©2002 Pastor Tom Miles

The second letter to the Corinthians was most likely written about a year after the first. Its main theme is very similar in nature to the first letter.  The manner in which Paul wrote the letter expresses great gratitude to God.  Paul made a trip to Corinth after writing the first letter because the problems addressed in the first letter had not been resolved.  Many of the people in Corinth had shown signs of repentance but many still held on to their false teachings and sinful ways.  This letter contains words dealing with the charges against him and his compassion for the people and his love and respect of the Gospel of Christ.  Paul praises God for giving him comfort and deliverance from his troubles and professes his integrity and the integrity of those that labor with him for the Gospel.  Paul concludes with an appeal for repentance.

The main purpose of this letter is threefold:

·       To articulate great joy at the encouraging response of the church towards Paul's ministry
·       To bring the people in remembrance of their obligation to the gift for the Christians in Judea
·       To defend Paul's authority as an apostle

This second letter of Corinthians gives great insight into the personal life of Paul.  It is almost autobiographical and contains the longest discourse on giving in the New Testament.

An Outline to second Corinthians:

Introduction to the second letter of Corinthians 1:1-11
A.      Paul's greeting
B.      Paul expresses his gratitude for the goodness of God
         Paul addresses the problem at Corinth 1:12  2:13
A.      Paul's plans change towards his visit
B.      The punishment of the offender
C.      A meeting with Titus
Paul's Ministry 2:14 6:10
A.      Paul considered himself a captive for Christ with confidence of victory
B.      The Holy Spirit at work in Paul's life and the lives of the Corinthians       caused changed lives
C.      The New Covenant and confidence in Christ
D.      The character and manner of the ministry -- bond servants to Christ
E.      Causes of the ministry
F.      The earthly vessel we live in
G.      The judgment seat of Christ
H.      The love of Christ
Paul exhorts the Corinthians 6:11  7:16
A.      Paul asks them to be open to his ministry
B.      Paul exhorts them to separate themselves from evil
C.      Paul assures them of his joy for their repentance
Paul pleads for gifts for the Judean People 8:1  9:15
A.      Reasons for giving
B.      Rewards in giving
C.      God's generosity to supply all needs when the people give
Paul speaks of his Authority as an Apostle 10:1  12:18
A.      Paul defends his authority to those that still doubt
B.      Paul talks of his conduct as an apostle
C.      Paul speaks of his sufferings
D.      Paul talks of his vision
E.      Paul addresses his unselfishness
Paul gives his closing words 12:19  13:14
A.      Paul gives an appeal for the peoples repentance
B.      Paul states his plan to visit
C.      Paul closes with a word telling them they are complete in Christ

Chapter one:

2nd Corinthians 1:1-2 Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.  From 1st Corinthians we learned that Timothy had been sent by Paul to visit the church at Corinth.  For some reason Timothy did not remain until Paul arrived but returned early most likely to let Paul know of the situation in Corinth first hand.  Timothy is mentioned in the first verse to help give weight to what Paul is now writing.  Since Timothy had been at Corinth the saints there would know he had reported to Paul his findings.  Paul addresses this letter to the church of God and all the saints in Achaia.  Achaia means trouble and is a Roman province occupying the smaller part of Greece and along with Macedonia covered the whole of Greece.  Addressing his letter in this fashion probably means that it went out not just to the church at Corinth but also to all the churches.  “Grace to you and peace” is the common Christian greeting.

2nd Corinthians 1:3-6 Paul makes it immediately known that all thanks and praise go to God for no other is worthy of praise.  Paul uses the phrase “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” which most likely means that since God is the Father of Christ in His human form in this form also God would be His God!  “The Father of mercies,” let's us know that all mercies, all compassions come from God.  “The God of all comfort” no one else can offer comfort as God does.  It is from God that the comforter, the Holy Spirit, comes.   And Christ suffers with us as we suffer for Him during our ministry for Him. (Acts 9:4-5) Paul lists many of the reasons he and his fellow workers are thankful:

·       For comfort in all tribulations/afflictions: Christ in them was a peace that the world could not offer.
·       For comfort in all their sufferings: We all must suffer with Christ to actually become partakers with Christ in all His glory. (Romans 8:17 and 2nd Timothy 2:12)
·       For comfort during troubles. No matter what it is we have the comfort of His mercies: “It is for your consolation and salvation,” Paul says that he and his fellow laborers suffer affliction and trials because of their love for the people of all the churches and is willingly done so as to help assure their comfort and salvation through Jesus.  Paul says that salvation is theirs and it is all inclusive of all God's blessings.  And if you want to share all the blessings you must also then share the sufferings.

2nd Corinthians 1:7 Paul says that they have confidence they will continue to walk in the truth of God.  Paul is aware of the fullness experienced at the church of Corinth and believes because of their fullness of the gifts and knowledge of the truth they will be able to stand against any trial or suffering that may come against them.  Paul says he is sure they will find a way to also rejoice during their time of trial, which Christ gives to all who suffer for his cause.  Paul makes it known that when we suffer greatly there is usually something great that comes from the suffering.

2nd Corinthians 1:8 Paul makes it known that he is not ashamed of the afflictions upon him.  He says that he desires for everyone to know of them so they can also know of his delivery from them.  Paul says the affliction, which is probably the same, as spoken of in Acts 19 was one that caused great distress.  A distress so great they worried for their very life.  Paul reminds them that they knew of his trouble and now he tells them of the severity of it.

2nd Corinthians 1:9 It seems in this verse that Paul might be thinking he was close to death and those with him were also.  This sentence of death they felt was so great and traumatic to them they felt there was no escape whatsoever from sure death!  The nature of their expectation of death during these trials was so great they knew their only source of escape was from God!  They believed that at least with their hope in God they were sure of being resurrected because He was the God of resurrection!  He is the God that raises the dead.

2nd Corinthians 1:10 God will deliver us from any type of danger no matter how great it may seem to be.  If our trust is in God, He will deliver us and no other power on earth can stop God from delivering those He chooses to deliver.

2nd Corinthians 1:11 Paul asked for prayer for his companions and himself as they journeyed doing the work of the Lord.  Paul is letting us know that even an apostle (great man or woman of God) needs the prayers of the Church of God and feels the prayers of God's church.  These prayers bring them comfort and let them know others are in support of them.

2nd Corinthians 1:12-14 Paul knew how important it was to be sincere in one's holiness before the Lord.  He also knew how important it was to be able to give guidance and correction where needed.  Paul says his knowledge is not of this world (fleshly) being worldly, selfish, and sneaky.  His wisdom and knowledge comes from God and he is honest about who he is and what he stands for.  If we do not watch what we say and do we might find ourselves in the same position of others in the world and doing the same things they do which most often is not godly!

2nd Corinthians 1:15-20 Paul refers to verse 14 of this chapter as saying “In this confidence” we are rejoicing, we are happy, we are boasting of you and desirous to come to you before visiting Macedonia as to give you a double portion coming and going.  Paul asks was he fickle minded, two-faced, as many were saying about him and made accusation against him because he failed to visit them on his way to Macedonia!  Paul says I was not of the flesh being selfish and thinking only of self.  I was not wanting to deprive you of a visit for I truly also wanted to visit and be blessed by your fellowship.  Paul says, I am not the type of man that says yes when I mean no or no when I mean yes!  Paul goes on to say that all of their teaching to them was truth.  They did not waver from the doctrine of Christ.  With God as witness to testify as to his teaching he proclaims it to be the same Gospel always taught by Christ and him.  He tells them it would not be wise to doubt the faithfulness of Christ's servants.  Neither he nor Silvanus or the others wavered in their teaching and just because they were not now coming to visit the Lord would make way for a visit at a time that was a better time.  All the promises of God are fulfilled in the Jesus.  Jesus never failed, He never sinned, He never fell to temptation, and Jesus fulfilled the call of the Father on His life.  Jesus faithfully without waver died for you and for me and He stands in intercession for us with the Father.  Because Jesus is faithful we can be faithful with Christ within us.  And this Paul says he is to them.  Faithful and true not fickle and non-loving as some have thought.

2nd Corinthians 1:21-22 Paul talks about something that comes to us when we become Believers.  One is the seal of ownership, which shows that Christ is our Lord and God is our Father.  The next is the Holy Spirit that will dwell in us letting us know we have received salvation.  (Ephesians 1:13-14)  We are sealed and God has made earnest by giving us the Holy Spirit all we need to do is stay faithful and true to Him.  For us to receive the gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit we must be willing to also identify ourselves as HIS true and faithful servants and this is what Paul was doing and desired for the church at Corinth to do.

2nd Corinthians 1:23-24 Paul says, “I call God as witness to my soul.”  Paul was calling on God to be witness of what he was going to say.  Paul knew his heart was clear and his intentions were well.  Paul wanted to spare them the chastisement that would have to be if they were still living in a way they should not be.  Paul also says they do not have power over their faith and does not want to lord it over them but if needed he would have to correct them for offences and would like them to do that internally.  Paul wants them to find the error of their ways because their faith is also free in Christ and He can also direct them to what is right if they are willing to listen.

Father I thank You for Your Word and ask that You continue to reveal it unto me and unto Your children in Jesus name Amen!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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