2 CORINTHIANS 6
16 For we are the temple of the living God, as God said:
I will dwell
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.,
17 Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.,
18 And I will be a Father to you,
and you will be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty., [1]
 
2 CORINTHIANS 7
1 So then, dear friends, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

JOY AND REPENTANCE
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, corrupted no one, taken advantage of no one. 3 I don’t say this to condemn you, since I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 I am very frank with you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our afflictions.
5 In fact, when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus, 7 and not only by his arrival but also by the comfort he received from you. He told us about your deep longing, your sorrow, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I grieved you with my letter, I don’t regret it. And if I regretted it—since I saw that the letter grieved you, yet only for a while--9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death. 11 For consider how much diligence this very thing—this grieving as God wills—has produced in you: what a desire to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what deep longing, what zeal, what justice! In every way you showed yourselves to be pure in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not because of the one who did wrong, or because of the one who was wronged, but in order that your devotion to us might be made plain to you in the sight of God. 13 For this reason we have been comforted.
In addition to our own comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you. 14 For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been disappointed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth. 15 And his affection toward you is even greater as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you received him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice that I have complete confidence in you. [2]

[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 6:16–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 7). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

2 Corinthians was written by Paul about twenty years after he came to Christ on the Damascus Road.

• 57 AD ( show chart)
• While in Macedonia (show map)
• Paul was a tentmaker.
• As he did manual labor, that would have carried a social stigma with people who were rich and powerful in the Corinthian culture, and that’s going to have an effect on 2 Corinthians.
• Now, when you think about Corinth at this time, think economic powerhouse.
• It was a mix of Roman political power and values.
• The Corinthians saw themselves as profoundly connected to the city of Rome itself.
• But it also embodied Greek cultural values, which is going to be very important as we think about the leadership values of Corinth.[1]
• Things that were important for Corinth leadership:

1) Power – politics and influence on people
2) Ability to speak; skill in rhetoric
3) Education
4) Wealth
 
GREETING
2 Corinthians 1:1-24
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother:

• God’s will is the “trump card”
• Timothy was going to deliver the letter to the Church in Corinth.

To the church of God at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.

• Small house churches w/ different leadership, opinions and interpretations.
• Majority were following Paul every step.
• Minority that had different but similar agendas.

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

• Grace is always first because it leads to peace.
• Grace and peace always come from God/Jesus.
• To call Jesus “Lord” really brought Him into conflict with Caesar, who was seen as the lord of the whole world.[2]​

 
THE GOD OF COMFORT (ENCOURAGEMENT)

• Paul’s prologue – Formal with some theological processing.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (encouragement). 4 He comforts (encourages) us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort (encourage) those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort (encouragement) we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort (encouragement) overflows. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort (encouragement) and salvation. If we are comforted (encouraged), it is for your comfort (encouragement), which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort (encouragement).

• The Greek term here is paraklēsis.
• What is the difference between encouragement and comfort?
• As we look at the use of the book here as Paul is trying to write to them about this idea of comfort or encouragement, really, “encouragement” fits a bit better.[3]
• 9 times – read again with “encouragement”
• Suffering is difficult… but you get to the point where we can sympathize and comfort or encourage others who have suffered in similar circumstances.
• I grew up in a single parent home.
• I’ve experienced suicide in my family.
• My mother had dementia.
• It is not used as a comparison or competition, but one of experience and understanding.
• We comfort through our sympathy.
• It’s hard to sympathize with someone when you have been through what they have been through.

 
8 We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and he will deliver us. We have put our hope in him that he will deliver us again 11 while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.

• Remember that one of the purposes of a prologue was to kind of update people on what had been going on with the author, and that’s exactly what we find here.
• Paul gives the Corinthians an update on something that has really affected his life and ministry recently.
• Now, part of the reason why he’s doing that is to get their sympathy.
• He wants them to know that some of his change in plans has been due to unexpected and very, very difficult circumstances.[4]
• What was Paul’s affliction?
• 1) Psychological – regretted sending that harsh letter to Corinth?
• 2) Potential fatal illness?
• 3) Persecution – Mob mentality – He had just left Ephesus where he was in the middle of a major riot.

 
A CLEAR CONSCIENCE
12 Indeed, this is our boast: The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace. 13 For we are writing nothing to you other than what you can read and also understand. I hope you will understand completely--14 just as you have partially understood us—that we are your reason for pride (boasting, rejoicing), just as you also are ours in the day of our Lord Jesus.

• Affirming his own integrity.
• If Paul loses his integrity… he loses his audience.
• Boasting is seen as prideful.
• But we can also boast about what the Lord is doing.
• Pinheads… giving… boast in things beyond human comprehension
• Are we “growing”? Numbers or spiritually

 
A VISIT POSTPONED
15 Because of this confidence, I planned to come to you first, so that you could have a second benefit, 16 and to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and then come to you again from Macedonia and be helped by you on my journey to Judea. 17 Now when I planned this, was I of two minds? Or what I plan, do I plan in a purely human, way so that I say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

• Paul’s plans changed and he tries to explain why.
• Paul is trying to explain to them that he is not being “wishy-washy”
• Paul is not “walking according to the flesh”

18 As God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes and no.”

• Paul says, “That same faithfulness and integrity is reflected in all of our actions as we are carrying out our ministry to you.”[5]

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you—Silvanus, Timothy, and I—did not become “Yes and no.” On the contrary, in him it is always “Yes.”

• Even though our plans changed, we still commit to come visit.

20 For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who strengthens us together with you in Christ, and who has anointed us. 22 He has also put his seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.

• What he does is he explains his situation.
• He appeals to theological principles as the foundation of what he is doing.
• And so Paul approaches a difficult moment in his ministry by doing clear communication with theological reflection, and that’s a good pattern for us to follow as well when we are being accused falsely of lacking integrity.[6]
• It’s God’s plan… not ours… we are just following it.
• Integrity is important to ministry as well as clear communication.

 
23 I call on God as a witness, on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth. 24 I do not mean that we lord it over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand firm in your faith.[7]
 
2 Corinthians 2
1 In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. 2 For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me? 3 I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours. 4 For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.[8]
 

• Here Paul begins to explain why he didn’t come straight to Corinth.
• He agonized through writing a painful letter and even became afflicted when he hit the send button.
• But he also needed to address the situation so when he did come they could be past the situation and experience in each other’s presence.
• He says, “My motive was not to hurt you but that you might know the very great love that I have for you.”
• So, in terms of motive, Paul says, “I don’t want to make you sad. I don’t want to grieve you. I want to do this though because you need it at this moment.”[9]
• Let’s just be honest here…

[1] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (2 Co 1:1–24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (2 Co 2:1–4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

• We left off last week with Paul’s introduction (opening) and verses of Thanksgiving for the Church at Thessalonica.

 
PAUL’S CONDUCT
1 THESSALONIANS 2

• In 2:1–12, Paul is defending his past character during his three-plus Sabbaths in that church.

1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result.

• Paul emphasized the fact that the readers themselves must testify to his character.
• “You know” is emphatic in the Greek text.
• If Paul was combating critics, he did so by calling on the Thessalonians as defense witnesses.[1]
• He’s reminding them of what was done and also looking for confirmation.
• “Yes, right?”

2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition.

• They were beaten Philippi and ran out of town.
• But then God gave them boldness/courage to come to Thessalonica and teach the same message.
• Tell me today, that Pastors aren’t told what to preach/talk about on Sunday mornings.
• Paul said he came to speak the Good News instead of what everyone else is instructing him to do.

3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.

• Even in Paul’s days, there were people who preached a message with the intent of making money.

4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts.

• A person obligated to speak for one who can judge the heart would be foolish to change the message in order to please the hearers.
• Such an act would comprise a breach of trust.
• Thus it was impossible in the mind of the apostle to be a person pleaser and a God pleaser at the same time[2]
• A steward owns nothing, but possesses and uses everything that belongs to his master.[3]
• Are you a good steward of your resources, time and physical body?

5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives—God is our witness--

• Paul didn’t put on a show or manipulate emotions to share the Gospel.
• There were no fancy presentations.
• There was no salesmanship occurring.
• Material support in return for spiritual or philosophical instruction was common both in the church and in the Hellenistic world in general.
• It was not considered improper.
• In this context the term indicates more than simple financial support.
• It refers to the weight of authority that might put a demand for financial support or a demand for respect.[4]

6 and we didn’t seek glory from people, either from you or from others.

• What is the problem that Paul is trying to address?”
• And the answer is [that] he’s trying to react and correct criticisms about his character from opponents.
• Paul’s opponents were both the Jews & the Gentiles.
• He was teaching and people were converting from Judaism and the pagan gods.
• You probably have had that experience where someone you know is in the room and they get a phone call, and you hear one half of the conversation.
• But even though you don’t hear the other half, it’s not difficult, usually, for you to reconstruct what the other person is saying.
• And something similar like that is true for us when we read Paul’s letters.
• We are hearing one half of the conversation, Paul’s half, but from what Paul says we can pretty easily and pretty confidently reconstruct what the other half is, what other people were saying to which Paul is now responding.[5]

 

• Paul, in our passage, gives the Christians in Thessalonica three pictures, three family pictures: a picture of an infant, a picture of a mother, and a picture of a father.
• And Paul gives them these three pictures in order to help the Thessalonians think about Paul in the right way.
• Paul is concerned about this issue because he knows of the intimate connection between the messenger and the message.
• The intimate link between the messenger and the message.
• In other words, if there are any questions about the character of the messenger, that automatically can raise in people’s minds questions about the character, the integrity, of the message.[6]
• Trust – If you don’t trust your pastor, you need to find one you can.
• The same thing Paul is teaching is what I am teaching.
• Trust the Father. But how can we teach you to trust the Father if you can’t even trust us?
• One of my biggest issues, is integrity.
• Some say that is a pride issue.
• Let me be the 1st to say, I’m not perfect in my behavior.
• But when it comes to my integrity, you might have just pushed one of my buttons.
• I want to be able to live my life (even though I still do acts of the flesh) so that it will publicly prove my integrity.
• I am not interested in putting on a show.
• I am interested in people connecting with me and trusting me.
• It is through the connection and trust that they will listen to the message of Jesus Christ.
• If I can’t connect with people and build their trust, then I am nothing but a clanging gong.
• I don’t see it as a “pride issue” but a necessity for the Gospel to be heard by the community.

7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle (infant) among you,

• The idea of innocence also comes from an ancient author of Paul’s day.
• Philo, the important Jewish writer, said this: “It is impossible for the greatest liar to invent a charge against infants”—same word that Paul uses—“as they are wholly innocent.”
• So this quote from Philo is important to show that in the ancient world the word that Paul uses--nēpios or “infant” or “baby”—was associated with the idea of innocence.[7]

as a nurse (mother/ wet nurse) nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers.

• Interesting how Paul refers to himself as a nursing mom.
• One that connects intimately with their children no matter what they do.
• Mothers have a tendency to look the child in the eye during nursing and there is a connection there that a Dad will never have.
• The sacrifice of a nursing mother is that she is available both day and night.
• The nursing mother eats the food and transforms it into milk for the baby.
• The mature Christian feeds on the Word of God and then shares its nourishment with the younger believers so they can grow.
• This metaphor Paul uses about his ministry is to help them understand how much he deeply loves them.
• So, although effective ministry demands that pastors and church leaders act in a professional way, ministry must never become a profession.[8]

11 As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to live worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.[9]

• There is no question that, in the ancient world, parents—and especially fathers—were authoritative powerful figures.
• That has changed in our society because we get Homer Simpson, Tim the Toolman Taylor, Al Bundy and Phil Dunfy.
• In other words, it’s important to see that Paul is not misusing his authoritative fatherly role; instead, Paul says the purpose of [his] being a father to [them was to help them] live lives that are “worthy of God.”
• What does it mean to “walk worthy of God”?
• Walk by the Spirit
• Having my integrity with Cory & Chloe is more important than having it with you.
• They have to trust me if I am going to have intimate conversations with them.
• I used to come at them with emotions… it just turned them away.
• So there are clear structures put on the authority and the purpose of that authoritative role that Paul, as a spiritual father, has.
• Pastors do not wait to discover how the rest of the congregation feels about a particular issue before they venture their own opinion; but instead, they, in an appropriate way, move ahead in articulating a vision for the future.
• That means that church leaders don’t quickly retract statements or change their opinion at the first sign that people don’t like what they say.
• In other words, they are not afraid to run the risk of saying things that are biblical and that are relevant and true but are also potentially unpopular.
• These three same family metaphors are true and appropriate not just for those in leadership position but for all members of the church.[10]

[1] Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33, p. 70). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33, pp. 73–74). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 163). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33, p. 76). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Weima, J. A. D. (2020). NT350 Book Study: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Weima, J. A. D. (2020). NT350 Book Study: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7] Weima, J. A. D. (2020). NT350 Book Study: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[8] Weima, J. A. D. (2020). NT350 Book Study: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (1 Th 2:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Weima, J. A. D. (2020). NT350 Book Study: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.