This week, we
shall continue the study of Second Corinthians of the New Testament.
(1) Is it easy to rebuke someone you love dearly? Why or why not?
(2) When Paul wrote his (first) letter to the Corinthians, why did he say that he regretted it?
(3) Why does he change his mind now? (v.8)
(4) If his letter did not bring about repentance, should he then regret writing it?
(5) How will you define “godly sorrow” versus “worldly sorrow” according to v.10?
(6) If “this matter” in v. 11 refers to the matter accused by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5 or 6, in what sense have they proved themselves to be innocent?
(7) What are the proofs, according to v. 11 that their sorrow is indeed godly sorrow?
(8) V. 12 is rather odd statement: Why does Paul say that he wrote not because of the one who sinned nor because of the one who was injured?
(9) How was this a test of their devotion to Paul? Shouldn’t their repentance be directed to God alone and have nothing to do with men, including Paul? (Note especially the words, before God or made known to God, v.12)
(10) Judging from v. 4, does Paul really have confidence in the Corinthian believers?
(11) The rebuke of Paul in the former letter could produce repentance, but it could also produce disobedience. What do you think was the reason that these Corinthian believers would choose the former and not the latter?
(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Now, the Apostle Paul turns to a very practical matter and that is the collection from other churches to aid the Jerusalem believers of their need in famine (likely referring to the incident in Acts 11:27-30). Paul appears to be using the Macedonian churches to “shame” the church in Corinth in the matter.
(1) Why does Paul call the giving of the Macedonian churches “grace”?
(2) According to vv. 2-3, how special was the giving of the Macedonian churches?
(3) In v. 4, Paul explains the core reason why the Macedonian churches could give even in extreme poverty, with great joy, beyond their ability and entirely on their own. What is it?
(4) What lessons concerning giving can you learn from the Macedonian churches?
(5) Pause for a while and examine your giving in comparison to the Macedonian churches.
(6) In what areas does the church in Corinth excel in?
(7) Do they necessarily translate also in excelling in the grace of giving? Why or why not?
(8) What reason does Paul give in mentioning the Macedonian churches to them?
(9) Do you think it will work? Why or why not?
(10) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(2) In what sense was our Lord rich and in what sense was He poor?
(3) How did His poverty make us rich? How rich are we in Christ?
(4) How should Christ’s example motivate us to care for others who are poor?
(5) What do you think has happened to cause the believers in Corinth, who were the first to respond to Paul’s challenge to give, to have fizzled out after a year?
(6) What is Paul’s emphasis in his admonition in vv. 11-12?
(7) How does the quote from Exodus 16:18 speak to the principle of “equality” among the community of believers in God’s family?
(8) How might this principle be applied in within your local churches and beyond?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
This part of the letter could have been the chief reason for the writing of the letter and that is to make sure that the church in Corinth would honor their pledges to support the believers in Jerusalem. Because of their “plenty” (8:14), their collection might be quite substantial:
(1) Paul decides to send three people for the purpose of bringing the collection to Jerusalem. What reasons does he give for so doing in vv. 20-21?
(2) What principle can we learn from Paul in the handling of money within the community of faith?
(3) Let’s consider the qualifications of the three persons chosen to handle the collection. The first is Titus. Why does Titus qualify for this task according to vv. 16, 17 and 23?
(4) What is the qualification of the second brother according to vv. 18-19?
(5) What is the qualification of the third brother according to v. 22?
(6) From the above qualifications, how may we choose people to oversee the financial dealings within the church?
(7) Why is it not enough to do what is right “in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of man” (v. 21), especially when it comes to financial dealings within the church?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(1) As much as the Corinthians appeared to have cooled down from their initial zeal, what was the effect of their initial enthusiasm?
(2) What if the Macedonian churches find out that the one who ignited their zeal to help the Jerusalem churches had not followed through with action. What impact would it have on them?
(3) Why is Paul so worried that he arranges for the brothers to visit them in advance? (v.5)
(4) What lessons might we learn from this?
(5) In ensuring that the Corinthian church would follow through with their promise, Paul, apart from using the “shame” tactic in chapter 8, uses the following things to further admonish the Corinthians regarding giving:
a. What is the reason he gives in v.6? Is it a valid motive to give? Why or why not?
b. What is the reason he gives in v.7? What if they really do not have a heart to give, should they?
c. What is the reason for God blessing us abundantly?
d. Consider v. 9 which is a quote from Psalm 112:9. Why does the Bible link “righteousness” to giving?
(6) It appears the quote from Psalm 112:9 introduces something that deserves more explanation, and so Paul expands more on this in vv. 10-15:
a. What, according to Paul, is the direct result of their generosity (in v. 11)?
b. According to v. 13, what is that praise about and by whom is it given?
c. How will the recipients of their generosity reciprocate?
d. See if you can now link God’s increase of their store of seed to the enlargement of their harvest of righteousness (according to v. 10).
(7) If you were among the Corinthian believers, what is the one motive among all these admonitions that will enable you to follow through with giving generously to aid the suffering believers in Jerusalem?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Having dealt with the issue of a collection, Paul now turns to defend himself against criticisms that he has already alluded to in 1:17—about his alleged “worldly manner”, especially in reneging his promise to come to visit the Corinthian church.
(1) How important is it for Paul to begin his defense of his own character and integrity with the emphasis on (a) this being done as an appeal, and (b) being done in the humility and gentleness of Christ?
(2) Could Paul have used rebuke, and in anger and pride? Why or why not?
(3) How could the Corinthians avoid having Paul approach them in boldness?
(4) In a church dispute, how can we tell that we have waged war as the world does? What does the secular world use to settle disputes? What “weapons”, in particular does the world use?
(5) Paul says that the “weapons” they use have divine power to demolish stronghold (10:4):
a. What are the strongholds he is talking about in this context (v. 5)?
b. Given what the strongholds are, what do you think his “weapons" are?
c. What has he been using so far against the various issues (sins and weaknesses) of the Corinthian church?
(6) Now, Paul’s “boldness” has come to a climax in v.6. He is fully prepared to deal with those who attack him, except that he is waiting for the completion of obedience of the Corinthian believers.
a. What is meant by “once your obedience is complete”? What “obedience” is Paul talking about?
b. How will he “punish” every act of disobedience (presumably of those who attack him in Corinth)?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Having warned the Corinthians about the importance of their obedience to his admonitions and teachings, Paul now defends his apostolic credentials and authority:
(1) Paul accuses them of judging him by his appearance (10:7). What did some of the people say about his appearance (10:10)? (You may want to consult various translations to get a deeper sense of v. 10.)
(2) If you were the Apostle Paul, how will you handle such criticisms?
(3) Why is it not wise to compare ourselves with ourselves (10:12)?
(4) With whom does Paul compare himself? Or, does he compare himself with anyone? Why or why not?
(5) How does Paul justify his “boasting” about the authority given by the Lord for building up the Corinthians? (10:8, 13-15)
(6) Is Paul really boasting in himself? (10:17-18)
(7) What is his reason for clinging to his authority over the Corinthians as given by the Lord, according to vv. 15-16?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?