2 Corinthians

1
2 Corinthians

• 5 When I am weak then am I strong

2
Analysis of 2 Corinthians

• Paul Defends his Conduct towards the Ecclesia
  (1,2,7)
• Salutation (11-2)
• Fellowship of suffering (13-14)
• Reasons for Paul's changes of plan (115-24)
• Forgiving the offender (25-11)
• Disappointment and joy at Troas (212-17)
• The comfort Titus brought (75-16)
• Treasure in Earthen Vessels (3-5)
• The Corinthians a letter from Christ (31-6)
• A fading and an abiding glory (37-16)
• The message of Christ faithfully delivered
  (317-46)
• Treasure in earthen vessels (47-15)
• The sustaining hope (416-510)
• The ministry of reconciliation (511-610)

3
Analysis of 2 Corinthians

• Collection for Poor Saints in Jerusalem
• Receive not the Grace of God in Vain (6- 9)
• Their response to the apostle's labours
  (611-74)
• Generosity encouraged (81-15)
• Titus and companions sent to Corinth (816 95)
  
• Results of generous giving (96-15)
• Defence against his Opponents (10-13)
• When I am Weak, then am I Strong
• Defence of his authority and mission (101-18)
• "Foolish" boastings (111 1221)
• Final warnings (131-10)
• Final greetings (1311-14)

4
Paul and his adversaries

• We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion
  raised against the knowledge of God, and take
  every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready
  to punish every disobedience, when your obedience
  is complete.
• (2Co 105-6)

5
Wanting to preach further afield

• But we will not boast beyond limits, but will
  boast only with regard to the area of influence
  God assigned to us, to reach even to you.
• For we are not overextending ourselves, as though
  we did not reach you. We were the first to come
  all the way to you with the gospel of Christ.
• We do not boast beyond limit in the labours of
  others. But our hope is that as your faith
  increases, our area of influence among you may be
  greatly enlarged,
• so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond
  you, without boasting of work already done in
  another's area of influence.
• (2Co 1013-16)

6
Super-opponents

• I consider that I am not in the least inferior to
  these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in
  speaking, I am not so in knowledge indeed, in
  every way we have made this plain to you in all
  things.
• (2Co 115-6)

7
Dealing with false teachers

• As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of
  mine will not be silenced in the regions of
  Achaia.
• And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I
  do!
• And what I do I will continue to do, in order to
  undermine the claim of those who would like to
  claim that in their boasted mission they work on
  the same terms as we do.
• For such men are false apostles, deceitful
  workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of
  Christ.
• (2Co 1110-13)

8
Third heaven

• Acts 2217-21 vision in Jerusalem
• Heavens earth rulers and people
• Isaiah 12,10 6517
• Paradise LXX for garden in Gen 28
• Persian word for park cf Rev 27 (222), Thief
  on cross (Luke 2343)

9
Thorn in the flesh

• Judaisers the messengers of Satan
• 2 Cor 211 1113-15

10
The test of truth

• Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the
  faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize
  this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in
  you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
• I hope you will find out that we have not failed
  the test.
• But we pray to God that you may not do wrong--not
  that we may appear to have met the test, but that
  you may do what is right, though we may seem to
  have failed.
• For we cannot do anything against the truth, but
  only for the truth.
• For we are glad when we are weak and you are
  strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
• (2Co 135-9)

11
Summary

• Paul has gained some comfort in his turbulent
  relationship with Corinth by the effect of his
  severe letter and the work of Titus
• He sets out the exalted character of our
  relationship with God in Christ
• He shows that the weaknesses highlighted by the
  Judaisers are marks of his apostleship
• He opens himself to them, wanting to make his
  next visit a positive and fruitful one

12
Treasure in earthen vessels

• We learn every step along the way
• No gain without pain
• Fairytale endings are for Disneyland
• We are called to be partakers of the divine
  nature
• The just shall live by faith