I. The Corinthian Correspondence
Slides
PRESENTATIONS
Slide 1
The Corinthian Correspondence J. Brian
Tucker, Ph.D. Moody Theological Seminary
Slide 2
2 Corinthian Correspondence I. Key
Facts on the Corinthian Correspondence II. History of the Corinthian
Correspondence III. Literature of the Corinthian Correspondence IV. Theological
Themes
Slide 3
KEY FACTS: 1 Corinthians Author: Paul
Date: 53 or 54 Provenance: Ephesus Destination: The church at Corinth Occasion:
Oral reports and a letter from the Corinthians Purpose: To address practical
issues such as social identity, schisms in the church, lawsuits in local
courts, the exercise of church discipline, questions related to idolatry,
Christian marriage, the ordinances, spiritual gifts, and theological issues
such as the nature of salvation and the doctrine of resurrection Key Verses:
13:1–3
Slide 4
KEY FACTS: 2 Corinthians Author: Paul
Date: 54 or 55 Provenance: Macedonia, perhaps Philippi Destination: Churches in
Corinth and throughout the province of Achaia Occasion: Titus’s report on the
condition of the church followed by additional information regarding the
intrusion of false apostles Purpose: To defend Paul’s apostolic authority,
explain the nature of the new covenant, encourage sacrificial giving to the
relief offering, and challenge the claims of false apostles Key Verses: 5:16–21
Slide 5
INTRODUCTION 1 Corinthians contains Paul’s most extensive discussion of
topics such as Christian identity, Christian unity, Christian morality, the
ordinances of the church, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of believers. 2 Corinthians is invaluable in guiding
interpreters to understand Paul’s theology of the new covenant that forms the
foundation for much of his thought. Paul’s response to the Corinthians’
problems offers modern students of the NT a powerful guide for addressing the
problems of the local church today.
Slide 6
HISTORY Authorship Order of the Letters Date and Provenance Destination
Occasion Purpose
Slide 7
Authorship: 1 Corinthians Paul’s authorship of 1 Corinthians is widely
accepted. The ancient
external evidence for the authenticity of the letter is also compelling.
Clement of Rome quoted from 1 Corinthians and ascribed the quote to “the
epistle of the blessed apostle Paul” around the year 96. There are also
frequent echoes of 1 Corinthians in the letters of Ignatius that were composed
prior to 110.
Slide 8
Authorship: 1 Corinthians Some scholars have suggested that although 1
Corinthians was written by Paul, portions of the letter as it is presently
known were non-Pauline interpolations (e.g., 1 Cor 1:2b; 14:34b–35). But such theories have failed to
convince most interpreters since the suspected texts are present in all extant
manuscripts of 1 Corinthians.
Slide 9
Authorship: 1 Corinthians Many scholars
have suggested that 1 Corinthians is a composite letter in which portions of
other Pauline correspondence have been inserted into another letter. The
fragmentary nature of the letter, however, is due largely to the fact that
Paul’s letter responds point by point to issues raised by oral reports and a
letter from Corinth.
Slide 10
Authorship: 2 Corinthians Paul’s
authorship of 2 Corinthians has not been seriously contested. The external
attestation of 2 Corinthians is not as strong as that for 1 Corinthians. Many
scholars suspect that 2 Corinthians is a composite document consisting of
several pieces of Pauline correspondence addressed to Corinth and elsewhere and
possibly some non-Pauline material as well.
Slide 11
Authorship: 2 Corinthians The integrity
of the letter has been challenged at four points: (1) Many scholars believe
that the change in tone from chapters 1–9 to 10–13 suggests that chapters 10–13
belong to an originally separate letter written either before or after chapters
1–9. (2) Some scholars believe that the transition from chapter 8 to chapter 9
is unusually abrupt and that chapter 9 may have been pasted to chapter 8 by a
later editor.
Slide 12
Authorship: 2 Corinthians (3) 2:14–7:4
is recognized by some as a unit distinct from the rest of the letter that
interrupts Paul’s discussion of Titus and his travel to Macedonia in 2:12–13 and
7:5–16. (4) Some scholars see 6:14–7:1 as out of place and out of character for
Paul.
Slide 13
Authorship: 2 Corinthians 10–13 Some
scholars have argued that chapters 10–13 are an earlier “painful letter”
mentioned in 2 Cor 7:8. However, it is clear that the painful letter demanded
that an offender in the church be punished (2 Cor 2:5–6; 7:12), and chapters
10–13 make no reference to such an offender.
Slide 14
Authorship: 2 Corinthians 10–13 The
majority of recent commentators argue that Paul wrote chapters 10–13 sometime
after chapters 1–9. After Titus delivered chapters 1–9 to the Corinthians, it
is argued that Paul received further information about their situation
demanding another stern response. He wrote chapters 10–13 as his final letter
to the Corinthians.
Slide 15
Authorship: 2 Corinthians 10–13
Chapters 1–9 may be addressed to the congregation at large, while chapters
10–13 are directed primarily to Paul’s opponents. More likely Paul received new
information about the situation in Corinth after a lengthy dictation pause.
There was more than an adequate amount of time for Paul to receive new
information that might require a fresh approach in the final chapters of the
letter.
Slide 16
Authorship: 2 Corinthians 9 Several
scholars have noted that 2 Corinthians 9 sits rather awkwardly in its present
context. Recent research has demonstrated that the so-called introductory
formula in 2 Cor 9:1 was used for a variety of purposes, and one of the most
common uses was to give an explanation of preceding material.
Slide 17
Authorship: 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 2
Cor 6:14–7:1 appears to be positioned somewhat awkwardly. Commentators have
observed several Pauline features in the text: The description of the church as
God’s temple The emphasis on righteousness The contrast between light and
darkness The tension between the “already” and the “not yet”
Slide 18
Authorship: 2 Corinthians 2:14–7:4 Paul
broke off his discussion of Titus and Macedonia in 2:14 and did not return to
that discussion until 7:5. But a rather tight connection exists between 2:13
and 2:14 that makes it unlikely that 2:14 begins a completely different
document.
Slide 19
Date and Provenance Paul’s history with
the Corinthians is complex, but it is possible to reconstruct the course of the
apostle’s dealings from the available evidence in Acts and 1 and 2 Corinthians
with a high degree of plausibility. Paul made at least three visits to Corinth
and wrote at least four letters, only two of which have been preserved in the
Christian canon.
Slide 20
Date and Provenance The sequence of
these visits and letters presents itself as follows: First visit: Paul planted
the church in Corinth in 50–52 (Acts 18) Paul wrote the “previous letter” (1
Cor 5:9, 11; “Corinthians A”) Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus in 53/54 (1
Cor 16:8; “Corinthians B”)
Slide 21
Date and Provenance Paul wrote the
“severe letter” (2 Cor 2:4; 7:8; “Corinthians C”) Second visit: the “painful
visit” (2 Cor 2:1; see 12:14; 13:1–2) Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia
in 54/55 (2 Cor 7:5; 8:1; 9:2; “Corinthians D”) Third visit (Acts 20:2)
Slide 22
Date and Provenance: 1 Corinthians
According to 1 Cor 16:8, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians during his third missionary
journey when he was well into his two-and-a-half-year stay in Ephesus. Paul
then returned to Antioch and later traveled through Galatia and Achaia to
Ephesus, where he remained for two and a half to three years. Paul probably
wrote 1 Corinthians shortly before Pentecost either in late 53 or early 54.
Slide 23
Date and Provenance: 2 Corinthians Paul
wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia (2 Cor 7:5; 8:1; 9:2). 2 Cor 9:2 implies
that the Corinthians had been preparing for the Jerusalem relief offering
“since last year.” This seems to require a date of composition in late 54 or
perhaps early 55.
Slide 24
Destination Paul addressed the
Corinthian letters to “God’s church at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in
Christ Jesus and called as saints” (1 Cor 1:2) and to “God’s church at Corinth”
(2 Cor 1:1). Although the church at Corinth was the primary intended recipient
of the letters, Paul wanted the letters to be read by many congregations,
particularly those in Achaia (1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:1). Paul planted the churches
in the province of Achaia in cities such as Athens and Corinth during his
second missionary journey (Acts 17:16–18:17).
Slide 26
Destination In Paul’s day, the
population of Corinth was probably about 200,000, although some scholars and
ancient writers suggest that it was much larger. Corinth’s political importance
also exceeded that of other cities in the region.
Slide 27
Destination This isthmus was also the
site of the famous Isthmian games. These games were held every two years, the
years both before and after the Olympics, and attracted athletes from all over
the ancient world to compete in contests.
Slide 28
Destination Corinth was infamous for
its immorality. Because of the numerous vices that characterized the city, an
ancient Greek proverb said, “Not for every man is the voyage to Corinth.”
Aristophanes (450–385 BC) demonstrated the immorality of ancient Corinth when
he coined the term “Corinthianize” to describe the act of fornication. Plato
used the term “Corinthian girl” as a euphemism for a prostitute. Strabo, who
wrote only a few decades before Paul’s visit, claimed that one thousand prostitutes
served as slaves for the temple of Aphrodite in Corinth.
Slide 29
Destination Corinth was known for other
vices, too, such as drunkenness.
Slide 30
Destination Corinth’s landscape was
also dotted with temples and shrines. Looming over the city on the Acrocorinth
was the temple of Aphrodite. Near the Forum in Corinth was a temple of Apollo
or Athena, one of the oldest temples in Greece. Just inside the northern city
wall stood a Sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing. A huge structure at
the western end of the Forum is believed to have been a temple dedicated to the
worship of the emperor.
Slide 31
Destination Dozens of gods were worshipped, and scores of cults thrived
(including Apollo, Aphrodite, Asclepius, Athena, Demeter and Kore, Dionysius,
Ephesian Artemis, Hera Acraea, Hermes, Isis, Jupiter, Poseidon, Tyche, Fortuna,
Zeus, and the emperors). The
letters discuss at length whether the Corinthian believers should continue to
participate in pagan feasts in the temples of the city (1 Cor 8:1–13; 10:1–22;
2 Cor 6:14–7:1) and whether they should eat the meat left over from the feasts
that was sold in Corinth’s markets (1 Cor 10:25–11:1).
Slide 32
Destination Although Gentile believers
clearly composed the large majority of the membership, the church at Corinth
was a mixed congregation with both Jewish and Gentile believers. The church
also had members from very different social and economic strata.
Slide 33
Occasion He established the church at
Corinth during his second missionary journey. Perhaps some time early in Paul’s
stay at Ephesus, he received news of trouble in the church at Corinth. In
response, Paul wrote a letter urging the Corinthians to avoid associating with
sexually immoral people who claimed to be Christians. This letter, which is
mentioned in 1 Cor 5:9, is generally referred to by scholars as “Corinthians A”
since it has not been preserved either in our NT or in any presently known manuscript.
Slide 34
Occasion Meanwhile, Apollos, a disciple
of Aquila and Priscilla, was preaching in Corinth with great effect, and some
of the Christians at Corinth began rallying around him. Soon church members
began to compare Apollos to Paul. The church had divided into four major
factions: A Paul group An Apollos group A Cephas (Peter) group A Christ group
Slide 35
Occasion Other problems arose: A church
member began to live in an incestuous relationship with his stepmother. Some
members of the church developed confused ideas about marriage, sexual
relationships, and gender roles. They were also practicing a form of the Lord’s
Supper that was more akin to celebrations in pagan temples than to the
ordinance commanded by Christ. Church members were taking other church members
to court to settle disputes.
Slide 36
Occasion The church became obsessed
with the more spectacular spiritual gifts and neglected Christian compassion.
The church had begun to doubt the doctrine of bodily resurrection. Some members
of the church had challenged Paul’s apostolic authority.
Slide 37
Occasion Paul received information
about the church’s condition from at least two sources. First, a group of
people identified as “members of Chloe’s household” (1 Cor 1:11; lit. “those of
Chloe”) reported to Paul about the personality cults in the church that were
ripping it apart. Second, Stephanus, Fortunatus, and Achaicus (1 Cor 16:15–18),
three official delegates from the church, delivered a letter from the church to
Paul that raised a number of doctrinal and practical questions.
Slide 38
Occasion Paul wrote a second letter to
the church that answered the questions raised in the Corinthian correspondence
and responded to other issues Paul knew about through the verbal reports. This
letter is now known as 1 Corinthians and is identified by scholars as
“Corinthians B.”
Slide 39
Occasion According to 1 Cor 16:5–11,
when Paul wrote Corinthians B, he intended to remain in Ephesus until Pentecost
and then travel through Macedonia to Corinth where he might spend the entire
winter. Paul sent Timothy to the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:10–11). When Timothy
arrived in Corinth, he was unsettled by the severity of their crises.
Corinthians B contained a warning that if their problems were not soon
corrected, Paul might be forced to “come to you with a rod [of discipline]” (1
Cor 4:21).
Slide 40
Occasion When Paul learned of the
church’s reaction to Corinthians B, he determined that the time for such
disciplinary action had clearly arrived. Paul later characterized this personal
confrontation with the church as his “painful visit” (2 Cor 2:1). He returned
to Ephesus with “an extremely troubled and anguished heart” (2 Cor 2:2–4).
Slide 41
Occasion His tear-stained letter (2 Cor
2:4) is now lost. It is generally identified by scholars as “Corinthians C.”
Titus delivered the letter and worked to encourage the church’s contribution to
the relief offering that the Gentile churches were collecting for the church in
Jerusalem. When Titus met up with Paul in Macedonia, he delivered such an
encouraging report about the Corinthians’ response to Corinthians C that Paul
was ecstatic.
Slide 42
Occasion Paul had feared that his
letter might have been too harsh and might have ended all hopes of restoring
his relationship with the Corinthians. Paul hurried to write a final letter to
the Corinthians that expressed his joy at their change of heart. This letter
has been traditionally identified as 2 Corinthians, and scholars refer to it as
“Corinthians D.”
Slide 43
Occasion Unfortunately, during a pause
in his dictation of Corinthians D, Paul somehow received new information about
the situation in Corinth. When he dictated the final three chapters of
Corinthians D, his writing exhibits a noticeable shift in tone that suggests
that Paul’s fears for the Corinthians had returned.
Slide 44
Occasion Paul’s concerns related
primarily to the influence that a group of false apostles bore over the
congregation. These “super-apostles” (2 Cor 12:11) boasted that their apostolic
credentials exceeded Paul’s and that Paul was unworthy to exercise leadership
over the congregation. They apparently preached “another Jesus” and a
“different gospel” than that proclaimed by Paul (2 Cor 11:1–4). The letters of
Paul and the history in Acts do not indicate whether the Corinthians responded
to Paul’s correction with repentance.
Slide 45
Purpose: 1 Corinthians Paul wrote 1
Corinthians to respond to oral reports he had received from those associated
with Chloe (1 Cor 1:11) and elsewhere and to answer questions raised by the
Corinthians in a letter that they wrote to him (1 Cor 7:1). The oral report
focused primarily on the disunity of the Corinthian church.
Slide 46
Purpose: 1 Corinthians Paul had also
heard from several different sources that a member of the church of Corinth was
living in an incestuous relationship with his stepmother. Paul also knew that
believers were taking fellow believers to court to settle disputes.
Slide 47
Purpose: 1 Corinthians Several issues
were raised by the Corinthians’ letter to Paul, and his reply to these concerns
begins in chapter 7 and extends at least through chapter 14 and possibly
through chapter 15. Some of the Corinthians had rejected the doctrine of the
bodily resurrection of believers. Finally, Paul gave the church practical
instructions for the collection of the relief offering for believers in
Jerusalem and informed the Corinthians of his tentative travel plans (chap.
16).
Slide 48
Purpose: 2 Corinthians Paul wrote
chapters 1–9 for four major purposes: (1) To defend his reliability and to
explain the reasons for his change in plans. (2) To encourage the Corinthians
to restore a church member who had been disciplined by the congregation for
vicious attacks on the apostle. (3) To clarify the nature of his apostolic
ministry and his qualifications for that ministry. (4) To encourage the
Corinthians to fulfill their pledge to contribute generously to the relief
offering for the Jerusalem believers.
Slide 49
Purpose: 2 Corinthians In chapters
10–13, Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority becomes much more intense.
Paul wrote these chapters to urge the Corinthians to reject the false apostles
and their message and to embrace again the gospel that Paul had preached. Paul
also wrote to announce his plans to make a third visit to Corinth. Finally, he
wrote to urge the Corinthians to examine their faith to determine whether it
was authentic.
Slide 50
LITERATURE Literary Plan Outline
Slide 51
Literary Plan: 1 Corinthians After his
introduction and customary prayer of thanksgiving, Paul systematically
addressed issues of concern from oral reports relayed to Paul by those of Chloe
and representatives of the Corinthian church. Paul then addressed questions
posed to him in a letter from the Corinthians. The responses to questions from
the letter begin in 1 Cor 7:1 as indicated by the introduction “About the
things you wrote.”
Slide 52
Literary Plan: 1 Corinthians New topics culled from the Corinthians’
letter are introduced using the construction “now concerning” (peri de), which
appears in 1 Cor 7:1, 25, 37; 8:1; 12:1; and 16:1, 12.
Slide 53
Literary Plan: 2 Corinthians Efforts to understand the literary plan of
2 Corinthians are complicated by the many theories of 2 Corinthians as a
composite of several different letters. The majority of commentators prefer to analyze the structure of
the letter based on content alone. Such a procedure divides the letter into
three major sections consisting of chapters 1–7, 8–9, and 10–13.
Slide 54
Argument of 1 Corinthians Introduction
1:1-9 Called to holiness (1:2). Paul thanks God for grace (1:4). They were
spiritually gifted but needed purification. Follows with significant changes
Dr. Miller’s notes on 1 and 2 Corinthians (used by permission) http://chrismiller.cedarville.org/content/1cori.pdf
Slide 55
Argument of 1 Corinthians Problems 1:10-6:20 Differs in focus and tone
from (7-16). Here Paul
responds to reports of disobedience. His tone is firm.
Slide 56
Argument of 1 Corinthians Divisions and social identity 1:10-4:21 No
divisions among you (1:10). Misunderstand
the social implications of the gospel and their identity in Christ.
Slide 57
Argument of 1 Corinthians The fact of divisions 1:10-17 Report from
Chloe’s household (1:11). Some were socially identifying with Paul (1:12).
Slide 58
Argument of 1 Corinthians The causes of divisions 1:18-4:5. Social implications of the gospel and
identity. Reprioritize personal pursuits. Teaching on Christian leadership.
Slide 59
Argument of 1 Corinthians The solution
to the divisions 4:6-21. Root problem: pride (i.e., cultural boasting). Paul’s
advice was to imitate him (4:14-21). This would result in a salient in Christ
social identity.
Slide 60
Argument of 1 Corinthians Immorality
tolerated in the church 5:1-13. Failure: of the man and of the church. Paul’s
advice: church discipline.
Slide 61
Argument of 1 Corinthians Personal disputes in the church 6:1-11. Error: poor testimony (6:1-6) and
cheating brothers (6:7-8). Living as if their identity in Christ had not been
transformed (6:9-11). My unique contribution to NT scholarship, is that, based
on 7:17-24, Paul expects previous identities to continue in Christ, except in
the cases of immorality, idolatry, cultural boasting, and unscriptural thought
patterns – these are the specific issues that Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians.
Slide 62
Argument of 1 Corinthians Matters of morality 6:12-20. Laxness being tolerated. Corinthian
slogan: ‘Everything is permissible’ (6:12). Paul’s teaching: Flee immorality
(6:18-20).
Slide 63
Argument of 1 Corinthians Corinthian Queries 7:1-16:18. Paul addresses the Corinthians’
questions. Paul’s Jewish teaching and learning discourse.
Slide 64
Argument of 1 Corinthians Marriage, Celibacy, and Social Identities
7:1-40. Opens with their question about
marriage (7:1). Marriage, celibacy, social situation are discussed.
Slide 65
Argument of 1 Corinthians Marriage and celibacy introduced 7:1-9. Both are honorable states (i.e., can
continue in Christ). Paul’s preference: all celibate, but that required divine
enablement (7:7).
Slide 66
Argument of 1 Corinthians Marriage and divorce 7:10-16. Christian marriages (7:10-11) and mixed
marriages (7:12-16). Being in Christ should not necessarily affect a change in
a person’s social identity.
Slide 67
Argument of 1 Corinthians Existing identities continue in Christ
7:17-24. Remain in the
situation with God in which you were called (7:17, 20, 24). My book, Remain in
Your Calling: Paul and the Continuation of Social Identities in 1 Corinthians. (Eugene,
OR: Pickwick, 2011).
Slide 68
Argument of 1 Corinthians Marriage and
ministry 7:25-38. Present distress (exceptions). Reprioritization and
re-contextualization of relationships and social practices.
Slide 69
Argument of 1 Corinthians Re-marriage and widows 7:39-40. If they marry, marry within the faith.
Present state (remain in your calling).
Slide 70
Argument of 1 Corinthians Idol-food and Roman Politico-Religious Feasts
8:1-11:1. Way existing
social (civic) identities are transformed in Christ. Meat in chapters 8-9, and
festivals in chapter 10?
Slide 71
Argument of 1 Corinthians Application of brotherly love 8:1-13. Knowledge and love. Don’t follow the
example of one with knowledge but without love. Voluntarily restrict one's
personal freedoms in love in order not to cause another brother to violate his
conscience (8:13).
Slide 72
Argument of 1 Corinthians Paul’s example of love and personal denial
9:1-27. Illustrates his point from 8:1-13.
Reviews his rights and activities (9:1-14). Lists his voluntary restrictions
that he imposes on himself for the benefit of others (9:15-27).
Slide 73
Argument of 1 Corinthians Paul’s teaching about idolatrous feasts
10:1-22. Change of tone.
Example of Israel (10:1-13). Point: meat (can’t hurt) but participation in
festival can lead to immorality and is an act of fellowship with the deity
(10:14-22).
Slide 74
Argument of 1 Corinthians Summary and Application 10:23-11:1. His summary principle is “Do not cause
anyone to stumble” (10:32). His second summary principle is “Follow my example”
(11:1).
Slide 75
Argument of 1 Corinthians Public Worship 11:2-14:40. Several questions addressed. Confused
or negligent?
Slide 76
Argument of 1 Corinthians Veiling of women in public worship 11:2-16. Liberties taken. Social situation
improved. Paul calls for women to recognize and demonstrate proper respect for
their God ordained roles (this is an application of his rule – stay in the
situation in which you were when called). He first gives directions (11:2-6)
and then explains his directions (11:7-16).
Slide 77
Argument of 1 Corinthians Lord’s Supper 11:17-34. Second part of a two part celebration. Love
feast. Patronage practices and the meal.
Slide 78
Argument of 1 Corinthians Spiritual gifts 12:1-14:40. Tone of section. Nature and purpose
(12). Importance of love (13) and regulations (14).
Slide 79
Argument of 1 Corinthians Nature and purpose of gifts 12:1-31a. Unity amid diversity. One Lord and one
service (12:4-11). Gifts are also diverse (12:12-31a). Point: every part of the
body is necessary so also every gift is necessary and no one should despise
another.
Slide 80
Argument of 1 Corinthians Exercising the gifts in love 12:31b-13:13. Importance of love. Describes love.
Qualities of love, faith, and hope.
Slide 81
Argument of 1 Corinthians Regulation of the gifts 14:1-40. Superiority of prophecy (14:1-25).
Primary purpose of tongues – sign for unbelievers. Outlines how to regulate
church service (14:26-40).
Slide 82
Argument of 1 Corinthians Reality and Importance of the Resurrection of
Jesus 15:1-58. Two
concerns: certainty of the resurrection (15:1-34) and answering questions
(15:35-58). History (15:1-11), logic (15:12-19), theology (15:20-28) and
experience (15:29-34). About the resurrection of deceased believers (15:35-49)
and about the rapture of the living (15:50-58).
Slide 83
Argument of 1 Corinthians Jerusalem Collection and Personal Matters
16:1-18. Weekly
contributions set aside. Change in his travel plans. Personal notes.
Slide 84
Argument of 1 Corinthians Conclusion
16:19-24. Expresses his love for all (16:24). Anathema on those who do not love
the Lord (16:22).
Slide 85
Argument of 2 Corinthians Paul’s Defense: Explanation of his Conduct and
Ministry 1:1-7:16. Here
writing to those submissive to his leadership. Paul’s emphasis here: praise to
God for his comfort (1:3-11); a defense of his change of plans, (1:12-2:11);
and a positive description of his ministry (2:12-7:16). Follows Dr. Miller’s
notes on 1 and 2 Corinthians (used by permission) http://chrismiller.cedarville.org/content/2cori.pdf
Slide 86
Argument of 2 Corinthians Salutation
1:1-2. Unremarkable. Identifies himself as an apostle but does not defend
himself as in Gal 1:1-2.
Slide 87
Argument of 2 Corinthians Praise for Divine Comfort in Affliction
1:3-11. Suffering not in vain. Paul’s weakness
and suffering allows him to demonstrate the sufficiency of God in his life (see
12:9).
Slide 88
Argument of 2 Corinthians Change of Plans Defended 1:12-2:11. Paul had planned to come (1 Cor 16:5-7)
but changed his mind. Opponents used this to slander Paul. He wanted to allow
the Corinthians to deal with the erring brother. Paul now recommends grace and
restoration (2:5-11).
Slide 89
Argument of 2 Corinthians Glorious Ministry Described 2:12-7:16. Purpose: defend Paul’s ministry against
opponents. Difficult to outline. Themes appear repeatedly.
Slide 90
Argument of 2 Corinthians The theme of Paul's Ministry: Triumphant in
Christ 2:13-17. Paul at Troas. Personal inadequacy.
Slide 91
Argument of 2 Corinthians The proof of Paul's ministry: The Corinthian
converts 3:1-3. Needs
no letter of recommendation. Changed lives are his credentials. Corinthians
being a letter written on hearts.
Slide 92
Argument of 2 Corinthians The glory of the new ministry: The new
covenant > old covenant 3:4-18. Paul not sufficient but God’s appointed him. Provides him with
boldness (3:12) and confidence (3:4).
Slide 93
Argument of 2 Corinthians The power of the ministry 4:1-15. Demands of ministry too high to
fulfill. This allows the power of God to be displayed.
Slide 94
Argument of 2 Corinthians The eternal perspective of the ministry
4:16-5:15. Heartaches of
ministry too difficult without the eternal perspective. Weight of glory
outweighs temporal affliction. Hope of being clothed with immortality.
Slide 95
Argument of 2 Corinthians The message of the ministry: Reconciliation
5:16-6:2. Able to bear
insult because of the message of reconciliation. He rejoices to be able to
encourage others to be reconciled to God.
Slide 96
Argument of 2 Corinthians The purity of the ministry 6:3-13. Paul’s aim of integrity: no discredit
to his ministry. He worked not to offend them. Open their hearts to him.
Slide 97
Argument of 2 Corinthians The anticipated response 6:14-7:16. Paul’s conclusion(s): Separate
yourselves from false teachers (6:14-7:1). Accept Paul and his message
(7:2-16).
Slide 98
Argument of 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15 Paul’s Exhortation: The Jerusalem
Collection. These two
chapters stand alone (but not completely). Instructed them about the collection
1 Cor 16:1-3. Encourages them to complete their intentions 2 Cor 8:6. False
teachers had sought to discredit Paul because he was not worth to receive money
(11:7-12; 12:13-18). Paul discusses the proper view and use of money.
Slide 99
Argument of 2 Corinthians Generosity Encouraged 8:1-9. Generosity of the Macedonian churches. Ultimate
sacrifice for others: the incarnation.
Slide 100
Argument of 2 Corinthians Advice and Arrangements for the Collection
8:10-9:5. Messengers
accompanied by others when handling all contributions. Present a proper
testimony (8:21). People give from a willing heart.
Slide 101
Argument of 2 Corinthians Generosity Rewarded 9:6-15. God will supply their need and he will
receive praise from their ministry. Heart of the Jerusalem Christ-followers
will go out to them.
Slide 102
Argument of 2 Corinthians Paul’s Second Defense: Vindication of this
Apostolic Ministry 10:1-13:14. Addresses
those opposed to Paul. Tone is negative and Paul answers particular charges.
Slide 103
Argument of 2 Corinthians Paul Responds to the Charge that He is Weak
and Cowardly 10:1-11. Paul
acknowledges charges (10:1-10). When he comes the reality of his boldness will
be demonstrated.
Slide 104
Argument of 2 Corinthians Paul's Confrontation of False Apostles
10:12-11:15. They were
comparing themselves by themselves and were not wise. They were attempting to
lead those whom they had not won to Christ. False teachers preached ‘another
Jesus’.
Slide 105
Argument of 2 Corinthians Paul's Apostolic Credentials 11:16-12:13. Paul responds to the authenticity of
his apostolic office. Paul insists he has received special revelation. To keep
Paul from being proud a thorn was given to remind him of his humanity and the
sufficiency of God’s grace (12:8). Paul appeals to miracles (12:12-13).
Slide 106
Argument of 2 Corinthians Paul's Recommended Response for the
Corinthians 12:14-13:10. Test
themselves and repent when necessary. His desire: use authority to build up not
to destroy.
Slide 107
Argument of 2 Corinthians Conclusion
13:11-14. Paul's benediction includes each member of the Trinity.
Slide 108
THEOLOGY Theological Themes Contribution to the Canon
Slide 109
Theological Themes The Nature of the Resurrection Body (1 Corinthians)
The most detailed discussion of the resurrection in Paul’s letters and in the
entire NT is in 1 Corinthians 15. After defending the doctrine of bodily resurrection, Paul devoted
the second half of his discussion to a treatment of the nature of the
resurrection body.
Slide 110
Theological Themes The New versus the Old Covenant (2 Corinthians) 2
Corinthians 3 contains the most explicit discussion of the new covenant in
Paul’s letters. The
reference to Jesus’ utterance regarding the new covenant during the Last Supper
in 1 Cor 11:25 suggests that Paul’s new covenant theology must be traced at
least in part to his dependence on Jesus’ teachings.
Slide 111
Theological Themes Paul’s description of the impact of the new covenant
on the believer climaxes with this statement: “We all, with unveiled faces, are
reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed in the same image
from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18). The result of the new covenant is not
merely acquittal before God in eschatological judgment, it is also a radical
transformation that restores the image of God to believers and that imparts to
them an increasing measure of God’s own glory by granting them God’s righteous
character (see Rom 8:1–4). Paul contrasted the old and new covenants to
highlight the supremacy of the new covenant.
Slide 112
Theological Themes The Relationship of the Christian Ordinances to
Salvation The teaching of the apostle Paul in 1 Cor 10:1–12 constitutes one of
the clearest biblical warrants for the view that baptism and the Lord’s Supper
are symbolic rituals commanded by Christ rather than sacraments that actually
grant salvation. Both
1 Cor 9:24–27 and 10:12 suggest that the Corinthians had a false view of
eternal security that, they presumed, granted them the liberty to persist in a
sinful lifestyle without fear of divine retribution.
Slide 113
Theological Themes The primary point of the passage is abundantly clear:
baptism and the Lord’s Supper do not guarantee salvation or authorize believers
to live in a sinful manner, so no one should presume that the ordinances will
protect them from divine wrath.
Slide 114
Contribution to the Canon Dealing with division and spiritual immaturity
in the church (1 Corinthians 1–4) Church discipline (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Cor
2:5–11) The respective advantages of singleness and marriage (1 Corinthians 7)
Slide 115
Contribution to the Canon Principles for NT giving (1 Corinthians 9;
16:1–4; 2 Corinthians 9) Spiritual gifts and the supremacy of love (1
Corinthians 12–14) The resurrection of Christ and believers and the nature of
the resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15)
Slide 116
Contribution to the Canon The redemptive grace of suffering and the
revelation of God’s power in human weakness (2 Cor 1:3–11; 4:7–18; 12:1–10)
Paul’s defense of his apostolic ministry (2 Corinthians, esp. chaps. 10–13)
Slide 117
117 The End
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