2 Corinthians 1: Value of Suffering
What do you view as Timothy’s role in writing this letter?
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2 Corinthians 1:1 From Paul, a special messenger of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother Timothy, writing to the church in Corinth and all the believers in Achaia.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia.
How do you think Paul’s asking God’s favor affected the believers in Corinth?
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2 Corinthians 1:2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ favor you with peace and contentment.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
What are the topmost reasons we have to praise the Lord?
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2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, merciful and comforting.
1:4 He comforts us during hard times so we may comfort others in similar situations, sharing the hope we had in Christ that brought us through.
1:5 The more we suffer for Christ, the more we are comforted.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
How can God have a good purpose in allowing our suffering?
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2 Corinthians 1:6 Our suffering works for your comfort and deliverance. As we receive comfort in our trials, we are able to comfort you. Then you may comfort others as you endure suffering similar to ours.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
After asking peace and contentment for the believers in Corinth, why would Paul see a need to address pain and suffering?
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2 Corinthians 1:7 We are confident that in your suffering you will find comfort in God the same as we have.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
Why did Paul see a need to let the Corinthians know about how he and his companions had suffered?
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2 Corinthians 1:8 You need to know, my friends, about our extreme calamities and persecutions in Asia, beyond the limit of human endurance, so severe that we looked forward to being in Heaven.
1:9 Expecting to die, we had no strength to trust in ourselves but could only rely on God, who raises the dead.
1:10 And he did save us, proving his power to deliver his people from certain death. So we have confidence that he will continue to protect us.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.
What benefit did Paul see in the prayers of Corinthian believers? Why do you think Paul didn’t expect those prayers to save them from persecution?
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2 Corinthians 1:11 Your prayers for us were a vital help, and many are giving thanks that we are safe.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
What was the benefit and consequence of not being “politically correct”?
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2 Corinthians 1:12 We take pride in a clear conscience, because our dealings everywhere have been without reproach. Not with worldly wisdom but in simplicity and godly sincerity, we have preached both to believers and unbelievers.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Is it possible to be more open and honest with people who want to know the truth? Why or why not?
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2 Corinthians 1:13 We have been open and honest with you, speaking words that I trust you know are true.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end.
Why might the believers in Corinth have lacked appreciation for Paul and his ministry? Why do you think he thought their attitude would change when the Lord returned?
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2 Corinthians 1:14 Right now, you may be limited in your understanding and appreciation of our ministry, but when the Lord returns, you will be as proud of us as we are of you.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
What was motivating Paul to visit Corinth again?
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2 Corinthians 1:15 I was so thrilled with your growth in the Lord that I decided to bless you with a second visit.
1:16 After seeing you on my first trip to Macedonia, I planned to stop in Corinth on my way to Judea.
1:17 Was this decision just a matter of convenience? Am I like people of the world, saying one thing when I mean another?
King James
2 Corinthians 1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
1:16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
Why wouldn’t a motivational speech have been better than the plain truth?
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2 Corinthians 1:18 As God is my witness, every word I have spoken has been entirely sincere and truthful.
1:19 Silas, Timothy and I preached Jesus Christ, Son of God, the plain truth without pretense or hidden agenda.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
2:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
How do you distinguish between your personal desires and what God wants to do?
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2 Corinthians 1:20 To experience God’s promises, we must always say yes to him, just as Jesus did. For when we are in complete agreement with his purpose, we share his achievements and glory.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
What reasons might God have in cooperating with your plan while denying his own, otherwise preferable, plan?
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2 Corinthians 1:20 To experience God’s promises, we must always say yes to him, just as Jesus did. For when we are in complete agreement with his purpose, we share his achievements and glory.
1:21 For God has empowered us together with Christ to fulfill his purpose.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.
In serving the Lord, how much of our effort is needed and to what extent do we depend on the Holy Spirit?
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2 Corinthians 1:22 He has labeled us as his chosen servants, the presence of the Holy Spirit equipping us to do his work.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Why did Paul not want to go to Corinth earlier? What would make that the right or wrong choice?
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2 Corinthians 1:23 God being my witness, because I wanted to spare you from a severe rebuke, I have not returned to Corinth.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
Under what conditions are people willing to accept words of truth, and when must they learn the hard way, by experience?
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2 Corinthians 1:24 We cannot dictate what you believe, but we reason with you for your benefit, because what you believe determines how well you will stand.
King James
2 Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.