II CORINTHIANS LESSON 1

 
    ll Corinthians is the second letter that Paul wrote to the church
at Corinth. In this letter, we will see Paul trying to prove to these
people his right of apostleship. There were some in this church at
Corinth who believed Paul did not have this right. Paul says more
about himself and his ministry in this letter, than he does in all of
the others. Some people today would call this Paul's testimony.

     The main lesson that we can find in this for ourself, is that
ministering carries with it a great deal of suffering. This suffering
takes many forms, the greatest of which is not being believed by
fellow ministers. Paul's intentions are questioned, and he answered
them. In this book, we will see a list of many of the things that Paul
suffered to be able to minister. His afflictions were many and not
just from the world, but from within the church, as well. In this
book, we can see that there were times of joy with Paul, but there
were also times of great sorrow. They were mingled together like
seasoning on a food dish, some salt, some pepper.

     Now we will begin in II Corinthians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of
Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the
church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in
all Achaia:"

     Even in this very first verse of the letter, Paul says it was the
will of God for him to be an apostle. Paul, in a real sense, is
saying, I did not choose to be an apostle, God chose me. The
Christians, at this time, were called saints, or brothers. It is not
clear whether this letter was written from Cenchera, or not, but it
was in Achaia. Achaia was the name used for the northwest portion of
the Peloponnesus. There were many small towns in this area. Paul could
have been speaking of any little town. This would be somewhere in the
southern part of Greece.

     Paul immediately states that he is an apostle. He does not say, I
think I am an apostle. He boldly states that he is. The word "apostle"
means delegate, or ambassador of the gospel. In the official sense, it
means commissioner of Christ, this meaning includes {with miraculous
powers}. It can, also, mean messenger, or he that is sent. Paul was
all of these things.

     We must notice in this that Paul always has someone to minister
with him. In this particular instance, he has Timothy. He knows that
Timothy is loyal to him. Timothy is Paul's student and would not
differ with Paul at all. There are times when this type of loyalty is
very important. Timothy is not the only one with Paul, but is the
closest to Paul in this instance. One of the reasons it is important
to have the second minister that agrees with you, is for the prayer of
agreement. Paul wants this church to know that his ministry is
actually a revelation of Jesus Christ through Paul.

     II Corinthians 1:2 "Grace [be] to you and peace from God our
Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ."

     This is a greeting that Paul used many times and is more evidence
that this letter was Paul's. It is a prayer of Paul's for them. He
wished that God would give them this grace {unmerited favor}. He is
explaining, also, that this is not just from Jesus as Saviour, but
from the Father, as well.

     II Corinthians 1:3 "Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;"

     Paul, never once, stopped speaking of the blessedness of God.
"Father of mercies" just means that God is full of mercy for everyone
who believes. There is no other comfort compared to the peace that God
brings. The Holy Spirit is sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to comfort.
He is even spoken of as the Comforter.

     II Corinthians 1:4 "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the
comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

     Tribulation comes to the Christian, as well as to those of the
world. This "comfort in tribulation" speaks of us having a peace in
the midst of the tribulation. There is a rest for the Christian in
Christ.  The world may be falling apart around us, but we can have
perfect peace within. The only way to truly sympathize with someone
else is to have had the same problem yourself.

     II Corinthians 1:5 "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."

     When we receive Christ in us, we are partakers in His suffering,
as well. Romans 8:17 "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we
may be also glorified together."  One of my favorite Scriptures
explains this very well. Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ:
nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life
which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me."  We suffer with Him, that we
might reign with Him. If we are Christians, we are to be Christlike.
We must bury this flesh with His burial, that we might rise with Him.
Jesus quickens the spirit within us, and makes us alive forever more.

     II Corinthians 1:6 "And whether we be afflicted, [it is] for your
consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the
same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, [it
is] for your consolation and salvation."

     Paul is saying to them, that his suffering and tribulations were
endured by him without complaining, so that he could bring the gospel
to them. Paul was willing to go through almost any hardship, if he
thought in so doing, he could win some to Christ.

     II Corinthians 1:7 "And our hope of you [is] stedfast, knowing,
that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so [shall ye be] also of
the consolation."

     Paul is just saying, that he will not give up on them. He, also,
says to them, if they are to minister for Christ there will be
sufferings that they will have to endure, as well. Paul says, if you
allow yourself to die to this world, in Christ, you will share in His
resurrection.

     II Corinthians 1:8 "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant
of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of
measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:"

     The persecution that Paul endured was so great, that, he would
have welcomed death. We are not told just exactly which act of
violence came to Paul while he was in Asia. We are told that it was
almost more than he could bear. The one thing Paul wants them to learn
from this, is that they, too, might be called upon to suffer. The Lord
Jesus Christ did not deceive Paul. He told Paul that He would show him
what he must suffer. Acts 9:16 "For I will shew him how great things
he must suffer for my name's sake."  This is the Words of the Lord.
They are printed in red in the Bible.

     II Corinthians 1:9 "But we had the sentence of death in
ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which
raiseth the dead:"

     Paul knew that his life was in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was
not fearful of physical death. He knew that there were many Jews who
would like him killed. He, also, knew that he could do nothing about
this. His trust was in the Lord. He also knew, if they killed his
body, he would live on through Jesus Christ. Paul placed his trust in
Jesus the same as we must do. We should all heed this Scripture in
Hebrews. Hebrews 13:6 "So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my
helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

     II Corinthians 1:10 "Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver [us];"

     Before we receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, we are living
unto death. We have no hope for the future. When we receive the Lord
Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we receive everlasting life. Matthew
10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill
the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and
body in hell." This, again, is in red in the Bible, and are the Words
of Jesus. Jesus brought us life.

     II Corinthians 1:11 "Ye also helping together by prayer for us,
that for the gift [bestowed] upon us by the means of many persons
thanks may be given by many on our behalf."

     Paul was thanking them for praying for him. Every church that I
know of, is as strong as the prayers that go up for it. Every minister
needs the prayers of the congregation. Some people think that they
cannot help the ministry, because they are not the minister. The job
of intercessory prayer is just as important, and I would say more
important than the actual ministry. No one will come to the Lord,
unless the Spirit woes him. The prayer, then, causes the Spirit to
call to the person. You see, prayer is the number 1 reason for people
being saved. Someone must care enough to pray for you.

     II Corinthians 1:12 "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of
our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation
in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

     Paul is just saying, that he has a clear conscience. He has not
tried to show how smart he is, but has tried to bring the good news of
the gospel as simply as he could, so that all could understand.  Paul
has spoken the words that the Lord has given him for these people. He
will not apologize for the message God has given him. The gospel is
not complicated, but simple, so that all might receive it with joy in
their heart. This is still the way the Lord expects His salvation
message to go out. He wants it simple, so that all may understand.
Using big words, elevate the person that is using them, but do nothing
for the uneducated person who is trying to understand.  Ministers are
to keep it simple for all to understand. Ministry is not to make the
minister feel important, but to cause people to come to Christ. The
more who understand, the more who believe and come to Christ.





























                     ll Corinthians 1 Questions


1.  Who wrote 2 Corinthians?
2.  Who was it written to?
3.  What was Paul trying to prove in this letter?
4.  Some people today would call this Paul's ____________.
5.  What is the main lesson that we can take from the letter?
6.  Who were most of Paul's afflictions from?
7.  What does the author compare the joy and sorrow of Paul to?
8.  Was it Paul's will to be an apostle? Explain.
9.  What were the Christians called at the time Paul wrote this
    letter?
10. Where was Achaia?
11. What does Paul proclaim himself as in verse 1?
12. What does "apostle" mean?
13. Why does Paul have another minister working with him?
14. Why did Paul need Timothy at this time?
15. What is the benediction on the people spoken in verse 2?
16. What is "grace"?
17. What does "Father of mercies" mean?
18. Who is the Comforter?
19. What does the "comfort in tribulation" speak of?
20. Quote Romans chapter 8 verse 17.
21. Quote Galations chapter 2 verse 20.
22. Did Paul complain about his suffering?
23. Who did Paul's suffering benefit?
24. How badly had Paul suffered in Asia?
25. Why was Paul not fearful of death?
26. Quote Matthew chapter 10 verse 28.
27. What is a very important job in the church, besides being the
    minister?
28. How had Paul ministered to them?