Building Up in Truth and Love

1. 2 Corinthians Class Schedule

2. 7  Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8  For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9  For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 10  For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. 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. 12  Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13  All the saints greet you. 14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

3. 7  Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. Now we pray* to God that you do no wrong; do no wrong - lit: do not even one bit of evil see – 1 Cor 10:6, Rom 12:21 & 16:19 not that we ourselves may appear approved, not in order that we [our teaching] may appear to be approved (Amp) but that you may do what is right, this is our true motivation! even though we may appear unapproved. [though] we may seem to have failed and be unapproved (Amp) * present tense continuous action

4. 8  For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. For we can do (present tense, continuous action) nothing against the truth 2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15  and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. What is “the truth” in this context? the truth = the truth of the Gospel but only for (lit: for the sake of) the truth Paul’s total focus is to support the spread of the Gospel

5. 9  For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong 1. For, as for us, we rejoice when we are weak, (Wuest) (depending on the Lord - 2 Cor 12:9 -10) 2. but as for you, when you are strong (Wuest) (standing strong against the false apostles) this we also pray for, that you be made complete. made complete - the act of completing, perfecting (noun); an end accomplished as the effect of a process (only in 2 Cor. 13:9) Paul is praying for the Corinthians being perfected!

6. 10  For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. For this reason I am writing these things (all that has been said before) while absent, so that (purpose that) when present I need not use severity --- I may not deal sharply (Wuest) in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. This has been Paul’s desire throughout 2 Corinthians This verse brings to a conclusion the section of the epistle (where Paul vindicates his apostleship) which began at 10:1. Constable

7. 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. 12  Greet one another with a holy kiss. Finally, brethren (brothers) - 1 Thess 4:1 & 2 Thess 3:1 now Paul concludes with 5 things for the Corinthians to remember! rejoice –lit: be rejoicing (present tense continuous action) in a personal salutation, meaning Joy to thee! be made complete - lit: put yourselves in order (verb); metaphorically, of a person in error, to restore, set right - Gal. 6:1 be comforted – (be encouraged) - to exhort in the way of consolation, encouragement, to console, comfort - see 2 Cor. 1:4

8. 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. 12  Greet one another with a holy kiss. be like-minded – lit: think the same thing Rom 12:16, 1 Cor 1:10 live in peace – lit: be at peace or be living at peace Rom 12:18, 1 Thess 5:13 and the God of love and peace will be with you see Rom 15:33, Eph 6:23 Greet one another with a holy kiss also in Rom 16:16

9. 13  All the saints greet you. 14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. All the saints greet you. – also in Phil 4:22 & 1 Cor 16:20 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Notice how Paul closes with all three persons of the Trinity Others concluding passages: Rom 16:24 [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.] 1 Cor 16:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. Gal 6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

10. Remember at the beginning of 2 Corinthians we had 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This was Paul’s typical greeting! Why does grace come before peace in the passage? In the following passages Paul begins with grace: Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:3, Gal. 1:3, Eph. 1:2, Phil. 1:2, Col. 1:2, 1 Thess. 1:1, 2 Thess. 1:2 Paul also ends with grace in the following passages: Rom 13:14, 1 Cor 16:23, Gal 6:18, Eph. 6:24, Phil 4:23