120 likes | 245 Views
Exegesis Synthesis Analysis. Overview of 2 Corinthians. Exhortations from Church Age Ministers (Servants) Dr Christopher Cone. Background and Context. Paul had founded the Corinthian church, and spent time there teaching
E N D
Exegesis • Synthesis • Analysis
Overview of 2 Corinthians Exhortations from Church Age Ministers (Servants) Dr Christopher Cone
Background and Context • Paul had founded the Corinthian church, and spent time there teaching • “and he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11). • 1 Corinthians was very personal, and addressed error and immaturity; from Ephesus, 54 AD, during 3rd Missionary Journey (1 Cor 16:8, Acts 19) • 2 Corinthians was written by Paul from Macedonia, 55 AD, after leaving Ephesus during the 3rd Missionary Journey (2 Cor 2:12, Acts 20)
Background and Context • 2 Corinthians was a “missionary letter” that served several major purposes • Paul seeks to comfort, encourage the church (note “comfort,” various forms of παρακαλέω 10 times in chapter one, alone) • Paul commends the church, for receiving the previous letter and responding well, and recommends forgiveness and restoration to repentant offenders (2:1-11) • Paul defends his apostleship against those who would discredit him (11:22, chs. 10-13)
Structural Keys • As is common in Paul’s epistles, the words therefore, but, and for are structural keys that move the argument from one thought to the next.
Structural Keys / Outline • From structural keys, the letter can be outlined: • 1-7 Success in Ministry • 1:1-11 Comfort in Affliction • 1:12-24 Co-workers in Christ • 2:1-17 Restoration • 3:1-4:15 Ministry of the Gospel • 4:16-5:19 Eternal Significance • 5:20-6:18 Reconciliation • 7:1-16 Ministry of Comfort • 8-9 Glory and Generosity in Ministry • 10-13 Answering Opposition in Ministry • 10:1-17 Authority of the ministers • 11:1-12:13 Authority of Paul • 12:14-13:14 Preparation for Paul’s Visit
Grammatical and Syntactical Keys • Note the “we” “you” distinction. • “we” = usually, Paul and Timothy, or Paul and the other apostles • “you” = usually, the Corinthians
Grammatical and Syntactical Keys • 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. • Λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε, καταρτίζεσθε, παρακαλεῖσθε, τὸαὐτὸφρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε, καὶὁθεὸςτῆςἀγάπηςκαὶεἰρήνηςἔσταιμεθʼὑμῶν.
Lexical Keys • διακονία(service,ministry) used 10 times in chapters 3-9 • 3:7-9 (x4), 4:1, 5:18, 6:3, 9:1, 9:12-13 (x2) • διακονos (ous)(servant[s]) used 6 times in chapters 3-11 • 3:6, 4:5, 6:4, 11:15 (x2), 11:23 • Forms of παρακαλέω (comfort, encourage) appear 10 times in chapter 1, and 19 times in the letter • 1:3-7 (x10), 2:7, 7:4-13 (x7), 13:11
Biblical and Theological Context • A Few Key Issues/Highlights: • The ministry of the New Covenant (3:6) • The eternal state vs. the temporal, simply stated (5:6-10) • Church age giving, different from the tithe (9:6-8) • Spiritual warfare (10:3-5) • Paul’s unique relationship with God, and lessons we learn about God’s character (12:1-10)