BIB361 Early Pauline Epistles

BIB361 Early Pauline Epistles
- introduction 1:1-2
  - Authors
    - Paul - an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God
    - this may have been questioned or challenged, so Paul emphasizes his call and authority
    - and Timothy - the brother
    - Timothy sent to Corinth - commended to be respected and obeyed
  - Recipients
    - to the church of God which is in Corinth
    - with all the saints who are in Achaia
  - Greeting
    - Grace and peace
    - from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ
- Paul's defense of His ministry 1:3-7:15
  - Explanation of his itinerary 1:3-2:13
    - Comfort in Hardship 1:3-11
      - Theological Reason - Comfort in suffering 3-7
        Thanksgiving to God
        In the form of a typical thanksgiving/blessing, but emphasizes content that leads in to body - which is also typical
        blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ - full title
        God comforts us
        elaborated - The Father of mercies/compassions and the God of all comfort/encouragement - repeated word/theme
        the One comforting us in all our troubles/tribulations
        So that we can comfort others
        so that we would be able to comfort/encourage those who are in every trouble/tribulation
        through the comfort/encouragement with which we ourselves were comforted/encouraged by God
        don't waste your pain
        grow from your pain so that your pain may take away someone else's pain
        Pain is connected to Comfort
        because just as the sufferings of Christ abound/surpass in us
        so also because of Christ our comfort/encouragement will abound/surpass
        cf. Rom. where sin increases, grace increases more
        here where pain increases, grace increases more
        if we are troubled/have tribulation, it is on behalf of your comfort/encouragement and salvation
        if we are comforted/encouraged, it is on behalf of your comfort/encouragement, which is working (in you) in endurance/patience of the same suffering which we are also suffering
        and our hope on your behalf is secure
        knowing that just as you are partners in the sufferings, so also you are partners in the comfort/encouragement
      - Paul's suffering 8-11
        We suffered past the point of giving up
        for we don't want you to be ignorant on behalf of our trouble/tribulation, which was in Asia
        that we were burdened far beyond what we were able to bear - weighed down/crushed
        so that we despaired even of life
        but the same, we had the judgment of death in ourselves
        so that we would not be confident in ourselves, but in the God who raises the dead
        God rescued us and we hope in Him
        He rescued us from so great a death and will rescue us
        in Him we hope that He will still rescue us
        Pray for us
        (He will rescue us) with you joining in on our behalf with prayers
        so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious gift given to us through the prayers of many
    - Paul's change of plans 1:12-2:13
      - Paul's integrity in dealing with them 12-14
        Paul has conducted himself with integrity
        This is our boast - the testimony of our conscience
        That in purity and sincerity of God and not in fleshly wisdom, but by the Grace of God, we lived/lifestyle/conducted ourselves in the world, especially toward you
        Paul has dealt with them plainly/fairly
        for we have not written to you anything but what you can read and understand
        I hope that you will fully know just as you already know/acknowledge us in part
        Paul reminds them of their close relation to him
        because we are your boast
        just as you are also our boast in the day of our Lord Jesus
      - Paul's original plan 15-22
        Paul's plan
        and with this confidence I wanted first to come toward you, so that second you may have grace
        and I wanted to pass through you to come to Macedonia and again from Macedonia to come to you, and from you to be sent into Judea
        Paul's plan wasn't haphazard
        And therefore, wanting this, did I proceed irresponsibly?
        or did I want what I wanted according to the flesh?
        so that yes, yes may also be no, no from me?
        but God is faithful
        so that our word to you is not yes and no
        God makes Paul's plan secure
        For God's Son Jesus Christ was proclaimed in you through us, through me and Silas and Timothy
        It is not yes and no, but in Him it is yes
        For whichever promises of God, in Him they are yes
        Therefore also the Amen is through Him to God, toward glory through us
        God is the One Who secures us with you into Christ
        and He anointed us
        and He sealed us
        and He gave us the down-payment of the Spirit in our hearts
      - Paul's change of plan and reason 1:23-2:4
        Paul changed his plans to spare them
        I call God as witness upon my soul
        that in order to spare you, I did not come to Corinth
        not that I am lording it over your faith
        but we are working together for your joy
        for you stand by faith
        Explanation of his reason
        For I determined in myself to never again come to you in sorrow/grief/pain (painful visit - NIV)
        for If I grieve you, who will make me rejoice, except the one whom I've grieved
        and I wrote this way so that when I came I would not have grief from the ones who ought to rejoice me
        being convinced about all of you that my joy would also be yours
        Paul wrote instead
        for from great trouble and anguish of heart I wrote to you through many tears
        not so that you would be grived but so that you would know the love which I have abundantly toward you
      - Follow up on church discipline 5-11
        The level of punishment is sufficient
        if someone has grieved, he has not grieved me, but in part (not to exaggerate) he has grieved all of you
        this punishment to this one by the many is sufficient
        now forgive him
        so that rather you should forgive and encourage this one
        so that he won't somehow be devoured by excessive grief
        Therefore, I encourage you to confirm your love for him
        we are in this together
        for I also wrote for this reason, so that I may know your tested status - if you are obedient in all things
        and whoever you have forgiven, I also forgive
        for I have also forgiven it, if I have forgiven someone through you before Christ
        so that we will not be outwitted, cheated by satan
        for we are not ignorant of his thoughts/designs/purposes
      - Paul's current itinerary 2:12-13
        Coming into Troas to proclaim the good news of Christ
        and a door being opened to me in the Lord
        I did not have rest/relief in my spirit because I did not find Titus my brother
        but saying farewell to them, I came into Macedonia
  - Explanation of his ministry effectiveness 2:14-7:4
    - Description of Paul's effectiveness 2:14-3:3
      - Paul spreads the smell of Christ
        thanks be to God who always leads us in the triumphal procession in Christ
        and who makes manifest the aroma of the knowledge of Him through us in every place
        because we are the fragrance of Christ to God among those being saved and among those being destroyed
        on the one hand, to those the fragrance from death into death
        on the other hand, to those the fragrance from life into life
        and who is sufficient/competent/adequate for all these things?
      - Paul is not preaching Christ as a get rich quick scheme, but truly
        for we are not like many, peddling the Word of God for profit
        contrast false apostles
        but we speak as from sincerity, as from God, in the sight of God in Christ
      - Paul's ministry success in Corinth validates his ministry
        Are we again beginning to commend ourselves?
        or do we have need (as some do) of commendatory epistles toward you or from you?
        contrast false apostles
        you are our epistle, written on our hearts, known and read by all men
        being manifest that you are an epistle of Christ, delivered by us
        being written, not with ink, but by the Spirit of the Living God
        not (written) on tablets of stone, but on tablets of fleshly hearts
        cf. Exo. 24, 32 tablets of stone for Old Covt.
        cf. Ezek 36:26 -take away heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh - promise of New Covt.
    - The power behind Paul's effectiveness (New Covenant Glory) 3:1-6:2
      - Competence from God, Confidence in God 3:1-6
        Paul's ministry success in Corinth validates his ministry
        Are we again beginning to commend ourselves?
        or do we have need (as some do) of commendatory epistles toward you or from you?
        contrast false apostles
        you are our epistle, written on our hearts, known and read by all men
        being manifest that you are an epistle of Christ, delivered by us
        being written, not with ink, but by the Spirit of the Living God
        not (written) on tablets of stone, but on tablets of fleshly hearts
        cf. Exo. 24, 32 tablets of stone for Old Covt.
        cf. Ezek 36:26 -take away heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh - promise of New Covt.
        Confidence in God
        we have this kind of confidence toward God because of Christ
        Competence from God
        not that we are sufficient/competent from ourselves - cf. 2:16
        as to reckon something as being from ourselves
        but our sufficiency is from God
        Who makes us sufficient as ministers of a New Covenant
        not (a Covenant) of letter
        but (a New Covenant) of Spirit
        for the letter kills
        but the Spirit gives life
        contrast btwn Old Covenant and New, (Not btwn theology and feeling, head and heart)
      - Contrast with Old Covenant 3:7-11
        New covenant is more glorious than the Old Covenant
        If the ministry of death by letter, being engraved in stone, was in glory
        so that the sons of Israel were not able to gaze into the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was passing away/fading
        how will the ministry of the Spirit not be much more so in glory?
        arguing from lesser to greater -
        if the first covenant was glorious
        as glorious as it was
        though it was fading
        how much more will the new covenant be glorious
        at least as glorious as the first
        but not limited in this way
        and more so in ways yet to be defined
        For Righteousness is greater than condemnation
        for if glory came by the ministry of condemnation
        much more will the ministry of righteousness surpass it in glory
        for that which was glorious is not glorious in this case because of the far-surpassing glory
        For the permanent is greater than the temporary
        for if that which is passing away is through glory
        much more will that which remains be in glory
      - Glory of the New Covenant 3:12-18
        glory does not diminish,
        therefore, having such hope, we employ much boldness
        and not just as Moses placed a veil upon his face - opposite of Moses' hiding the fading glory
        so that the Sons of Israel could not gaze into the outcome of that which is passing away
        but their minds were hardened
        for until today the same veil still remains on the reading of the Old Covenant
        not being revealed because in Christ it is brought to nothing
        ambiguous - veil brought to nothing?
        or Old Covenant brought to nothing?
        but until today whenever Moses is read, the veil is placed on their heart
        but grows and spreads
        and whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away
        and the Lord is the Spirit
        and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom
        freedom is the ability to see Christ as He is
        We all,
        with uncovered faces, - the hindrance to seeing being taken away
        contemplating/looking intently at the glory of the Lord, - meditating on the Glory of Christ
        are being transformed to the same image - by/while meditating we are changed
        from glory into glory, -
        just as from the Lord - Spirit
      - Glory veiled and revealed in Crucified Lord and Suffering ministers 4:1-15
        because of this, and because we have this ministry, just as we have been given mercy - we do not lose heart/enthusiasm/we are not afraid
        Forsaking bad ministry methods for good
        Rather, we renouncing the secret things of shame (secret and shameful ways and actions) - defined in contrast to what follows
        not walking in cleverness/trickery
        being wise as serpents, but innocent as doves
        being wise, informed, skillful, but not using these things unethically or relying on them rather than God's power - our confidence is in God, not in our own skill and technique
        not falsifying/distorting/manipulating the Word of God
        do not manipulate the Word of God
        do not USE the Word of God for our own purposes, but be submitted to to the Word
        do not distort the Word, but accurately use it, rightly dividing to be a good workman who does not need to be ashamed
        BUT by the announcement/disclosure of the truth, commending ourselves to the conscience of every man and before God
        Ministry failure is not our problem or fault (in a certain sense)
        If our Gospel is veiled - (cf. ch. 3) it is veiled to those who are perishing
        among whom, the god of this age blinded the minds of the unbelieving
        so that they do not see the light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ, Who is the Image of God
        It is evidently visible - cf. Rom. 1
        But people have a veil pulled over their eyes
        Application
        Paul is concerned with faithfulness, not fruitfulness - He cannot make the plants grow, but he can throw good seed and water it well - see I Cor ch. 3
        need to be pointed to look at the Glory of Christ in the Gospel, which we can do
        but they also need to have their eyes opened, which we cannot do, only God can do
        our part and God's part
        Ministry success is not our doing, but by God's methods pointing to Christ
        For we do not preach ourselves
        but we preach Jesus Christ is Lord
        and we ourselves are your servants because of Christ
        because the God
        who is the one saying "Let the light shine from the darkness"
        shines
        in our hearts
        to bring to light the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ
        Ministry is in a form that highlights God's credit and disallows credit given to the minister
        We have this treasure in jars of clay - vessels of earthenware, clay pots, not impressive packaging - product more important than advertising and packaging
        so that the surpassing greatness of power may be God's (from God)
        and not from us
        We by contrast are characterized by weakness, yet not by failure, but by strength/success in the middle of weakness - pushed to the breaking point, but finding strength not to break
        paradox 1
        being troubled/pressed
        but not distressed/crushed
        wordplay - Gk. word for tribulation/trouble is picture of grapes being pressed, contrasted here with being completely crushed
        paradox 2
        being perplexed/confused/doubting
        but not to the point of despairing/giving up
        same kind of wordplay, pushed far, but not all the way
        cf. 1:8 same word "despaired of life itself"
        paradox 3
        being persecuted
        but not forsaken/abandoned
        paradox 4
        being thrown down/knocked down
        but not destroyed
        we fall down, but we get up. A saint is just a sinner who fell down, then got up (better - was raised up)
        Summary -
        always bearing the death/mortification of Jesus in our body
        as a present experience of death (sharing in His sufferings)
        so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body
        so as to attain to the resurrection of the dead - cf. Phil 3 and Col. 2
        Paul gets it: the pattern for Christian ministry is the example given by Jesus - cf. I Pet. 2
        giving our lives for others, even to the point of death
        that is how both we and they experience resurrection power
        We experience life by means of death
        For we who are living are continuously given over to death because of Jesus
        so that the life of Jesus will also be revealed in our mortal flesh
        Result: so that death is working in us
        and life is working in you
        We minister speaking from faith toward faith
        We believed
        having the same spirit of faith
        just as it is written:
        I believed
        therefore I spoke
        and therefore we spoke
        knowing that
        the One Who raised the Lord Jesus
        He will also raise us with Jesus
        and He will present us with you
        We minister for the purpose of God's glory
        we do all these things because of you
        so that the grace, which is abounding through more and more people, may abundantly increase thanksgiving into the glory of God
      - Glory that will be fully experienced 4:16-5:10
        Ministry is undergirded with an eschatology that motivates and strengthens this kind of self-giving ministry
        Therefore we do not lose heart/enthusiasm/we are not afraid - cf. v. 1
        Contrast present difficulty and eternal reward
        but even if our outer man is being destroyed/corrupted
        yet certainly our inner man is being renewed day by day
        cf. Col. 3:10 new self is being renewed
        Reason
        for the momentary lightness (opposite heaviness) of our troubles are working for us an eternal weight of glory, accroding to excess, into excess (beyond all comparison)r
        oppose light and heavy
        oppose momentary and eternal
        oppose tribulation/trouble and glory
        These are beyond comparison - heaviness and eternity and glory are beyond comparison, not equal
        We deal with eternal glorious things, not temporary earthly things
        not paying careful attention to the things that are seen
        but paying careful attention to the things that are not seen
        what are you looking at?
        for the things that are seen are temporary/transitory
        and the things that are not seen are eternal
        Contrast earthly dwelling and eternal dwelling
        For we know that:
        if our earthly house of tabernacle is destroyed
        funny way of putting this literally shows that Paul is using figurative language
        connecting with OT figures to point out our earthly bodies as temporary dwelling
        we have a dwelling from God - an eternal house in the heavens which is not made with human hands
        we are groaning in this (earthly tent)
        longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven
        in as much as we are being clothed
        we will not be found naked
        cf. Gen 3 Nakedness result of curse - contrast finite futile earthly existence of old age
        with eternal heavenly existence that we were created for before the fall
        For we who are in this tent are groaning to be clothed
        being burdened
        in which we do not want to be unclothed (as we currently are)
        but we want to be clothed
        so that the mortal may be swallowed up by life
        cf. 2:7 the man swallowed up by grief
        God has planned this eternal glory
        God is the One Who is working/producing us into this very thing
        He is the One Who gave to us the down-payment of the Spirit (guaranteeing that which is to come)
        We live in the tension before the full experience of this glory
        Therefore, we are always confident
        and we know that when we are at home in this body, we are away from the Lord
        not yet aspect, more to come
        For we are walking through/by faith
        and we are not walking by sight
        We live today in light of the full experience of this glory
        but we are confident
        and we would prefer rather to be away from the body and at home with the Lord
        therefore, we have this ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him
        for it is necessary for all of us to be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ
        so that each of us may received the things done through the body toward which we worked, either good or bad
      - New Covenant Mindset and Ministry 5:11-6:2
        Connect this to all that has gone before - Gospel and Paul's understanding of his place in it
        Paul's mindset is radically changed to evangelism 11-15
        therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to convince/persuade men
        digression on purpose of this section
        we have been revealed/manifest to God
        I hope also to be revealed/manifest in your conscience
        we are not again commending ourselves to you
        but we are giving an opportunity to you to boast on our behalf
        so that you may have something against those boasting in face and not in heart (by surface appearance, not reality)
        there are plenty of people with pretty faces but ugly hearts
        there are also people whose faces match their hearts
        the point is that heart is more important measure than face - cf. David anointing story
        explanation of Paul's motivations/actions
        for if we are 'out of our mind' it is for God
        if we are right/sound-minded, it is for you
        For the love of Christ has grabbed a hold of us so that it compels us
        judging this:
        that One died on behalf of all
        Therefore, all died
        and He died on behalf of all
        so that those who are living would no longer live to themselves
        but they would live to the one who died and was raised on their behalf
        Paul's mindset is radically changed to proclamation 16-21
        two results of Paul's changed mindset (which is the result of the universe being changed in the new eschatological reality
        New perspective
        therefore, from now on, we know no one from a fleshly/this worldly perspective
        even if we knew Christ from a fleshly/this worldly perspective
        we no longer know Him in this way
        New Creation
        therefore, if someone is in Christ,
        he is a new creation
        the old things have passed away
        behold new things have come into existence
        All these new things are from God
        These things are from God
        Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ
        and He gave us the Ministry of reconciliation
        Explanation of God's reconciliation
        that is - God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ
        not counting their transgressions to them
        and placing in us the message of reconciliation
        God communicating reconciliation through Paul
        therefore, we are acting as ambassadors on behalf of Christ
        as though God were exhorting through us (which is indeed the case)
        We are appealing/asking on behalf of Christ
        be reconciled to God
        The means of reconciliation
        God made the One who did not know sin to be sin/a sin offering on our behalf
        so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God
        Application: Challenge to respond 6:1-2
        we are working together (with God)
        and we are exhorting you to not receive the grace of God in vain
        for it says (quoting Isa 49:8 - servant passage)
        in the favorable/right time I heard you
        and in the day of salvation I came to your aid
        applying the quotation
        behold now is the favorable time
        behold now is the day of salvation
    - The Manner of Paul's effectiveness 6:3-10
      - We don't put any stumbling block before anyone
      - so that the ministry will not be discredited/found at fault
      - but we commend ourselves
        in all things
        as servants of God
        by going through/putting up with difficult things
        in much endurance
        in troubles/tribulations
        in hardships
        in difficulties
        in beatings
        in imprisonments
        in riots
        in hard labors
        in sleeplessness
        in hunger
        by having virtues
        in purity
        in knowledge
        in patience
        in kindness
        in the Holy Spirit
        in sincere love
        in word of truth
        in power of God
        by enduring all things for the sake of the Gospel
        through weapons of righteousness in the right hand and the left
        through glory and dishonor
        through slander and good report
        as (treated like a) deceiver and true
        as unknown and being known
        as dying and behold we live
        as disciplined and not dying
        as grieving but rejoicing
        as poor but making many rich
        as having nothing but possessing all things
    - Appeal to Corinthians 6:11-13, 7:2-4
      - appeal for close personal relationship (as opposed to current relational strain)
      - how Paul acted to them
        our mouths have been opened to you, Corinthians (we have spoken freely)
        our hearts have been opened wide (enlarged)
        you are not restricted by us
        but you are restricted in your affections/compassions
      - how Paul wanted them to act toward him
        as the same reward/recompense (I speak as to [my] children), you also be opened wide (your heart)
        make room for us
      - how Paul acted to them
        we have done no one wrong (unjustly)
        we have destroyed/corrupted no one
        we have taken advantage of no one
      - how Paul felt toward them
        I am not saying this to condemn you
        for I said before that you are in our hearts - to die together and live together
        I have great confidence in you
        I have great boast on behalf of you
        I am filled with comfort/encouragement
        I am superabounding in joy in all my troubles
    - Digression on Yoking with Unbelievers 6:14-7:1
      - don't be mismatched together with unbelievers
        does apply to marriage, but not limited to marriage
      - godly and ungodly things do not go together
        for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?
        or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
        or what harmony/agreement does Christ have toward Belial?
        proper name of false god
        means 'worthlessness'
        or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
        what agreement does the temple of God have with the temple of idols
      - we should live up to our holy calling
        we are the temple of the living God
        just as God said
        I will live among them
        and I will walk (among them)
        and I will be their God
        and they will be my people
        echoing very important recurring promise in OT
        therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord
        quoting Isa 52:11
        do not touch any unclean thing
        and I will receive you
        and I will be to you as a Father
        and you will be to me as sons and daughters, says the Lord almighty
        therefore beloved, since we have these promises
        let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit
        perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord
  - Explanation of his itinerary 7:5-16
    - Report from Titus 7:5-7
      - No Rest in Macedonia
        when we came into Macedonia
        our flesh had not rest/relief
        but we had trouble/tribulation in everything
        conflict from the outside
        fear from the inside
      - Comfort when Titus Arrived
        but the God who comforts the humble comforted us by the arrival of Titus
        not only by his arrival, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you
        He related to us your longing, your mourning, your zealously on our behalf
        they had taken steps to be on Paul's side
        they had repented and probably punished the ringleader
        so that I rejoiced much more
    - Paul's response to their sorrow 7:8-13
      - No Regret for Sending it
        if I grieved you by the letter
        I don't regret it
      - Happy in result
        if I was regretting it
        I see that this epistle grieved you if only for a little while
        but now I rejoice - not that it grieved you
        but that it grieved you into repentance
        for you were grieved according to God
        so that it did not real damage from us
      - True and False Sorrow
        the grief according to God works repentance
        resulting in salvation that has no regrets
        the grief of the world works death
        For behold - to be grieved this way according to God worked to you such diligence/effort
        eagerness to clear yourself
        indignation
        fear
        longing
        zeal
        vindication
        in everything you proved yourself to be blameless in this matter
        either innocent to begin with
        or amends were fully made
      - Purpose of the Painful Letter
        therefore, if (since) I wrote to you
        it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong
        or for the sake of the one who was wronged
        but so that your eager diligence on our behalf might be revealed to you before God
        we have been comforted because of this
    - Paul's response to Titus's return 13-16
      - and we rejoiced overwhelmingly more in our comfort because of the joy of Titus
      - because his spirit was refreshed by all of you
      - because if I boasted a bit to him about you, I was not ashamed
      - but just as we spoke all things to you in truth
      - so also our boast to Titus proved to be true
      - and his compassion is overflowing concerning you
      - remembering the obedience of all of you
      - as you received him with fear and trembling - cf. Phil 2:12
      - I rejoice that I had confidence in all of you
- the collection 8:1-9:15
  - Giving encouraged 8:1-15
    - Macedonia's example
      - Brothers, we are making known to you the grace of God, which has been given in the churches of Macedonia
      - that even in the great testing of trouble/tribulation, the abundance of their grace and the depth of their poverty overflowed into the riches of their generosity
      - I testify that they gave according to their ability, even beyond their ability, entirely on their own
      - asking/begging us with much encouragement for the favor and fellowship of the service to the saints
      - and not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God
    - Complete what was started
      - so that we encouraged Titus
      - so that just as he had started, so also he would bring this grace to completion among you also
      - but just as you are exceling in all things - in faith and in word and in knowledge and in every diligence and in the love from us and in you
      - so you should also excel in this grace
    - Want to do it, and do it
      - I am not speaking as a command, but through the diligence of others I am also testing the genuineness of your love
      - for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that because of you, He became poor, even though He was rich, so that you, through His poverty, may become rich
      - And I am giving my opinion in this
      - for this is profitable to you who began last year not only to want this, but also to do it
      - now, finish doing it as well so that just as your eagerness to desire it, so also will be your completion according to what you have
      - for if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what you have, not according to what you don't have
    - This is equity/fairness/rightness
      - It is not that there is rest to another and trouble to you, but from equality/fairness
      - at this time, your abundance can be for their need, so that (maybe later) also their abundance will be toward your need, so that there may be equality/fairness
      - just as it is written:
        the one who has much did not have too much
        and the one who has little did not lack
  - Paul's provision/plan for the collection 8:16-24
    - Sending Titus
      - Thanks be to God who has given the same diligence/eagerness on your behalf in the heart of Titus
      - because he not only received encouragement, but is being eager and having his own initiative to come to you
    - Sending the "brother" possibly Luke
      - We have sent with him the brother who is praised in the Gospel through all the churches.
      - not only that, but he was also hand picked by the churches as our traveling companion with this gift of service delivered by us for the glory of the same Lord and our eagerness/readiness/goodwill
    - Being transparent and above board with finances
      - avoiding this: that someone would have a cause to fault us in this abundance/abundant gift which is served by us
      - we have regard for what is good not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of people
    - Sending another "brother"?
      - we are sending them with our brother who we have often tested and approved in many things, being diligent/eager
      - and now he is much more diligent/eager, with much confidence in you
    - Commendations
      - as for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you
      - as for our brothers, they are apostles of the churches, a glory of Christ's
    - Command
      - therefore, show the proof of your love and our boast about you to them before the churches
  - Paul's confidence in the Corinthian's generosity 9:1-5
    - I am confident that you will do it
      - It is unnecessary for me to write to you concerning this service for the saints
      - for I know your eagerness, which I am boasting about to the Macedonians - that the Achaia has been prepared from last year
      - and your eagerness has provoked many of them
    - but I am sending ahead to make sure
      - and I sent the brothers, so that our boast on behalf of you would not be empty in this matter
      - so that just as I spoke, you would be prepared
      - not that somehow if the Macedonians came with me and found you unprepared, we (not to say you) would be ashamed in this event
      - I considered it necessary to encourage the brothers so that they would go to you first
      - and they would prepare your blessing/gift which I spoke of earlier, so that you would be prepared
    - the gift should be voluntary
      - in this way it will be a blessing/gift freely given
      - and not as a gift extorted/begrudgingly given
  - Theological reasons for Giving 9:6-15
    - God repays and provides all things
      - but this:
        the one sowing sparingly will reap sparingly
        and the one sowing with blessing will reap from blessing
        generously is literally upon blessing
        sowing to bless someone will be blessed
      - each one, just as he has planned in his heart, not from grief or from necessity
      - for God loves a happy giver
      - and God is able to make every gift/grace overflow to you
      - so that in all things, always, having all sufficiency(sufficient supplies)/contentment, you will abound in every good work
      - just as it is written:
        He has scattered (gifts)
        He has given to the poor/needy
        His righteousness endures forever
    - Meeting needs AND glorifying God
      - the one who provides seed to the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and grow the fruit of your righteousness
      - you are being enriched in all things into all generosity
      - which works thanksgiving to God through us
      - because the service of this ministry is not only supplying what is lacking to the saints, but also is abundantly bringing about thanksgiving to God through many
      - through the proof of your service, they are glorifying God
        because of the submission of your confession to the Gospel of Christ
        and because of the generosity of the fellowship/partnership in to them and into all
      - and they are longing for you with their prayers on your behalf, because of the surpassing grace of God to you
      - thanks be to God for His indescribable gift
- confronting and confuting the false apostles 10:1-12:13
  - Paul's Spiritual strength for warfare 10:1-6
    - Paul ironically challenges their misunderstanding of his meekness and boldness
      - I, Paul, encourage you through the meekness and kindness of Christ
        face to face, I am meek among you
        but when not in person, I am "bold"
      - I beg to not have to be bold when I am present with the confidence/conviction which I calculate to need to dare to show to some who think that we walk according to the flesh
        if Paul is "bold" in the letter, his opponents will say it is typical that he could not say it face to face and they win
        if Paul is not "bold" in the letter, his opponents will win
    - Paul warns that he is able to wage spiritual battle
      - For even if we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh
      - for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God
        for the tearing down of strongholds/fortresses
        tearing down arguments
        tearing down every arrogant thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God
        taking captive every thought into obedience to Christ
        being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled
  - Paul boasts by refusing to boast 10:7-18
    - you are judging by the wrong standards
      - You are seeing according to face/only the surface/only what is seen (as opposed to the reality)
      - If someone considers himself to be of Christ
      - Let him think this again concerning himself, that just as he is of Christ, in the same way We are of Christ
    - I am boasting according to proper, true, Gospel standards
      - For if I am boasting something overabundantly concerning our authority, which the Lord has given us for building you up, and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed
    - Diffusing their criticism of his writing style
      - so that I do not seem to be trying to make you afraid/intimidate you through the epistle
      - because someone says:
        the epistles are weighty and strong
        but his bodily presence is weak
        and his speech is disdained/unimpressive/of no account
      - let this one consider this:
        just as we are in word through epistle when we are absent
        so we are this way in work/deed when we are present
    - I don't boast in the same way that these outsiders do
      - for we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with any of those who commend themselves
      - but those who measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves don't understand/don't get it
    - Our boasting is true
      - but we will not boast beyond measure, but according to the measure of the standard which God apportioned/assigned to us - which reaches also to you
      - we are not overextending ourselves (in boasting) as if we had not reached all the way to you
      - for we arrived first unto you in the Gospel of Christ
      - not boasting beyond measure, in the work of one another
        like the outsiders are doing in taking over Paul's converts and boasting in them
      - and having hope
        because your faith is growing in you
        to expand into abundance (our work) according to our standard
        to proclaim the Gospel in places beyond you
        not to boast in the standard of another in the things prepared (for them)
    - Correct Gospel boasting
      - the one who boasts, let him boast in the Lord - cf. I Cor 1
      - For the one who commends himself, this one is not tested and approved
      - but only the one that the Lord commends
  - Paul worries that they are being deceived 11:1-6
    - Bear with my foolishness
      - I wish that you will endure my certain small foolishness
      - but you are also enduring me
    - It is for a good reason
      - For I am zealous for you with the zeal of God
      - for I betrothed you to one man to present you as a pure virgin to Christ
    - I worry that you have been deceived
      - but I fear that
      - as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness
      - somehow your mind will be corrupted
        from the simpleness/single-mindedness
        and the sincerity
        that is in Christ
    - Because you put up with false teaching
      - for if the one who comes preaches another Christ, whom we did not preach
      - or if you receive another spirit which you have not received
      - or if you receive another Gospel which you did not receive
      - you endure it well/you put up with it easily enough
        unexpected - I thought he should call it a false Gospel, but instead he casually mentions that they put up with it
        until saw the larger context - the fact that it is a false Gospel AND they put up with it is the very reason he is afraid that they are deceived
        The fact that some put up with Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, Brian McClaren and Donald Miller (among others) frankly worries me
    - I am not inferior to the outsiders
      - I don't consider myself to be inferior in any way to these "super apostles"
      - if I am indeed unskilled in word
      - I am not unskilled in knowledge
      - this has been made manifest/revealed in every way, in all things to you
      - application
        how well he can talk not as important as what he has to say
        let us learn to discern in this way, not in flash or packaging or presentation
        Bob Kauflin - read the words of the song before ever listening to the tune
  - Paul defends his actions 11:7-12
    - I did right in what I did
      - irony
      - or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted?
      - because I proclaimed the Gospel of God to you without charge
      - I plundered other churches by taking support toward your service
      - and when I was with you and lacking anything, I was not a burden to anyone
      - for the brothers supplied my needs when they came from Macedonia
      - I have kept and will keep myself from being a burden to you in all things
      - i.e. I exercised a Gospel type of self-giving ministry, not taking ministry
    - my motivation for doing this
      - it is the truth of Christ in me
      - that this boast will not be silenced about me in the region of Achaia
      - why? because I don't love you? God knows that I do
    - I did better than the outsiders
      - That which I am doing, I will continue to do
      - so that I will cut off the opportunity or those who want an opportunity so that they may be found to be like us in those things in which they boast
  - Paul exposes the 'false apostles 11:13-15
    - Accurately identifies them
      - For these are false apostles
      - they are deceitful workers disguised as apostles of Christ
    - Gives the reason for them
      - This is not a marvel
      - for satan disguises himself as an angel of light
      - therefore it is not a big deal
      - if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness
      - Their end will be according to their works
    - no surprise that many bad things that look like the church
  - Paul boasts in his weakness 11:16-33
    - let me boast as a fool
      - I say it again
      - let no one consider me to be foolish
      - but if not, receive me as you would receive a fool
      - so that I will boast a little bit
      - That which I say, I don't say according to the Lord, but as in foolishness in this self-confident boasting
      - since many boast according to the flesh
      - I also will boast
      - for you gladly endure fools, since you are wise
        you endure them
        if someone enslaves you
        if someone consumes you
        if someone takes from you
        if someone exalts himself
        if someone beats you in the face
        I say this to my shame, I was too weak to do this
      - i.e. (sarcastically) since you like boasting fools, I will talk like that, but Ironically/subversively boast in those things that are foolish in your eyes, but wise in God's eyes, like a Crucified Messiah and Suffering Servant - those things that are actually worth boasting about in God's eyes - remember the true standard of judgment is the Lord's
    - whatever someone dares (to boast in) (I am speaking as a fool) I also dare
      - Are they Hebrews? I am also
      - Are they Israelites? I am also
      - Are they the seed of Abraham? I am also
      - Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as an insane person) I am more so
        i.e. they want to be servants of Christ, let me tell you about the true marks of a servant of Christ, which are not always pretty and glamorous and something to be boasted about
        surpassing them in work
        surpassing them in jail time
        in far more beatings
        often near death
        five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews
        three times I was beaten with rods
        once I was stoned
        three times I was shipwrecked
        I spent a night and a day in the open sea
        often on the road
        in danger from rivers
        in danger from thieves
        in danger from my own kind
        in danger from Gentiles
        in danger in the city
        in danger in the deserted place
        in danger on the sea
        in danger from false brothers
        in labor and hardship
        in much sleeplessness
        in hunger and thirst
        often without food
        in cold and nakedness/insufficient clothes
        besides everything else, my daily pressure, the concern for all the churches
        who is weak and I am not weak
        who stumbles and I don't burn with indignation
    - If it is necessary to boast, I will boast in the things of my weakness
      - The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, Who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying
      - in Damascus, the governor of the king Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes to arrest me
      - and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall
      - and I fled from his hand
  - Paul anti-boasts in his supernatural experiences 12:1-10
    - I will lower myself to boast
      - it is necessary to boast
      - it is not profitable, but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord
    - description of his supernatural experiences of power
      - I know a man in Christ
      - fourteen years earlier, this one was snatched up into the third heaven
        if in the body, I don't know
        if outside the body, I don't know
        God knows
      - and I know this man
        if in the body
        if without the body
        I don't know
        God knows
      - that he was snatched up into paradise
      - and he heard inexpressible words, which it is not authorized for a human to speak
      - I will boast on behalf of this one
    - Paul boasts in weakness to defeat the opponents
      - but I won't boast in myself except in my weaknesses
      - for even if I want to boast, I will not be foolish
      - for I would be speaking the truth
      - but I will refrain
      - don't let anyone think about me beyond what he sees in me or if he hears something from me
    - description of his supernatural experience of weakness
      - and therefore a thorn was given to me in the flesh - a messenger of satan - because of the surpassing nature of these revelations
      - so that I would not exalt myself
      - so that it may torment me
      - so that I would not exalt myself
    - God's grace and power in this weakness
      - on behalf of this, three times I urged the Lord to that he would take it away/withdraw it from me
      - and He said to me:
        My grace is sufficient for you
        -cf. I Cor.1 God's perfect power is shown in the weakness of the cross
      - Therefore, I will gladly boast rather in my weakness
      - so that the power of Christ will dwell upon me
    - Paul delights in God's kind of weakness, which is true power
      - therefore, I am pleased
        in weaknesses
        in insults
        in hardships
        in persecutions and difficulties
        on behalf of Christ
      - for when I am weak, then I am powerful
  - Paul compares himself to the false apostles 12:11-13
    - Rebuke of Corinthians for making him need to defend himself
      - I have become foolish
      - but you compelled me
      - for I ought to have been commended by you
    - Final verdict on the false apostles
      - for I lack nothing of the super-apostles
      - even if I am nothing
      - the signs of an apostle - signs and wonders and miracles - were worked in you with all patience
        note grammar: does not say "I worked miracles"
        but says "miracles were worked" (by God)
        God's working is validation of ministry, not minister's doing
        subtle difference, but important
    - Final defense of his ministry style
      - what is it in which you were treated worse compared with the rest of the churches - except this?
      - that I was not a burden to you?
      - forgive me this unrighteousness! (irony)
- Preparation for Paul's visit 12:14-13:10
  - Paul's appeal to the Corinthians 12:14-18
    - Behold, for the third time, I am prepared to come to you
    - Paul restates his commitment to no financial exploitation that would take away from the Gospel
      - and I will not be a burden to you - cf. v. 13 - faithful to his ministry style
      - For I am not seeking your things, but I am seeking you
      - for the children are not obligated to save up for the parents
      - but the parents are obligated to save up for the children
      - and I will gladly spend freely and be exhausted/used up on behalf of your soul
      - If I love you to this excessive extent, Am I loved less?
      - let it be as it may
      - I will not burden you
      - but being a crafty person, I took you with guile/deception (irony)
    - Those that work with Paul share the same values and approach
      - Did I take advantage of/defraud/cheat you through those whom I sent to you?
      - I urged Titus
      - and I sent the brother with him
      - Did Titus take advantage of you?
        (asked in a way that expects a negative answer)
      - Did we not walk in the same Spirit?
      - Did we not walk in the same footsteps (manner of life)
  - Paul's apprehension of the Corinthian's response 12:19-21
    - Paul has no need to defend himself to the Corinthians
      - Formerly, you thought that we were defending ourselves to you
      - We were speaking before God in Christ
      - beloved - we are doing all things/All things are for your upbuilding
    - Paul may have need to defend himself (figuratively) to God for the Corinthians' behavior
      - For I fear that when I come, I will find you as I don't want, and I will be found by you just like you don't want
      - that there will be:
        strife
        jealousy
        wraths
        selfish ambitions
        slanders
        gossips - tale bearings
        arrogances
        disorders/disturbances
      - when I come (to you) again, may my God not humble/humiliate me before you
      - and I will mourn over many who have sinned previously and NOT repented from the uncleanness and sexual immorality and debauchery which they performed
        problem is not just that they did these things, but that they did these things and did not repent
        sin isn't the worst problem, denial of sin and refusal of sin's remedy is the worst problem
  - Warning that Christ's true servant is coming 13:1-4
    - I am coming to you for a third time
    - Warning to the unrepentant
      - every word/matter will be established by the testimony of two or three
      - I told you beforehand when I was with you the second time and am now saying beforehand when I am absent to those who sinned beforehand and to all the rest
      - that when I come to you again, I will not spare (them)
    - Paul's final proof - Crucified Messiah
      - since you are seeking proof of Christ who is speaking in/by me
      - Jesus was Crucified Messiah - Power and Wisdom in weakness and foolishness
        Who (Christ) is not weak toward you
        but is powerful among you
        for He was crucified from weakness
        but He lives from the power of God
      - Paul is his suffering servant - power and wisdom in weakness and foolishness
        For we are also weak in Him
        But we will live with Him from the power of God toward you
      - Paul's proof is that he lives the cruciform life that Christ lived
      - Paul's mindset regarding weakness and power and wisdom and foolishness matches that of a Crucified Messiah whose foolishness in the world's eyes is really the wisdom of God, and whose weakness in the world's eyes is really the power of God
  - The final verdict by Gospel standards 13:5-10
    - Test yourself
      - test yourself/put yourself to the test
        i.e. not just assume, but actually try and test
      - judge/approve yourself by testing
      - whether you are in the faith
        holds out real possibility that they were not - they should not assume, but be diligent to be sure
      - or do you not know yourselves - that Jesus Christ is in you
      - unless you are untested/unapproved
        somewhat ambiguous
        could mean untested - they don't yet know
        but more likely, failed the test
    - We are tested
      - I hope that you know that WE are NOT untested/unapproved
    - Do what is right for the right reasons - truth, not reputation
      - I am praying to God that you will not do anything bad
      - not so that we will be revealed as approved
      - but so that you will do the good
      - but we may be (seen/treated) as unapproved
        the reality in their life is more important than the reputation of Paul's life
        but yet think how many of the outsiders - "super-apostles" you have ever heard their names
        those who worry about reputation typically lose reputation in the end, those who worry about reality, God usually vindicates their reputation
      - For we are not able to do anything against the truth
      - but we are able to do those things on behalf of the truth
      - For we rejoice when we are weak, but you are strong
      - and we are praying for this - your maturity/maturation/perfection
    - Purpose for writing - in line with Gospel
      - For this reason, I am writing these things when I am absent
      - so that when I am present I will not have to use my authority harshly/severely
      - the authority which the Lord gave to me for building up, and not for tearing down
        cf. 10:4,8
- Conclusion 13:11-14
  - finally brothers
  - Final Commands
    - Rejoice
    - Be perfected/prepared/mended
    - Be encouraged/exhorted
    - Think the same thing
      - i.e. be unified with one another - no divisions
      - but also be unified with Paul - i.e. straighten out your thinking
    - Be at peace
  - Promise
    - and the God of love and peace will be with you
  - Greetings
    - Greet one another with a holy kiss
    - all the saints greet you
  - Trinitarian blessing/benediction
    - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
    - and the love of God
    - and the Fellowship/partnership of the Holy Spirit
    - be with all of you