Studies In The Book Of II Corinthians

by Devadas Prakash
​1. Did Paul want a sorrowful or joyful relationship with the saints in Corinth?
He wanted a joyful relationship: “(1) But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. (2) For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? (3) And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all” (II Corinthians 2:1-3).
· In the previous epistle, he gave them a choice (I Corinthians 4:21).
· Now, he is choosing when to come based upon how he will have to be when there (II Corinthians 1:23).
· There are real concerns that things haven’t changed in Corinth (II Corinthians 12:20-21).
· What he’d rather do is find encouragement from Corinth rather than the need to correct them (i.e. Colossians 1:3-8).
2. How much was Paul troubled by the problems in Corinth that he had to write them about?
It caused him much affliction and anguish or heart: “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you” (II Corinthians 2:4).
· Psalms 119:53, Psalms 119:136, Jeremiah 13:15-17, and Romans 9:1-3.
· Such grief is a sign of love (John 11:35-36).
3. Once a brother or sister in Christ has been disciplined, is there a point wherein it is time for forgiveness and love to be shown to he or she?
Yes: “(5) But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. (6) Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. (7) So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. ( Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him” (II Corinthians 2:5-8).
· Discipline needed to occur in Corinth (I Corinthians 5:1-13).
· Now that such discipline has occurred, there are conditions to be met for forgiveness (Luke 17:3-4). Once those conditions are met, forgiveness must occur (Ephesians 4:32).
· If such forgiveness is there, bitterness can settle in (Hebrews 12:12-15).
· Forgiveness and love go hand in hand (I Peter 4:8).
4. What did Paul seek proof of from the brethren in Corinth?
Whether or not they would obey ALL things: “For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things” (II Corinthians 2:9).
· Deuteronomy 8:2, Matthew 7:16; 20, Matthew 12:33, II Corinthians 8:24, and Philippians 2:19-22.
5. If the brethren in Corinth forgave a brother or sister who had erred, what would Paul do?
Forgive them also: “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ” (II Corinthians 2:10).
· Matthew 18:15-18.
6. Is there a benefit in knowing the devices of Satan?
Yes, taking away the advantage by knowing the enemy’s playbook (so to speak): “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Corinthians 2:11).
· We have to be aware (I Peter 5:8) and able to stand against the tricks of evil (Ephesians 6:11-12).
· Paul had reason for concern regarding Corinth (II Corinthians 11:3).
7. Though Paul had an opportunity to preach in Troas, what caused him to have a restless spirit?
He couldn’t find Titus: “(12) Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, (13) I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia” (II Corinthians 2:12-13).
· Titus was a partner and fellow helper in Christ (II Corinthians 8:23). A son in the faith (Titus 1:4).
· When Titus came to Paul he was comforted (II Corinthians 7:6).
8. How did God make known the savour [odor] of His knowledge in every place?
By Paul and those working with him for the cause: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (II Corinthians 2:14).
· The triumph comes from God through Christ (Romans 8:37 and I Corinthians 15:57).
· Knowledge of God is spread through preaching (Romans 10:14-17, Colossians 1:23, and Titus 1:1-3).
9. What was the difference in the savour [fragrance] of Paul and his coworkers to those who are saved opposed to those who were to perish?
Sweet to those who are saved while smelling like death to those who perish: “(15) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: (16) To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things” (II Corinthians 2:15-16)?
· Unto God a sweet odor (Ephesians 5:2 and Philippians 4:18).
· Whether people are saved or lost, it is pleasing to God that the Gospel was preached (I Corinthians 1:17).
· A smell of death to the lost (Acts 13:46).
· A smell of life for those who will be saved (Acts 8:35-39).
10. Were there were many in the first century who corrupted the word of God?
Yes: “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (II Corinthians 2:17).
· Matthew 24:24, II Corinthians 11:13-15, I Timothy 1:19-20, II Timothy 2:14-18, II Timothy 4:1-5, II Peter 2:1-3, I John 4:1, II John 7, and Jude 3-4.