Second Corinthians 1: Recognition/Thanks for God’s Care and that of Fellow Believers; Standing Fixed In Faith in The Gospel of God’s Grace Revealed to the Apostle Paul:

We covered 2nd Corinthians 1:1 - 7 in our last study, pointing out the significance of two Greek words in this epistle; the noun “paraklesis” (G3874) and verb “parakale’o” (G3870), translated “consolation;” “exhortation;” “comfort;” “entreaty;” “beseech;” “exhort;” “desire” and “be of good comfort” in the King James Version (KJV). Together, they occur more frequently in 2nd Corinthians than in any other New Testament (NT) book and appear to set the tone and theme of this epistle. Two other words that appear frequently in 2nd Corinthians are also of interest. The name Titus, a Gentile and fellow laborer in the Gospel with Paul, is found 9 times in 2nd Corinthians, by far the most frequent of any NT book (Galatians mentions him twice, once in 2nd Timothy and once in the epistle Paul wrote to Titus). Furthermore, 2nd Corinthians portrays Titus as a comforting influence to Paul and the Corinthians, and instrumental in collecting money for the suffering Jewish Kingdom Saints in Jerusalem who had run out of funds.

The Greek word “char’is” (G5485) usually translated “grace,” is also prominent in 2nd Corinthians. It occurs most frequently in Romans at 25, but 2nd Corinthians is second with 18. The Greek Lexicon defines “grace” as: “denoting God’s grace and favor manifested towards mankind or any individual, which, as a free act is not more hindered by sin than it is conditional upon works. It is the grace of God, because it denotes the relation assumed and maintained by God towards sinful man and it is joined with Christ because it is manifested in and through Him.” Thus, as we study 2nd Corinthians we will watch for “consolation/comfort,” “grace” and Titus.

Remember that Paul wrote 2nd Corinthians while traveling through Macedonia on his way to visit Corinth for a second time. With this background, we continue: “And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” 2 Corinthians 1:77 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

. Here, Paul expresses hope (his confident expectation) that just as the Corinthians (and all believers since) will experience sufferings, they (and all believers since then) receive consolation/comfort from God and fellow believers. Paul then recounts an incident he and his associates had just experienced: “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 1 Corinthians 1:88 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- 98 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

. Here, Paul recounted what he and his associates just went through in Ephesus, from whence they had departed to sail to Macedonia (northern Greece). The Lord had blessed Paul’s ministry in Ephesus where many believed and the Word of God grew and prevailed, Acts 19:11 - 2011 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

. However, where the Word of God prevails, Satan raises opposition as he did in Ephesus. The Great Temple of Diana (one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) was located in Ephesus. Silver craftsmen there made their living selling statues of Diana. They got together and agreed that Paul’s message hurt their business and endangered the Temple because the entire world worshiped Diana at the time. They hauled two of Paul’s companions into the theatre (where plays were enacted in honor of Diana and men fought with wild beasts). It got wild and the mob cried out “great is Diana of the Ephesians” for 2 hours before leaders could quiet the mob down, Acts 19:23 - 4123 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

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Thus, the account here in 2nd Corinthians describes what happened more thoroughly, i.e., they were “pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” 1 Corinthians 1:8b - 9. Just as God can literally raise the dead to life, He snatched Paul and companions out of the jaws of death. And just as God delivered them, so Paul’s faith was that He constantly delivers them and would do so in the future, as expressed in the next verse: “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us;” 2 Corinthians 1:1010 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

. And although it was God who delivered them, Paul acknowledges the prayers of the Corinthians and reminds them to join in thanks to God for their deliverance: “Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.” 2 Corinthians 1:1111 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

. This lesson applies to believers today; we should pray for those preaching the Gospel and for each other and then to remember to give thanks to God for the results.

Paul assures the Corinthians that the work he and his fellow workers were doing among them had no hidden agenda with the goal to fool or to gain monetarily from them, rather, it was a manifestation of the Grace of God toward them. Paul trusts (hopes) they will never forget this: “For our rejoicing (boasting) is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity (guilessness) and Godly sincerity (sincerity of God), not with (in) fleshly wisdom, but by (in) the grace of God, we have had our conversation (behaved or lived) in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward (towards you).” 2 Corinthians 1:1212 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

. “For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;” 2 Corinthians 1:1313 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;

. Even today there are those who belittle or disregard the Apostle Paul’s teaching and ministry, never-the-less believers today must stand firm in the truth that his teaching is without guile in the Grace of God until the Lord comes to gather His own.

“As also ye (ye also) have acknowledged us in part (the faithful ones among you have acknowledged Paul and his fellow workers), that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 1:1414 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our's in the day of the Lord Jesus.

. When the Lord Jesus Christ catches up the Body of Christ (the Rapture of the living and dead) including Paul and all believers since, all will rejoice together in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul, because it was the means to accomplish this end. Because of these truths, Paul’s purpose had been to come to them again to benefit them further with his teaching and ministry among them: “And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;” 2 Corinthians 1:1515 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

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Paul previously advised the Corinthians he would visit them a second time, 1 Corinthians 4:18 - 1918 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

; 1 Corinthians 16:2 - 72 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.

. As noted earlier, Paul wrote this 2nd epistle to them from Macedonia on his way to Corinth. However, here in 2nd Corinthians he writes that he had advised them (in a communication not recorded in his epistles) that he would come directly to Corinth from Asia, and from there travel up into Macedonia, then return to Corinth on his way to Judea (to deliver the collection for the saints in Jerusalem). But his plans changed for some reason or the other and he informs them he had not changed his mind for no good reason (that is, because he was acting in the flesh by telling them he would come to them first). It must be that false apostles had insinuated that Paul had not kept his word because Paul writes that just as God is faithful and Paul’s preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not “yes” and “no,” i.e., ambivalent, so his plans on visiting them was not “yea” and “nay” but “yea” (or “yes”). 2 Corinthians 1:16 - 1916 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

. “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” 2 Corinthians 1:2020 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

. Or, as the NIV reads: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:20.

God is the one who established Paul, the true believers in Corinth and all believers since, in Christ, and anointed (consecrated) Paul and all believers since and that all are sealed with the earnest (down payment) of the Holy Spirit indwelling each and every believer’s heart (the very seat of life), 2 Corinthians 1:21 - 2221 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

. Note the Trinity of God in these 2 verses, God establishes believers in Christ resulting in believers being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Thus, assuring that nothing can separate believers from the Love of God, i.e., believers are eternally secure in Christ, Romans 8:31 - 3831 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

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Paul finishes the chapter with an oath before God that he didn’t visit them earlier as he had advised earlier, because he wanted to spare them from the rod of correction he would have had to use as they had not yet corrected the problems described in 1st Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 1:2323 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

. “Not for that (because) we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:2424 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

. Paul makes it clear here, that he (or any Apostle of his time or Minister of today) has no dominion (control) over the faith of any believer but they are helpers (companions or fellow workers) in the joy all believers have in Christ, for it is by faith that believers stand (fixed steadfast). Thus, Paul and all believers since him stand fixed/steadfast in faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

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