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study.

‘Paul says nothing here about results, about the numbers of his converts; he counts only the sufferings incurred in missionary labor to prove the reality of his calling’.


Paul relays two incidents to hammer home his point. The first is a visionary experience where Paul (v.7) caught up in paradise (12:1-6). The second is an affliction that is given to Paul which he prays about (12:7-10). Whether physical or relational it is unknown as to the exact nature of the ‘thorn in the flesh’ but that information isn’t necessary to understand Paul’s point.

8. Which of the two experiences does Paul see as the greater one? Why?

9. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” It has been said that the Lord’s reply to Paul (v.9) can be seen not only as the ‘climax’ of the section but, the entire letter of 2 Corinthians! What do you think the reply to Paul means?

10. Why is it that Christ’s power is found in weakness? (some examples: 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 and 2 Cor:13:3-4)

11. What should the Lord’s answer tell us about the nature of prayer?

12. Do you think we tend to think the way Paul does about our weaknesses and afflictions?

13. How might Pauls’ words challenge us to think about what matters in our Christian walk? Are there areas of ‘weakness’ that God is using to bring us to a greater trust in him?

In 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:14, Paul again played the fool and met the boasting of the super-apostles with some boasting of his own. But he boasted in his weakness rather than his strength because he knew that only when we are weak do we experience Christ’s power. In 2 Corinthians 12:15-13:14, Paul makes his final appeal for the Corinthians to be restored to him (and, therefore, to Christ). His upcoming visit would be a decisive moment and he urges them to be ready to reciprocate his love for them as part of their restoration in Christ.


1. Why did Paul refuse to “be a burden” to the Corinthians (i.e. take their money), if he wasn’t playing some sort of tricky manipulative game?

2. Why might the relationship between full-time gospel workers and money be often questioned?


3. What was the worst-case scenario for Paul’s upcoming visit to Corinth?

4. Why was this possibility so troubling for Paul?


5. Paul’s employs the language of Deuteronomy 19 to make the point that three visits (plus letters) should bear ample witness to the guilt of those who have refused to heed his warnings and repent. Paul promises to act in Christ “by God’s power” against the unrepentant.

Godly Warning Study Fifteen | 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14

6. What do you think he was actually threatening to do? (See 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 1 Timothy 1:20, 1 Corinthians 11:28-32)

7. What principles should govern how we react to sin in the lives of our fellow-Christians?


8. How might a person “test” and “prove” whether they are in the faith?

Paul claims that he is only interested in the true health of the Corinthians, not just what may make him look good. It is a temptation for a Christian leader to care more about how the flock reflects on them as a shepherd than the flock itself.

9. How would such an attitude show itself?

10. What often underlies the harsh use of authority? What underlies Paul’s use of his authority from God?


11. What is surprising in this final section, given the contents of the letter it concludes?

12. What has the letter of 2 Corinthians taught you about (a) Leadership and ministry (b) The church (c) Your own faith

Spend some time as a group praying for each other, and asking God to help you live out what you have learnt from today’s study and the book of 2 Corinthians.

GLORY, GRIT & GRACE · between the apostle Paul and the Corinthian church. In fact, 2 Corinthians...

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Transcript of GLORY, GRIT & GRACE · between the apostle Paul and the Corinthian church. In fact, 2 Corinthians...