Effective Preaching Workshop 2024: 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:17

Background & Timeline for 2 Corinthians

The church at Corinth is founded by Paul on his second missionary journey.
Paul spends 18 months in Corinth.
After his departure, the church is visited by Peter, James and Apollos.
Paul writes a now lost letter (1 Cor. 5:9) to the church, warning about socializing with the sexually immoral.
A group from Corinth visits Paul in Ephesus. The group reports on the status of the church, asks questions and seeks guidance on issues being faced.
Paul’s written response is what we know as 1 Corinthians.
Paul sends Timothy to check on the church. He returns with a negative report. This prompts Paul to make an unscheduled visit to Corinth. He finds the church in disarray, with members rejecting his instruction. This is known as the “painful visit” which Paul references in 2 Cor. 2:1.
After his return from this “painful visit,” Paul writes what is called the “severe letter.” In this letter (2 Cor. 2:3-4; 7:8-12), he appeals to his apostolic authority and rebukes the church’s sinful rejection of the truth.
Paul receives a report from Titus regarding the church’s response to the “severe letter.” This prompts him to write a fourth letter, our 2 Corinthians, to explain himself and repair his relationship with the church.
In 1 Cor. 16:5-7, Paul had announced plans to visit the church. This plan changes, causing hurt feelings. Paul’s motives and reliability are questioned, since he apparently did not follow through with his plans (2 Cor. 1:12-24).

The City of Corinth

Key Features of 2 Corinthians

Reveals tensions in Paul’s relations with the church, many of which were caused by his detractors.
Most personal of Paul’s letters, a defense of his integrity and apostleship
Demonstrates privileges and pressures of pastoral ministry
Contains specific passages/emphases related to persevering under trials, the nature of Christian service, evangelism and giving
Neglected letter, in part, because subjects do not divide as neatly/clearly as in most NT letters

2 Cor. 1:1-7: Observations on the Text

“Comfort in Crisis” (2 Cor. 1:1-7)
- Main Idea: Because God supplies and enables comfort, rely on Him in your crisis.
  - True comfort originates with God the Father. (1-3)
  - God’s comfort enables us to comfort those in a crisis. (4)
  - God’s comfort in a crisis binds believers together. (5-7)

Applications
- Affirm the adequacy of God’s comfort for every circumstance of life.
- Recognize that true strength is placing your hope in God and receiving His strength/comfort.
- Feast on the fact of God’s fatherly love and comfort.
- Do meditate. Don’t medicate.

2 Cor. 1:8-11: Observations on the Text

While Paul elsewhere indicates that a key reason for his delay in coming again to Corinth was so that he might spare believers there from another “painful visit,” this passage points to another reason for the delay. Paul encountered such severe affliction in Asia that he despaired of his life. In the midst of such despair, God delivered and comforted him. Chrysostom notes that, here, Paul is censuring the “false” apostles who “sat at home and lived in luxury.”

Applications
- Suffering is inevitable. God is merciful.
- In His fatherly love, God meets us in our affliction like a dad scooping up a child with a skinned knee.
- Suffering dismantles self-reliance.
- Suffering blows away the haze of triviality.

2 Cor. 1:12-24: Observations on the Text

This section reflects Paul’s navigation through the background/timeline previously referenced.

Behavior marked by simplicity and godly sincerity (12-13)
Mutual boasting (14)
Assertion of no vacillation or contradiction with reference to plans (15-17)
Affirmation of God’s faithfulness through Christ (18-20)
Established, anointed and sealed (21-22)
Testimony of sparing by refraining (23-24)

2 Cor. 2:1-4: Observations on the Text

Determination not to make another “painful visit” (1-2)
Justification of written communication: avoidance of pain, assurance of joy, affliction/anguish of heart, abundance of love (3-4)

2 Cor. 2:5-11: Observations on the Text

This section includes Paul’s plea for the forgiveness of a repentant offender (1 Cor. 5)

Applications
- Dare to exercise biblical church discipline.
- Avoid harsh discipline that sets a limit to the grace of God.
- “Live now as you would wish you had done at death and judgment.” (Baxter)

2 Cor. 2:12-17: Observations on the Text

In this section we may observe a subtle shift from Paul’s compassionate heart (1-11) to his conquering faith (12-17). Additionally, 2:14 marks the beginning of a digression in which Paul breaks off from his thought to break out in praise to God. Finally, beginning with 2:14, Paul employs the vivid portrayal of a Roman triumphal procession.

An open door in Troas and a restlessness of spirit regarding the Corinthians (12-13)
Thanks to God who, in Christ, is leading us in triumphal procession and making manifest through us the fragrance of His knowledge…(14)
Aroma of Christ to God among those being saved and those perishing, an aroma of life or death, a sobering significance and a question of sufficiency (15-16)
Sincere and commissioned spokesmen in contrast to hawkish peddlers

Outline/Structure: “Triumphant Faith” (2 Cor. 2:12-17)
Main Idea: Because of God’s triumph in Christ, live with confidence in His conquest.
- God triumphs through Christ (14)
- Believers participate in God’s triumph (15)
- God’s triumph involves contrasting consequence (16)
- God’s triumph promotes confidence (17)