MESSAGE STATEMENT:
OBEDIENCE TO THE WORDS OF PAUL THE APOSTLE IS THE SAME AS
OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST.1
I. Paul and Timothy open their letter to the church in Corinth
 as well as believers in Achaia with the desire for both
 grace and peace from the God the Father and the Son to be
 their experience 1:1-2
 A. The letter is from the Apostle Paul and Timothy to the
 church in Corinth as well as all the saints in the
 surrounding province of Achaia 1:1
 1. Paul identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus the
 Messiah according to God's will 1:1a
 2. Timothy is identified as a fellow believer 1:1b
 3. The letter is addressed to the church in Corinth
 1:1c
 4. The letter is addressed to all the believers of
 the broader province of Achaia 1:1d
 B. The usual salutation of Grace and peace is given in
 behalf of God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah
 1:2
II. Paul desires to minister to the Corinthians by reaffirming
 that they are justified in their confidence in his
 integrity as an apostle from God dispite his change in
 travel plans, and by thus affirming that they should not
 abandon his message for one of legalism leading to sin 1:3-
 -7:16
 A. Paul discusses comfort in affliction so that the
 Corinthians might in the future find comfort in their
 persecution by seeing how Paul is strengthened by God
 when falsely accused (by the Corinthians) 1:3-11
 1. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to say good,
 enriching things about God because He has helped
 us in our affliction so that we might use His
 comfort to help others 1:3-4
 a. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to say good,
 enriching things about God 1:3a
 b. The reason good things should be said about
 God is because He has helped us in our need
 by sending Jesus to die for our sin 1:3b
 c. God, who is characterized by all mercy and
 comfort, comforts us in our affliction so
 that we might use His comfort to help others
 1:3c-4
 2. Paul demonstrates that God comforts believers in
 affliction so that others (the Corinthians) may
 also be comforted in the affliction of Paul and
 Timothy 1:5-11
 a. Statement: Paul and Timothy affirm that they
 received a proportionate comfort from God for
 their affliction which arose from their faith
 in Messiah 1:5
 b. Paul and Timothy affirm that affliction and
 comfort to them is to comfort the Corinthians
 when they endure the same kind of sufferings
 1:6-7
 c. Paul and Timothy's confidence in God's
 comforting of the Corinthians as they share
 in the sufferings with Paul and Timothy is
 illustrated by reminding them of a specific
 case in point where God delivered them from
 death 1:8-11
 1) Specific affliction to Paul and Timothy
 in Asia are recounted in that they
 wanted to die it was so difficult, but
 learned to trust in God rather than
 themselves because He overrules death
 1:8-9
 2) God delivered them in their suffering
 1:10a
 3) One may be confident that God will
 deliver in the future 1:10b
 4) Therefore the Corinthians are encouraged
 to be praying for future deliverances of
 Paul and Timothy so that the church may
 be encouraged toward God in His use of
 them to bring deliverance for Paul and
 Timothy 1:11
 B. Paul explains his change in travel plans in order to
 restore the confidence of the Corinthians in his
 integrity: his change in plans was not due to a motive
 of deception but in purity of love for the Corinthians
 1:12--2:4
 1. Motives are pure: Just as Paul's past actions were
 based upon pure motives, so was it when he planned
 to come to the Corinthians twice as he passed
 through Macedonia 1:12-16
 a. Paul is confident of the good way in which he
 and others have conducted themselves to the
 world and especially to the Corinthians who
 received them well initially 1:12-14
 1) They were pure in lifestyle, sincerity
 rather than sinful decisions, and in a
 message of grace from God 1:12a
 2) They conducted themselves to everyone in
 a pure way, especially the Corinthians
 1:12b
 3) Their writings are of good motive,
 understandable, and will hopefully be
 looked to in the future for direction
 1:13
 4) The Corinthians did understand that
 there was a mutual love for one another
 in proper pride--especially before
 Christ in the last day 1:14
 b. In the same good attitude Paul intended to
 come a second time to enrich the Corinthians
 as he went through Macedonia 1:15-16
 2. Message is true because of God even if Paul's
 motives were not pure: Paul's change in travel
 plans does not affect the reliability of his
 message about Christ since Paul, Silavanus, and
 Timothy spoke to the Corinthians truth about
 Christ based upon Christ who Himself fulfills that
 truth 1:17-22
 a. Since Paul's motives have been pure, it is
 wrong to think of the promise to come as
 being not thought through, or intentionally
 deceptive 1:17
 b. In contrast to perceptions of sinful motives,
 Paul proclaims that their words to them about
 Christ are reliable because they were based
 upon Christ who fulfills the promises of God
 and has brought them together by His Spirit
 1:18-22
 3. Motive was to spare sorrow: Paul explains that his
 choice to not come twice to the Corinthians was an
 act of compassion because by disciplining them it
 would hurt him 1:23--2:4
 a. Paul's motive in not coming to Corinth was
 not deceptive, but to spare the Corinthians
 of more sorrow 1:23
 b. Paul does not desire to be viewed as one who
 "lords it" over their faith, but as a worker
 with them for their joy because they have
 stood firm in their faith 1:24
 c. Paul desired to spare the Corinthians more
 sorrow because it hurts him too much to see
 them hurt, therefore, he determined not to
 come, but to send a severe letter 2:1-4
 1) Paul determined to not come again in
 sorrow to the Corinthians for his own
 sake because their sorrow grieves him
 2:1-2
 2) Paul wrote the Corinthians the severe
 (sorrowful) letter in order that he
 would not have sorrow when he came from
 those who ought to make him rejoice 2:3
 3) Paul's writing was difficult to do
 because he did not desire to make them
 sorrowful but to have them know how much
 he loved them 2:4
 C. The time that Paul has given to the Corinthians has
 proven helpful as they dealt with sin--something they
 needed to complete because it will lead to triumph as
 it did with the Corinthians and Paul (2:5-17)
 1. The time that Paul has given to the Corinthians
 was helpful because they dealt with sin and need
 to continue in obedience: (Because the sorrow was
 against the Corinthians and not Paul, and because
 Paul had already forgiven the man who sinned, the
 Corinthians should forgive the man and reaffirm
 their love) 2:5-11
 a. The sorrow caused by the person in the church
 in Corinth was to the Corinthians and not to
 Paul 2:5
 b. The punishment was sufficient so that the man
 should be forgiven and comforted lest he
 become overwhelmed with great sorrow 2:6-7
 c. Paul has also forgiven the brother so that
 the Corinthians might forgive him and so that
 Satan might not take advantage of all 2:10-
 11
 2. The benefit of continued obedience is that it will
 lead to triumph as it did with the Corinthians and
 Paul before: (Even though Paul is extremely
 concerned about the Corinthians' response to his
 confrontive letter, he thanks God for their joint
 victory in their confidence in him as God's
 messenger) 2:12-17
 a. When Paul arrived for Gospel ministry in
 Troas, he wrestled within because he did not
 find Titus with a word of encouragement from
 Corinth, so he left for Macedonia 2:12-13
 b. Paul gives thanks for His work in leading the
 Corinthians and Him in triumph (over their
 differences) and giving a testimony to all
 people of either God's grace received or
 judgment which is awaiting 2:14-16a
 c. Paul affirms their confidence in him as being
 God's sincere spokesman 2:16b-17
 D. Just as the change enabled the Corinthians to deal with
 sin, so does it demonstrate that Paul is from God and
 needs no commendation. Rather, he is substantiated by:
 the Corinthians themselves, his superior message of the
 new covenant with the Spirit, the sufferings of the
 ministry which were made possible in view of the
 resurrection and the greater experience of life (3:1--
 5:10)
 1. The source of affirmation of the ministry of Paul
 and his associates is not in external letters but
 in the experiential growth of believers under the
 new covenant of the Spirit of God which was
 preached by them 3:1-18
 a. Paul questions the need for him and his
 colleagues to have letters to substantiate
 their ministry when the lives of the
 Corinthians and the life the new covenant
 speak for themselves 3:1-6
 1) Paul questions whether or not it is
 necessary to have references to
 substantiate his ministry 3:1
 2) The reason Paul questions the need for
 letters of reference is because the
 Corinthians are living proof of their
 ministry unto people 3:2-3
 a) The Corinthians themselves are
 evidences of Paul's ministry which
 all can and do read 3:2
 b) The Corinthians manifest Christ by
 the Spirit in a living way which
 Paul and those with them cared for
 3:3
 3) Paul affirms their confidence before God
 and through Christ to proclaim His new
 covenant of the Spirit giving life
 rather than the law which kills 3:4-6
 a) Paul and those with him have
 confidence through the work of
 Christ and before God 3:4
 b) Paul and those with him do not
 consider their adequacy as coming
 from their own strengths but from
 God's 3:5
 c) God has made them adequate as those
 who serve the new relationship
 between man and God through the
 Spirit who gives life rather
 through the law which gives death
 3:6
 b. Even though the law came with glory, the
 ministry of the Spirit is more glorious
 because it leads to uprightness and endures
 rather than the law 3:7-11
 1) The ministry of death in letters on
 stone came with such glory that the sons
 of Israel could not even look intently
 at Moses face which shone even though it
 was fading 3:7
 2) The ministry of the Spirit is even more
 glorious than was that received by Moses
 because of its good and lasting results
 3:8-11
 a) The ministry of the Spirit has even
 greater glory than the one received
 by Moses 3:8
 b) The ministry leading to uprighteous
 has more glory than the one leading
 to condemnation 3:9
 c) The enduring nature of the ministry
 of the Spirit exists in greatness
 over the transitory nature of the
 ministry of Moses which faded away
 3:10-11
 c. Paul and his associates speak boldly now, not
 being ashamed as Moses was of the passing
 glory, knowing that legalism by Israel is a
 case of hardness of heart, and knowing that
 believers are experiencing God's
 transformation 3:12-18
 1) Because of the hope of the ministry of
 the Spirit, Paul and his associates are
 bold in speech 3:12
 2) Paul and his associates are not ashamed
 as Moses was of the fading of the glory
 of the message 3:13
 3) Unlike Moses who veiled his face, the
 minds of Israel are hardened when they
 look at the Law, even though Paul and
 his associates speak clearly, because
 they will not turn to Christ 3:14-16
 a) Unlike Moses who veiled the glory
 that was passing away, the
 Israelites minds are hardened as if
 covered by a veil when they read
 the Scripture without Christ 3:14-
 15
 b) When a person turns to the Lord,
 the veil is taken away 3:16
 4) The Spirit of God within believers is
 transforming them into His image of
 glory 3:17-18
 a) The Lord being the Spirit is
 bringing about liberty for
 believers 3:17
 b) Believers are being transformed
 into God's greatness by the Lord
 3:18
 2. The source of affirmation of the ministry of Paul
 and his associates is not in external letters but
 in their participation in the sufferings of Christ
 4:1--5:10
 a. Encouragement to continue in ministry comes
 through being the recipient of grace in
 difficulties so that God may be seen to work-
 -except for the case of those who are blinded
 by the Enemy 4:1-12
 1) The solution to loosing heart in the
 ministry is the reception of mercy 4:1
 2) Rather than using cryptic and deceptive
 ways of sharing Christ, Paul and his
 companions openly display the truth
 through their own lives to reach men
 4:2
 3) Those who do not receive their message
 are blinded by the enemy to not perceive
 the greatness of God in believers 4:3-
 12
 a) The enemy has blinded the eyes of
 those perishing from seeing the
 greatness of God in Christ 4:3-4
 b) The misperception does not relate
 to the greatness of men, but to the
 message of God which men bear
 through their infirmities 4:5-12
 (1) Paul and his companions do not
 proclaim themselves, but
 Christ as Lord and themselves
 as His servants 4:5
 (2) God who sovereignly reveals
 Himself as light does so
 through our infirmities 4:6-
 12
 (a) God who Sovereignly
 reveals Himself has done
 so through Christ within
 us 4:6
 (b) God displays this power
 through fragile clay
 posts (a believer's life)
 which may break, but will
 not be destroyed through
 Christ's work in us 4:7-
 12
 (i) God places his
 greatness in our
 fragile selves 4:7
 (ii) We experience
 difficulty but are
 not consumed by it
 4:8-9
 (iii) Death inflicted
 by evil is the
 believers' (as it
 was Jesus') so that
 one might also
 display concurring
 life which Jesus has
 4:10-11
 (iv) People are
 encouraged by the
 battles won over
 evil 4:12
 b. Because of past experiences of God's
 deliverance and the greatness of eternity,
 Paul and his companions proclaim without
 giving up God's deliverance focusing on inner
 growth 4:13-18
 1) Having experienced God's deliverance in
 life, Paul and his companions believe
 and proclaim that deliverance through
 the resurrection for the benefit of
 others who will then give thanks to God
 4:13-15
 a) With a similar experience of
 deliverance as the writer of Psalm
 116, Paul and his companions
 proclaim God's work in their lives
 to others 4:13
 b) One reason they proclaim
 deliverance is because they know
 that Christ's resurrection will
 apply to them and others who
 believe 4:14
 c) All experiences of difficulty and
 victory are for the sake of others
 that the gospel of grace might
 spread to many, culminating in
 thanksgiving to God due to His
 greatness 4:15
 2) Therefore, Paul and his companions do
 not loose heart in the ministry, but in
 their experiences of difficulty focus on
 God's building of their personhood for
 latter reward and eternity 4:16-18
 a) Paul and his companions do not
 loose heart but see their physical
 difficulties as being times of
 strengthening for their inner
 selves 4:16
 b) One reason they focus on their
 inner growth is because God will
 provide a much greater reward in
 eternity for that growth during
 difficulty 4:17
 c) One reason that focus is on the
 inner man is because the outer man
 passes away while the inner
 developments are forever 4:18
 c. Paul is able to suffer in view of the eternal
 weight of glory in the resurrection body and
 the greater experience of life of life to
 follow for obedience today 5:1-10
 1) Paul focuses on eternity during
 difficulties because our future bodies
 will be superior to now in that they
 will end our vulnerability due to sin
 and death through life 5:1-4
 a) The reason Paul focuses on eternity
 during difficulties is because of
 the future body which is superior
 to the one we now have 5:1
 b) The reason Paul focuses on eternity
 during difficulties is because of
 the future personal conquering of
 guilt and death in our new bodies
 5:2-4
 (1) In our present bodies we
 painfully long for our future
 heavenly body because it will
 cover our vulnerability due to
 sin 5:2-3
 (2) One groans in one's present
 body wit a burden of not
 wanting to leave one's body
 but to have one's new body so
 that one's fear of death may
 be overcome by life 5:4
 c) The believer has confidence in his
 future body because of God's work
 in his life 5:5
 (1) God prepares the believer for
 the purpose of the future
 5:5a
 (2) God gives the believer the
 experiential promise in the
 work of the Holy Spirit in his
 life 5:5b
 2) While difficulties are eased through the
 knowledge that the believer's future
 with the Lord will contain so much more,
 there is still an encouragement to live
 in a way pleasing to Him because one
 will be recognized for one's present
 actions 5:6-10
 a) During difficulties it is
 encouraging to know that life now
 is less than complete and one's
 future with God will contain so
 much more 5:6-8
 (1) During difficulties believers
 can be encouraged through the
 knowledge that one's present
 existence is less than perfect
 since one does not see Him who
 is reality 5:6-7
 (2) During difficulties it is
 helpful to look toward one's
 leaving of this limited
 experience and being with God
 in the fullness of life 5:8
 b) Because of one's future presence
 before God Himself, the goal of
 believers is to please Him whether
 in life or in death 5:9-10
 (1) The goal of the believer is to
 please God whether in life or
 in death 5:9
 (2) The reason the believer's goal
 is to please the Lord is
 because everyone will be duly
 recognized by Him for those
 things--be they good or bad--
 which one has done while in
 this existence 5:10
 E. Paul urges the Corinthians to increase their confidence
 in Him, not to give up grace for the law, and to be
 reconciled to God and him and to separate from evil
 5:11--7:16
 1. Paul urges the Corinthians to increase in their
 confidence in him:Paul exhorts believers to share
 with others the grace of God rather than focusing
 on the externals of men because of Christ's
 gracious provision of life for those who will
 receive it 5:11-21
 a. Because of the reality of our future before
 God, Paul and those with him persuade men in
 an openness and honesty that God sees and
 hopefully the Corinthians also see 5:11
 b. Paul's motive in explaining himself is not to
 begin again with the Corinthians, but to
 encourage them in their confidence in him as
 they answer objectors who focus on externals
 rather than the heart 5:12-15
 1) Paul's motive in explaining himself is
 not to begin in his relationship again
 with the Corinthians but, that the
 Corinthians may be proud of him and have
 an answer for those who insist upon
 external requirements 5:12
 2) The reason for the logical explanation
 is to resolve the Corinthians' struggles
 and not those of Paul with God 5:13
 3) The reason Paul is patiently explaining
 himself is because of the control which
 understanding Christ's substitutionary
 death places on him in serving Christ
 5:14-15
 c. Because of Christ's provision for man, Paul
 does not focus on externals, but on the
 change that Christ makes within people who
 have received His provision 5:16-19
 1) Paul does not focus on men's external
 appearances because, as with Christ,
 they are temporary 5:16
 2) For believers there is a newness to them
 in that their past changes and their
 present becomes new when they have faith
 5:17
 3) Christ has provided reconciliation with
 God for believers and to be proclaimed
 by believers 5:18-19
 d. Because of Christ's provision for
 reconciliation with God, believers are
 messengers for God to the world of their need
 to receive this grace 5:20-21
 2. Paul, through a life of integrity which
 substantiates his ministry, urges the Corinthians
 to be those who do not give up the benefits of
 grace for law 6:1-7
 a. As a worker with Christ, Paul urges the
 Corinthians to not receive the grace of God
 to no avail by following the law since they
 are forgiven by Christ already 6:1-2
 b. Paul urges the Corinthians as a man of
 integrity who has endured, been pure and
 expressed the power of God 6:3-10
 3. Paul urges the Corinthians to be reconciled to
 him: thus, they are to separate from the false
 teachers and continue in the movement which they
 began with Titus 6:11--7:16
 a. Just as Paul and those with him have been
 open, honest, and helpful to the Corinthians,
 he asks them, as a father, to be receptive to
 him 6:11-13
 1) Paul and those with him have been open
 and honest with the Corinthians 6:11
 2) The Corinthians have not been limited by
 Paul, but by themselves 6:12
 3) Paul urges the Corinthians--as his own
 children--to be receptive of him and
 those with him 6:13
 b. Paul urges the Corinthians to separate
 themselves from unbelievers: Because of the
 incomparability of unbelievers with
 believers, and the promises of a close
 relationship with God, believers should not
 unite themselves with evil ones, but with the
 people of God 6:14--7:1
 1) The Corinthians are exhorted not to
 unite themselves with unbelievers
 because they have opposite views of life
 6:14-18
 a) Believers are not to unite with
 unbelievers 6:14a
 b) The reason believers are not to
 unite with unbelievers is because
 they share opposite views of life
 6:14b-18
 (1) There is questionable
 partnership in righteousness
 and lawlessness 6:14b
 (2) There is questionable
 fellowship in light with
 darkness 6:14c
 (3) There is questionable harmony
 in Christ with Satan 6:15a
 (4) There is questionable common
 ground in a believer with an
 unbeliever 6:15b
 (5) There is questionable
 agreement with God's temple
 and idols which is who a
 believer is 6:16a-18
 (a) Statement of the
 questionable agreement
 6:16a
 (b) God likens a believer to
 His temple where He
 dwells and reigns 6:16b
 (c) Because of God's presence
 among believers, they are
 not to be people who are
 contaminated by evil, but
 who are dedicated unto
 God 6:17
 (d) A believers' adherence to
 God will enhance his
 family relationship with
 God 6:18
 2) Based upon the promises of God,
 believers should cleanse themselves from
 external and internal pollution of their
 faith, and work towards a separateness
 unto God 7:1
 c. Paul urges the Corinthians to once again be
 receptive of him because he has never hurt
 them, but always loved them finding them to
 be a great source of comfort and joy 7:2-4
 1) Paul exhorts the Corinthians to be
 reconciled to him and to those with him
 7:2a
 2) The reason Paul exhorts that the
 Corinthians be reconciled toward him is
 because nothing was done by him, or
 those with him, to hurt the Corinthians
 7:2b
 3) Paul is not speaking to condemn the
 Corinthians because they are his joy and
 satisfaction 7:3-4
 a) Paul is not speaking to condemn the
 Corinthians 7:3a
 b) The Corinthians are in Paul's heart
 a source of confidence, boasting,
 comfort and joy during affliction
 7:3b-4
 d. Paul urges the Corinthians to continue in the
 direction of their good response to Titus
 7:5-16
 1) The news which Titus brought of the
 Corinthians' response to him was a
 comfort to Paul in Macedonia 7:5-7
 2) Titus' report of the good response by
 the Corinthians to his lettered
 encouraged Paul 7:8-13a
 a) Titus' report helped Paul to
 rejoice that he had caused a
 limited amount of sorrow since it
 led to repentance 7:8-9a
 b) Paul had made the Corinthians
 sorrowful as God would have them be-
 -not to destroy them, but to help
 them, as it did to Paul's
 encouragement 7:9b-13a
 3) Paul rejoiced over the encouragement the
 Corinthians had given Titus by being all
 that Paul had said they would be in
 their reception of the word of God
 through Paul 7:13b-16
III. Paul specifically exhorts the Corinthians to complete their
 intended gift for the church in Jerusalem by noting the
 faithfulness of the church in Macedonia, describing it as a
 spiritual service, emphasizing the need for purity of
 commitment, focusing upon proportionate giving, warning of
 embarrassment if they fail to organize their gift, reminding
 them of the law of the harvest 8:1--9:15
 A. Inspired by the willing and sacrificial giving of the
 Macedonian churches, Paul encourages the Corinthians to
 also be a part of God's working by completing their
 giving as a spiritual service, motivated out of a
 purity of commitment, and in accordance with their
 ability 8:1-15
 1. From the inspiration of God's gracious work
 through the willing, abundant giving of the
 afflicted Macedonian churches, Paul encourages the
 Corinthians to likewise give as they had intended
 8:1-6
 a. Paul informs the Corinthians of the working
 of God through the great, sacrificial giving
 of the Macedonian churches 8:1-5
 1) God has expressed grace through that
 which was given by the Macedonian
 churches 8:1
 2) The Macedonian churches liberally gave
 while suffering themselves 8:2-5
 a) The Macedonians were in affliction
 8:2a
 b) The abundance and poverty of the
 Macedonians overflowed in liberal
 giving 8:2b-5
 (1) The Macedonians gave according
 to and beyond their ability
 8:3a
 (2) The Macedonians strongly
 desired to give out of their
 relationship with God 8:3b-5
 b. Titus was therefore, encouraged to complete
 God's gracious work through the Corinthians'
 giving just as he had initiated it there 8:6
 2. The Corinthians should abound in their giving as a
 spiritual service, motivated out of a purity of
 commitment in accordance with their ability 8:7-
 15
 a. The Corinthians should abound in the
 spiritual act of giving as much as they do in
 spiritual character qualities 8:7
 b. Rather than being motivated out of duty, the
 Corinthians are asked to consider the
 sincerity of their commitment through the
 stimulation of others 8:8-9
 1) Paul is not commanding obedience 8:8a
 2) Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to
 be motivated within for good by the
 earnest giving of the Macedonians and by
 the condescendtion of Christ for our
 benefit 8:8b-9
 c. The Corinthians are encouraged to willingly
 complete the task which they began in giving
 according to their ability 8:10-15
 1) Just as the Corinthians were first to
 begin and even desire to give, they
 should finish the task of giving 8:10-
 11a
 2) The Corinthians should complete their
 giving in accordance with their ability
 to give 8:11b-15
 a) Statement: The Corinthians should
 complete their intention to give in
 accordance with their ability
 8:11b
 b) One reason the Corinthians should
 give in accordance with their
 ability is because God understands
 and accepts one's limitations 8:12
 c) Another reason the Corinthians
 should give in accordance with
 their ability is because God's
 desire is not to afflict a
 believer, but to provide equally
 for all who have life-threatening
 needs 8:13-15
 (1) God's desire is not to afflict
 a believer for the ease of
 others 8:13a
 (2) God's desire is for one to
 give according to one's
 ability so that all with life-
 threatening needs may be met
 8:14-15
 (a) God desires for all with
 life-threatening needs to
 be met by one another
 8:14
 (b) Support that God desires
 to meet one's basic needs
 equally is in His
 proportionate supply of
 "manna" in the wilderness
 8:15
 B. Since Titus and two brethren from the churches are
 coming to Corinth to help in administrating the
 Corinthians' offering, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to
 prove their intentions by giving lest there be
 embarrassment 8:16--9:5
 1. Titus and two faithful, prominent brethren from
 the churches which are participation in the
 offering are coming to Corinth to help with their
 offering 8:16-23
 a. God is thanked for His working in Titus to
 the point where he chose to go to the
 Corinthians to help 8:16-17
 b. Another brother has been sent along with
 Titus who is famous for the gospel, and
 represents the churches in taking the
 offering to Jerusalem 8:18-21
 1) A brother has been sent with Titus who
 is noted for the gospel among the
 churches 8:18
 2) The brother is also going along with the
 gift which the apostles are
 administering as a further protection
 against any questions of misconduct by
 men 8:19-21
 c. Another brother is coming with Titus and the
 churches representatives because of his
 faithfulness in ministry and his confidence
 in the Corinthians 8:22
 d. In summary, those coming to help the
 Corinthians with their offering for the
 church in Jerusalem are Titus, Paul's partner
 and faithful worker, and messengers from the
 churches which are the glory of Christ 8:23
 2. The Corinthians are exhorted to demonstrate their
 intentions of love toward the Jerusalem saints by
 giving their offerings through the arrangement of
 the brethren, and which will prevent the
 embarrassment of empty promises 8:24--9:5
 a. The Corinthians are exhorted to demonstrate
 their good character through the offering and
 for which Paul and others are proud 8:24
 b. The reason Paul desires for the Corinthians
 to demonstrate their character is because
 their good intentions could lead to
 embarrassment if not arranged well 9:1-5
 1) Paul does not feel it is necessary to
 write again about the ministry unto the
 Jerusalem church because the Corinthians
 have been ready to help so as to spur on
 the Macedonians 9:1-2
 2) Even though the Corinthians have been
 ready to help the saints, Paul has sent
 the brethren to help arrange the actual
 gift so that no one would be
 embarrassed by empty promises 9:3-5
 C. Remembering the law of the harvest, the Corinthians are
 encouraged to give knowing that in doing so God will
 provide for them, enrich them to give more, and use
 them to reflect Him in His goodness 9:6-15
 1. Since one receives in proportion to one's giving,
 God desires for all to willfully choose to give,
 knowing that He will provide for one's needs, and
 give one even more to give in uprightness 9:6-10
 a. The law of the harvest is true with respect
 to giving: one receives in proportion to how
 one invests 9:6
 b. God desires everyone to do what they do out
 of contemplative, willful choices, rather
 than against one's will as a duty 9:7
 c. God is able to graciously supply for one's
 needs and give one an abundance for more good
 works of uprightness 9:8-10
 1) Statement concerning the physical 9:8
 2) Old Testament support for the spiritual
 from Psalm 112:9 9:9
 3) Statement combining the physical and the
 spiritual 9:10
 2. God will enrich those who give more liberally
 because it will ultimately reflect back to the
 goodness of Himself to all 9:11-15
 a. God will enrich those who give in order to
 give more 9:11a
 b. One's giving will ultimately reflect back
 unto the goodness of God 9:11b-15
 1) One's giving produces thanksgiving to
 God 9:11b
 2) Proofs of this assertion:
 a) Those who receive the gift will
 glorify God for the Corinthians'
 obedience to the gospel, and the
 liberality of their contribution
 9:13
 b) Those who receive the gift will
 pray for the Corinthians because of
 the grace of God they have received
 through them 9:14
 c) God is thanked for His
 indescribable gift for all 9:15
IV. Paul responds to criticisms of his leadership by explaining
 his choice to care for those under his responsibility, by
 sarcastically boasting of his strengths in order to
 emphasize that weaknesses are the realm through which God
 shows strength rather than the strength of men, and by
 directly exhorting the Corinthians to be reconciled to him
 and by-pass the hurt of going in the direction of error
 10:1--13:6
 A. Responding to criticisms of his leadership style, Paul
 explains his preference for caring for those entrusted
 to his responsibility as God would have him do rather
 than succumbing to the pressures of others to be more
 stern because only God's opinion lasts 10:1-18
 1. Responding to criticisms of his leadership style,
 Paul explains that he does not desire to
 physically punish those rebelling in Corinth
 because spiritual warfare can change hearts 10:1-
 6
 a. In a sarcastic way, due to criticisms of his
 leadership style, Paul gently writes to urge
 the Corinthians to not force him to deal
 sternly with them 10:1-2
 b. The reason Paul is usually not visibly stern
 with people when face to face is not because
 he sinfully seeks approval, but because he
 fights in the spiritual realm first 10:3-6
 1) Though one lives in the physical realm,
 Paul engages in the power of spiritual
 warfare first 10:3-5
 a) Spiritual warfare is divinely
 powerful and able to destroy
 fortresses 10:4
 b) Spiritual warfare is able to defeat
 how people think 10:5
 2) Punishment for disobedience follows the
 completion of spiritual warfare 10:6
 2. Urging his critics to consider his motivations
 which are to help those under his care in
 leadership, and not to act out of jealously, Paul
 reminds the Corinthians that only God's approval
 lasts when leading, not man's 10:7-18
 a. Rather than judging Paul's leadership style
 from external appearances, Paul exhorts the
 Corinthians to consider his inward
 motivations 10:7-10
 1) Those judging Paul are only looking at
 things externally 10:7a
 2) Paul encourages his critics to consider
 his inward motivations which are for
 good 10:7b-10
 a) Statement: Paul exhorts his critics
 to look at things inwardly 10:7b
 b) Being a believer, Paul desires what
 Christ would desire for another
 believer 10:7c
 c) Paul bears authority for the
 purpose of building-up other
 believers 10:8
 d) Paul's desire is not to terrify the
 Corinthians with his letters as a
 coward would when away 10:9-10
 b. Paul re-affirms his personal consistence of
 leadership which is demonstrated when dealing
 with real needs of people under his care, but
 is not evoked by personal jealousy 10:11-16
 1) Paul affirms that his character of
 leadership is consistent whether absent
 or present 10:11
 2) That which motivates Paul's expression
 of leadership is personal care for those
 under his responsibility and not 'peer'
 jealousy 10:12-16
 a) "Peer"-jealousy does not motivate
 Paul to express himself because to
 do so is not to understand what God
 values 10:12
 b) Paul is motivated to exercise
 leadership over people whom God has
 given into his care as service to
 God 10:13-16
 (1) While not overstepping his
 bounds, Paul will exercise
 leadership in those areas
 which God has given
 responsibility which includes
 the Corinthians 10:13
 (2) The Corinthians fall into
 Paul's sphere of
 responsibility because they
 first received the Gospel from
 him with the hopes extending
 his ministry to people beyond
 them who had not heard 10:14-
 16
 c. Paul reminds his critics to evaluate their
 actions by God's expectations rather than
 their own because only His will give a
 lasting approval 10:17-18
 B. Using the foolishness of boasting to expose the
 Corinthians naive reception of false teachers, Paul
 explains that focusing on weakness rather than
 strengths is the correct way to boast because it
 emphasizes God's power rather than men's 11:1--12:10
 1. Paul encourages the Corinthians to endure some
 boasting which he is about to do with them because
 he is acting with understanding and out of
 commitment to them 11:1-15
 a. Even though the Corinthians were beginning to
 consider Paul as foolish, he asks that they
 might put up with some talk that he deems
 foolish 11:1
 b. Paul deserves for the Corinthians to listen
 to his foolishness for their good, because he
 is committed to them, because he is an
 apostle, and because he has cared for them
 11:2-15
 1) One reason Paul wants to enter into
 these games of boasting is because he is
 committed to the relationship the
 Corinthians have with God 11:2-4
 a) Paul is committed to helping the
 Corinthians remain pure toward God
 11:2
 b) Paul is fearful that the
 Corinthians are being led astray by
 the Enemy through false teachers
 11:3-4
 2) Another reason Paul entreats the
 Corinthians to bear with his discussion
 is because of his Apostolic
 understanding and care for them 11:5-9
 a) Paul asks the Corinthians to hear
 him out because of his apostolic
 authority which is expressed with
 knowledge 11:5-6
 b) Paul asks the Corinthians to hear
 him out because of the sensitive
 way that he has ministered to them
 11:7-9
 3) Paul is determined to argue against
 false teachers because they are an
 instrument of Satan to corrupt believers
 11:10-15
 2. Exposing the Corinthians naive reception of
 boasting--false teachers, Paul demonstrates their
 silliness by comparing himself to them in a
 boastful way 11:16-22
 a. Once again Paul encourages the Corinthians to
 receive his foolish boasting 11:16
 b. The reason Paul is going to express a
 confidence of boasting is not because he
 thinks it is as Christ would speak, but to
 expose the Corinthians in their blind
 reception of others who do so 11:17-21a
 1) Paul proclaims that his boasting is not
 biblical 11:17
 2) Paul proclaims that his boasting is
 meant to expose the naive reception of
 others by the Corinthians 11:18-21
 a) Paul is going to boast as the false
 teachers do 11:18
 b) The Corinthians naively accept the
 boasts of foolishness 11:19-21
 (1) Statement: although the
 Corinthians appear to be wise,
 they gladly endure the
 foolishness of boasting 11:19
 (2) Proof of the statement: the
 Corinthians receive those who
 abuse them while considering
 those who care for them as
 weak by comparison 11:20-21a
 c. In a comparative way Paul boasts of his
 bearing the same natural qualifications of
 leadership as do the false teachers 11:21b-
 22
 3. Continuing in the sphere of boasting, Paul
 explains that weaknesses rather than strengths are
 better areas to boast in since they point to God's
 strength rather than men's 11:23-12:10
 a. Paul continues his comparative boasting with
 the false teachers by describing himself as a
 servant of Christ yet, through experiences of
 weakness and care rather than "authority"
 11:23-29
 1) Paul compares himself with the false
 teachers as a servant of Christ, not
 really believing that they are so
 11:23a
 2) Paul actually demonstrates his position
 as a servant of Christ through
 weaknesses of experience 11:23b-29
 a) Paul has had more hurtful things
 happen to him 11:23b-25
 b) Paul has experienced dangerous
 journeys 11:26
 c) Paul has experienced physical abuse
 11:27
 d) Paul feels daily pressure of the
 churches' needs 11:28-29
 b. Paul explains that boasting should be in the
 area of weakness rather than strengths citing
 God as his witness and an experience at
 Damascus as proof 11:30-33
 1) Paul explains that real boasting should
 in a person's weaknesses rather than in
 their strengths 11:30
 2) Paul supports his statement by
 testifying of God's understanding and
 with an example of God working in
 delivering him even through a
 humiliating experience 11:31-33
 c. Using the context of his receiving a vision
 from God, Paul explains that it is better to
 boast in weakness where God's power is
 displayed rather than in strengths which
 uplifting men 12:1-10
 1) Feeling that it is necessary for the
 Corinthians to more fully understand
 what Paul has to say about empty
 boasting, he begins to boast about
 receiving a revelation from God 12:1-4
 2) Paul now explains how boasting about
 what a man has experienced builds up a
 man where as focusing on a man's
 weakness builds up one's perception of
 the strength of God 12:5-10
 a) Boast about one's strengths only
 builds up men; that is why Paul
 will only boast in regard to his
 weaknesses 12:5-6
 b) God gives those who have personal
 strengths and gifts weaknesses so
 that they strength can be seen as
 coming from God 11:7-10
 (1) Paul was given a weakness to
 keep him from exalting himself
 with the revelation he
 received 12:7
 (2) When Paul asked God to take
 the weakness away, he was told
 that it was a gracious gift to
 mature power which he had
 12:8-9a
 (3) Paul concludes that the
 weakness is better as the
 channel of God's power 12:9b-
 10
 C. Speaking directly, Paul questions the Corinthians'
 attitude toward him, explains his desire to draw them
 away from sin and its consequences, and exhorts them to
 by-pass hurt by receiving him as God's messenger 12:11-
 -13:6
 1. Paul directly questions the doubting attitude of
 the Corinthians toward him in light of his
 apostleship, respectful treatment of them, and his
 intentions to invest himself in them 12:11-18
 a. Paul directly addresses the Corinthians
 improper attitude toward him of questioning,
 rather than commending him for being an
 apostle who treated them respectfully 12:11-
 13
 1) Paul felt compelled by the questioning
 spirit of the Corinthians to present the
 foolishness of his credentials to the
 Corinthians 12:11a
 2) Rather than always questioning him, Paul
 felt that the Corinthians should have
 commended him because of his apostleship
 and respectful treatment of them 12:11b-
 13
 b. When Paul comes to the Corinthians on his
 third visit, his intention is not to burden
 them, but to invest himself in them as a
 father would with a child 12:12-15a
 c. Because of Paul's past dealings, and present
 plans on behalf of the Corinthians, he
 questions openly their unfeigned hostility
 toward him and his message 12:15b-18
 1) Paul questions the Corinthians' lack of
 love for him in light of his great love
 for them 12:15b
 2) Paul insists that he did not burden, or
 act deceitfully toward the Corinthians
 himself, or through any of his fellow-
 workers 12:16-18
 2. Rather than desiring to build himself up, Paul has
 been defending himself to build up the Corinthians
 by drawing them away from sin and its consequences
 to the truth of God 12:19-21
 a. Rather than trying to build himself and those
 with him up, Paul insists that his arguments
 have been biblical for the purpose of
 building up those whom he loves--the
 Corinthians 12:19
 b. Paul has been defending himself in hopes of
 drawing the Corinthians back to the truth so
 that they may not experience the hurtful
 consequences of sin 12:20-21
 1) One reason Paul has been defending
 himself is so that neither he nor the
 Corinthians might have to experience
 painful surprises about each other
 12:20a
 2) Another reason Paul has been defending
 himself is because he desired to end
 sinful disputing within the church
 12:20b
 3) Another reason Paul has been defending
 himself is because he does not desire to
 be humbled and mournful by continued
 immorality within the church 12:21
 3. Warning of his upcoming exercise of the life-
 giving power of God towards those who are
 continuing in sin, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to
 receive him as a messenger of Christ 13:1-6
 a. As Paul has warned in the Past, he once again
 warns that when he comes on his third visit,
 he will deal with strength against all who
 continue to sin 13:1-2
 b. Paul's strong dealings toward the
 Corinthians' continuing in sin will be
 experiential proof of the real strength of
 Christ which leads to life 13:3-4
 1) Paul's actions will really demonstrate
 the strength of Christ through him
 towards them 13:3
 2) The power of God is that which turns the
 weakness and death of sin into life for
 Christ, Paul and now the Corinthians
 13:4
 c. By sarcastically reaffirming the faith of the
 Corinthians, Paul once again exhorts them to
 receive him as a messenger of Christ 13:5-6
 1) In a sarcastic manner Paul exhorts the
 Corinthians to examine their
 relationship with Christ--knowing full
 well that they are believers through his
 proclamation to them 13:5
 2) Paul once again encourages the
 Corinthians to acknowledge his place
 among the messengers of the faith 13:6
V. Praying for the Corinthians good, and encouraging them to
 respond to him so he need not be severe, Paul closes his
 correspondence by encouraging them to obedience, sending
 greetings from the saints and praying that they might
 experience God's care for them 13:7-14
 A. Paul prays for the Corinthians good and explains that
 he desires for them to have a change of mind so that he
 does not need to be severe when he comes 13:7-10
 1. Because of Paul's and his companions' commitment
 to the truth, they pray for the Corinthians' good
 regardless of whether they receive Paul or not
 13:7-8
 a. Paul prays for the good choices of the
 Corinthians whether or not they approve of
 him 13:7
 b. Paul's reason for praying for the Corinthians
 is that he is committed to the truth and good
 of the Corinthians even in personal loss
 13:8-9
 2. Paul's purpose in writing is so that they may have
 a change in heart and thus, he may not need to be
 severe when he comes 13:9
 B. Paul closes by encouraging a response of mature,
 peaceful unity to increase the Corinthians'
 relationship with God, sending greetings from the
 saints, and praying that they might experience the
 triune God among them 13:11-14
___________________________
 1 Paul desires to encourage the Corinthians to obey his
words out of confidence in his apostleship from God. He develops
this encouragement by explaining his change in plans (1--7),
exhorting the Corinthians to participate in the offering going to
Jerusalem from all of the churches in Macedonia (8--9), and by
defending his authority as an apostle (10--13).