Paul digresses, leaving the story of Titus, to discuss his ministry as an apostle proclaiming the Good News.

Optional titles for this lesson might include one or more of the following:

Ministers of the New Covenant

The Nature of the Ministry

           Triumph in Christ

To Some, We Smell Good, To Others, We Stink

This lesson should help us develop a mental picture of who we are in the eyes of God.

This picture does not apply to many of the people who are in ministry today.

This is how Paul pictures his ministry.

            There are certainly lessons for us to learn from Paul’s picture of ministry.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (NLT)
Ministers of the New Covenant
Triumph in Christ
¹⁴ But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. ¹⁵ Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
¹⁷ You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (NLT)
¹⁴ But thank God!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

• Be thankful in all circumstances.

This phrase will become more meaningful as we move through this passage.

We need to be thankful in circumstances that are not of our own choosing.

He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession.

Paul uses a picture of a Roman triumphal procession following a great victorious campaign by a conquering general or king.

This Roman ceremony was called “the triumph”.

After winning a battle, Roman generals marched through the streets of Rome to the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill.

This triumphal procession was held to publicly celebrate, honor, and award the success of a military commander who had led Roman forces to victory.

The general wore a crown of laurel and the all-purple, gold-embroidered triumphal toga, clothing that identified him as near-divine or near-kingly,

Some ancient and modern sources suggest a fairly standard processional order.

First came the captive leaders, allies, and soldiers (and sometimes their families) usually walking in chains; some were destined for execution or further display.

Next in line, all on foot, came Rome’s senators and magistrates, followed by the general’s lictors (bodyguards whose task was to protect the magistrates.)  in their red war-robes, their fasces wreathed in laurel, then the general in his four-horse chariot. A companion, or a public slave, might share the chariot with him or, in some cases, his youngest children.

His officers and elder sons rode horseback nearby. His unarmed soldiers followed in togas and laurel crowns, chanting “io triumphe!” and singing ribald songs at their general’s expense.

Somewhere in the procession, two flawless white oxen were led for the sacrifice to Jupiter, garland-decked, and with gilded horns.

Somewhere in the procession, there were pagan priests burning incense to the gods.

At Jupiter’s temple on the Capitoline Hill, he offered sacrifice and the tokens of his victory to the god Jupiter. On some occasions, this included some of the captives who were also put to death as a sacrifice to the Roman gods.

All this was done to the accompaniment of music, clouds of incense, and the strewing of flowers.

Occasionally there was so much on display that the show lasted two or three days.

Verse 14 repeated:

¹⁴ But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession.

• God made us His captives.

We are Christ’s captives.

Through Christ, God the Victor had vanquished His enemies.

We who have been taken captive by Christ, march in His parade.

We live to glorify him through our life and death.

1 Corinthians 4:9 (NLT)
Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike. 

1 Corinthians 4:10-12 (NLT)
¹⁰ Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed. ¹¹ Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. ¹² We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us. 

Ephesians 3:1 (NLT)
…, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus …

Romans 1:1 (NLT)
This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

Galatians 6:17 (NLT)
… For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 

In the Roman triumph processional incense was burned. Paul compared this to the knowledge of Christ, which like a fragrance was diffused everywhere throughout the world via the preaching of the gospel.

• God uses His captives to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere.

this gives us a fuller meaning to Romans 12:1

A Living Sacrifice to God
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 

¹⁵ Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.  

¹⁶ To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom.

Repulsive 

But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. 

Attractive

• Our lives are a life-giving perfume to those who are being saved or a dreadful smell of death and doom to those who are perishing.

• Your walk with Christ will be encouraging and motivating to some, and at the same time your walk with Christ will be repulsive to others.

And who is adequate for such a task as this? 

Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)
Unity in the Body
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 

2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. ⁶ He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. …

What a profound responsibility Paul placed on believers! We are an aroma to the world of life or death. How essential for us to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ in such a way as to bring life. We have God’s promise of victory—He leads us in His procession. We are utterly unequal to the task, but Christ gives us grace and power to evangelize with effect.

• God continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. 

¹⁷ You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit.

Some of Paul’s opponents demanded payment for their ministries.

Many are in ministry just to earn money.

For the moment, however, he recalled the work of the false apostles. They thought themselves more than adequate but it was because their message and motivation differed so radically from Paul’s. To that point, he needed to respond.

We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us. 

1 Timothy 1:17 (NLT)
All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

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The Lord Opens and Closes Doors of Opportunity.

What is a door?

Door:

The opening for entering or leaving.

An opening to an opportunity.

Giving or denying access.

• The Lord opens and closes doors of opportunity.

This is an undisputable Biblical truth.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NLT)
¹² When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. ¹³ But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NLT)

¹² When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ,

Paul is writing about some of his recent travels.

Paul came to Troas after leaving Ephesus for Macedonia.

2 Corinthians is Paul’s fourth letter to the Corinthians and was written in A.D. 55/56
(See lesson 119).
Paul was in Macedonia at that time.

• Paul intended to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ in Troas.

Paul was planning to meet up with Titus at Troas.

Who was Titus?

Titus

A co-worker of Paul

Loved by Paul
2 Corinthians 2:13 (today’s passage)
“My dear brother Titus”

Titus 1:4
“My true son in the faith that we share.”

Trusted

2 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)
⁶ So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

Titus 1:5 (NLT)
⁵ I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.

Paul had sent Titus to Corinth (late summer AD 54) to present the “tearful letter”
(vv. 3-4, Paul’s 3^rd letter, now lost)

Paul was planning to meet up with Titus, who was traveling from Corinth to Troas, in the city of Troas, to give Paul an update on the Corinthian Church.

Paul was traveling north and Titus was traveling up and around the Aegean Sea from Corinth.  They were planning to meet in the middle.

Paul was anxious to know (had no peace of mind) how the Corinthians had responded to his “tearful letter”.

the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. 

Paul in vv. 12 “came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ”.

God sovereignly provided a great evangelistic opportunity for Paul.

• The Lord opens doors of opportunity for us.

Throughout his life, Paul had prayed for opportunities to share the gospel.

Colossians 4:3 (NLT)
Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.

Paul was aware of God opening doors of opportunity for him, in the past, to share the good news.

Acts 14:27 (NLT)
Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too.

Paul knew from experience that God opening doors does not negate opposition.

1 Corinthians 16:9 (NLT) Paul at Ephesus
There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me. 

• Paul knew that God had opened a door of opportunity for him.

I feel that it would be wrong to teach a lesson about God opening doors without mentioning the fact that God also closes doors of opportunities.

Acts 16:6-7 (NLT)
A Call from Macedonia
⁶ Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. ⁷ Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. 

• Paul knew of times when God had closed doors of opportunities for him.

• God closes doors of opportunities.

Open doors don’t always just happen.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)
Effective Prayer
⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

This is a process that can take time.

Asking

Seeking

Knocking

• Open doors don’t “just happen”.

¹³ But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you.

Paul had hoped to minister in Troas.

Despite a good response to the Gospel in Troas. Paul had “no peace of mind”.  Paul was concerned about the welfare of Titus and the Church in Corinth.

Titus may have been carrying with him a portion of the proposed Corinthian collection may have been attacked and robbed.

2 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)
So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving.

So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.

Paul was unable to focus on ministry to Troas.

Titus, one of Paul’s closest associates in ministry.

Paul “had no peace of mind.”

2 Corinthians 7:5 (NLT)
When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.

A troubled heart and mind caused Paul to turn his back on the open door in Troas.

• A troubled heart and mind prevented Paul from taking advantage of an open door for ministry.

On a return trip, Paul does return to Troas and has a chance to minister to the local believers. (Acts 20:5-11)

P.S.  Paul does find Titus in Macedonia and Titus has a good report about the Corinthian church.

One final thought

Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

• Sometimes God provides an opportunity, but we have to open the door.

• The Lord opens and closes doors of opportunity.
• Paul intended to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ in Troas.
• Paul knew that God had opened a door of opportunity for him.
• Paul knew of times when God had closed doors of opportunities for him.
• A troubled heart and mind prevented Paul from taking advantage of an open door for ministry.

Application:

• The Lord opens doors of opportunity for us.

Pray for open doors.

Know that opposition may accompany open doors.

• God closes doors of opportunities.

Accept the fact that God also closes doors.

• Open doors don’t “just happen”.

Ask – Seek – Knock

• Sometimes God provides an opportunity, but we have to open the door.

• A troubled heart and mind may prevent us from taking advantage of an open door for ministry.

A troubled heart and mind may prevent us from taking advantage of an open door for ministry at the present time, but be aware of the door remaining open for future opportunities.

• The Door that God Opens Will Never Contradict His Word.

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Forgiveness for the sinner.

Greetings to all of you.

In seven verses (2 Corinthians 2:5-11) Paul reminds us how we should deal with sin in the lives of other Christians.

For most of you, this is nothing new.

Most of you already know this, you just need to remember to put all of this into practice.

All too often we choose to ignore sin in the Church.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (NLT)

Forgiveness for the Sinner

⁵ I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. ⁶ Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. ⁷ Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. ⁸ So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
⁹ I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. ¹⁰ When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, ¹¹ so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (NLT)Forgiveness for the Sinner

⁵ I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 

Paul was hurt, and Paul states that the trouble hurt the Corinthians more than it hurt him.

The man who caused all the trouble hurt you, the church.

Scripture does not tell us who this man was or exactly what he did to cause trouble in the church.

The man had sinned and the hurt was real.

• The hurt and destruction caused by sin is real and is often far-reaching.

Isaiah 24:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ The earth suffers for the sins of its people,
for they have twisted God’s instructions,
violated his laws,
and broken his everlasting covenant.
⁶ Therefore, a curse consumes the earth.
Its people must pay the price for their sin.
They are destroyed by fire,
and only a few are left alive.

 ⁶ Most of you opposed him,

•  Sin should not go unaddressed.

Sin is serious.

Romans 6:23 (NLT)
For the wages of sin is death,

to their credit, it appears that many in the Corinthian Church did recognize the seriousness of sin.

To their credit, it also appears that the Corinthian church did address this man’s sin.

and that was punishment enough. 

The Greek word for punishment as it is used here denotes “an official action by the church against this individual”.

1 Timothy 5:20 (NLT)
Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

Most likely exclusion from the fellowship.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 (NLT)
Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.

Paul credits the Corinthians for doing what they needed to do.

• There are times when punishment is necessary.

You know this but:

Remember the reason for punishing sinful behaviors.

The goal is remorse (genuine sorrow), repentance, and restoration of relationships.

Galatians 6:1 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

• Punishment should be designed to help the person who sinned back onto the right path.
  • remorse (genuine sorrow),
  • repentance,
  • reconciliation (restoration of relationships).

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT)
¹⁸ … God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. ¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 

⁷ Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.  

Apparently the man who had caused so much trouble in Corinth did express genuine sorrow and repentance.

Punishment for sin is necessary, but after repentance by the sinner, forgiveness and comfort are necessary.

Remember the goal:

Remorse (genuine sorrow), repentance, reconciliation, and restored fellowship.

Paul calls for two actions.

Forgive

Luke 17:3 (NLT)
³ So watch yourselves!
“If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.

Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Comfort

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

• Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

People will sin.  Your children will sin.  Your students will sin.  Your spouse will sin.

⁸ So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.

• Reaffirm your love to the person who hurt you.

⁹ I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. 

The Corinthian Church could demonstrate their commitment to Paul by their obedience to his directives.

¹⁰ When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,  

Forgiving others is a Biblical mandate.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
¹⁴ “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. 

Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)
²¹ Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
²² “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! 

 ¹¹ so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Three things Satan did not want to see in the Corinthian church:

Three things Satan does not want to see in general:

Remorse (Genuine sorrow),

Repentance,

Reconciliation (Restored fellowship).

• The hurt and destruction caused by sin is real and is often far-reaching.
• Sin should not go unaddressed.
• There are times when punishment is necessary.
• Punishment should be designed to help the person who sinned back onto the right path.
  • remorse (genuine sorrow),
  • repentance,
  • reconciliation (restoration of relationships).
• Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
• Reaffirm your love to the person who hurt you.

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Why Paul Cancelled His Trip to Corinth.

Introduction:

How did Paul feel about the Corinthian believers?

1 Corinthians 1:2 (NLT)
² I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 

2 Corinthians 2:4 (NLT)
I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

Paul loved the Corinthians, and he couldn’t leave things as they were, fearing his enemies would destroy the work of the gospel among the church.

• Paul loved the Corinthians so much that he couldn’t allow them to continue to live in sin.

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 (NLT)
^1:23 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.
^2:1 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. ² For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. ³ That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. ⁴ I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 (NLT)

^1:23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth.

Paul really wanted the Corinthians to trust him and believe him.
His reasons for changing his travel plans were legitimate. 

Paul knew that the Corinthians needed to trust him and believe him before they could listen to his words of correction.

 The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 

2 Corinthians 10:1-8 (NLT)
Paul Defends His Authority
10 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. ² Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.
³ We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. ⁴ We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. ⁵ We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. ⁶ And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.
⁷ Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. ⁸ I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority. 

Paul needed to:

Knock down the strongholds of human reasoning.
Destroy false arguments.
Destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.
Capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

• Sometimes it is necessary to discipline (rebuke, correct) those we love.

Hebrews 12:11-12 (NLT)
No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

 Proverbs 3:12 (NLT)
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

 Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)
Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

• As painful as it may be to you, you must follow through with the appropriate discipline for those you love.

• Paul, as an apostle, had the authority to rebuke Christians who had a sinful nature.

Paul had used this authority in the past.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5 (NLT)
⁴ in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. ⁵ Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns. 

1 Timothy 1:19-20
… For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. ²⁰ Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

Paul would use this authority again if he feels it is necessary.

2 Corinthians 13:2-3 (NLT)
² I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.
³ I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.

• Paul wanted to avoid using this authority with the Corinthians at this point in time.

²⁴ But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice.

• Authoritative domination is not the way of Christ and in the long run, it is counterproductive.

1 Peter 5:1-4 (NLT)
Advice for Elders and Young Men
¹ And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: ² Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. ³ Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. ⁴ And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Matthew 20:25-26 (NLT)
²⁵ But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 

We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy,

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
Divisions in the Church
¹⁰ I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 

• Work together. Live in harmony with each other. Be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 

Practical application:

Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.

Lead by your own good example.

for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
And it is impossible to please God without faith.

 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Make your faith your own
Mark 9:24 New Living Translation (NLT)
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Romans 10:17 (NLT)
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 

• It is by your own faith (not someone else’s faith) that you stand firm.

^2:1 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. ² For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad?

Romans 14:19 (NLT)
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Certainly not someone I have grieved. 

• Aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. 

³ That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy.

Paul wanted those who were living in sin to repent before he arrived in Corinth.

Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. 

There were individuals in Corinth living in sin and needed to be forgiven before they could have a right relationship with God (and with Paul).

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)
So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

1 John 1:9 (NLT)
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

 Psalm 97:11 (NLT)
Light shines on the godly,
and joy on those whose hearts are right.

Paul’s joy came from seeing “his children” in a right relationship with God through Christ.

• Real joy comes from seeing those we love come to a right relationship with God.

⁴ I wrote that letter (calling for repentance) in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

• Paul loved the Corinthians.

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Paul’s Change in Travel Plans

Introduction:

In our last lesson, we were reminded of the fact that Paul had to deal with difficult people.  Many of these people were in the church.

Some questioned the authenticity of his apostleship, some questioned his character and integrity.

Paul had travel plans that had changed. On this slight ground, his enemies in Corinth complained that he said one thing and meant another.

Paul’s opponents seemed to have made this an occasion for charging him with similar inconsistency in doctrine. If his word could not be depended on in small matters, what dependence could be placed on his preaching?

Paul shows there was no insincerity involved in this change of his plans and no inconsistency in his preaching.

2 Corinthians 1:15-22 (NLT)
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. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.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, 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.

Examine the scriptures:

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. Then you could send me on my way to Judea. 

Paul had proposed a journey from Ephesus that would have permitted him to visit the Corinthians twice.  The two visits were meant to express Paul’s affection for them. He wanted to see them as often as possible.

Corinth first, travel on to Macedonia, then back to Corinth (current passage of scripture)

Paul changed his plans.  Macedonia first, then Corinth.

1 Corinthians 16:5-7 (NLT)
⁵ I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. ⁶ Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. ⁷ This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me.

Paul chose to make just one trip. (Details to follow in the next lesson)

2 Corinthians 2:1 (NLT)
So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.

• Paul had changed his plans of making two trips to Corinth to making just one trip to Corinth.

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”? 

Paul’s opponents argued that since he changed his mind about his travel plans, he had been careless in his planning.

Since he was careless in his planning he could not be trusted to do what he said he would do.

Since he could not be trusted to do what he says, his words cannot be trusted.

Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 

“Do you think I say one thing and mean something else?”

If his words cannot be trusted, the gospel he teaches cannot be trusted. 

• Paul changed his mind about his itinerary, and his opponents said his vacillating was a sign of a fundamental unreliability,
  • affecting not only where he went
  • but what he said.

Paul fervently denied this.

Paul’s argument was that he not make plans in a self-serving manner altering them for reasons of self-interest. Nor did he talk out of both sides of his mouth to further his own ends. He would explain the reason for his change in plans, but for the moment he was more concerned with the accusation that his message was equivocal or unreliable.

¹⁸ As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 

Paul argued that his word was not ambiguous and unreliable.

• Paul took unfounded accusations seriously.

• Paul argued that his word was not ambiguous and unreliable. 

Paul argued that the Gospel was not ambiguous and unreliable. 

¹⁹ For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 

Who was really under attack?

For the critics to attack Paul’s authenticity was like tearing down God’s work, and destroying the unity in the church.

• Not only was Paul under attack, but more importantly, Paul knew that the person and work of Christ were under attack from the false teachers at Corinth.

• Paul, knowing that Jesus Christ always does what He says He will do, was able to preach without vacillation or uncertainty. 

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.

• Paul did not allow these unfounded accusations against his character and the accusations that questioned the reliability of his message go unaddressed.

• All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ.

• All the promises of God are sure and positive.

• Jesus always does what He says He will do.

• A proper response from us to God for all He has said and done is “Amen” (so be it). 

²¹ It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 

• It is God who enables us to stand firm for Christ.

1 John 2:20&27 (NLT)
²⁰ But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. ^… 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 

• God enables us to know the truth.

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.

Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)
¹³ And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 

• We (believers) belong to God and the Holy Spirit living inside of us guarantees this relationship.

Nothing is unclear about what Christ did for us.

God has shown Himself to be faithful to His promises and to His people.

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Dealing with Difficult People

Paul had to deal with difficult people.  Many of these people were in the church.  We can learn from Paul how we too can deal successfully with difficult people.

2 Corinthians 1:12-14
¹² We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness 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 returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.

Examine the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (NLT)

¹² We can say with confidence and a clear conscience

 Paul responded with confidence and a clear conscience in defense against the slanders spread about his character and integrity (Paul was accused of being proud, self-serving, untrustworthy, inconsistent, incompetent, unsophisticated)

• Speak with confidence and a clear conscience when others accuse you falsely.

Don’t make yourself out to be the bad guy.

Don’t be afraid of what people say or think about you.

Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)
²⁵ Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety.

Note:

It is possible to have a seared conscience.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. ² These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

More importantly, it is possible to have a clear conscience

Acts 24:16 (NLT)
¹⁶ Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. 

Imitate Paul

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)
¹ And you should imitate me (Paul), just as I imitate Christ.

Take the first step to a clear conscience.

Confess your sins.

1 John 1:9 (NLT)
⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
¹⁴ “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. 

Understand where a clear conscience comes from.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT)
¹⁹ Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

Hebrews 5:14 (NLT)
¹⁴ Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings.

• Conduct yourself with integrity, honesty, sincerity, and pure motives in all of your dealings. 

Philippians 1:27-30 (NLT)
Live as Citizens of Heaven
²⁷ Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. ²⁸ Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. …. ³⁰ We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. 

Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. 

• Always depend on God’s grace.

Philippians 3:9 (NLT)
⁹ … I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 

2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT)
⁵ May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 

Galatians 5:16, 22-23 (NLT)
¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

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.

• Communicate in a clear, easy to understand manner. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.  Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. 

I hope someday you will fully understand us, ¹⁴ even if you don’t understand us now.

You can’t fully understand this now. 

Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.               

• God blesses those who patiently endure testing …

James 1:12 (NLT)
¹² God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

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Since God is the source of all comfort we need to learn to rely on God.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NLT)

God Offers Comfort to All
⁸ We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, 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.

Examine the scriptures:

Since God is the source of all comfort we need to learn to rely on God.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (NLT)

⁸ We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, 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. 

The specifics are unknown, but it is clear that it was “beyond our (their) ability to endure”.

Humanly speaking, deliverance was impossible.

⁹ In fact, we expected to die.

• As Paul was traveling through the province of Asia, things had gotten so bad, he expected to die.

But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves

Paul could not rely on:

Intellect

Physical strength

Resources

Many times Christians are tempted to rely on themselves.

Education

Finances

Family

Peers

The government

The Church

and learned to rely only on God, 

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
⁷ “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
⁸ They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.

Psalm 56:4 (NLT) Similar to Hebrews 13:6
⁴ I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

• God is the source of all comfort.

• Learn to rely only on God. (A lifelong lesson.) 

who raises the dead. 

God is all-powerful.

God is sovereign.

God has power over death.

Matthew 19:26 (NLT)
²⁶ Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT)
¹⁷ “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!

Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 121:3 (NLT)
³ He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber. 

• Nothing is too hard for God. 

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays that believers will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us.

Ephesians 1:19-21 (NLT)
¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)
¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

• Learn to reflect on the incredible greatness of God’s power. 

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. 

Hope:

2 Corinthians 1:10 New International Version (NIV)
¹⁰ … On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

2 Corinthians 1:10 English Standard Version (ESV)
¹⁰ … On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 

• Set your hope on God.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
¹⁷ For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! ¹⁸ So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

¹¹ And you are helping us by praying for us. 

• Partner with those going through difficulties by praying for them.

Romans 15:30 (NLT)
³⁰ Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

 Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

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