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2 Corinthians

Vital statistics

Raising Funds Honorably

Be dedicated to God .
Provide information.
Show definite purpose and goal
Be enthusiastic
Reveal honesty and integrity
Be accountable
Le people give willingly
Be generous yourselves
Have someone to keep it moving
Be persistent, trusting God to provide

8:5
8:4
8:4
8:7, 8, 11
8:21
9:3
9:7
8:7
8:18-22
8:22ff

Principles of Confrontation in 2 Corinthians

Method

Reference

Be firm and bold
Affirm all you see that is good
Be accurate and honest
Know the facts
Follow up after the confrontation
Be gentle after being firm
Speak words that reflect Christ's message, not you own ideas
Use discipline only when all else fails

7:9; 10:2
7:4
7:14; 8:21
11:22-27
7:13; 12:14
7:15; 13:11-13
10:3; 10:12; 13; 12:19
13:2

Sometimes rebuke is necessary, but it must be used with caution. The purpose of any rebuke, confrontation, or discipline is to help people, not hurt them.

Paul's Credentials

Commissioned by God
Acted in holiness, sincerity, and dependence on God alone in his dealings with them
Was straightforward and sincere in his letters
Spoke truthfully
Had God's Holy Spirit
Loved the Corinthian believers
Spoke with sincerity and Christ's authority
Worked among them and changed their lives
Did not give up
Taught the Bible with integrity
Had Christ as the center of his message
Endured persecution as he taught the Good News
Was Christ's ambassador, called to tell the Good News
Tried to live an exemplary life so others would not be kept from God
Led a pure life, understood the gospel, and displayed patience with the Corinthians
Was trustful and filled with God's power
Stood true to God first and always
Never led anyone or took advantage of anyone
Handled their offering for the Jerusalem believers in a responsible, blameless manner
Used God's weapons, not his own, for God's work
Was confident that he belonged to Christ
Would boast not in himself but in the Lord
Had authority because he taught them the Good News
Endured pain and danger as he fulfilled his calling
Was blessed with an astounding vision
Lived as an example to the believers
Was constantly humbled by a "thorn" in the flesh that God refused to take away
Did miracles among them
Was always motivated to strengthen others spiritually
Was filled with God's power
Passed the test
Was always concerned that his spiritual children become mature believers

1:1, 21; 4:1
1:12
1:13, 14
1:18; 4:2
1:22
2:4; 6:11; 11:11
2:17
3:2, 3
4:1, 16
4:2
4:5
4:8-12; 6:4, 5, 9, 10
5:18-20
6:3, 4
6:6
6:7
6:8
7:2; 11:7-9
8:20, 21
10:1-6
10:7, 8
10:12, 13
10:14, 15
11:23-33
12:2-4
12:6
12:7-10
12:12
12:19
13:4
13:5, 6
13:9

Differences between 1 and 2 Corinthians

The two letters to the Corinthians church that we find in the Bible are very different, with different tones and focuses.

The Blueprint

Paul explains his actions (1:1-2:11)
Paul defends his ministry (2:12-7:16)
Paul defends the collection (8:1-9:15)
Paul defends hi authority (10:1-13:14)

In responding to the attacks on his character and authority, Paul explains the nature of Christian ministry and, as an example, openly shares about his ministry. This is an important letter for all who wish to be involved in any kind of Christian ministry, because it has much to teach us about how we should handle our ministries today. Like Paul, those involved in ministry should be blameless, sincere, confident, caring, open, and willing to suffer for the sake of Christ.