A Study in II Corinthians Week 11

by Assistant Teacher, Jerry Blankenship

2 Corinthians 10

Paul Informs and Prepares The Corinthians for His Coming Visit
Paul, the true apostle versus the “self-appointed apostles”

1. An Appeal for Obedience: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

In Ephesians 6:14-17, Paul lists the kind of spiritual weapons he did use: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. These are God's weapons for pulling down strongholds! To rely on these weapons takes faith in God instead of carnal methods.

The Corinthian Christians tended to rely on and admire carnal weapons for the Christian battle.

Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation.
Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success.
Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words.
Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power.
Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority.
Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs.

Jesus relied on spiritual weapons when He fought for our salvation.

Philippians 2:6-8 describes it this way: "...who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

This kind of victory through humble obedience was demonstrated to the disciples in John 13:1-15 where Jesus said “All my teaching is summed up in this act.” JBV.

2. Paul's answer to the charges, he urges the Corinthians to look at the obvious facts, 2 Corinthians 10:7-11

"Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn't tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority. Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away."

3. Paul's counter-charge, he clarifies how to measure who really measures up, 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

"Oh, don't worry; we wouldn't dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them. "

A Study in II Corinthians Week 10

II Corinthians 9:1-15

Paul was not above a little sarcasm. The church at Corinth had written him with questions about their troubles. In his effort to impress upon them the need for unity and for reconciliation, Paul recalls their initial enthusiasm and how it had stirred the Macedonian churches to action (9:1-2). He refers to the Corinthians' loss of face should any Macedonian delegates come and find them unprepared (9:4). He announces the upcoming visit of the brothers to make sure this does not happen (9:3, 5). And finally he reminds them of the blessings that come from generous giving (9:6-15).

The Verses

1-2 Paul had used the Macedonian church’s response to the Jerusalem church’s need to try to spur the Corinthians to give generously to the cause. He “brags” on Corinth’s desire to give to the Macedonians’ actual giving. There may be a little reverse psychology at work here.

3-5 Paul states that he is “sending the brothers” to help ensure that Corinth not just have a strong desire to be involved, but that they follow through with their enthusiastic intent.

Paul expresses concern that if Corinth did not follow through, he, his fellow ministers and the Macedonian church would be embarassed. So he sent the brothers to make certain that the offering is given.

6- 9 Is reaping related to sowing? _____Yes; _____No

(Yes)

How should we give? a) according to Biblical rules; b) because of compulsion by others; c) according to what he decides in his heart; d) reluctantly.

(c)

According to verse 7, God looks favorably on a) someone who gives with enthusiasm from the heart; b) someone who gives more than the average church member; c) someone who gives according to the rules of giving; d) someone who gives in order to be appreciated.

(a)

What “grace” is God going to “abound to you?” a) the grace of love and mercy; b) the grace of hospitality; c) the grace of salvation; d) the grace of giving.

(d)

10-11 What harvest does God promise to increase in you when you give? a) monitary wealth; b) plenty of food to eat; c) your righteousness; d) a great fruit orchard.

(c)

For what purpose does God prosper you when you give generously? a) so you can brag on Him; b) so you can brag on your goodness; c) so you can have many treasures; d) so you can express your thanks to Him.

(d)

12-15 Here Paul equates giving to the service of supplying the needs of others.

The results of your giving is thanksgiving to God.

The result of your obedience to confessing the gospel is praise to God.

Paul thanks God for the “indescribable” gift of giving. He reminds us that giving is a grace given to you by God.

A Study in II Corinthians Week 9

II Corinthians 8:16-24

Paul continues explaining Christian giving and how it relates to reconciliation. He has related to us that giving is a grace. He has reminded the church at Corinth that the poor Macedonian church gave liberally to the church at Jerusalem. He encourages the church at Corinth to give as well.

There are three principles given by Paul concerning Christian giving: (1) They were to give to a specific cause — poor saints in Jerusalem; (2) They were to give to reputable messengers — Titus and Timothy (II Corinthians 1:1); (3) They were to give in reality and not merely promise.

The Verses

16-21 The word “thanks” here is the Greek “charis” which means grace. So he is really saying, “Grace be to God…” Paul had the taking of this offering in his heart. He assures the Corinthians that he and the other two (Titus and Timothy) will take good care of the offering and will be honest with it. He will take such good care of it that both men and God will be satisfied with the way they handle it.

The lesson for us here is that the finances of the church should be an open book to the congregation, in order that there be no question about how the offerings are handled.

Sometimes churches fear that if the congregation knows everything about the finances they might stop giving in times of plenty.

If giving is a grace, then Christians will want to give more in a time of plenty, because they’ll see that God is blessed, He blesses the church and will continue to do so.

Listen! This business of following the Lord is not about rules. It is about responding to His love with our love. “We love Him because He first loved us.” (I John 4:19)

22. Paul trusts Titus. He asserts that Titus will make a report, Paul will make a report and they’ll both report back to Corinth after they’ve been to Jerusalem.

If you really mean business with the Lord and His church, don’t show it with words, show it with your giving. Your giving should emanate from a grace in your heart.


Here’s the lesson we can take from II Corinthians 8:

Giving has nothing to do with parting with 10% of your income. It has everything to do with giving 100% of everything you are, everything you do and everything you have to the work of the ministry of reconciliation, which work Christ has given to the church.

Giving is the way God has determined that we would express our love for Christ and
our appreciation for what He has done for us in giving us so great a salvation.

If Christians would get away from the idea of some rule for giving and learn to practice New Testament giving, there is not a bank vault in existence that could hold the money that would be available for the work of the ministry.

A Study in II Corinthians Week 8

II Corinthians 8:1-24

Paul continues his response to the Church of Corinth by showing them how reconciliation is related to Christian giving.

Here in II Corinthians we have the most extended and complete section of Christian giving in the New Testament. Paul makes it clear that there are no rules for giving, but there are but there are clear-cut principles.

Paul will tell us that giving is a grace (Greek: charis – that which affords pleasure, joy, delight; expression of the loving kindness of God). The word, “grace,” related to giving, appears 7 times in this chapter.

The Verses

1-7 The church at Macedonia was very poor, yet they took up a more than generous offering for the church at Jerusalem. Jerusalem was their “mother” church. They were a mission of the church at Jerusalem. Usually it is the mother church that supports the mission, but in this instance, the tables are turned. This was an example of grace-filled giving.

Verse 3 tells us that they gave more than it seemed they were able “…to the saints” in verse 4 references their willingness to share the things of Christ with Jerusalem. And in verse 5 we learn that they were first of all sold out to Christ, and that’s why they gave.

In what grace does Paul urge Corinth to excel? _________________________ (giving)

8-9 True or false: Giving is commanded by God. ____True ____False. (The answer is that giving is a demonstration of grace.)

10-12 The church at Corinth had made a pledge, and Paul is encouraging them to fulfil their pledge. Giving is to be based on what we have, not on what we don’t have.

13-15 Paul tells us in verse 13 that we should all churches should give proportionately. This is much like our denomination’s Cooperative Program, in which churches give to missions as they are able.

16-21 “I thank God” The word, “thanks” is charis…GRACE. What we see here is that Titus was selected to accompany them as they took the offering to Jerusalem. Titus was chosen because of his faithfulness to the preaching of the gospel. Paul wanted to make sure that no one could criticize his integrity or his determination to deliver the gift. We are to take care of the monies given to God’s church with the utmost diligence. There should be no question whether they were honest in their handling of the money.

23-24 Titus was like a partner to Paul. They trusted each other. They would each make a report to Corinth of how much they delivered.

Giving is the way God has determined that we would express our love for Christ and
our appreciation for what He has done for us in giving us so great a salvation.