Trusting God in hard times
Studies in 2 Corinthians
Forward
The letter of 2 Corinthians contains Paul's defence of his ministry and teaching. Paul wants to help his readers see that the gospel includes paradoxical truths like strength from weakness, life through death, and comfort in affliction. As we explore these studies, you will see how the letter of 2 Corinthians links in with the whole story of the Bible and gives God’s people a better understanding of God's Word. Paul saw himself as a shepherd to this young and mixed-up church in Corinth.
A great missionary leader of the past said that true spiritual leadership is a God-given calling and not something that can be worked up through ambition alone. He shared what he saw as three crucial words that all began with “s” that could explain how God works. This appealed to me and together I hope we can see them reflected in Paul.
God often chooses the most unlikely candidates for his service. The first word was “sovereignty”: God sovereignly raises those whom He has chosen life and to lead. The second word was “servanthood”: How are we serving in the life of the local church? Those who would be spiritual leaders are those who understand and practice servanthood. The third “s” was “suffering”: Suffering is the tool that God employs in the life of the Christian to make him a leader. Do we not see the impact of suffering, shaping Jesus during his earthly life, as he leads his disciples.
At the heart of this letter is the fact that Paul was weak but he kept his eye on Christ. He was trusting God in tough times. This is a secret he wanted the Church in Corinth and us to learn.
Introduction
Who is behind the letter?
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians at a tough time in his life. He had discovered that the church family at Corinth was under pressure. Paul wanted to take action to keep the unity of that local church family there in Corinth. The letter is peppered with comments about his life as Paul revealed information about the persecution he had suffered. At one point in the letter, he tells his readers that for Christ he had suffered a thorn in the flesh that kept him reliant on God. There is some speculation about this matter.
What is the letter’s history?
During Paul’s ministry travels he received news about the new church in Corinth. Paul decided to send Timothy from Ephesus to deliver the first letter (1 Corinthians). Paul was concerned for the church and made a quick visit of his own to Corinth. Following the visit, Paul returned by boat to his work in Ephesus. He now writes a heavy letter to the Corinthian church that has now been lost (see 2 Corinthians 2:1–11; 7:8). The Apostle then leaves for Macedonia. Once in that city, he received positive news from Titus about the Corinthian Church Family. (7:13) This in turn caused Paul to write a third letter called “2 Corinthians”. (The apostle wrote this letter near the end of AD 56, in the city of Philippi.)
What makes 2 Corinthians significant?
This letter gives vital details of Paul’s personal life. These details cannot be found in other New Testament books. Excitingly in chapters 8 and 9, Paul’s letter uncovers God’s plan for His people. The apostle concentrated first on the significant and generous example of the Macedonian churches. These churches were Gentile, but they gave financially to their Jewish Christian community in Jerusalem. These chapters in the middle of the book help us to see how important our financial support is to God’s work at home and abroad. As believers, we are to give generously. Christians are to give their resources across cultural and national lines. Christians who make promises should honour them. Finally, Paul reminds us to give cheerfully, rather than under duress.
What is the Main idea?
The church at Corinth had recently been grappling with splits and disputes. But for most of the believers, these issues had been resolved when Paul came to write 2 Corinthians. Many had turned away from their sinful approach and had been restored to unity with one another and welcomed Paul’s leadership again. However, Paul saw the need to explain both his apostleship and message. Some of the leaders in Corinth had questioned him as an apostle and as a leader. Paul makes a strong defence of his apostleship.
These accusations led Paul to defend himself by arguing that he was on the same level as the other apostles. He also told the church that he had a deep knowledge of the Christian faith. Paul explains that he had suffered physical punishment for Christ, but he had also received visions and revelations from God (11:1–12:13). Some people in the Corinthian Church had taken his meekness as a sign of weakness or lack of authority (2 Corinthians 10:1–2). These charges caused Paul to defend himself by saying that he was like the other apostles. Paul had a deep knowledge of the Christian faith and that he had suffered profoundly. During his life he faced physical punishment in the name of Christ, but God has given him visions and revelations from God (11:1–12:13).
How is the Letter divided?
The letter of 2 Corinthians can be divided into three main parts:
Chapters 1–7: Paul reconciles with the Corinthians and defends his ministry. Chapter 5 unpacks the ministry of reconciliation, with the key verse "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come…" (2 Cor 5v17-21). In Chapter 6: Paul appeals for holiness, with the key verse "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers…" (2 Cor 6v14). In Chapter 7 we see Paul's joy at the Corinthians' repentance, with the key verse "Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry…" (2 Cor 7v9-10
Chapters 8–9: Paul encourages the Corinthians to be generous and follow the example of their brothers and sisters in Macedonia. In these chapters encouragement is given to be generous, with the key verse "But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech…" (2 Cor 8v7)
Chapters 10–13: Paul challenges those who still reject him and reiterates his authority. Paul calls himself a “fool” for having to reluctantly boast of his qualifications and his suffering for Christ (chapter 11). The last chapter contains his call to the Corinthians to examine their hearts to see whether what they profess is true.
Jesus in 2 Corinthians
There is a wonderful book that is entitled “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones, and the mood of the book is summed up by the line, “Every story whispers Jesus.” And this is true for all the books of the Bible. And as we read 2 Corinthians keep your eyes open for Jesus. There are tell-tale signs of how this letter point us once again to Jesus.
We see Jesus revealed in 2 Corinthians as one who appears to be weak but is actually strong. It is an example of how God turns the values and ideas of the world upside down.
He is meek - The Bible often describes Jesus as meek and gentle (2 Corinthians 10v1). Being meek is not the same as being weak. We are told that He became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9) and suffered and died (2 Corinthians 1v5; 4v10; 13v4). As we see his model of life before us we come to understand why those who serve Him appear to be weak too (2 Corinthians 10v1, 10; 11v23-27). We are told in 2 Corinthians that Paul had a thorn in the flesh which had the effect of keeping him in a perpetual state of weakness (2 Corinthians 12v7-8).
He is strong - He fulfils all of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1v20). He transforms us into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3v18). He reveals to us the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4v6). Paul is strong when he is weak because when he is weak God’s grace is most powerful.
Timeline
2 CORINTHIANS 55–57AD
AD 33 Pentecost
AD 46-48 Paul’s journey through Asia
AD 49-52 Paul’s journey through Galatia
AD 53-57 Paul’s journey through Greece (2 Corinthians)
AD 66 Paul is killed
AD 70 Jerusalem destroyed