Exam #3: 2 Corinthians

Question 1

1. When was 2 Corinthians written, in relation to 1 Corinthians?

Answer 1

Probably Mid- 50’s, 2nd Cor is at least the fourth letter he sent to Corinth.

Question 2

What led Paul to write the letter?

Answer 2

Paul’s second letter of correction (1 Corinthians) didn’t have the good results he had hoped for. He wrote a third letter of discipline (2 Corinthians 2:3-4) and waited for Titus to return to him in Macedonia to report from Corinth (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).

Question 3

How many letters did Paul write to the Corinthian Christians?

Answer 3

4

Question 4

2. What group in Corinth especially worried Paul? What were they doing?

Answer 4

Believers who were being influenced by false teachers, they were setting themselves up as apostles and discrediting Paul.

Question 5

3. What is the purpose of 2 Corinthians? How does Paul develop that purpose in the three sections of the book?

Answer 5

To defend Pauls apostleship, ministry, and message.

He develops this in three stages:

1. The Apostles Ministry
2. Guidance on Giving
3. Follwing the True Apostles.

Question 6

4. How does Paul describe the nature of the life of the apostles in 2 Corinthians 1-7 (three ways)?

Answer 6

They bring the gospel sincerely as the accountable to God not like mere peddlers looking for profit (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

They deliver the power of God in the gospel in constant suffering and weakness (2 Corinthians 4:7-18).

They proclaim reconciliation with God as his ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

Question 7

5. What is Paul’s message as God’s ambassador in 2 Corinthians 5?

Answer 7

xx

Question 8

6. What is Paul’s teaching about giving money in 2 Corinthians 8-9?

Answer 8

Give freely, not under compulsion.

Question 9

7. In the last section of 2 Corinthians, what is Paul’s challenge to the false apostles?

Answer 9

He challenges their claims, appealing to the believers to remain true to his message.

Question 10

8. What are the false apostles’ true colors, according to chapter 11?

Answer 10

As servants of Satan 2 Corinthians 11:12-15), and compares himself to them again (2 Corinthians 11:17-28).

Question 11

9. Why does Paul tell us about his heavenly vision in 2 Corinthians 12? Why did God give him his thorn in the flesh? What is the message to believers?

Answer 11

xx

Question 12

10. How does Paul end 2 Corinthians? What is the content of his warning?

Answer 12

He ends with a disciplinary warning. (2 Corinthians 13:1-10). Respond now, before Paul comes to discipline!

Question 13

What appeal does he make to the Corinthian believers?

Answer 13

He calls them to examine themselves and turn from these two boasters. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6).