After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia. When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. - Acts 20:1-2
Last Sunday morning we almost finished 1 Corinthians. We only lack a few more verses. So this morning we will read these last verses and then move into the opening of 2 Corinthians. I will also try to provide some insight into what may have happened in between the writing of these 2 letters. As I said last week, these 2 messages will be more informative than transformative. This is more teaching than preaching. That said, every word in the Bible is important - even those that may seem trivial. Perhaps by understanding the context, setting, and purpose of these letters, we can learn more from them.
I. A PLEA & GREETINGS (1 Cor. 16:15-24)
Paul issued a final plea to the Corinthians. He urged them to subject themselves to godly leaders who labored faithfully in the ministry. Specifically, Paul mentioned the household of Stephanas. He described them as the first fruits of Achaia because they were the first of those whom Paul baptized in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:16). He said that they had devoted themselves fully to the ministry of the church and should be acknowledged for their service. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus had come to visit Paul in Ephesus and he was encouraged by their presence. Perhaps this trio brought the Corinthians’ letter of inquiry to Paul and then carried his written responses back to them in Corinth.
Finally Paul sent greetings from all of the churches in Asia. He also sent greetings specifically from Aquila and Priscilla (Prisca) and the church that met in their house. Remember, Aquila and Priscilla had lived in Corinth and were there a few years earlier when Paul founded the church during his 2nd missionary journey. Though they had moved to Ephesus, they had personal relationships with many of the saints in Corinth. Paul sent greetings from the brethren, which likely refers to the Christians in Ephesus. They were to greet each other with a holy kiss, a common expression among believers.
Lastly, Paul wrote a brief greeting to the Corinthians in his own handwriting. Paul did not write his own letters (many scholars believed he had impaired vision), but rather he used a scribe or amanuensis. In his own handwriting he penned a curse on anyone who didn’t love the Lord. He wrote “Maranatha” which means “Our Lord is coming”. He blessed them with the Lord’s grace and expressed his love for them in Christ Jesus. He closed the letter by simply saying “Amen”.
II. BETWEEN THE LETTERS
Paul remained in Ephesus for a while after writing and sending the letter called 1 Corinthians. As mentioned in last week’s sermon, many scholars believe that - while there - he received news from Timothy that the situation in Corinth had severely deteriorated. As such, he decided to make an immediate visit from Ephesus directly to Corinth. It should be noted that this visit, if it occurred, is not mentioned by Luke in the book of Acts. When he arrived, he found that his opponents had gained leadership and influence over the church and had led most of the congregation astray. The majority of the Corinthians rejected Paul’s authority and questioned his integrity. After a brief and tumultuous visit, Paul left Corinth heartbroken over the wayward condition of the church.
Following this theory, Paul returned to Asia saddened but determined to continue and complete his 3rd missionary journey as planned. Thus, when his work there was finished he traveled on into Macedonia to visit the churches there. About a year after he’d written 1 Corinthians, while still somewhere in Macedonia, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in anticipation of his departure from the region and upcoming arrival in Achaia. This would date the letter to sometime around 56 AD.
Some historians believe that, immediately after his emergency visit to Corinth, Paul wrote another letter to them in which he boldly defended his integrity, character, and authority while calling their church to repentance. If so, this additional letter would date chronologically between 1 and 2 Corinthians. It is referred to as his “tearful letter” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4). Other historians suggest that the “tearful letter” Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians refers to 1 Corinthians and that there was no intermediate letter.
There are 2 schools of thought among those who believe that Paul wrote an additional letter between 1 and 2 Corinthians. Some think that this letter has been completely lost. Others argue that this intermediate letter has been combined with the letter referred to as 2 Corinthians. If this is the case, then 2 Corinthians is actually a composite of 2 letters (or, as some believe, even more) that have been edited slightly to read as a single letter. Those who accept the composite letter theory argue that chapters 10-13 of 2 Corinthians is actually the “tearful letter” and was therefore written before and later added as an addendum to chapters 1-9. There is a clear change of tone between chapters 10-13 and chapters 1-9. Nevertheless, this is all speculation.
For the sake of this series, we will simply study through 2 Corinthians in the order that it is presented in the Bible. There is no compelling reason to do otherwise. I just wanted us to be aware that there are a few different theories as to the makeup of 2 Corinthians. Is it 1 letter or more? Either way, all of it is universally accepted as the inspired word of God and is, therefore, completely instructive, trustworthy, and authoritative. That’s what matters.
III. A BRIEF SALUTATION (2 Cor. 1:1-2)
Paul opened the letter known as 2 Corinthians by clearly identifying himself as the author. He referred to himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ just as he had done in 1 Corinthians. Paul was trying to establish his role and legitimacy as an apostle. He also named Timothy as a possible co-author and contributor. It was probable that Timothy served as the amanuensis for this letter. Paul then stated to whom the letter was written. It was for the church at Corinth and the saints scattered about in the surrounding region of Achaia.
Next, Paul extended his usual greeting which is found in some form or fashion at the beginning of most of his letters. He wrote, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace always precedes peace because, as a former pastor of mine was fond of saying, “You will never know the peace of God until you have first received and experienced His saving grace.”
CONCLUSION
Let me close today’s sermon with a summary of 2 Corinthians that I found online. I thought it was pretty good. It will help set the stage for our study in the weeks and months ahead:
The book of 2 Corinthians is a deeply personal letter from the Apostle Paul to the church he’d established in Corinth. Its central theme is the relationship between Paul’s own suffering and the power of the Spirit in his life, ministry, and message. Paul’s message to the Corinthians encourages them to live in a new way, embracing the sacrificial life of Jesus. In this letter, the apostle seeks to rebuild his relationship with the Corinthians, to defend his own integrity as a trustworthy and competent servant of Christ, and to refute what he perceives as the claims by other evangelists of background and gifts that are superior to his own.
Last Sunday morning we almost finished 1 Corinthians. We only lack a few more verses. So this morning we will read these last verses and then move into the opening of 2 Corinthians. I will also try to provide some insight into what may have happened in between the writing of these 2 letters. As I said last week, these 2 messages will be more informative than transformative. This is more teaching than preaching. That said, every word in the Bible is important - even those that may seem trivial. Perhaps by understanding the context, setting, and purpose of these letters, we can learn more from them.
I. A PLEA & GREETINGS (1 Cor. 16:15-24)
Paul issued a final plea to the Corinthians. He urged them to subject themselves to godly leaders who labored faithfully in the ministry. Specifically, Paul mentioned the household of Stephanas. He described them as the first fruits of Achaia because they were the first of those whom Paul baptized in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:16). He said that they had devoted themselves fully to the ministry of the church and should be acknowledged for their service. Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus had come to visit Paul in Ephesus and he was encouraged by their presence. Perhaps this trio brought the Corinthians’ letter of inquiry to Paul and then carried his written responses back to them in Corinth.
Finally Paul sent greetings from all of the churches in Asia. He also sent greetings specifically from Aquila and Priscilla (Prisca) and the church that met in their house. Remember, Aquila and Priscilla had lived in Corinth and were there a few years earlier when Paul founded the church during his 2nd missionary journey. Though they had moved to Ephesus, they had personal relationships with many of the saints in Corinth. Paul sent greetings from the brethren, which likely refers to the Christians in Ephesus. They were to greet each other with a holy kiss, a common expression among believers.
Lastly, Paul wrote a brief greeting to the Corinthians in his own handwriting. Paul did not write his own letters (many scholars believed he had impaired vision), but rather he used a scribe or amanuensis. In his own handwriting he penned a curse on anyone who didn’t love the Lord. He wrote “Maranatha” which means “Our Lord is coming”. He blessed them with the Lord’s grace and expressed his love for them in Christ Jesus. He closed the letter by simply saying “Amen”.
II. BETWEEN THE LETTERS
Paul remained in Ephesus for a while after writing and sending the letter called 1 Corinthians. As mentioned in last week’s sermon, many scholars believe that - while there - he received news from Timothy that the situation in Corinth had severely deteriorated. As such, he decided to make an immediate visit from Ephesus directly to Corinth. It should be noted that this visit, if it occurred, is not mentioned by Luke in the book of Acts. When he arrived, he found that his opponents had gained leadership and influence over the church and had led most of the congregation astray. The majority of the Corinthians rejected Paul’s authority and questioned his integrity. After a brief and tumultuous visit, Paul left Corinth heartbroken over the wayward condition of the church.
Following this theory, Paul returned to Asia saddened but determined to continue and complete his 3rd missionary journey as planned. Thus, when his work there was finished he traveled on into Macedonia to visit the churches there. About a year after he’d written 1 Corinthians, while still somewhere in Macedonia, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in anticipation of his departure from the region and upcoming arrival in Achaia. This would date the letter to sometime around 56 AD.
Some historians believe that, immediately after his emergency visit to Corinth, Paul wrote another letter to them in which he boldly defended his integrity, character, and authority while calling their church to repentance. If so, this additional letter would date chronologically between 1 and 2 Corinthians. It is referred to as his “tearful letter” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4). Other historians suggest that the “tearful letter” Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians refers to 1 Corinthians and that there was no intermediate letter.
There are 2 schools of thought among those who believe that Paul wrote an additional letter between 1 and 2 Corinthians. Some think that this letter has been completely lost. Others argue that this intermediate letter has been combined with the letter referred to as 2 Corinthians. If this is the case, then 2 Corinthians is actually a composite of 2 letters (or, as some believe, even more) that have been edited slightly to read as a single letter. Those who accept the composite letter theory argue that chapters 10-13 of 2 Corinthians is actually the “tearful letter” and was therefore written before and later added as an addendum to chapters 1-9. There is a clear change of tone between chapters 10-13 and chapters 1-9. Nevertheless, this is all speculation.
For the sake of this series, we will simply study through 2 Corinthians in the order that it is presented in the Bible. There is no compelling reason to do otherwise. I just wanted us to be aware that there are a few different theories as to the makeup of 2 Corinthians. Is it 1 letter or more? Either way, all of it is universally accepted as the inspired word of God and is, therefore, completely instructive, trustworthy, and authoritative. That’s what matters.
III. A BRIEF SALUTATION (2 Cor. 1:1-2)
Paul opened the letter known as 2 Corinthians by clearly identifying himself as the author. He referred to himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ just as he had done in 1 Corinthians. Paul was trying to establish his role and legitimacy as an apostle. He also named Timothy as a possible co-author and contributor. It was probable that Timothy served as the amanuensis for this letter. Paul then stated to whom the letter was written. It was for the church at Corinth and the saints scattered about in the surrounding region of Achaia.
Next, Paul extended his usual greeting which is found in some form or fashion at the beginning of most of his letters. He wrote, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace always precedes peace because, as a former pastor of mine was fond of saying, “You will never know the peace of God until you have first received and experienced His saving grace.”
CONCLUSION
Let me close today’s sermon with a summary of 2 Corinthians that I found online. I thought it was pretty good. It will help set the stage for our study in the weeks and months ahead:
The book of 2 Corinthians is a deeply personal letter from the Apostle Paul to the church he’d established in Corinth. Its central theme is the relationship between Paul’s own suffering and the power of the Spirit in his life, ministry, and message. Paul’s message to the Corinthians encourages them to live in a new way, embracing the sacrificial life of Jesus. In this letter, the apostle seeks to rebuild his relationship with the Corinthians, to defend his own integrity as a trustworthy and competent servant of Christ, and to refute what he perceives as the claims by other evangelists of background and gifts that are superior to his own.