This week, we shall begin the study of Second Corinthians of the New Testament.
Background: After writing First Corinthians, Paul
likely paid them a visit, but it turned out to be a painful one (2:1). However, as he traveled to Macedonia
(northern Greece), he met Titus and found out that his previous letter did have
some good effects (7:5-13). Still, there
remained some serious problems within the church, and some of the people still
disputed his Apostleship and followed the teachings of “false apostles” (
It is also worth noting that Paul repeats sharing the details of his sufferings in chapter 4:7ff, chapter 6:3ff and chapter 11:23ff.
(1) Compare the opening salutations of 2 Corinthians and 1
Corinthians. Given the above background,
what is Paul’s emphasis to the
(2) Paul begins this letter with praise. What does Paul praise God about?
(3) How does Paul look at his own sufferings in relation to Christ and the believers in Corinth in vv. 3-7?
(4) How should you look at your own sufferings then?
(5) What does “the God of all comfort” mean?
(6) In the beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4)
a. Does it mean that whoever suffers will definitely be comforted?
b. As one who believes in Jesus, how will you be truly comforted and blessed?
(7) As mentioned in the Background, Paul will share his
sufferings in detail in later chapters. How does he begin to describe his
suffering in vv. 8-9? What kind of danger did he experience when he was in
(8) To what does Paul attribute the following?
a. The purpose of his sufferings
b. The reason for God's deliverance of him from these sufferings
(9) Think of the worst sufferings you have experienced. How may the words of Paul give you comfort and courage?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” (2 Co. 1:7)
We often think of 2 Corinthians as a very personal letter from Paul with lots of emotions and sometimes very direct words of rebuke. We sometimes miss the often repeated words about sufferings and his repeated accounts of his own sufferings, past and present.
If we care to take note of what Paul has recently been suffering and perhaps will continue to suffer, one will come to a greater appreciation of the heart of this Apostle. I think it is more than natural that he worries about how he may face up to these endless sufferings for the sake of the gospel and even Paul has to keep on learning about how he “might not rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead.” (1:9) However, his trust in God is not necessarily on His deliverance from death, but rather that even if he should die, he will still trust this God for He is a God of resurrection in the Last Day.
The heart of this Apostle is not focused on his circumstances, but the church of the Lord. It is true that if we can focus away from our sufferings and think of the sufferings or needs of others, it will help us gather strength to face our own. But this is not the reason for the Apostle’s shift of focus. It has nothing to do with any psychological maneuver, but his genuine love and concern for the church he loves so dearly. He wishes to do whatever he can to edify the church, even if through sufferings; he wishes to turn them to something which can be for their good. And thus, he sees his sufferings as an opportunity to learn how to comfort them in their sufferings. Of course, the most surprising thing about such love and concern is that they are extended to, perhaps, the most undeserving church, the Church in Corinth—a church that causes him so much grief—a church that rejects him and criticizes him at every turn. But what an example he has set for you and me.
In the last little while, three of the churches that I have been privileged to be part of are involved in bitter feuds that have divided the church; some members have left the church as a result; some have simply resigned from the leadership. Maybe, we should put ourselves in Paul’s shoes and see if our situation is worse than what Paul has gone through. Yet instead of harboring bitterness, anger and hatred, Paul grieves with undying love, and in his own sufferings, he thinks of their good. The thought of vindication, of paying back or of ill-wishing never occurs to him, only love, only concern, only prayers—to the point that, as much as some of them might not like him, he is determined to return them with love. Why? Paul understands that irrespective of weaknesses, misunderstandings and hard feelings, he is part of a family, the family of God which can never be separated. And how can we demonstrate such inseparability in God’s family? It is expressed by our determined commitment to the local church where God has put us in.
Perhaps because of the painfulness of the last visit, it was short (2:1). Presumably Paul has promised to return, but the delay of his return has obviously aroused some ill feelings among the believers in Corinth. Now he writes to defend his action, and in so doing you might have picked up Paul’s repeated reference to the world (v. 12 and v. 17)
(1) How does Paul contrast his conduct with that of the world in v. 12, i.e. what are the marks of his conduct?
(2) How important are these marks for Christians, especially for the servant of the Lord?
(3) How does Paul demonstrate in his writing to them that what he has done is not according to worldly wisdom? (v.12)
(4) Boasting, in general, is not something commendable. Therefore in what sense is this mutual boasting good and necessary, and what is the basis of this mutual boasting?
(5) What was the purpose of Paul’s original plan to visit them? What has this “intention” to do with their mutual boasting?
(6) Now, Paul defends his decision (not to return) as plans that are not made in a worldly manner. How does Paul describe plans that are made “in a worldly manner”? Why is it so?
(7) From vv. 18-22, in order to impress upon them that he has not acted in a worldly manner, Paul has invoked (i) the faithfulness of God, (ii) their message to the Corinthians, (iii) God’s promises, (iv) the fact that God is the one who makes them stand firm, and (v) that He has given them a “seal”—the Holy Spirit as a deposit.
a. What have all these to do with his not honoring his plan to return?
b. Why are they relevant to his argument?
c. What is the point he is trying to make?
d. Why is it so important to him (and to the Corinthians)?
(8) Finally, in v. 23, Paul gives the core reason for his not returning. What is it?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Co. 1:21b-22)
I share the sentiment of the Apostle Paul as he appeared to be very annoyed at the evil insinuation (or perhaps expressed attack) on his character. Obviously, he did promise the Corinthian believers he would pay them a return visit as soon as possible. But when he seemed to tarry in Macedonia, some seized upon the opportunity to assassinate his character, accusing him of either not being genuine in his early promise or having changed his mind for a selfish or worldly reason.
It is very interesting to read how the Apostle Paul defends his own integrity. After asking them, “Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no'?” in v. 17, he could have jumped to v. 23 and said, “I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth”. However, he chooses to add a very lengthy diatribe on the faithfulness of God in Christ to argue that he has no ulterior motive in his decision not to return to Corinth although he does change his mind.
However, this powerful diatribe on God’s faithfulness is so helpful to us at times of struggle over our faith. Normally, we would not have doubted what we have believed—the very Word of God in the Scriptures. But there are times, when we, at least for a moment, find ourselves doubting if we have believed in vain. There may be a time of going through unbearable loss or suffering, seeing horrific evil which has gone unchecked, or feeling confused by a humanistic challenge to our faith based on the latest scientific hypotheses disguised as truth. It is in such moments that the presence of the Holy Spirit within our hearts serves as a powerful reminder and guarantee of the faithfulness of God in the past, at the present and in the future—the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit that led us to repentance, the clear manifestation of the Word of God just as we needed, the inexplicable comfort and joy that He brought over and over again, not to mention the many prayers that have been miraculously answered in a timely way. All these works of the Holy Spirit continue to act as a seal and as a deposit guaranteeing our ownership by God and the certainty of our faith.
(1) How does v. 2 reveal Paul’s love and relationship with the Corinthian believers?
(2) How does Paul explain his feelings behind the harsh words he wrote to them in the previous letter and how he felt when he wrote them?
(3) To whom might you write or speak with great distress, anguish of heart and with tears? What would have prompted you to write even under such distress and tears?
(4) How would you describe Paul as a servant of the Lord?
(5) Vv. 5-11 appear to refer to a specific man whom Paul has asked them to confront. While it is not absolutely certain that he is referring to the adulterous man in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, what Paul urges the Corinthians to do now seems to apply to him. Let’s revisit that case:
a. What sin has this man committed in 1 Corinthians 5?
b. What punishment has Paul asked them to inflict upon the person?
c. What is the ultimate reason that Paul has given for such a punishment?
(6) Now, presumably this man has sincerely repented.
a. What might be the sign of his sincere repentance (v. 7)?
b. What should the Corinthians do now, even though his sin was horrible?
c. As harsh as the punishment demanded by Paul was, what was Paul trying to do, according to here (v. 9)?
d. If they refuse to forgive the man, what might the implication be (v. 11)?
(7) What have you learned about church discipline with these words of Paul?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?” (2 Co. 2:2)
In defending his decision not to return to Corinth (sooner), Paul bares his soul and his love before the believers in Corinth. For some reason, the last visit he paid them was not a pleasant one; in fact, it was a painful one. Very likely, Paul had to exercise tough love and spoke to them with severe words of rebuke, ever more severe than the words he used in his previous letter, and as he left, he knew he had inflicted wounds in their hearts. As a result, to return too soon would only serve to deepen the wounds—Paul knows what he is capable of under the circumstances. This is the reason why he has decided not to return to them at this point.
But in baring his soul to them, he says, “For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?” (2 Co. 2:2).
We understand that there are many other churches, like the church in Philippi, which can make the heart of Paul glad, but the joy they bring cannot substitute for the grief that Paul feels for the church in Corinth. As much as they do deserve the stern words of rebuke by Paul, the grief inflicted is mutual. Paul feels it as much as they do. And only when such grief is healed can Paul be comforted and made glad. What kind of love is this? This is the love of a father—the heart of a mother, too.
(1) Why does Paul not have peace of mind even with an open gospel door in Troas?
(2) Should he be so concerned about Titus? Why or why not? What does it say about Paul as a person and an apostle? (Note: According to Acts 20:7-12, Paul did return to preach at Troas.)
(3) Paul likens himself and other co-workers as being led by God in an open “procession”. There were usually two kinds of procession in Rome, one that features the victors and the other one, the captives. Which do you think is being depicted here, and why?
(4) Why would Paul use this analogy of a public procession? What is his main idea?
(5) What is being depicted by the use of fragrance? What is meant by the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ?
(6) Does your life exude such a fragrance? How do you know?
(7) If what we exude is the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ, why is it the fragrance of life to some, but at the same time, a smell of death to others?
(8) Who are the two different groups of people mentioned by Paul, and why would there be such a different reaction to our aroma?
(9) “Who is equal to such a task?”
a. Why does Paul call this a task?
b. Why is one so unequal to such a task?
(10) What might be the key to this powerful task which is without equal, according to v. 17?
(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” (2 Co. 2:14)
As I mentioned in the introductory “Background” section, Paul is writing 2 Corinthians having experienced tremendous sufferings during his 2nd Missionary Journey. At times he even had to face death. In spite of all these sufferings, Paul has not approached his gospel ministry with a victim-mentality, but with a victor-mentality. It is because everywhere he goes, the power of the gospel has been demonstrated in the conversion of many to follow Christ unto salvation. Therefore, as he mentions about the opened door in Troas, he immediately bursts into a triumphal cry and likens his experience even in sufferings to a victor’s procession.
The dilemma is that, as we know, a growing number of Christians are being thrown into the Coliseum and the like, as a procession of victims, only to fall prey to hungry beasts. But Paul sees Christ’s victory in Christ even in the midst of sufferings like this. As history testifies, it is these triumphal witnesses for Christ that eventually brought down the whole Roman Empire to its knees before Christ. He is always the ultimate victor, even in this life.
So far, the letter has been on a depressing note, talking about sufferings and the ill feelings that the Corinthian believers hold against Paul. Chapter 2 ends with a triumphant note about the awesome task of being an aroma of Christ as the bearer of His gospel:
(1) With whom, do you think, Paul is comparing himself?
(2) How does he compare himself with these “peddlers” of God’s Word? What is meant by “peddlers” of God’s words?
(3) It was not uncommon to have letters of recommendation when an evangelist traveled to a new place of ministry.
a) Does Paul need any letter or recommendation to minister among the Corinthian believers?
b) Why not? (vv. 2-3)
c) Why then would he even bring it up?
d) What does this say about the believers in Corinth?
(4) In expressing his confidence, how does Paul also show his humility in vv. 4-5?
(5) It is easy to say such words of humility. How should one demonstrate such an understanding in his or her ministry?
(6) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” (2 Co. 2:17)
I am indebted to a mentor of mine in my very early years of ministry who gave me this advice as I considered serving full-time upon leaving the seminary: “Do not negotiate your salary, only ask for a book allowance and enough time for recuperation.”
I have taken his advice seriously in the following ways:
-Wherever I go, I would ask the prospective recruiter on behalf of the church or the organization not to tell me the compensation package: If it was too lucrative, my heart might be enticed to think that it is really the will of God, and if it was too low, my heart would also be inclined to decline it. But the gospel ministry is a ministry of faith and it is important that we learn to discern the will of God without the lure of money.
- Since I do not ask nor negotiate my salary package, it gives me the bargaining power to ask for a decent book allowance. It is not that I cannot not purchase books myself but with a book allowance, I am forced to read books on a regular basis. This will prevent me from preaching and teaching within my own ivory-tower of knowledge and experience.
- Since many churches still operate with a work-mentality, they often overlook the essential need of a pastor to rest and pray often. Any church that allows the pastor to burnout does so to their own detriment.
It appears that Paul does not have to attack those law-oriented Judaizers with this letter, yet he does compare our New Testament ministry with that of Moses.
(1) He calls our ministry one of the new covenant (3:6). In what way is this covenant new?
(2) From 3:7–11, Paul uses these words to describe the ministry of Moses: letter (that kills), death, engraved on stones, glory that the Israelites could not look at, fading glory, condemns. What kind of picture is he painting?
(3) Can you highlight the words that Paul uses to describe our ministry under the new covenant? Contrast them to the words highlighted above in (2).
a. What kind of a picture is he painting?
b. Of the words that Paul uses of the new ministry, which one, in particular, means the most to you?
c. Why?
(4) What is the hope referred to in v. 12 and how does it make us bold? (In what is it bold?—Note the main topic covered by Paul in the first two chapters.)
(5) Why does Paul say that when the Jews read the Law of Moses today still “a veil covers their hearts”?
(6) How can this veil be removed?
(7) How many times does Paul mention the word “spirit” or “Spirit” in this passage?
(8) Why does it mean that we are “with unveiled faces” as a result?
(9) Do you think you are seeing God with unveiled faces today?
(10) Are you reflecting the Lord’s glory today? Why or why not?
(11) What is the key to you being able to reflect His likeness with ever-increasing glory?
(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“And we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Co. 3:18)
I find how the apostle Paul interprets and applies the incident concerning the veiling of Moses’ face in Exodus 34 fascinating.
Firstly, he attributes the glory of Moses’ face to his ministry, the receiving of the Law (2 Co.3:7), while traditionally we understand that his glory came as a result of Moses having spoken to the Lord (Exod. 34:29).
Secondly, while he affirms that the reason for the veil was because the people could not look steadily at Moses’ face, he also reminds us that this glory of Moses was fading.
Thirdly, Paul uses the veil to address the dullness of the minds of the people of Israel because the Law in essence does them no good even when it is read today (2 Co. 3:14).
All these are very gutsy, but true teachings, especially to the Jews of his time, as the Jew revered Moses. But his bold teachings also highlight the tremendous glory of our ministry today as we indeed have been given a ministry of the new covenant—the preaching of a gospel that gives life in Jesus Christ. If Christ has not come, even if we continue to revere Moses and propagate the Law, it can only bring death and condemnation, not only to the hearers, but ourselves. But in Christ, we have gained real freedom from sin and death. The glory of this new covenant indeed surpasses that of the old (2 Cor. 3:10).
But the most glorious part of this new covenant is the fact that as great as Moses was, we do not need him as our intermediary to God. We have gained direct access to God through Jesus Christ, or in Paul's words, we all can approach God with unveiled faces. If Moses came away from his meeting with God with fading glory, shouldn’t we who have gained access to His throne all the time reflect His glory in an “ever- increasing” manner!
So, the big question is, "Do people around us see such an increasing glory in us?". No, our faces do not necessarily have to shine as Moses’ did, but just the same, a person who spends a lot of time with the Lord should be visible to the people around him or her. Don’t you agree?
“Losing heart” seems to be the theme of this chapter, as Paul opens with saying “we do not lose heart” (4:1) and ends with the same words (4:16). Today, we shall focus on vv. 1-7:
(1) Why do you think Paul has to talk about not losing heart?
(2) He appears to continue comparing himself to the “peddlers” in 2:17. He uses the following terms to describe them: Secret and shameful ways, deception and distorting the word of God.
a. Why does Paul use such harsh words to attack them?
b. What might be the intent of these “peddlers” of God’s word?
(3) In contrast, how does Paul preach the word of God? How different is he and his way? (v. 2)
(4) But does it mean that his preaching is necessarily effective? (v. 3) Why or why not?
(5) We once were all blinded by the god of this age. How then could we come to “see the light of the gospel—the glory of Christ who is the image of God”? (v. 6)
(6) Paul emphasizes that “we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as…servants” (v. 5).
a. Do you agree that we might be preaching ourselves at times without knowing it?
b. What might be the signs that we are preaching ourselves, even though we mention Christ’s name and His gospel?
c. How can we make sure that we preach as servants only and be regarded as such by the hearers?
(7) How does v. 7 help answer the above question?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Co. 4:7)
Christian ministry is a marathon, and often does not bear fruit for a long time. We might be tempted to admire the great success of the ministry of the Apostle Paul. But the truth of the matter is, he also faced ups and downs in his ministry. And there are times, many times I believe, that his ministry produced little or no result. He refers to those times that he laments, “And even if our gospel is veiled. It is veiled to those who are perishing” (4:3). Indeed, the god of this age has blinded the minds of these unbelievers, only Christ can open their eyes, when He chooses to. Therefore, the Apostle reminds us and himself, that we are only jars of clay. We, by ourselves, cannot cause people to believe. But Christ can, and it is His very presence in us and in our ministry that will bring about fruits in His time. All He asks of us is our faithfulness.
Anytime we feel frustrated and defeated, we forget that we are only jars of clay, and perhaps, this is the reason why some, not only in Paul’s time but also in ours, resort to “secret and shameful ways”, using deception to distort the word of God (4:2) in order to achieve instant success and boost their sense of self-pride. The preaching of the “Prosperity Gospel” and the preaching of “Positive Thinking” come to mind.