GOD OF ALL COMFORT? Really? Why is life full of discomfort? Our common view of comfort today is based more on emotional results and deliverance than on God Himself. God has Paul write this letter for the church so that we can truly know the One who will come along side us, the GOD OF ALL COMFORT. #2corinthians #2023
Written prayer…
Backgroud info.
Introduction to 2 Corinthians
The City of Corinth
Corinth became prosperous from trade – both the trade moving by sea from east and west, but also north and south between Greece and the Peloponnesus. The port of Cenchreae connected the city to the Aegean Sea to the east, while the port of Lechaeum was on the Ionian Sea. The Temple of Apollo and ruins in Corinth and Ruins of the Temple of Apollo dating to the sixth century BC, can still be seen. Shops and monuments lining the Agora, larger than the Forum in Rome, also persist. At the peak of the Acro‐Corinthian mountain stood the Temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, where 1,000 female prostitutes served, contributing to the city’s reputation for immorality. In fact, the coined Greek word “to Corinthianize” meant to practice immorality and the phrase “Corinthian girl” designated a prostitute.
Tentative Chronology of Paul and the Corinthians (50‐56 AD)
Below, I’ve tried to outline in order what we can piece together of Paul’s contacts with the Corin‐thian church.
First Visit (50‐52 AD). Paul first visited Corinth about 50 AD, during the last phase of his second missionary journey, after starting churches in Macedonia – Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 16‐17). After leaving Corinth in 52 AD, Paul stops at Ephesus and then returns to Antioch, and from there he goes to Jerusalem (Acts 20:18‐22).
“Previous Letter” from Paul, no longer extant, is written from Ephesus (52 to 55 AD), writes to Corinth rebuking vice and fornication by church members (mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:9‐11).
Report to Paul: Chloe’s people report to Paul about the party spirit and quarrels at Corinth.
Letter to Paul: Stephanas, Fortunatas, and Achaicus carry a letter that reports on problems at Corinth with marriage, divorce, food sacrificed to idols, spiritual gifts, and the collection he was organizing for the Jerusalem believers (1 Corinthians 16:17).
Timothy is dispatched to Corinth to deal with some of the problems (1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10‐ 11).
1 Corinthians Letter is written in Spring 55 AD, Paul from Ephesus. At this point Paul is plan‐ ning a soon visit to Macedonia with a stop in Corinth. (1 Corinthians 4:18‐21).
Second visit, the “painful visit,” is a quick trip to deal with troubles in Corinth that were serious enough to require direct personal confrontation (2:1; 13:2). During this visit Paul was personally attacked by one of the members (2:5; 7:12).
The “severe letter” from Paul (2:3‐4), no longer extant, is written from Ephesus, in which Paul professes his love for them and requires them to discipline the man who had led in defying his apostolic authority. Effective in producing repentance (7:8‐12).
Proposed visits don’t come to pass (1 Corinthians 16:1‐8).
Paul travels to Troas and Macedonia amidst various afflictions, but meets Titus there and is encouraged by his good report about the Corinthian church (7:5‐7).
“Super‐Apostles” challenge Paul’s authority.
2 Corinthians Letter: Paul sends our 2 Corinthians letter from Macedonia about 56 AD.
Third Visit to Corinth occurs about 57 AD, with the gift collected to relieve the Jerusalem saints (Acts 19:21‐22; Romans 15:26). He stays in Corinth three months, escapes to Macedonia to avoid a Jewish plot, meets companions in Troas (Acts 20:1‐5), and leaves for Jerusalem where he is arrested.
Paul’s Opponents in Corinth
Who are the visitors to Corinth who try to undermine Paul’s authority there? Some have supposed them to be “Gnostics of ecstatic temperament and libertine ethics.” Others see them as Judaizers. But most likely they are Palestinian Jews, not Judaizers in the Galatian sense, but perhaps men who tried to impose the authority of the mother church over the Christian world.
From Ralph F. Wilson, 2 Corinthians: Discipleship Lessons (JesusWalk, 2011). Copyright © 2011, Ralph F. Wilson [email protected]. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to make copies of these participant handouts, one set for each member of a local group, at no charge, provided that this copyright information remains intact on each copy.
Do you want to love God and others? In addition to going to church and re:group, communicate with God and others during the week. Text, email, call, write, and meet with people. Focus on gratitude. Say, “I’m grateful to God for you, and here’s why.” Tell God and others about your brokenness, hope in Jesus, and the commitments you have made leading to transformation. You’ll find that the more obedient and grateful you are to God and the people He has placed in your life, the more you will grow and help others grow.
Remember silence is not bad. There are people who will never speak if the “speakers” constantly interrupt the silence. You may have to tell your group that :) Some of these questions are designed to move through quickly others are designed to move more slowly. It is about people engaging not getting all the answers or questions. Honor other peoples' time and end group ON TIME even if you don’t get through all the questions. Also, remember that it is ok to say I don't know, but I will try to find out.
At fxchurch, we desire to be a humble and confessional people by modeling it ourselves first. Re:groups are not a place to come to fix others but are a place to GO KNO SHO GRO in relationship to God and others. Our desire is to help people be led in a spirit of grace and truth. We will not condone sinful, selfish, or self righteous hearts and behavior. We will practice patience with others as they discover and are changed in heart and behavior. Anything that is said in the group should not be shared outside the group (unless seeking the counsel of a church leader) so gossip among group members should not take place. Above all else, have fun as you GO KNO SHO GRO.
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