College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Corinthians 2 - Introduction
Butler's Commentary
Chapter Two
THE PROBLEM OF LONELINESS
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
What pain was Paul reluctant to cause the Corinthians?
2.
Who is the one who had caused pain both to Paul and the church?
3.
What are the designs of Satan about which we should not be ignorant?
4.
What aroma do Christians become to God?
5.
Who are peddlers of God's word? What's wrong with peddling it?
APPREHENSION:
1.
Why is the writing of this second epistle causing Paul pain?
2.
Why was Paul so intent on resolving the alienation he was getting from the Corinthian church?
3.
Who was causing pain in Corinth?
4.
Can you recount in your own words the scenario of Paul's dealings with the Corinthian church which led to all this pain?
5.
How will Satan gain advantage over these Corinthian Christians according to Paul?
6.
Why should Christians want to know the devil's designs?
7.
What very evident design did the devil have for the Corinthian church?
8.
Why did Paul turn aside from the door opened to him in Troas?
9.
What event of the first century is Paul using to portray the Christian ministry in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16?
10.
What is a peddler of the word of God?
APPLICATION:
1.
Why are preacher's pained when there is division in the church?
2.
Does causing grief to one of the leaders of the church hurt the rest of the church? How?
3.
How far should church discipline go? When is it too much? What is the church to do about a member who repents after discipline?
4.
How does being unforgiving make us vulnerable to Satan's designs?
5.
How do we keep ourselves from being ignorant of Satan's designs?
6.
Should preachers be allowed to have special friends in a congregation?
7.
Should preachers ever get depressed and so lonely they can-'t go through opened doors? Do they? What can a congregation do to help them?
8.
How does the earnestness of the ministry of the gospel contribute to making some preacher's lonely?
9.
Is preaching the gospel a racket? For whom?
10.
How may a preacher handle the problem of loneliness?
CORINTHIAN CORRESPONDENCE AND VISITS
Taken from the book Chronological and Background Charts of the New Testament, by H. Wayne House, pub. 1981 by Zondervan Publishing House.
Event
Scripture Reference
Founding of church on second missionary journey
Leaving Corinth, arriving at Ephesus
Writing a letter now lost[1]
[1] Some believe 2 Corinthians 6:14 to 2 Corinthians 7:1 is a fragment of this letter.
Receiving a bad report from some from Chloe'S
household and a letter from Corinth
1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 7:1
Writing of I Corinthians
I Corinthians
Sending of Timothy and Erastus to Corinth
Acts 19:22; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10
Hearing of serious crisis in Corinth
caused by Jewish emissaries in which Paul'S
authority is questioned
2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 11:23; 2 Corinthians 12:6-7
Making a hasty trip to Corinth (painful visit)
2 Corinthians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1
Writing of severe letter to Corinth
2 Corinthians 2:3-9; 2 Corinthians 7:8-12
Searching for Titus in Troas and Macedonia
Finding of Titus, who reports worst at Corinth is over
Writing of II Corinthians
II Corinthians
Making third visit to Corinth
Acts 19:21; Acts 20:3; 2 Corinthians 13:1
A CHRONOLOGY OF THE APOSTOLIC AGE
Crucifixion
Friday, April 3, 33
Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47)
Sunday, May 25, 33
Peter's second sermon; Peter brought before Sanhedrin (Acts 3:1 to Acts 4:31)
summer 33
Death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:11)
33-34
Peter brought before Sanhedrin (Acts 5:12-42)
34-35
Deacons selected (Acts 6:1-7)
late 34-early 35
Stephen martyred (Acts 6:8 to Acts 7:60)
April 35
Paul's conversion (Acts 9:1-7)
summer 35
Paul in Damascus and Arabia (Acts 9:8-25; Galatians 1:16-17
summer 35-early summer 37
Paul in Jerusalem, first visit (Acts 9:26-29; Galatians 1:18-20)
summer 37
Paul to Tarsus and Syria-Cilicia area (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:21)
autumn 37
Peter's ministry to Gentiles (Acts 10:1 to Acts 11:18)
40-41
Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:19-24)
41
Paul to Antioch (Acts 11:25-26)
spring 43
Agabus's prediction of famine (Acts 11:27-28)
spring 44
Agrippa's persecution, James martyred (Acts 12:1-23)
spring 44
Relief visit, Paul's second visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30; Galatians 2:1-10)
autumn 47
Paul in Antioch (Acts 12:24 to Acts 13:1)
autumn 47-spring 48
First missionary journey (Acts 13:1-52; Acts 14:1-28) Departure from Antioch
April 48-Sept. 49
Cyprus
April 48
Pamphylia
April-June 48
Pisidian Anitoch
first of July-middle of July 48
Iconium
Oct. 48-last of Feb. 49
Lystra-Derbe
March-middle of June 49
Return visit to churches
middle of June-Aug. 49
Return to Antioch of Syria
Sept. 49
Peter in Antioch (Galatians 2:11-16)
autumn 49
Galatians written from Antioch
autumn 49
Jerusalem council, Paul's third visit (Acts 15:1-41)
autumn 49
Paul in Antioch (Acts 12:25 to Acts 13:1)
winter 49/50
Second missionary journey (Acts 15:25 to Acts 18:22)
April 50-Sept. 52
Departure from Antioch
April 50
Syria and Cilicia
April 50
Lystra-Derbe
May 50
Iconium
last of May-middle of June 50
Pisidian Antioch
middle of June-first of July 50
Antioch to Troas
July 50
Philippi
Aug.-Oct. 50
Thessalonica
Nov. 50-Jan. 51
Berea
Feb. 51
Athens
last of Arrival at Corinth
Arrival at Corinth
middle of March 51
Silas and Timothy arrive from Berea
April/May 51
I Thessalonians written
early summer 51
II Thessalonians written
summer 51
Departure from Corinth
first of Sept. 52
Ephesus
middle of Sept. 52
Jerusalem, Paul's fourth visit
last of Sept. 52
Return to Antioch
first/middle of Nov. 52
Paul's stay at Antioch
winter 52/53
Third missionary journey (Acts 18:23 to Acts 21:16)
spring 53-May 57
Departure from Antioch
spring 53
Visiting Galatian churches
spring-summer 53
Arrival at Ephesus
Sept. 53
I Corinthians written
early spring 56
Departure from Ephesus (riot)
first of May 56
Troas
May 56
Arrival in Macedonia
first of June 56
II Corinthians written
Sept. Oct. 56
Departure from Macedonia
middle of Nov. 56
Arrival in Corinth
last of Nov. 56
Romans written
winter 56/57
Departure from Corinth
last of Feb. 57
Philippi
April 6-14, 57
Troas
April 19-25, 57
Troas to Assos
Monday, April 25, 57
Assos to Mitylene
April 26, 57
Mitylene to Chios
April 27, 57
Chios to Trogyllium
April 28, 57
Trogyllium to Miletus
April 29, 57
Ephesian elders-' visit with Paul
April 30-May 2
Miletus to Patara
May 2-4, 57
Patara to Tyre
May 5-9, 57
Stay at Tyre
May 10-16, 57
Tyre to Caesarea
May 17-19, 57
Stay at Caesarea
May 19-25, 57
Caesarea to Jerusalem
May 25-27, 57
Jerusalem, Paul's fifth visit
eve of Pentecost, May 27, 57
Meeting with James (Acts 21:13-23)
May 28, 57
Paul's arrest and trial before Felix (Acts 21:26 to Acts 24:22)
May 29-June 9, 57
First day of purification
Sunday, May 29, 57
Second day of purification
May 30, 57
Third day of purification
May 31, 57
Fourth day of purification
June 1, 57
Fifth day of purification, riot, Paul's speech
June 2, 57
Paul before the Sanhedrin
June 3, 57
Appearance of the Lord (night)
Conspiracy (day)
June 4, 57
Journey to Antipatris (night)
Journey to Caesarea (day)
June 5, 57
Waiting in Caesarea for trial
June 5-9, 57
Trial before Felix
Thursday, June 9, 57
Paul before Felix and Drusilla (Acts 24:24-26)
June 57
Caesarean imprisonment (Acts 24:27)
June 57-Aug. 59
Trial before Festus (Acts 25:7-12)
July 59
Trial before Agrippa (Acts 26:1-32)
first of Aug. 59
Voyage to Rome (Acts 27:1 to Acts 28:29)
Aug. 59-Feb. 60
Departure from Caesarea
middle of Aug. 59
Myra
first of Sept. 59
Fair Havens
Oct. 5-10, 59
Shipwreck at Malta
last of Oct. 59
Departure from Malta
first of Feb. 60
Arrival in Rome
last of Feb. 60
First Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:30)
Feb. 60-March 62
Ephesians written
autumn 60
Colossians and Philemon written
autumn 61
Philippians written
early spring 62
James, the Lord's brother, martyred
spring 62
Paul in Ephesus and Colosse
spring-autumn 62
Peter went to Rome
62
Paul in Macedonia
late summer 62-winter 62/63
I Timothy written
autumn 62
Paul in Asia Minor
spring 63-spring 64
Paul in Spain
spring 64-spring 66
Christians persecuted, Peter martyred
summer 64
Paul in Crete
early summer 66
Paul in Asia Minor
summer-autumn 66
Titus written
summer 66
Paul in Nicopolis
winter 66/67
Paul in Macedonia and Greece
spring-autumn 67
Paul arrested and brought to Rome
autumn 67
II Timothy written
autumn 67
Paul's death
spring 68
Destruction of Jerusalem
Sept. 2, 70
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER TWO
Analysis
A.
Paul continued the explanation of his deferred visit to Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:1-13).
1.
He explained his personal reason for the delay (2 Corinthians 2:1-4).
a)
He had decided not to come again in sorrow.
b)
He gave his reason: If I make you sorry, who is there to gladden me but the one I made sorry?
c)
He reminds them that he had writtenin First Corinthiansthis very thing:
(1)
He did so in order that he might not have sorrow from those who ought to make him rejoice.
(2)
He had done so because he was confident that his joy was their joyhis visit was to be enjoyed by all.
d)
He told them about the nature and purpose of his writing (First Corinthians).
(1)
He wrote it out of affliction, anguish of heart, and many tears.
(2)
He did so not to cause sorrow, but that they might know of his abundant love for them.
2.
He explained his attitude toward the one who had caused the sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:5-11).
a)
He explained his reasons for this attitude (2 Corinthians 2:5-7).
(1)
He had caused sorrow not to Paul alone but, in part, to all.
(2)
His punishment at the hand of the many was sufficient.
(3)
It was Paul's judgment that he should be forgiven lest he be overcome by his sorrow.
b)
He appealed to them to let the one who caused the sorrow know of their forgiveness (2 Chronicles 2:8, 2 Chronicles 2:8-11).
(1)
He urged them to confirm their love for him.
(2)
He had written (in First Corinthians) to put them to the test, that is, to see whether or not they would obey him in all things.
(3)
He joined with them in forgiving this one for their sakes in the presence of Christ.
(4)
Such forgiveness would prevent Satan from gaining the advantage over them.
(5)
He gave his reasons for this appeal: We are not ignorant of Satan's thoughts.
3.
He explained why he left Troas and went to Macedonia (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).
a)
The move to Troas.
(1)
It was for the gospel of Christ.
(2)
There a door was opened for him in the Lord.
b)
The move to Macedonia.
(1)
He had found no relief for his anxiety over Corinth.
(2)
He had not found Titus.
B.
Paul interrupted the account of his search for Titus with an expression of thanks to God for Triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).
1.
His thanksgiving: (2 Corinthians 2:14).
a)
For His continuous leading in triumph in Christ.
b)
For His making manifest through His messengers the savor of His knowledge in every place.
2.
His explanation: (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 a).
a)
The messengers are a sweet savor of Christ unto God.
b)
The message is true with reference to those who are saved and those who perish.
c)
In one it is a message from death unto death, and the other from life unto life.
3.
His question: (2 Corinthians 2:16 b - 2 Corinthians 2:17).
a)
Who is adequate for these things?
b)
We are, is his implied answer.
c)
The reason for this answer:
(1)
We are not as the many corrupting the Word of God.
(2)
We speak with sincerity in the sight of God in relation to Christ.
Questions
1.
How many times did Paul visit Corinth?
2.
Why had he postponed his coming to see them?
3.
How had he caused them sorrow?
4.
How had they gladdened his heart?
5.
What was his purpose in writing to them as indicated by 1 Corinthians 4:14?
6.
What are some of the ways in which the gospel message brings joy?
7.
How many letters did Paul write to the Corinthians?
8.
Instead of causing him tears, what did Paul have a right to expect from the brethren at Corinth?
9.
What was it that had caused him such anguish of heart?
10.
What was Paul's purpose in telling them about his sorrow?
11.
Why didn-'t Paul name the one who had caused the sorrow?
12.
How does the case of the one mentioned in the fifth chapter of First Corinthians fit this situation?
13.
What do the Scriptures say about the responsibility of Christians toward an erring brother?
14.
What do they say that the erring one should do?
15.
To whom besides Paul had this one caused sorrow?
16.
Was the church unanimous in believing that this one had caused them sorrow?
17.
How had the majority reacted to the direction which Paul had given for punishing the guilty one?
18.
What was that punishment? What was its purpose?
19.
Since the guilty person had repented, what was the church to do?
20.
What did Jesus say about those who fail to forgive?
21.
What did Paul say might happen to him if the church failed to forgive?
22.
How were they to show their love for the one who had repented?
23.
What advantage would Satan gain through an unforgiving attitude on their part?
24.
Why did Paul say, We are not ignorant of his devices?
25.
What are some of the ways in which Satan destroys the work of the church of God?
26.
Why did Paul go to Troas?
27.
What opportunity for the gospel did he find there?
28.
What indication is there that he did not overlook this, even though he left Troas and went to Macedonia to find Titus?
29.
What did his going on to Macedonia reveal to the Corinthians about Paul's attitude toward them?
30.
Why didn-'t Paul receive direct communication from God about the issues in Corinth instead of his having to wait until Titus reported to him?
31.
What limit did God put on direct communication to the messengers of the gospel?
32.
What did Paul think of Titus?
33.
Why did Paul break off the description of his anxiety without saying whether or not he had met Titus in Macedonia?
34.
What did he thank God for?
35.
How could every effort of the apostle, even when the gospel was rejected by some, be thought of as triumph in Christ?
36.
With what familiar custom did Paul describe his triumphant ministry for Christ?
37.
To what did he liken the knowledge about Christ?
38.
How did he indicate that Christ's messengers were also acceptable to God?
39.
With what two issues does the gospel message deal?
40.
What did Paul mean when he asked, Who is sufficient for these things?
41.
What made him adequate for the task of preaching the gospel?
42.
What may this have suggested as to the false apostles who were troubling the Corinthians?
43.
What figure did Paul have in mind when he spoke of those who were corrupting the Word?
44.
By contrast, what did Paul say of his own sincerity?
For Discussion
1.
What are some of the subtle ways in which Satan may be destroying the effectiveness of the church today?
2.
What can the church do today to avoid misrepresenting the message of the gospel?