2 Corinthians 04

2 Corinthians 4

V1-2 Does Paul again claim authority? On what grounds? 

Why does he not “lose heart”? 2 Cor 4:1 - losing heart. See: 2 Cor 3:13, 4:16. 1 Cor 15:58, Phil 4:6-7,13, Gal 6:9, John 14:27

2 Corinthians 4:2  Handling the word of God deceitfully.

Key words in the original Greek of 2 Corinthians 4:2 include:

“Renounced” (ἀποτασσόμεθα – apotassometha): This term implies a rejection or putting away of something.

“Hidden things” (κρυπτὰ – krypta): This refers to things that are secret or concealed.

“Dishonesty” (αἰσχύνης – aischynes): This can be translated as shame or disgraceful actions.

“Craftiness” (πανουργίᾳ – panourgia): This word conveys slyness or cunning

“Deceitfully” (δολοῦντες – dolountes): This term relates to deceiving or ensnaring.

Failing to declare the whole council of God - Acts 20:27-31

False apostles - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 

See Ephesians 4:25, 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6, Titus 2;7-8

Collected list of common false teaching:

Jesus Christ Isn’t Divine.

No One Can Be Holy.

You Can’t Be Sure Of Your Salvation.

There Is No Hell.

There is no God

It’s God’s fault.

The Prosperity Gospel.

Once Saved Always Saved.

All Religions Are Basically The Same.

Universalism - everyone is saved.

Salvation By Works.

There Is No Trinity.

Sinister ministers.

Legalism

I’m not a sinner.

Low view of the Bible.

A God of love would…

Progressive theology.

“Certain divines tell us that they must adapt truth to the advance of the age, which means that they must murder it and fling its dead body to the dogs… which simply means that a popular lie shall take the place of an offensive truth.” (Spurgeon)

V3-6 Remember 2 Corinthians 3:13-15

Who does not understand the gospel and why?  See John 3:19. John 12:40. John 8:44-45

What is the contrast in these verses? What are unbelievers missing? 

Is the gospel too hard to understand? 

Is it a matter of Genesis 1:3? How does this compare with John 14:26. John 1:9. John 16:13-16. Romans 5:5-8; 8:14-16.

What is the subject of a Christian preacher? See verse 5.  Compare this with Ephesians 6:12.

V7 How well is the gospel message packed and delivered? Is V7 a disparaging comment? Why choose this method of delivery? As an “earthen vessel” why is the excellence of the power shown and to be shown of God and not of us?

See Colossians 2:3. Ephesians 1:19-20.

Does Judges 7:20 encourage you?

V8-12 Do we feel like these verses - if not should we - if not why not?

How was Paul - how are you, and how do you cope…

hard pressed, 

perplexed, 

persecuted, 

struck down yet not crushed, 

not in despair, 

not forsaken,

not destroyed?

What kept them going?

Is V10-12 for this life or the next? Is some of this internal, some external?

In what way do “we always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal body” (V10)? Do V11-12 help? Are they working in your life - or someone else's?

Does Paul encourage us to have a life of perpetual victory?

See 1 Peter 4:12-14. James 1:2-4. Romans 6:5, 8:11, 35-36. Matthew 16:24.

V13-15 See Psalm 116:10. We have the same spirit of faith OR we have the Spirit-given faith.  Which one?

What do “we speak”? What is the empowerment to do so? What is the motivation to do so? What is the benefit of doing so? What is the ultimate goal of doing so?

V16 How does this compare with V1?

After V8-12 does the “therefore” of V16 follow?

After V13-15 does the “therefore”of V16 follow?

What is the encouragement of V16b despite V16a? Is it true for you?

V17-18 What “light and momentary affliction? See 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Note these were only the physical afflictions. What about the spiritual? 

Do these comments help?

· Our affliction is light compared to what others suffer.

· Our affliction is light compared to what we deserve.

· Our affliction is light compared to what Jesus suffered for us.

· Our affliction is light compared to the blessings we enjoy.

· Our affliction is light as we experience the sustaining power of God’s grace.

· Our affliction is light when we see the glory that it leads to.

· It’s worth it in the end.

How do you fix our eyes on things we cannot see (V18)? Are there practical suggestions for this?