A Letter from Christ

2 Corinthians 1:1-3:18

Key Verse 3:3

In this passage the Apostle Paul shows us how we can be good witnesses of Jesus Christ to the dying world. The title “A Letter from Christ” expresses the ideal image of a Christian.  Just as a letter reflects the author of the letter, so we must be like a letter from Christ.  The Lord writes on the tablet of our hearts and then sends us out to various people and places. Question: Am I really a letter of Jesus Christ? What do people I am being sent to read out of my life?

Read 1:1-11. What do the following words or expressions tell us about a Christian’s life in this world: “trouble”; “suffer” (or “suffering”); “hardship”; “pressure”; “we despair even of life”; “we felt the sentence of death”; “deadly peril”? 

** Our life in this world is full of challenges, ordeals, and trials. Jesus said the same thing: as long as we are in this world we will be in trouble. John 16:33 [In this world you will have trouble.]

If God is the “God of all comfort” as Paul states in verse 3, why does he allow difficulties (like troubles or hardships) in our lives? (9)

** It is to help us to develop personal faith in the Lord, so we would not rely on ourselves but on him.  As we rely on him we can overcome this world which is full of troubles and experience our joy becoming complete. 

Read 1:12-24. In verse 15 Paul planned to visit the Corinthians first, but later he changed his mind (23), making him look “insincere”. What is Paul’s defense? (1:12; 2:2-4)

** 1) Paul said he went not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace. 1:12

2) He has [and goes by] God’s Spirit. 1:22 

3) He wanted to spare them. 1:23-24 [Most likely he had planned to visit Corinth twice (in addition to the original visit to pioneer the church), but his first visit turned out to be so painful, that he changed his mind not to make another painful visit. 2:1]

Read 2:1-11. What does “the punishment inflicted upon him by the majority” indicate about church discipline? Why is it necessary? On what condition should a time of discipline be discontinued? Why is it necessary for the church to secure room for pardon and restoration when a person is genuinely repentant?

** To give the church relief from grief caused by one individual (who perhaps might have sinned, causing grief to many). .

** Demonstrating godly sorrow (2Co 7:10,11) resulting in repentance. The expression “excessive sorrow” suggests this to be the case. Most likely the offense must have taken place during the Apostle Paul’s so-called “painful” visit when Paul must have caused the church to impose punishment on the offender.  

** “Satan would not outwit us.” Paul means that we need to go by what Jesus says in Matthew 18:16-17 and then Luke 22:31-32. If the church is unforgiving even after the offender sincerely repented, that person might lose heart and faith in the Lord. At the heart of Satan’s schemes is to destroy faith in God by planting doubts about God’s love. 

Read verses 12-13. What does this passage indicate about the importance of “co-workers”? 

** It is more important than work itself. People come first and the work comes next. 

Read 2:14-3:6. What do the following expressions have in common: 1) fragrance of the knowledge of him; 2) aroma of Christ; and 3) fragrance of life? In 2:16b Paul asks, “Who is equal to such a task?” What does Paul mean by “such a task”? Who is equal to such a task? (3:3-6)

** Influence 

** The task of sharing the gospel which determines the destiny of a man either to eternal condemnation or to eternal life in the eternal kingdom of God. 

** 1) Jesus the author of life (or a letter) makes us to be equal.

2) The one with the Spirit of the living God

3) God makes each person “competent” for such a task.

Read verses 7-18. How many times is the word “glory” or “glorious” repeated? What does Paul mean by “glory”? What does “freedom” (in verse 17) mean? Where does “glory” come from? How is “the Lord’s glory” related to “his likeness”?   

** 12 

** Revealing (or reflecting) the intrinsic nature of God

** Freedom from sin that separates man from God

** The Lord

** Lord’s glory – intrinsic nature; 

His likeness – being close to him in every aspect:  his character, mind, spirit, etc.

The end