BIBLE STUDY

Epistles of St. Paul to the

1 CORINTHIANS

Quick Facts . . . Corinth

• was a wealthy seaport•was the commercial center of the Roman Empire with three great harbors• was the “sin center” of the Roman Empire• people who believed in Jesus met together in houses to worship, pray, learn about God and help each other to do God’s great work since there was no churches there.

Temple of Apollo

The Corinthians • St. Paul visited Corinth on his second missionary journey about A.D. 50 Acts 18:1-17) –

• In Ephesus A.D. 55, St. Paul heard of moral problems within the Corinthian church and wrote a letter of instruction to them (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)

• Receives a letter from some of the members in the church concerning serious problems within the fellowship They sought Paul’s counsel in dealing with the issues. The family of Chloe came with news of the Church (I Cor. 1:11).

Ephesus JerusalemCorinth

Establishes Church~ 18 Months

Leadership of:Aquila & Priscilla

Ephesus

Bad Report

Issues addressed in 1 CorinthiansDivisions among them

Chapter 1:10-13

Problems about relationships and behaviorSexual Immorality (Chapter 5:1-5)

Disputes among Christians (Chapter 6:1-6)Marriage versus Celibacy (Chapter 7:1-5, 10, 32-33,38, 39-40)

Relationships between Believers and Pagans (8:1-4)

Christian WorshipPropriety in Worship (Chapter 11:4-7)

Approaching Sacraments in a Unworthy Manner (Chapter 11:27-29)Spiritual Gifts (Chapter 12:1, 19-20, 28-30)

True LoveSeeking Gifts and Ignoring Love (12:31 ….. 13)

Resurrection of the Dead (15:3-9, 12-14, 17-20)

• 1 Corinthians not successful and the situation grows worse.

• seems to have stimulated further rebellion against St. Paul’s authority. • In response St. Paul made a brief visit to Corinth in a personal attempt to resolve the crisis (2 Cor. 2:1; 12:14; 13:1-2).

• A “Painful Visit” which breaks his heart.• was rejected by members of the church.• leadership in the church took no effective action in St. Paul’s defense. • St. Paul, deeply humiliated, left Corinth.

The Corinthians

• The "painful visit" didn’t accomplish its goal, therefore Paul returned to Ephesus and wrote a third letter to the Corinthians

• “out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears.” (2:3-4, 9, and 7:8, 12).

• delivered by Titus (2 Cor. 2:3f, 13; 7:13), is often called the rebuking letter.

The Corinthians

• Titus visited Corinth with the "severe letter" in an attempt to reconcile the situation.

• St. Paul, was so anxious to hear from Titus, he left Ephesus traveling north to Troas seeking him.• In Philippi , St. Paul received the good news from Titus of a change in attitude in the Corinthian church.• The church was once again open to St. Paul’s counsel. • The church was once again open to St. Paul’s counsel.

• St. Paul responded by writing 2 Corinthians from Philippi around A.D. 56 or early A.D. 57. We will call this letter "Corinthians D."

The Corinthians

• St. Paul made a final visit to Corinth (Acts 20:1-3) during which he solidified his relationship with the church and received the mission offering for the Jerusalem church.

The Corinthians

BIBLE STUDY

Epistles of St. Paul to the

2 CORINTHIANS

Conflict . . . An Apostle? • Challenging His Apostleship …

• which caused a split in the Church.

YES NO• Established the Church (1st 3:2)

• Preached the Gospel & Baptized

(1st 1:14)

• Wise and Should be Asked for Advice

(1st 1:11)

• Message not First Hand (wasn’t at time of Jesus) (1st 15:9-10)

• Lacks Physical Abilities (2nd 10:10.

11:23)

• Struggles in Service(2nd 11:12-13, 30)

•

Issues addressed in 2 CorinthiansMost Personal Epistle

We can see many aspects about the character of St. Paul

Defends His Apostolic Rights as an ApostleHe is not less than the other apostles (Chapter 11:5)

His Troubles and PainsHardships for the Lord (Chapter 4:8-10, 6:4)

Declarations of the Lord to HimCaught up in the Third Heaven (Chapter 12:1-4)

Restores the ExcommunicatedAffirm your love to him (Chapter 2:5-11).

Events Summary … Establishes Church

In Ephesus, Hears Bad Report !!

Writes his 1St Letter Corinthians ‘A’

Receives a Letter with Questions To St. Paul

Writes a Letter with Answers Corinthians ‘B’

Corinthians Act Negatively to the Letter !

Quick “Painful Visit” – Question his Apostleship

Back to Ephesus “Tearful Letter” - Corinthians ‘C’

Titus Delivers Letter and Try to Help Them

Brings Back Good News! Rejected Rebellious

Writes His Last Letter from Philippi Corinthians ‘D’

LOST LETTER !

LOST LETTER !

2 CORINTHIANS

1 CORINTHIANS

Theory

1 & 2 Corinthians in Summary 1 Corinthians

• Looking at Church in Corinth Instructive Letter.

• 2 Corinthians• Looking at St. Paul Personal & Autobiographical.• Resolution . . . His Diary.• His gives his defense to the accusations brought against him.

St. Paul the Servant . . . 1- Firm & Emotional

2- Preaching Right

3- Well Pleasing to Him

4- Dedicated Service

St. Paul the Servant . . . 1- Firm & Emotional:• He was a person strong in his emotion in a proper way.• Writing to correct them but with love and emotions.

• Balance in my character as a servant … How do I discipline?!• Disciplining BUT with my meekness & gentleness of Christ (10:1)

2- Preaching Right – not ourselves:“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” (4:5)

• Shows importance of preparation with reliable sources not my own ideas !

St. Paul the Servant . . . 3- Well Pleasing to Him - at all times!“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” (5:9)

• Is my aim to well-pleasing to Him at all times whether in service or outside?!

4- Dedicated Service• A thorn in the flesh … (12:7)

• What is my limit … how fast do I give up?• Do I put effort in my service …• Do I go out of my way to serve or because I have nothing better to do?

Servants’ Message . . . 1- My Spiritual Experiences“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. “ (1:3,4)

• Do I experience Christ in my own spiritual life so that I can lead others to Him.• Am I comforted myself, before going out and comforting others?

2- Aroma of Christ:“ … For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. .” (2:15).

• God’s servant should represent Christ in all his actions, words, and presence.

Servants’ Message . . . 3- My Grace is Sufficient for You“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (12:7-9).

• If I want to feel Christ’s strength in my service I have to put my weaknesses and my sins before my eyes at all times.

Any Questions . . .

NO! Good!