s3.amazonaws.com · Web viewSDG – Lesson #10. 1 Corinthians. Chapter 12. 1. Paul begins this chapter saying, “now concerning spiritual gifts.” What does this indicate that

SDG – Lesson #101 Corinthians Chapter 12

1. Paul begins this chapter saying, “now concerning spiritual gifts.” What does this indicate that he is doing? (7:1)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Translation Note: “Spiritual Gifts”The opening verse of Chapter 12 poses a few problems in translation. Literally it reads, “Pertaining to the spiritual.” So, it could be a reference to spiritual gifts or spiritual people because he only uses the adjective “spiritual” but does not follow it with a noun. Most translations insert the word “gifts” because it fits the context of what Paul is writing about as well as the historical context of the time. Corinth was filled with spiritual pagans who believed in mystical experiences that came in two forms:

“Ecstasy”-a supernatural, sensuous interaction with a deity.

“Enthusiasm”-divination or spiritually controlled/influenced

dreams, visions or revelations.It is believed that Paul is contrasting the influence and gifts of the Spirit with these mystical experiences.

2. What did Paul say that the Corinthians knew? What did he mean by that? Challenge! What does Paul’s statement infer? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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3. Why would Paul use the phrase, “however you were led?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why did Paul identify the idols that were worshipped as being mute?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What does the phrase, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” tell us?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Recap: Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians addresses both the concerns Paul had for the church as well as the questions that they had asked of him. With the first three verses of this chapter, he does both. The church was struggling with division or a lack of unity. At the same time, they had doctrinal concerns or question about spiritual issues. With these verses Paul reinforces that those who have the Holy Spirit will confess that Jesus is Lord. Whether they were Jew, Greek or a former worshipper of idols didn’t matter. Likewise, no one who is filled with the Spirit would ever curse Christ. This appears to be the worry of some Corinthians. Evidently, they heard people speaking in tongues and thought they were cursing Christ. We would do well to take note of these divisions and recognize that Satan will always try to divide the Church. When we see this happening, we need to embrace the common faith we have

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through the Holy Spirit and seek His unifying presence and power.

6. Paul identifies three different “varieties,” in verses 4-7, that were probably leading to division within the Church. What were they? Where did they come from? What was the common purpose of them?Variety #1-______________ Variety #2-______________ Variety #3-______________ Their Source-____________ Their Purpose-____________ Now, look at the three “varieties” again. Each variety is followed by a spiritual component. What is this component for?Variety #1 _______________ Variety #2 _______________ Variety #3________________

Challenge Question! What is the significance of these statements?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. In verse seven, Paul begins to show how the three varieties are manifested or made known. List the manifestations.Verse 8-________________________________________________________Verse 8-________________________________________________________Verse 9-________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________Verse 9-________________________________________________________

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Verse 10-_______________________________________________________Verse 10-_______________________________________________________Verse 10-_______________________________________________________Verse 10-_______________________________________________________Verse 10-_______________________________________________________Where do all of these come from? _________________________________

8. As you can imagine, such a diverse group of gifts/talents could lead to divisions since mankind likes to put values on such things. One person might think knowledge is most important while another thinks speaking in tongues is. This leads Paul to draw an analogy. What does he compare this blessing of gifts to?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What assumption does Paul make in using this analogy? (12:27)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. How does a person become a part of this body? Who does this apply to? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Translation Note: Verse 13

In chapter 11 Paul dealt with the meaning and importance of the Lord’s Supper/Holy Communion. In chapter 12, he wades into the waters of baptism. Verse 13 is a verse that is a source of much debate. This is a result of what isn’t said. The verse appears to start in a pretty simple fashion, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” However, the Greek word “en,” which is translated “in,” could also be translated as “by.” This results with some people claiming that there are two baptisms:1) Baptism by the Spirit, which results in transformation and

salvation. 2) Water baptism which is an outward sign of our faith. Meanwhile, there are others who say this verse is in concert with the Great Commission where we are told to baptize “in” the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. They then tie this to Peter’s words at Pentecost when he told the people to repent and baptized for the forgiveness of sins and they would receive the Holy Spirit. Those who believe this call baptism, along with the Lord’s supper a sacrament. A sacrament is something that is: 1) Instituted by Christ,

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2) Has physical elements, 3) Is used by God to come to us and bring us His grace. This also is the historical view of the Church. The second half of the verse is where we deal/struggle with what isn’t said. In the ESV, the verse reads “and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” What is underlined is what is actually there in the Greek. The rest has been added to make it easier to understand. Of course, a persons’ understanding of the first half of the verse could greatly influence how to interpret this verse. The Greek word, “epotisthemen” has been translated as “drink.” The definition of this word is to “furnish drink; to irrigate.” This part of the verse could be a reference to being satisfied by what the Spirit brings into our lives, as our faith being provided by the Spirit, as the Spirit being given to us through the waters of baptism or a combination of two or all of these.

10. What message does Paul send in his discussion of the foot, hand and the eye and ear?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What were the Corinthians waiting for? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. How are the weaker parts of the body indispensable?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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13. How is a less honorable part bestowed with greater honor? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. How are unpresentable parts treated with greater modesty?________________________________________________________________

15. What is Paul’s summary of his discussion on body parts, the body and honor? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. Paul wraps his discussion up by saying that we are the body of Christ and each one is individually a part of it. What parts of this body does Paul then identify? What is meant by each? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What are we to desire? How? What does this mean?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. What is Paul speaking about when He says, “And I will show you a still more excellent way?

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NOTES:

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SDG Lesson #111 Corinthians Chapter 13

This chapter must be read in the light of the previous chapter. Paul told the Corinthians to earnestly desire the higher spiritual gifts. He then said he would teach them and us a more excellent way. Chapter thirteen is Paul’s more excellent way. At the same time, he continues to address the issue of Spiritual which had caused so much division in the Corinthian church. Paul begins by using the Spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy as well as generosity, which is a fruit of the Spirit to highlight this “more excellent way.”

1. What is the tongue of men? Angels?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why would any language spoken by a Christian without love be like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In-Depth Study-Speaking in TonguesThe issue of speaking in tongues is quite controversial and can be categorized in three ways:

A. Charismatic View-This view point was first introduced in the eighteenth century by the French Camisards or prophets. It gained wide acceptance in the Pentecostal movement of the twentieth century. The Charismatic view contends that speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift whereby the Holy Spirit enables an individual to speak another human language or a non-human or heavenly language. This viewpoint morphed with time and came to embrace the speaking of tongues as a true sign of faith and necessary for salvation among some.

B. Religious Psychology View- This viewpoint also got its start in the (late) eighteenth century. It has it’s roots in academia and the comparative study of religions and psychiatry. Tongues are seen as

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ecstatic utterances of highly religious and emotional people. This is based on the study of different religions going back to Greeks where prophetesses at the oracle (shrine) of Delphi were known for their ecstatic speech in languages unknown.

C. Historical View-This viewpoint goes back to some of the earliest writings of the early church fathers. They noted that Peter and the Apostles spoke in different tongues/languages at Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11). In Acts 10:44-48 and 11:17, new converts spoke in tongues. It is interesting to read and note that Peter and the “circumcised” believers (Jews) who were with him understood what the Gentile converts were saying, they were extolling God. Peter described their tongues as being “the same gift” that had been given to the Apostles. This would lead us to believe that the Gentiles spoke in Hebrew. However, it could also mean that Peter and those with him were given the gift of interpretation.

So, which view is correct? There is probably some truth in all three. There is nothing that would limit God from enabling believers to speak in a heavenly language. However, there is absolutely no support for claiming that speaking in tongues is required for salvation or the sign of true faith. It is also a fact that over the course of history, highly emotional people have spoken in ways that no one could understand. Finally, it is well established that the Apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak in non-native tongues or languages. Paul adds to this by saying that if someone speaks in tongues but does not do so out of love, his “tongues” are discordant and a distracting noise.

3. What is love? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is meant by “prophetic powers?” (Consider 14:5 as you answer) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is meant by “mysteries?” (4:1)

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What is meant by “all knowledge?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What is meant by “all faith?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Why are all of these and the person who has them, “nothing” without love?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What is Paul speaking about when he says, “If I give away all I have?” (Romans 12:6-8)________________________________________________________________

What is Paul speaking about when he says, “If I deliver my body up to be burned?” (Daniel 3:28)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How can it be that someone who does either of these things gains nothing if they don’t have love? (Ephesians 2:8-10)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How is love patient? Kind?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What is love not? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Why would love not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoice in truth? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. How does love: Bear all things?-_________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________Believe all things? _______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________Hope all things? ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Endure all things? ______________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Never end? _____________________________________________________ 14. Paul states that prophecies will pass away, tongues will cease, and knowledge will pass away. This verse has led to significant division within the Church. “Cessationists” believe that these spiritual gifts, along with others, were given to the Apostles and the early Church to validate their message. They believe that these gifts ceased following the completion of the writing of the books of the New Testament and the deaths of the Apostles (approximately AD100). Others believe that these gifts will slowly disappear over time. And still others believe that these gifts will be continued until Christ’s return and then they will cease because they will no longer be necessary; we will be with Christ! So, what’s the right viewpoint? The key/answer is found in verses nine & ten. Let’s dissect them! What is meant by knowing in part and prophesying in part? How does this relate to our salvation? (Eph. 2:8-9)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. How does childhood relate to the discussion of partial things and the perfect? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. We see in a mirror dimly. How does this relate/contrast with seeing face to face? What is Paul’s purpose in saying this?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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17. How will we know God? How does He know us? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Prophecy, tongues and knowledge will cease. What will continue? Which is the greatest? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Chapter 12 ended with Paul encouraging the people at Corinth to “earnestly desire the higher gifts.” Chapter 13 served as a brief interlude to lay the foundation for the higher gifts. If we

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do not have love, our spiritual gifts are worthless. Chapter 14 returns to the theme of spiritual gifts and earnestly desiring them. Paul does this in the light of selfless “Agape” love. Why? Because the Corinthians were earnestly desiring them but using them inappropriately for self-gratification.

1. What spiritual gift does Paul want the Corinthians to seek? How are they to do this? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. To what other spiritual gift does Paul compare this gift to? Describe this other gift?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the purpose of prophecy? What is meant by this? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the purpose of tongues? What is meant by this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5. How could tongues benefit the whole church? Why is this so?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. To what does Paul compare tongues to? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What does verse 12 reveal about the Corinthians? What does Paul say about this? What can we learn from this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Paul speaks of praying with his spirit and his mind. What is he talking about? Why would he do this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What does Paul reveal about his personal use of speaking in tongues?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How important is prophecy when compared to speaking in tongues?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Paul begins verse twenty by saying, “brothers.” Why is this a very important beginning? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. How is a person a child in thinking? (Jeremiah 4:22) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. How is a person an infant in evil? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. How can a person’s “thinking be mature?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. What scripture is Paul quoting in verse 21? How was this fulfilled in the Old Testament? The New Testament?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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16. Why are tongues a sign for unbelievers and prophecy a sign for believers?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What happens if tongues are used improperly? What happens if prophecy is property proclaimed? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. What is Paul describing in verse 26?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. What should be the overriding theme of any hymn, lesson, revelation, tongue or interpretation? What is meant by this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What limitations did Paul put on speaking in tongues? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21. What limitations did Paul put on prophecies? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. What is meant by the phrase, “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets?” How does this relate to God being a God of peace?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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23. Why would Paul say that, “the women should keep silent in the churches?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24. Why would Paul write, “Or was it from you that the word of God came? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25. If anyone was truly a prophet, what would they do? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26. What should be the hallmark of all worship and Bible study?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTES:

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SDG Lesson #131 Corinthians Chapter 15:1-34

Having completed his instructions on proper, orderly worship practices in chapter 14, Paul uses chapter 15 to direct or teach the Corinthians in proper doctrine. Doctrine is “the body of principles in a system of belief.” In his letters to Titus and Timothy, Paul on five occasions points out the need to have, teach and follow sound doctrine so that they are not led away

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by false doctrine. Sound doctrine was sorely lacking in the Corinthian church and in much of the Church today. In fact, doctrine is often shunned as many a modern preacher or believer says, “doctrine divides and love unites.” Paul’s point in this chapter is that sound doctrine saves and should be the foundation of the Gospel message that we are to spread. So, welcome to Paul’s version of Doctrine 101: The Foundational Beliefs of the Christian Faith.

1. Review Question: Paul again refers to the Corinthians as “brothers.” What is the significance of this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the “gospel?” What had Paul done with it? TheCorinthians? (Note the three steps of the Corinthian part of this answer.)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. The three parts or steps of the Corinthians hearing the Gospel is

conditional. Paul uses the word “if” to highlight this condition. What is this condition? What is meant by believing in vain? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is meant by the phrase, “of first importance?” What had

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Paul done with this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What was/is the four-part message “of first importance?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What does Paul interject two times into this early creed? Why would he do this? What can we learn from this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Who was Cephas? James? (Galatians 1:18-19)________________________________________________________________

7. How was Paul “untimely born?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Why does Paul refer to himself as the least and unworthy to be

called an apostle? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What does Paul credit for his apostleship? Why wasn’t it in vain?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Paul introduced the short 4-part creed we have studied as a

foundation for his critique of a false doctrine that had made its way into the church. What was this false doctrine? What impact would it have on Paul’s message? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Why would Paul say, “If in Christ we have hope in this life onlywe are of all people most to be pitied?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. What does Paul reveal as being a fact? Why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What is a first-fruit? How does this apply to Christ? How does this apply to us? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. How did death come by a man? How does the resurrection come by a man? How does the second point impact the Christian doctrine?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. When does the resurrection of the dead occur?________________________________________________________________

16. What happens after this? What will Christ have done prior to

this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. If Christ “must reign until He has put all His enemies under His

feet,” what does this tell us about the timing of His reign?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Putting this into context, what is the last enemy Christ defeats?

When does this happen? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If God has made everything subject to Christ, what does this say about God? Christ? The world? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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20. Why does Paul use the word “otherwise” to begin his question?________________________________________________________________

21. What were the Corinthians doing? Why were they doing this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. What is the ultimate point that Paul is making by asking these questions about being baptized for the dead? What isn’t he doing?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. Why would Paul follow his two questions concerning baptism on behalf of the dead with another question, “Why are we in danger every hour?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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DOCTRINAL NOTE: Verse 29 is a hotly debated verse. It is the basis for the Mormon (LDS) practice of being baptized for the dead, both physically and spiritually, as well as the belief that “once baptized always saved.” To understand this verse, we have to view it and interpret it in the context of what Paul has written and is addressing. Verse 29 is directly connected to verse 12 where Paul asks, “How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” Keep this in mind as you answer the following questions.

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24. What had Paul been willing to face because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25. Paul concludes that if there is no resurrection, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Where does this quote come from? What was the occasion? Why did Paul use this quote? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26. Paul concludes this section by saying, “do not be deceived,” “wake up from your drunken stupor” and “do not go on sinning.” What was their sin or deception? What does he say about those he addresses?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Final Note: Consider your answer to this last question and everything that led up to it. Now consider the movement away from teaching doctrine within the Church today. How do you think Paul would react? How will you react?

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SDG Lesson # 141 Corinthians Chapter 15:35-16:24

As we begin our lesson this week, we find Paul dealing with a very 21st Century type of question, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” After all, inquiring minds want to know! As we explore Paul’s response it might help us to remind ourselves of what we believe. We believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Questions like those mentioned, forget this basic doctrine. We often tend to put our human limitations on God. But God is not limited by our thoughts or imaginations concerning what we think is possible. Please remember, “With God, all things are possible!” This gives us great hope.

1. How does Paul respond to the questions asked? What analogy does he make concerning them? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Contrast the earthly body with the resurrected body? (vss. 42-44)Earthly vs. Resurrected________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Who is the first Adam? Who is the last Adam? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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4. Contrast the first Adam with the last Adam?First Adam vs. Last Adam________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What is the “image” of the first Adam that is passed on to all humans? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What is the “image” of the last Adam that is passed on to those who believe in Him?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Why can’t flesh and blood inherit the kingdom of God? How does this relate to the resurrection? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What is the mystery that Paul speaks of? Why is it mysterious? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What is the order of events that Paul gives concerning Judgment Day? What prophecy will this fulfill? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How is the sting of death sin and how is the power of sin the law?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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11. Knowing these things or doctrines, what should our attitude be?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. With chapter 16, Paul addresses some final issues and gives his final instructions to the Corinthian believers. The first issue was the collection or offerings. What was the purpose of these? (Acts 24:17 & Romans 15:26) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. When was this collection to be taken? Why?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. How were the Corinthians to prepare to do this? What can we learn from this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________15. How did Paul want the collection to be delivered? Why? How might we apply this principle today? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. What was Paul’s plan concerning his next visit to Corinth? What does he identify as being the controlling factor for this visit?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Who was Paul sending to Corinth? What was his concern for this person? Why? (1 Timothy 4:12) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________18. Compare 16:12 with 1:11. What can we learn from this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________19. “Be Watchful!” Why? (1 Peter 5:8-9) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________20. “Stand firm in the faith!” Why? (1 Peter 5:8-9; Eph. 6:13)________________________________________________________________21. Challenge Question! What does the phrase, “act like men” come from? What does it mean?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________22. What should be the underlying motive of all we do?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 23. Why would Paul tell the Corinthians to be subject to the household of Stephanas and to every fellow worker and laborer?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________24. 1 Corinthians 1:1-16:20 were dictated by Paul to a secretary who wrote what he said. Paul, Himself, wrote the final verses of greeting. He uses two very unique words. The

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first is the Greek word anathema which he also used in 12:3. The second is the Aramaic word Maranatha which is also found in Revelation 22:20. What do these words mean? Why does Paul use them? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


1. How does Paul’s greeting at the beginning of this letter differ from his greeting of the first letter?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. Who or what is a saint?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. How does Paul describe God? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. What is comfort?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5. What is Paul saying when he says, “who (God) comforts us in all our affliction?” ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Why does God comfort us in all our afflictions?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. How do we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Why would Paul say, “if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. How can Paul say, “if we are comforted, it is for your comfort?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How were the Corinthians sharing in Paul and Timothy’s sufferings? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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11. Why would Paul and Timothy’s hope for the Corinthians be unshaken? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. How severe had Paul’s suffering been? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Why did Paul say this had happened to him? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________14. According to Paul, how could the Corinthians help him?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________15. Paul speaks of boasting. Isn’t this bad? (My mom said it was!) Why? Or why not? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________16. What is a testimony of conscience?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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WORD STUDY-Parakleseos/ComfortParakleseos comes from the Greek “parakletos” or “the

one who is called to one’s side. What a parakletos/paraclete does is parakleseos; they are called to one’s side and they come along side that person to encourage, console or carry their burden. In 1 John 2:1 Jesus is called our parakletos or “advocate.” John records Jesus using this term to describe the Holy Spirit as our “parakletos” in John 14:16; 14:26; 15:26;16:7. The work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit coming alongside is parakleseos which is translated as comfort. Indeed when Jesus and the Spirit encourage, console or carry our load, we are

17. What is meant by behaving with simplicity and godly sincerity? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. What is meant by behaving with earthly wisdom?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. What is meant by people boasting about Paul and Timothy and then Paul and Timothy boasting about the Corinthians? When would this happen?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. “Because I was sure of this.” What was Paul sure of?________________________________________________________________

21. Since Paul was sure of this, what did he want to do? What happened?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. Why would Paul ask the questions that are found in verse 17?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. How was Paul’s message always “Yes”?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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24. Why would Paul “utter” his “amen to God for his glory?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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NOTES:

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1. Paul begins this chapter by saying that he had made up his mind not to make another painful visit to Corinth. The NKJV and NASB translate this verse, “would not come to you in sorrow again.” How can pain and sorrow be related for Paul? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What would cause the Corinthians, and people today, the pain or sorrow (NKJV and NASB) that Paul speaks of in verse 2?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What does Paul mean when he says, “who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What had Paul felt sure of?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Paul says that he wrote to the Corinthians “out of much affliction and anguish of heart with many tears.” What would cause this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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6. Paul also says that he didn’t write to the Corinthians to cause them pain and sorrow but to let them “know the abundant love he had for them.” How could something that caused so much pain be out of abundant love?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Paul writes, “now if anyone has caused pain…” Who might he be referring to? (1 Cor. 5:1) How could this cause pain, grief or sorrow? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Look carefully at how Paul has written verse 5. Who else could he be talking about? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. How can the action of a single individual cause pain, grief or sorrow for a whole church? (1 Cor. 12:21-27)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What is meant by “punishment by the majority?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What does Paul mean when he says that this punishment is enough? (see vss. 7-8) What can we learn from this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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12. What is meant by being obedient in everything?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What can we learn and apply in our lives and in the life of the Church from verse 10?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. What are the designs of Satan that we are not to be ignorant of? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. What did Paul find in Troas? What didn’t he find? What was the result? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. What does Paul give thanks for? What is meant by this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What does Christ do through us? What is meant by this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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18. How are we a fragrance from death to death? From life to life?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Who is sufficient for being this fragrance?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What is meant by a peddler of God’s word? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. Why couldn’t Paul be accused of being a peddler of God’s word?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. What is meant by “men of sincerity?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. What was Paul commissioned to do in the sight of God?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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1. Paul begins this chapter with two rhetorical questions. What is the answer Paul expects to both? Why? (Acts 9:1-19; 15:22)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How were the Corinthians Paul’s letter of recommendation that could be read and known by all?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is meant by “tablets of stone” and “tablets of human hearts?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why would Paul refer to “the Spirit of the living God?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How does all this talk about “letters of recommendation,” “the Spirit of the living God” and “tablets of human hearts,” relate to Paul’s confidence that he has “through Christ toward God?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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6. Why would Paul feel the need to say, “not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything?” (12:11; 1 Cor. 10:31; Colossians 3:17)________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Where did Paul get his sufficiency? What did this result in?________________________________________________________________

8. Who or what is a minister?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What is meant by “of the letter?” “of the Spirit?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How does the letter kill? The Spirit give life? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What is the significance of “the ministry of death” being “carved in letters on stone?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Why couldn’t the Israelites gaze at Moses’ face? (Exodus 34:29-35)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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13. What was being brought to an end?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Verse 7 begins with the word “if.” It is the beginning of an “if/then” statement. Summarize this statement.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. How is the Gospel a ministry of righteousness?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. How can hope lead to boldness? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Verse 13 is a challenge for interpreters. Some say Moses covered his face with a veil so that the people wouldn’t see it fading away. Others say that every time Moses went into the tent of meeting his face was shining so he put a veil on because the people couldn’t look directly at him. Others contend that Moses wore the veil so that people would not focus on him but on God. The key here is that the veil hid Moses’ face. To what veil does Paul compare this to?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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18. What does it mean when Paul says, “but their minds were hardened?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. What impact does the phrase, “because only through Christ is it taken away” have on our understanding of salvation?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What is the freedom that comes with the Spirit of the Lord?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. Verse 18 is another challenging verse. The Greek word translated as “beholding” is used only here and nowhere else in the Bible. It literally means “to behold or see in glass” which would indicate a mirror or reflection. What then are we seeing or beholding?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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1. What is “this ministry” that we have?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. How is having this ministry by the mercy of God? Why would the result in our not losing heart?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why might Paul have been tempted to lose heart? (vs.2)________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What makes a ministry or minister disgraceful, underhanded or cunning? (1 Timothy6:10; 3 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:3-4) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Word Study: Tamper/dolountesThe Greek word dolountes means to adulterate or handle deceitfully. It was a word that was used of wine merchants

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who diluted their wine. Paul is speaking about ministers or super apostles who were watering down the message of the Gospel to suit what the people wanted to hear (2 Tim. 4:3). They did this for their own gain and popularity.

5. Having read the word study, can you think of any examples of someone “tampering” with God’s Word today? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What was Paul’s approach to preaching? (vs. 2; Acts 9:22)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. If Paul spoke by the open statement of the truth, how could his Gospel message be veiled?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. How is Jesus the “image of God?”________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. When Paul says that he is a servant of the Corinthians for Jesus’ sake, what does he mean? How might this apply to us today?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________

10. When did God say, “let light shine out of darkness?” What image does Paul use this for?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What is the treasure that we have? ________________________________________________________________

12. How are we like jars of clay? Why are we like this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Paul introduces a series of paradoxes that believers face in a sin-marred world. What can believers expect to experience? How are we to react to these situations?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. How do we carry in the body the death of Jesus? Why does this happen? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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15. How was death at work in Paul, but life was at work in the Corinthians?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. What scripture is Paul quoting when he says, “I believed and so I spoke?” Why does he quote this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Why wasn’t Paul afraid of sharing the Gospel?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Verse 15 gives us a view into the heart of Paul. Why did he continue in ministry?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Why doesn’t Paul lose hope? What can we learn from this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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1. Paul finished chapter four by saying, “For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” He continues this theme into chapter five. What is the “tent” that Paul refers to? The building from God?” Why are these appropriate terms?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. Why would we groan in this tent?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Why would we long to put on our heavenly dwelling? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. Verse three is challenging! Consider your last three answers and explain what Paul means when he says, “we may not be found naked.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. How can a Christian be burdened, not about being unclothed, but by wanting to be further clothed?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6. What is “this very thing,” that God has prepared us for? How do we know this will happen? (John 14:16-17; 26; Acts 1:8) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Word Study: arrhabon/guaranteeThe Greek word arrhabon literally means “earnest money.” It was the equivalent of a non-refundable down payment. It showed the earnest intent of an individual to purchase something because they were willing to forfeit their arrhabon if they did not complete the purchase.

7. Why are we always of good courage?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Reconcile Paul’s word, “we are away from the Lord” with Matthew 28:20.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. How does all of this talk equate with Paul’s statement, “for we walk by faith and not by sight?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. According to Paul, where is our home?________________________________________________________________

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11. Regardless of where we are, home or away, what is our primary goal? (vs.9, Colossians 3:17) ________________________________________________________________

12. Verse ten is another challenging verse that is often misinterpreted. We do well when we remember that we let scripture interpret scripture. Paul says, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Some say that this shows that we are saved by our good works. What do the following verses say about this? Ephesians 2:4-8-_________________________________________________Romans 3:23-25; 5:12; 11:6-_______________________________________Acts 15:11-______________________________________________________2 Thessalonians 2:16- ____________________________________________2 Timothy 1:9- __________________________________________________Titus 2:11; Titus 3:7- ____________________________________________How do we reconcile Paul’s words with these verses? (Matthew 7:16; James 2:18)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What is meant by, “the fear of the Lord?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. What comes from having the “fear of the Lord?”

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Why has Paul taken all these verses to show why he shares the gospel and tries to persuade others to put their faith in Christ?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. Verse 13 reveals a charge or criticism that was made against Paul. What was it? How did Paul respond to it? What does this mean? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What is meant by the phrase, “The love of Christ controls us?” What is the conclusion of knowing this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. How did Paul once regard Jesus according to the flesh? What is meant by him regarding Jesus “thus no longer?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Why would someone who regards Jesus thus no longer, be a new creation?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What does it mean to be reconciled?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. What is the result of our being reconciled?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. What does it mean to entrust the message of reconciliation to us?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. Who or what is an ambassador? How are we ambassadors for Christ?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24. How did God make Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25. How are the righteousness of God?________________________________________________________________

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NOTES:

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1. Paul begins this chapter by saying that he and the apostles were “working together with Him (Jesus).” What does this mean? (John 15:5)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How can a person receive the grace of God in vain?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What Bible passage does Paul quote in verse 2? Why had it been written? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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4. How did Paul tie this prophecy to the time and purpose of the letter he was writing? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What can we learn from verse three and apply in our lives today?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. There are two Greek words that are translated as servant. The first, diakonos is used in 6:4. This word emphasizes the work of the servant. The second, douloo, emphasizes the relationship of the servant to the master. Why would Paul choose to use diakonos in this section? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. A true diakonos servant would finish his work without excuse. What did Paul endure that he could have used as an excuse(s)?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What made it so that Paul could endure these things?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What are the weapons of righteousness? Why would he have one in both his right and left hand? (Ephesians 6:10-17)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What two contrasts did Paul endure as he used these weapons?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. How were Paul and the other Apostles treated? What is meant by these? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. In reality, what were Paul and the Apostles? Explain each.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What is meant by the phrase, “our heart is wide open?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. How can someone be restricted in their affections? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. What is Paul asking for when he says, “widen your hearts also?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. With verse 14, Paul begins to address some of the root problems in the Corinthian Church. What is meant by unequally yoked? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What fellowship does light have with darkness?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. Who or what is Belial?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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19. What “portion” does a believer have that the unbeliever can’t share in?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What agreement has the temple of God with idols?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. According to Paul, what are we? How does he support this view?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


1. What are “these promises” that Paul speaks of?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is meant by “every defilement of body?” Spirit? What are we to do with these defilements? Why?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Paul says, “Make room in your hearts for us.” Why would he say this?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Reading verse two we see what appears to be three complaints that Paul had heard were being said about him. What were they? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. It was in Paul’s heart to “die together and to live together.” How can you die and live together? Afterall, if you die, your dead and not alive. If you are alive, you’re not dead.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________6. How can acting with great boldness be a positive thing? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Why would Paul have great pride in, take comfort from and be filled or overflowing with joy because of the Corinthians? (Vss.3-4)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. With verse five, Paul picks up where he had left off in 2:13. He had gone to Troas where he had hoped to meet Titus who had taken his “tearful letter” (2:3-4) to Corinth. Titus wasn’t there and he left for Macedonia. What did he encounter in Macedonia?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What is meant by “downcast?” How did God lift Paul from this state?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How can someone long for, mourn for and have zeal for another person? Why would the Corinthians’ expression of these cause Paul to rejoice?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What were the two results of Paul’s “tearful letter” to the Corinthians? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Why would “godly grief” naturally lead to there being “no loss through us?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What is the fruit of repentance?________________________________________________________________

14. What is “worldly grief?” What does it produce? Why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Godly grief leads to repentance and salvation on a spiritual level. What does it produce on a worldly level? What is meant by this/these?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. If the Corinthians “proved yourselves innocent,” why did Paul confront them in the first place? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Verse twelve is a difficult verse to translate and understand. Paul literally uses the legal terms of “offender” and “offended.” But he says that he didn’t write his letter because of either one. Instead he says that he wrote the “tearful letter” in “order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.” How would the letter lead to this? What is meant by this?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. How had Titus’ spirit been refreshed by the Corinthians? How had Paul’s boasting played into this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Even though Titus was the messenger who carried Paul’s “tearful letter” to the Corinthians, what was his memories of his encounter with them?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What is meant by fear and trembling?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. Why would Paul have perfect confidence in the Corinthians?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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NOTES:

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Historical Setting: As we begin our study of chapter eight, it might be helpful to understand what was happening and had happened in the areas that Paul went to on his missionary trips. At the end of the lesson you will find a map. You will find Corinth in the southern part of Greece. This was the Roman region of Achaia. Going to the north of Corinth you will find Berea, Thessalonica and Philippi. These were in Macedonia and the home of three churches found by Paul.

The cities in Macedonia had flourished in the two centuries prior to the birth of Christ. Gold had been found in the region and provided a measure of wealth to the cities there. However, by the first century the gold had run out and the region suffered from wars, barbarian invasions, Roman occupation and was impoverished.

Corinth, on the other hand, was flourishing in the first century because of it’s two seaports (see map). These ports facilitated trade to both the east and west Mediterranean regions. The taxes collected at these ports as well as the work they provided made Corinth a financial power.

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In this chapter, Paul addresses the collection of offerings to benefit the Christians in Jerusalem and Judea who were losing their homes and livelihood as a result of Jewish persecution. When Paul received Titus’ positive report concerning the Corinthian attitude toward him, he also heard that the Corinthian collection had halted because of sexual controversy and the false teachers or super-apostles spreading of rumors concerning Paul. This is the challenge that Paul faced. Paul fully understood the sentiment expressed by Matthew Henry, author of the first extensive Bible commentary, when he said, “How cautions ministers should be, especially in money-matters, not to give occasion to those who seek occasion to speak reproachfully.” Paul knew there were those who would look to find fault in what he said. He also understood the sinful nature of man. John Calvin described this nature when he said, “All men do not consider it gain to give, nor do they ascribe it to God’s grace.” As you can see, Paul had a challenge on his hands. As you go through the next two lessons you will see how the Holy Spirit guided him through this spiritual mine field.1. What kind of reception did Paul receive when he went to Macedonia? (Acts 16:16-17:15)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. What is meant by “the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia?” Why is this a fitting or appropriate phrase for this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. What were the Macedonian churches experiencing as they participated in this grace of God? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. What is meant by giving according to their means? Beyond their means? Of their own accord? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. How did the Macedonian churches view their participation in this grace? How did they become participants in it?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. What had Paul and Timothy expected would happen when it came to this grace and the Macedonian participation in it? What actually happened?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What was Paul and Timothy’s message to Titus?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What did the Corinthians excel in? What is meant by this/these? (1 Cor. 12:8-10) What were they also to excel in?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Why would the Corinthian want to excel in this? (Vs. 8)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What additional information concerning the Corinthian participation in this grace is revealed in verse ten?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Why is readiness a key to an offering being acceptable? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Why is giving according to what a person has acceptable while giving according to what a person does not have is not?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What abundance did the Corinthians have?________________________________________________________________

14. When Paul writes, “so that their abundance may supply your need,” (vs 14) what is he referring to? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. What scripture does Paul quote in verse 15? Why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________16. Why did Titus go to Corinth? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. We do not know for sure who the “brother” that was being sent with Titus is. Most Bible scholars feel it is Luke. Why would they think this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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18. Why would Paul and Timothy want this “brother” to go with Titus to Corinth? (vs. 20)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________19. What was Paul’s opinion of Titus?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________20. How could the Corinthians give proof of their love for the Lord? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Paul’s Missionary Trips

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SDG – Lesson #22 – Map #1

Corinth’s Location: A Source of Wealth

SDG-Lesson #22-Map #2

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1. What is meant by “the ministry for the saints?” (Acts 6:1-6; 11:29)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why would Paul say that it was superfluous/unnecessary to speak about this ministry? (Matthew 6:1-4; Acts 6:1-6)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Paul said that he knew of the Corinthian’s readiness. Were they really ready or was Paul shaming them into supporting this ministry? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Refer back to the maps of your last lesson if this question challenges you. Who is Paul speaking of when he speaks of:

A. Macedonia?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Achaia: ________________________________________________

5. What had influenced the Macedonian Christians to support this ministry?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. This introduction paves the way for Paul to share with the Corinthians the purpose for him to send Titus and the famous brother to them. Why did he do this?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. While Paul speaks of his confidence, his desire not to be humiliated and his desire that the Corinthians not be humiliated, he also speaks of how the offering should be given and how it should not be given. How should an offering be given? What does this mean?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How is an offering not to be given or viewed? What does this mean?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Word Study: Willing gift/eulogian

With one look at the Greek word eulogian, which is translated “willing gift” in 1 Cor. 9:5, you might think, “that looks a lot like “eulogy.” In fact, eulogian is the Greek word from which we get the English word eulogy. Elogian means “fine speaking, praise: to give a good word, blessing.” Using the context of 2 Corinthians 8-9, we can see that Paul is referring to the offerings that are being collected as a blessing to those who receive it as well as a good word to them and encouraging word to the other churches to join in the offering.

8. In verse six Paul builds on a Biblical principle that ties what a person sows with what that person reaps. It’s this principle that we get our “you reap what you sow!” saying from. How does Paul build on this and tie it to the giving of an offering? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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9. In verse seven Paul returns to the motivation and the attitude that accompanies the giving of offerings. What should be the driving force behind our offerings? What shouldn’t be?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What makes an offering pleasing to God?________________________________________________________________

11. Why would God love this kind of offering and the one who gives it? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. What is meant by “all grace?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. How is “all grace” connected to “all sufficiency in all things and at all times?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. How is “all grace” connected to us abounding in every good work? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Who is the One who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food? ________________________________________________________________

16. What is the seed that will be multiplied for sowing? (Isaiah 55:11; Luke 12:12; John 14:26) ________________________________________________________________

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17. What is meant by “our righteousness?” What is the harvest of it?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. How will this produce thanksgiving to God?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. How would the Corinthian and Macedonian offering for the “saints” or Judean Christians bring thanksgiving to God?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What else would come from these offerings?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. What is God’s inexpressible gift? How does it fit into Paul’s discussion of offerings?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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1. Chapter 10 begins the last section of Paul’s second letter to the people of Corinth. What significant change do you see in the first verse? (Compare to 1:1)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Keeping your first answer in mind, go back to 7:6-7 and consider the change in Paul’s mood when comparing those words with the words, tone and messages of chapter ten. What must have happened to cause the change you identified in your first answer?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How was Christ meek? Gentle? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What criticism had been made about Paul? (Vs. 1)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What was the second criticism that had been made about Paul?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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6. What did Paul want to do? (Vs. 2) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7. What is the meaning of Paul’s words, “we are not waging war according to the flesh?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. What are the weapons of “divine power?” James 5:16 - ___________________________________

2 Timothy 3:16 - ___________________________________Acts 1:8 - ___________________________________Matthew 17:20 - ___________________________________

What can be done with this divine power? What does this mean?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What two strongholds was Paul ready to destroy?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How could Paul “take every thought captive to obey Christ?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. How could Paul “punish every disobedience” when the Corinthians “obedience is complete?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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12. Why would Paul write, “look at what is before your eyes?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Why would Paul feel the need to say, “If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. No one likes someone who boasts about themselves. What did Paul boast about? What is meant by this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Keeping question #14 and your answer to it in mind, what was Paul supposed to use that which he boasted about for? What was its purpose? What does this mean? What isn’t it used for? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. How could Paul’s letters be seen as “frightening?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What criticism was being made of Paul? (Vs. 10)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. How did Paul respond this criticism?

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. Why wouldn’t Paul dare to classify or compare himself to those who commend themselves? Why were they without understanding?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. Paul said that he would not boast beyond limits. What is meant by this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. When Paul writes, “we do not boast beyond limit in the labor of others.” What is he really saying or making a point of?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. Why did Paul hope that the faith of the Corinthians would increase?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23. Where does the quote, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord,” come from? Why did Paul use this quote?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Chapter 11 is a continuation of Paul’s exclamation in 10:7, “Look at what is before your eyes.” Read the whole chapter before you begin to answer the questions for this week’s lesson.

1. Why would Paul refer to his writing in this chapter as “a little foolishness?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is meant by divine jealousy? (Exodus 10:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9 & 6:15)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How would Paul’s divine jealousy play into his analogy of betrothal? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why did Paul reference the temptation and fall of Eve? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5. How can there be another:A. Jesus –____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Spirit – ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. Gospel – _________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

6. Who or what is a super-apostle? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What was one claim that he super-apostles were making against Paul? (Vs.6) How did Paul respond to this? What point was he making?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. How did Paul humble himself? (Vs.7) Why was this humbling? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. How had Paul robbed other churches? Why could this be seen as robbery?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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10. What is the boasting of Paul that “will not be silenced” in the regions of Achaia? Why would Paul feel strongly about this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What would this refusal result in? (Vs. 12)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. What does Paul call those who use the Gospel for personal gain? Why?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Are there individuals today who disguise themselves as “servants of righteousness?” If so, how can we identify them?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. What is meant by boasting “according to the flesh?’ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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15. If we serve the Lord, how should we boast? (Luke 17:10; James 4:15) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. Why could Paul boast according to the flesh? (vs. 16-27) ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. What did the Corinthians claim about themselves? ________________________________________________________________

18. What were the super-apostles doing in their ministries? (Vs. 20)________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. What was the Corinthians response to the behavior of the super-apostles?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. Why did Paul say, “to my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. Why was there daily pressure and anxiety for Paul?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. How did Paul show his weakness?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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NOTES:

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Chapter 12 is a continuation of Paul’s “boasting” that he began in the previous chapter. In chapter 11, he spoke about his physical trials and his actions towards the Corinthians. In this chapter, his boasting goes into the spiritual realm.

1. When Paul says, “I know a man in Christ,” who is he referring to? Why would he speak in this way?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the third heaven? What are the first and second heavens?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is meant by paradise? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What are “things that cannot be told?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5. Why would Paul say that he didn’t know if he was in the body of out of the body?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Paul knew that what he experienced was not normal and was a great privilege. What could such an experience lead to? Why didn’t this happen with Paul? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Paul speaks of being given a thorn in the flesh. What might this thorn in the flesh have been? (Please understand, that no one really knows what it is) How did Paul view it?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. How did Paul respond to this thorn in the flesh? ________________________________________________________________

9. How did the Lord respond to this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. How did Paul respond to the Lord’s answer to his prayer? What is meant by this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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11. Why would Paul’s contentment with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities be for “the sake of Christ?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Why would Paul say, “I have been a fool?”________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. How could Paul be “nothing” and yet not be inferior to the super-apostles?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. According to Paul, what are the signs of a true apostle? What is meant by this? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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15. Paul reveals that he is planning to return to Corinth for a third visit. What did he seek? What didn’t he seek? Why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. What was the Corinthians response to Paul’s desire and practice? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. Was Paul deceitful? Why or Why not? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. According to Paul, what was all of his ministry done for? ________________________________________________________________

19. What was Paul’s worry about the Corinthians?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. How would God humble Paul? What is meant by this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. What unrepentant sins was Paul aware of?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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1. Chapter 13 begins in a powerful way. In 12:21, Paul confronted the Corinthians acceptance of impurity, sexual immorality and sensuality. He had already warned them in 1 Cor. 6:12-20 to flee from these sins. Since some of the Corinthians had not repented and Paul hadn’t come and dealt with them, some of the super-apostles may have used this for their claims that Paul was weak. How does verse one challenge this idea? (Remember, Paul was an honored Pharisee or expert in the law).________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What exactly was Paul speaking about when he said, “I will not spare them?” Spare them from what? (1 Cor 5:4-5) Why would this be especially worrisome to the super-apostles?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. According to Paul, why was he threatening to take this action?

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4. Who was Paul speaking about when he wrote, “He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you?” What is the meaning of this?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Keeping your last answer in mind, restate Paul’s words found in verse four. What was his message?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Why would Paul say, “examine yourselves, to see whether you are in faith?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7. How can a person examine or test himself to see if he is in the faith? (James 2:18-20; 1 Cor. 10:31; Eph. 4:29)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________8. Why would Paul ask, “do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” How was this a

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question that would bring joy to the Corinthians? How could it be terrifying? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What was Paul’s prayer for the Corinthians? How could this lead to Paul looking like he had failed?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. Why would Paul be glad when he was weak, and the Corinthians were strong?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What two purposes, does Paul identify God’s power can be used for? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. What was Paul’s five-part summary and appeal to the Corinthians? What do these mean?________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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13. Why would Paul’s direction to greet one another with a holy kiss be encouraging to the Corinthians?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Verse fourteen is Paul’s only trinitarian benediction. What three gifts come from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? How do they build up the Church? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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s3.amazonaws.com · Web viewSDG – Lesson #10. 1 Corinthians. Chapter 12. 1. Paul begins this chapter saying, “now concerning spiritual gifts.” What does this indicate that