ELNORA'S BIBLE STUDY WITH FRIENDS, 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1 - September 27, 2024

          

                       

Introduction to Chapter 1

Second Corinthians is Paul's second biblical letter to the church he helped to establish in the Greek city of Corinth. Much has happened between him and the Corinthians since he wrote 1 Corinthians from the city of Ephesus about a year earlier. He has traveled to Corinth, had a painful and likely confrontational visit there, and has written another letter—now lost—in response to that visit. This letter comes after receiving news from his co-worker Titus about a change of heart among the Corinthians regarding Paul.

 (https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/1/2-Corinthians-chapter-1.html)

God Offers Comfort to All, Verses 1-11, TEANNIE

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ⁶ Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. ⁷ We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. ⁸ We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters,^[b] about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. ⁹ In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰ And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. ¹¹ And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

1. What character quality of God does Paul emphasize? 

2. What is one reason God may allow you to go through suffering based on this passage? 

THOUGHT QUESTIONS: 

1. Can you share any ways God has comforted you during trials? 

2. How do believers "share abundantly in comfort?"

Paul’s Change of Plans, Part 1, Verses 12-16, DESTINY

¹² We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness^[c] and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. ¹³ Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, ¹⁴ even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus^[d] returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you. ¹⁵ Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— ¹⁶ first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia.^[e] Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

1. What do you think Paul is communicating in verse 12?

2. What can we learn from this section of scripture about when it may be appropriate to defend ourselves? 

3. What is the "day of the Lord Jesus?" What is Paul looking forward to on that day?

^{THOUGHT QUESTIONS:}

1. Can anyone talk about a time when you needed to persuade others of your good intentions for their good or about a time when maybe you boasted for the wrong reasons? 

Paul’s Change of Plans, Verses 17-24, KITTY

¹⁷ You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? ¹⁸ As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” ¹⁹ For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas,^[f] Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. ²⁰ For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. ²¹ It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, ²² and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. ²³ Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. ²⁴ But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.

^{SECTION QUESTIONS:} 

1. What do you think Paul means by stating that God "placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment" in verse 22?

2.  In what way would it "spare them" for Paul not to visit Corinth? (V.23)

^{THOUGHT QUESTIONS:}

1. What can we learn from verse 24 about discipleship? What can we learn about leadership? 

2. When might writing a letter be better than talking face to face? 

Prayer Confession for 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1

Heavenly Father, thank You that Your grace and peace has been poured out on us in such abundance and on all who trust in the Lord Jesus. Thank You for Your saving grace, Your sanctifying grace, Your continuing grace, and Your all-encompassing grace. Thank You that we not only have peace with God, but that Your peace guards our hearts as we look to Jesus and focus on Him. Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name. Heavenly Father, we pray that we may be be ready to be Christ's hand to help, Christ’s ears to listen, Christ's arms to hold, and Christ's voice to speak a word of comfort into the hearts of all who are in any kind of affliction. Thank You that we are positioned in Christ and are members of His body, through time and into eternity. Heavenly Father, thank You that no matter what sufferings and pain we may be called upon to face, help us to rejoice in our suffering, knowing that You are a God of great comfort and that Your grace is sufficient. May our lives be a witness to Your goodness and grace.

We pray that our lives and witness may be a comfort and encouragement to others so that we may all attain to the unity of the faith and increase in the knowledge of the Son of God. We pray that that we may all come to maturity and attain a measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Thank You that You are the God of all comforts, and that You are faithful to keep Your Word to all those that trust in You. May we cast all our cares upon You and trust in Your unfailing love, from this day forward and even forevermore. Heavenly Father, thank You that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Thank You that You have promised to deliver us from all the dangers and distresses of this world, and from all the trials and tribulations that we may be called upon to face. We are so thankful that our hope is in Christ Who set us free from the bondage of sin and death, and that He will deliver us again in the last day. Father, You have given us all we need to walk godly in Christ Jesus. Help us today and in the days that lie ahead, to walk in sincerity and truth. May we not walk in the ways of the world, but trust in Your wisdom and grace for all our needs.

Heavenly Father how blessed we are to be called Your children and to know that Christ took the punishment for our sins, so that in Him we could be the recipients of Your many precious promises - by faith. Thank You that all Your promises have been validated through Christ, knowing that in Him, they are YES and AMEN, to Your praise and glory. Thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp to our feet, a light to our path, and a testimony of Your great love for us. As we consider all that has been given to us by grace, through simply trusting in Christ as our sin-sacrifice and heavenly Savior, we humbly bow in grateful praise and thanksgiving for Your goodness and grace, towards sinners such as us. Keep our hearts broken before You and keep the Cross of Christ ever before our eyes, knowing that we are established in Him, and eternally secure by Your grace and mercy, through faith in Christ. May we die to self and live for Him alone, and may we grow in grace to Your praise and glory. We give you praise and we honor your great name. All of this we ask according to your will and in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/2-Corinthians/1