A Study in II Corinthians Week 7

II Corinthians 7:1-16

In this section, Paul reveals some details about how to be ministers of reconciliation. He will use the church at Corinth as a model.

The Verses

1 What promises does he refer to?
(The promises that God will be a Father to you and that you will be His sons and daughters – from 6:18).

2-4 Some scholars think that the Corinthians had questioned Paul’s authority to “tell them what to do” (Review Chapter 1). Here Paul His desire for mutual love and admiration.

5-7 This is a restatement of Paul’s reminder in Chapter 1 that God is a God of comfort and that His comfort is to be shared. He accepts the comfort sent to them via Titus.

8-12 Paul’s letter had caused concern, consternation and resentment among the Corinthians until they realized that he was right, at which time they repented and began to get themselves in line with God’s plan.

Godly sorrow brings repentance.

Our tendancy is to rebel when our wrong-doings are pointed out. We say things like, “Who are you to tell me what to do,” or, “You have no right to be so ‘holier-than-thou’ and to ‘condemn’ me.”

See, the essence of all sin and rebellion against God is pride. It’s the “I’m going to do things my way and nobody’s going to tell me what to do…(by implication: not even God in His Word).”

When we see our sin for what it is, repent of it and turn to God and His way, it is a beautiful thing. It will make a great difference in your happiness and satisfaction with your relationship to God.

13-18 When we have visitors in our church, or when we have a special guest or guests, what do you suppose is their response when they go back to their regular places of worship and tell them about us?

What part do you play in helping them to see this local congregation in a positive, Christ-loving light?

Do you consider yourself to be an encouragement to others or do you see yourself as a complainer, griper and sower of discord?

How do you think others see you?

What positive steps do you take to be a positive influence among each other and with guests?