Today we
shall continue the study of Second
Corinthians of the New Testament.
Within the context of “we do not lose heart” (v. 1 and v. 16), Paul shares his suffering experience with the Corinthian believers:
(1) Do you think that what Paul describes in vv. 8-9 is unique to him. Why or why not?
(2) Try to understand Paul’s experience by relating to your own, if possible:
a. Have you been pressed on every side (or at every turn)?
- How does this speak to Paul’s experience as the Apostle to the Gentiles?
- But Paul maintains that he is not crushed. What does he mean? How could that happen?
b. What does Paul mean by being perplexed?
- Have you ever felt perplexed? What might be the reason that caused you to feel perplexed?
- Why would Paul not be in despair?
c. What does Paul mean by being struck down?
- Did you have any experience of being struck down?
- How could Paul avoid being destroyed when being struck down?
- What would cause a Christian to remain struck down without being able to get up again?
(3) Paul describes the above experiences as “carrying in his body the death of Jesus”: What does he mean by this?
(4) And he reasons that this is the way the life of Jesus may also be revealed in his body. Why is this the case?
(5) Can the life of Jesus be revealed in us apart from our suffering?
(6) Why does Paul's "death" (or suffering) have to do with the "life" (of Jesus) in the Corinthian believers in v.12?"?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(1) Do you really believe that “the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus”? Why or why not?
(2) Obviously Paul does believe this. Where does such a faith come from?
(3) When Paul talks about the coming resurrection, why is he so mindful that he will be presented with the Corinthians in God's presence? (v. 14)
(4) What, do you think, is meant by “all this is for your benefit”? Within the context of this passage, what might “all” include?
(5) Paul says that “outwardly we are wasting away”. Given what Paul has gone through, what kind of physical condition might he be in? Can you identify with his words? Why?
(6) Paul adds that “inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” What does he mean? Can you identify with his words? Why or why not?
(7) Can you say, honestly, the troubles you are facing are really “light and momentary”? Do you have a genuine sense of the eternal glory?
(8) What then are your eyes fixed on these days? The seen or the unseen?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Paul continues the comparison of the seen (i.e. the light and momentary) and the unseen (the eternal) with the analogies of a tent and clothing (he is after all, a tent-maker):
(1) In what ways is Paul’s analogy of our body being a tent appropriate?
(2) Paul uses at least three if not four things to contrast our earthly body with our heavenly one in v. 1. What are they?
(3) In the next analogy, Paul uses nakedness to describe those without a heavenly dwelling. In what sense will they be naked? Before whom will they be naked? (v. 10)
(4) Paul says we groan and are burdened in “this tent”: What reason does he give for our groaning and being burdened? Why would we groan and be burdened while still in “this tent”? Is this your experience?
(5) Paul refers to God’s purpose in having so fashioned us in v. 5. Do you think the “purpose” refers to our groaning or to our mortal body being swallowed up by life (while mentioning the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come)? Why?
(6) Twice Paul uses the term, “at home in the body”, but they appear to have a different meaning. Consider the different meanings of "at home":
a. In v. 6, it means being “comfortable”. If this is the meaning, what does v. 6 mean?
b. In v. 9, it means remaining in the physical body, i.e. “being alive” on earth. If this is its meaning, what is Paul saying in v.9 is his goal?
(7) Paul says in v. 10 that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ”. As much as we have been saved and believe that we will be raised with Jesus to eternal glory:
a. What does v. 10 mean to you as a Christian?
b. “Whether good or bad” can be translated more literally as “either good or worthless”. Does “worthless” means more than bad? What do you think? What does “worthless” mean to you?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(1) This passage follows immediately after the warning that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (5:10).
a. What will happen to those who have rejected Christ?
b. What will happen to us who have believed? Should we have an element of “fear”? Why or why not?
(2) Does Paul have any element of fear according to v.11? Why?
(3) According to Paul, what is the basis on which people, in general, take pride in others? (Also see v. 16)
(4) But what do we base it on? Reflect on your attitude in feeling proud of someone. Do you base your pride on what is visible or on the heart?
(5) Why would people say that Paul was out of his mind? (see Acts 26:24)
(6) Would people say the same about you? Why or why not?
(7) How did Paul explain the reason for his “madness”?
(8) Reflect on your relationship with Christ.
a. Write down what Christ’s love has meant to you.
b. Did you ever experience being compelled by the love Christ?
c. Does the love of Christ continue to compel you not to live for yourself, but for Him who died for you? Why or why not?
d. How different should your life be, if you are deeply touched by Christ’s love?
(9) One of the marks of a new creation in Christ is to have turned from our former worldly way. Examine yourself to see if you have truly gone the way of a new creation in this respect.
(10) What does it mean that we have become the righteousness of God (v. 21)?
(11) Instead of using the language of redemption to describe our salvation, Paul uses the language of reconciliation. How does reconciliation differ from redemption and what is their connection? Why does Paul make an emphasis on reconciliation here?
(12) As a new creation, what is our role in God’s work of reconciliation?
(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
As Paul details some of the sufferings he has experienced in the letter, he does so each time in a slightly different context.
(1) Judging from vv. 1-2, what might the context within which he describes his sufferings in vv. 3-10? (Note especially how he addresses the Corinthian believers in v.1.)
(2) Since he is addressing himself as God's co-worker and the Corinthians as having already received the grace of God, what should the urgency of v. 2 mean to them?
(3) Before he describes his sufferings, he shares his principle of ministry in v.3. What is it? Can you think of the “stumbling blocks” that you can put in someone’s path which can also discredit your ministry?
(4) Why is it so important not to put stumbling blocks in other’s path as we serve the Lord?
(5) Now, from vv. 5-10, Paul gives his credentials as a servant of God (or some commentators call it, Paul’s apostleship’s ID Card). We can divide them into the following headings:
a. Paul’s sufferings (vv. 4b-5), marked by the preposition “in”
b. Paul’s integrity (vv. 6-7a), also marked by “in”
c. Paul’s triumph in spite of setbacks (vv.7b-10), marked by the preposition “with” (also translated as “through”), and the un-translated (in NIV) “as”
Let’s briefly consider each heading:
a. Paul’s sufferings (vv. 4b-5):
- Can you check off items on this list that you have experienced for the sake of the gospel?
- Do you know someone personally who has experienced something similar to what Paul excperienced for the sake of the gospel?
- Are you willing to suffer like Paul? Why or why not?
- What has sustained Paul to endure such sufferings?
b. Paul’s integrity (vv. 6-7a): As an obvious comparison to those who peddle the gospel (2:17) for profit, Paul lists the attitudes with which he serves as a servant of God. In order to appreciate this list which marks his integrity, I would suggest doing the following for each of these qualities:
- For each item, rank yourself from 1-10 (10 being the best).
- Next to each item, list the direct opposite quality, and see what kind of a stumbling block to ministry it would become (v. 3).
- Describe how you may emulate Paul in your life of ministry.
c. Paul’s triumph in spite of setbacks (vv. 7b-10): He lists them in contrasting pairs:
- What is he trying to show by contrasting his experience of glory versus dishonor; having a bad versus good report; being genuine versus being regarded as imposters;being known versus not being known?
- How may this be an encouragement to you?
- The remaining contrasting pairs show triumph over death, being beaten, sorrowful, poor and having nothing. How can Paul sound out words of triumph against these apparent setbacks or defeats?
(6) Having reflected on the above, do you agree with what Paul says in the first part of v. 4?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
6:11-13—Paul brings his emotional appeal to a temporary end.
(1) Allow me to translate vv. 11 and 12 more literally, and see what impact it might have on you (as Paul brings his lengthy stream of emotions to a temporary end).
“We have opened our mouth to you; Corinthians, our hearts have been widened to you. You are not restrained in us, but you are restrained in your bowels.”
(2) What kind of accusation does Paul make against the Corinthians? How might it have played out according to what you have read so far?
(3) How should the Corinthians respond to his challenge?
6:14-18—Now Paul addresses specific issues of the church.
(4) What do you know about the Greco-Roman world of that time and the specific challenges faced by the believers living in one of the most prosperous, immoral and idolatrous cities in the Roman world?
(5) Within such a context, what might be the opportunities available to them that would constitute “being yoked with unbelievers”? (Remember Paul is not advocating that we should not associate with unbelievers, or we would have to leave this world. See 1 Co. 5:10.)
(6) Paul uses five rhetorical questions to get his point across. See if you can answer each of them and point out Paul’s emphasis in each comparison.
a. What do righteousness and wickedness have in common? In what ways might the Corinthian believers be involved with unbelievers that blur the line of righteousness and wickedness?
b. What fellowship can light have with darkness? In what ways might they be involved that constitutes having “fellowship” with darkness?
c. What harmony is there between Christ and Belial (another name for Satan)? In what ways might the believers' involvement with unbelievers lead the world to believe that there might possibly be harmony between Christ and Belial?
d. What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What might they be involved in that could blur the distinctions between the people of God and those of the world?
e. What agreement is there between the temple of God (meaning us) and idols? What might they be involved in that would allow idols be included in the worship of God?
(7) Paul is likely quoting from Isaiah 52:11 to command the Corinthian believers to come out, be separate and not to touch unclean things. Given these three specific commands, what likely are the situations of an unequal yoke that Paul refers to?
(8) How may we apply this “unequally yoked” command to our situations today?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
7:1
(1) Reread 6:17-18 of yesterday:
a. What does Paul try to use these OT quotes for?
b. While we may see them as commands, Paul’s emphasis is on them being promises (v.1). What promises does Paul refer to and what purposes should they serve?
c. Do these promises mean a lot to you? ...to the point that they serve their purpose in your life?
7:2-7
(2) Paul now returns to the issue of 6:11ff and urges them to make room for him in their hearts. What does he mean by that?
(3) What reasons does he give to urge the Corinthian believers to make room in their heart for him?
(4) Are they valid reasons? Why or why not?
(5) In vv. 3-4, Paul bares his souls and adds two more reasons for them to make room in their hearts for him. What are they?
(6) What kind of a report does Paul get from Titus about the Corinthian believers?
(7) If such a report is true (of their longing and concern for Paul, and their deep sorrow), why then does Paul have to ask them to make room in their hearts for him?
(8) How can you reconcile this dilemma?
(9) What can you say about the Apostle Paul and his love for the believers of Corinth?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?