II Corinthians Lesson 01 (Text: Chapter 1)
Introduction to II Corinthians Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” and in I Peter 1:23, we read that the Word of God lives and abides forever.It is important to study God’s Word, the Bible. It is important to memorize verses and to think upon His Word. The Word of God never changes, even though we live in a world of constant change. Our friends and families change. Circumstances change. Our thoughts and attitudes change. And all around us we experience change every day. But the Word of God remains the same, and is sure and steadfast. We can always depend upon His Word. In uncertain and changing times, we can always depend upon His Holy Word to give us comfort, strength, grace and power for each moment of our lives, regardless of our situations or our circumstances. The Word of God also helps newborn babies in Christ to grow spiritually. In I Peter 2:2 we read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We, as believers in Christ, are commanded in God’s Word to grow spiritually. II Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The Word of God has always existed and will always exist. In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” Read the following verses from the Bible: Psalm 119: 2, 9, 11, 28, 50, 67, 71, 74, 92, 114, 130, 147, 148, 162 and 165. As you begin these study courses of God’s Word, please begin them with this thought and prayer found in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” And in Psalm 119:105 we read: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This tells us how to stand with God and how to go with God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17
II CORINTHIANS KEY VERSE: II Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 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.”
KEY WORD: MINISTRY (comfort) – Found 18 times.
THEME: In trials and pressure, Christ is the Believer’s Comfort.
DATE: 58 A.D.
WRITER: Apostle Paul – Born at Tarsus, Jew (Roman Citizen), Father – A Pharisee, Taught by Gamiliel, Saved on Damascus Road, Baptized by Ananias, Four Missionary Journeys, Wrote 14 New Testament Books, Wrote 100 Chapters, Great Preacher, Great Missionary, Great Writer, Wrote with Simplicity, Wrote with Sincerity, Head Cut Off in Rome.
WRITTEN: To: The Believers at Corinth in Greece. From: Philippi (See Acts 18:1-18).
THE BOOK: Number in the Bible – 47th Book of the Bible. Number of Chapters – 13. Number of Verses – 257. Number in order of Writing – 8th in New Testament.
PURPOSE:
1) To Strengthen brethren in time of persecution.
2) To Restate Paul’s Apostolic Authority.
3) To Magnify the Gospel of Christ.
4) To Challenge the Corinthians to faithful stewardship.
5) To EXALT the Person and work of Christ.
DIVISIONS:
1) Paul’s Converts (1-4).
2) Paul’s Conflicts (5-7).
3) Paul’s Convictions (8-9).
4) Paul’s Consolation (12-13).
OUTLINE: Paul’s second epistle to the Church at Corinth is difficult to present in outline form. He rushes from one theme to another, often repeating himself, for the sake of emphasis.
- Introduction (1:1, 2)
- The Ministry of Suffering (1:3-11).
1) Tribulation and Consolation (1:3-7).
2) Paul’s Own Suffering (1:8-11).
III. The Steadfastness of Paul’s Purpose (1:12-12:2).
1) His Original Plan (1:12-16).
2) His Stability of Mind (1:17-22).
3) The Reason for His Postponed Visit (1:23-2:2).
- Advice Concerning the Corinthian Offender (2:3-11).
1) Reason for Paul’s First Epistle (2:3,4).
2) The Necessity of Forgiveness (2:5-11).
- Paul’s Personal Experiences (2:12,13).
1) His Itinerary (See 7:2-16).
2) His Anxiety (2:12,13).
3) His Meeting with Titus (7:6).
4) His Subsequent Rejoicing (7:7,13,16).
- The Ministry of Reconciliation (2:14-7:1).
1) Victorious (2:14-17).
2) Accredited (3:1-5).
3) Glorious (3:6-18).
4) Illuminating (4:1-6).
5) Costly (4:7-5:8).
6) Motivated (5:9-21).
7) Demanding (6:1-10).
8) Divisive (6:11-7:1).
VII. The Summons to Stewardship (8:1-9:15).
1) The Macedonian Example (8:1-5).
2) The Mission of Titus (8:15,16-9:5).
3) The Appeal to Generosity (8:7-15).
4) The Challenge to Liberality (9:6-14).
5) The Gratitude for Christ, The Supreme Gift (9:15).
VIII. The Vindication of Paul’s Ministry (10:1-12:13).
1) Accusations Against Him (10:10,22; 13:3).
2) The Object of His Glorying (10:12-18).
3) The Corinthians’ Gullibility (11:1-4).
4) Paul’s Proven Apostolic Authority (11:5-12:13).
- Paul’s Proposed Journey (12:14-13:10).
1) Its Purpose (12:14-18). 2) An Advanced Warning (12:19-13:10).
- Conclusion (13:11-14).
MISCELLANEOUS:
Chapter 1 – Afflictions and Comfort.
Chapter 2 – Approaching the Fallen.
Chapter 3 – Approving the Counselor.
Chapter 4 – Accepting our Ministry.
Chapter 5 – Attitude toward Death.
Chapter 6 – Asking for Endurance and Separation.
Chapter 7 – Admonition to Cleansing.
Chapter 8 – Advice on Giving.
Chapter 9 – Abounding in Reaping.
Chapter 10 – Awareness in Need.
Chapter 11 – Assurance of Paul’s Calling.
Chapter 12 – Account of the Revelation of Paul.
Chapter 13 – Appeal to Hear God.
CHRISTIAN’S SEVEN-FOLD DUTY:
1) Love the Fallen (2:5-13).
2) Testify to the Unsaved (2:14-17).
3) Live Consistently (Chapters 3-6).
4) Receive Correction (Chapter 7).
5) Give Cheerfully (Chapters 8, 9).
6) Acknowledge Authority (10:1-6).
7) Prove Ourselves (13:5-14).
Simply click the “Take the Quiz” Button to the right. Have your KJV Bible with you, and look up the answers to the questions on the quiz. You can then answer the questions from the Bible, (Open Book Test).
