Lesson One

2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-11

Overview

First impressions

The best way to get acquainted with 2 Corinthians is to read the entire letter before doing any in-depth study. This should only take you about an hour if you read quickly to gain an overall impression of Paul's message.

If your Bible has subtitles for the various sections of 2 Corinthians, use them as guides to help you catch the drift of Paul's argument. At the same time, realize that these subtitles, like chapter and verse divisions, are not part of the original text and may at times lead you in the wrong direction!

As you read, jot down answers to questions 1–3.

1. What are your first impressions about 2 Corinthians? (For example: Why did Paul write it? What are the principal themes? What impression do you get of Paul?) ________________________________________ ________________________________________

2. Repetition offers a clue as to what a writer is trying to emphasize. What key words or phrases do you find repeated throughout 2 Corinthians? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

3. If you find outlining helpful, fill in the following outline with titles for the various sections. If you prefer, fill in the outline as you complete each lesson of the study guide. See detailed outline of 2 Corinthians.

1:1–7:16 Paul defends his conduct and apostolic ministry

1:1-11_____________________________________

1:12-22____________________________________

1:23–2:4_____________________________

2:5-11_____________________________________

2:12-13____________________________________

2:14–7:4 Major digression: Apostolic ministry described

2:14–3:6_________________________________

3:7–4:6__________________________________

4:7–5:10_________________________________

5:11–6:2_________________________________

6:3–7:4__________________________________

7:5-16 Return to Paul's narrative

7:5-16_________________________________________

8:1–9:15 The collection

8:1-15_________________________________________

8:16–9:5_________________________________

9:6-15_________________________________________

10:1–13:13 Paul vindicates his apostolic authority

10:1-18________________________________________

11:1-21a_______________________________________

11:21b–12:13_____________________________

12:14-21_________________________________

13:1-13__________________________________

Paul's introduction (1:1-11)

Paul's introduction here follows the same basic form as his letters. The apostle expands upon the standard contemporary introduction, "greetings" (Greek chaire; see, for example, James 1:1), by writing "grace [charis] and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:2). In this way he underscores two major themes in his letters: the grace of God toward sinful humanity, and the peace between God and humankind that resulted from the coming of Jesus Christ and His work of reconciliation on the cross. Paul follows by thanking God for working in the lives of both himself and his readers.

Greeting (1:1-2)

Apostle (1:1). From the Greek apostello, "to send"; hence, one sent to preach the gospel. In the New Testament this word refers to those who (1) had seen the risen Christ and (2) had been commissioned by Christ as authoritative spokespersons in His stead. The word may also derive from the Greek Old Testament translation of the Hebrew, meaning one who was an "ambassador," or one who spoke with the full authority of the one who had sent him (see, for example, 1 Samuel 25:4-5 and 2 Samuel 10:1-2).

The fact that the New Testament apostles "saw, heard, and touched" the Word of Life (see 1 John 1:1-3) indicates that their authority in church history is unique, since by definition no one living after the time of Christ and the apostles could be an eyewitness. For this reason the church has always regarded the apostolic writings — our New Testament — as uniquely authoritative for Christian faith and conduct.

4. Paul refers to himself as an apostle "by the will of God" (1:1). State in your own words what you think Paul means by this phrase. Why do you think he emphasized it? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Thanksgiving (1:3-11)

5. As in all of his letters, Paul's major theme appears in this first section of 2 Corinthians. In 1:3-7, which two key concepts are consistently repeated by Paul? (A concept is represented either by one word, or by two or more words with the same basic meaning.) ________________________________________ ________________________________________

6. Taken together, these two concepts display the theme of 2 Corinthians. In your own words, write in one sentence what you see as the theme of 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

Comfort (1:3-7). Both the noun ("comfort") and the verb ("comforts," "are comforted") derive from the Greek parakealeo. It means literally, "to call alongside" and hence, to "encourage" (Colossians 4:8), "exhort" (Acts 16:40, rsv), "console" (Matthew 2:18, rsv), and as here, "comfort." The noun form, "comforter" (parak-lesis), is the word Jesus used when speaking of the Holy Spirit (see John 14:16,26; 15:26). It is translated "advocate" in the New International Version, and was used as a legal term meaning "counsel for the defense." The picture is one of the Spirit of Christ standing beside Christians to defend them from whatever opposition Satan might hurl at them.

7. How does God use "troubles" (1:4) in a Christian's life? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

8. Do "the sufferings of Christ" (1:5) refer primarily to (a) the pain Christ suffered on the cross or (b) the persecutions suffered by those who follow Christ faithfully? Explain your answer. (Note: Paul's view of "the sufferings of Christ" was probably shaped by his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus; see Acts 9:4-5.)...