LESSON TEN
PAUL'S SECOND LETTER TO THE
CORINTHIANS

Scriptural Reference: II Corinthians Chapters 1 thru 4.

A. AUTHORSHIP:
•	The Apostle Paul wrote this epistle from Philippi in Macedonia, not many months 	after I Corinthians had been written.
•	Paul had spent the greater part of three years at Ephesus. 
•	Paul was pleased with the good news that Titus brought from Corinth.
•	 He wrote the letter immediately, and sent Titus back with it, accompanied with 	two other brethren (II Corinthians 8:16-24). 
•	They delivered the letter and also had charge of completing the collection for the 	poor saints at Jerusalem.

B. THE EFFECT OF FIRST CORINTHIANS:
•	Much could be written concerning what had happened in the Corinthian church 	between the time of the writing of first and second Corinthians.
•	 Paul referred to this in II Corinthians: "For behold this selfsame thing, that ye 	sorrowed after a Godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing 	of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, 	yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!"
•	Although much repentance had followed the reception of his first letter, there were 	certain points of correction still needed. 
•	However Paul had found areas of intimate fellowship which he wanted to discuss 	with them first, before proceeding to more discipline.

C. THE CONTENTS OF THIS EPISTLE:
•	Paul's second letter to the Corinthians is the most personal of Paul's letters. 
•	It is the most autobiographical of Paul's writings.
•	 Much of the epistle is spent upon Paul's own ministry, its motives and sacrifices. 
•	The verses of the first nine chapters are written in the past tense, while the verses of 	the last four chapters are written in the present or future tense. It has been suggested 	that these last four chapters were probably written earlier and then attached to the 	letter.

D. FELLOWSHIP IN SUFFERING:
•	In the beginning of this letter, Paul tried to draw the Corinthians closer to himself.
•	He told them that as they were partakers of the suffering, so would they be 	partakers of the consolation. 
•	Paul gave thanks for the comfort that he had received from the Lord. 
a. This word "comfort" comes from the same Greek word as "comforter" in the Gospel of St. John. 
b. It is stronger than mere consolation. God encourages but also supplies a foundation for encouragement. 
•	The benefit of suffering is that it produces a Christian capable of assisting others.
•	Paul established the basis of their fellowship in their suffering and consolation in 	Christ.

E. PROGRESSIVE SALVATION: (II Corinthians 1:10).
•	Paul preached a deliverance of three tenses: past, present and future. 
•	Here we have it expressed one more time. He had been delivered, he was being 	delivered, and he will yet be delivered.
•	Some testify of what God has done in the past and they may look forward to the 	future. Not only must this be true but also they must have an up-to-date testimony 	what the Lord is doing for them now.
•	Paul gave all the glory to God. He praised God and thanked the saints who had 	prayed for him.

F. THE MATTER OF DISCIPLINE: (II Corinthians Chapter 2).
•	Paul delayed his going to Corinth in order that he might spare them. 
•	It was not his desire to chastise them further. 
•	It would seem that Paul's first letter had changed the Corinthian church to such an 	extent that even those who had been upholding the man in sin had now turned 	against him in discipline.
•	He did not want the man lost, but he wanted him to be saved.
•	Paul's ministry bore the fragrance of God, which meant death or life, according to 	one's reaction to hearing his ministry

G. LIVING EPISTLES: (II Corinthians Chapter 3).
•	There were some Judaizing teachers from Jerusalem who came, carrying 	letters 	of introduction. 
•	Paul's enemies at Corinth were still asking regarding Paul's authority, saying that he 	had no letters of commendation from Jerusalem.
•	Paul proceeded to contrast his ministry with the ministry of these Judaizing 	teachers. 
•	Their gospel was the gospel with the law, which was written on stone; his was 	written on hearts. 
•	The two gospels are contrasted by Paul: one of the letter, the other of the spirit; one 	unto death, the other unto life; one veiled, the other unveiled; one unto 	condemnation, the other unto righteousness; one passes, the other remains.

H. PAUL'S LIVING MARTYRDOM: (II Corinthians Chapter 4).
•	In chapter 4 the apostle set forth before the Corinthians the vision of the true 	ministers. 
•	Paul never found preaching an easy task. 
•	The purpose of preaching was to renounce the hidden things of dishonesty. 
•	The treachery of Satan must be exposed for he blinds men's minds by philosophy 	and vain deceit, that the light of God's gospel cannot help them.
•	Paul showed the Corinthians that they must see beyond their troubles and their 	persecutions.
•	Paul's life was a living martyrdom. At his conversion the Lord had said, "I will 	show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake" (Acts 9:16).
•	The sufferings began immediately and continued for over thirty years.
•	 There was a continuous succession of beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks and 	privations of every kind. 
•	Finally he was taken to Rome to be executed.
•	Paul rejoiced for he saw the future glory, which would be his