Jesus Christ our risen Lord is Head of the Body working through His people by the Holy Spirit.
The Christian is God’s ambassador, with a spiritual and glorious ministry, finding in Christ consolation in all his sufferings and sufficiency for every testing.
1 Corinthians Intro
1 Corinthians Intro: Paul
Corinth was an important and wealthy city. Having ports on two seas, it was a great trading center. Christianity was first introduced there by Paul on his second missionary journey. His continued labors were successful in building up a vigorous church. But on his leaving for other fields of labor, serious evils broke out among the members; some countenanced immorality, idol feasts, lawsuits in heathen courts, and immodesty among women. As tidings of these evils were brought to Paul at Ephesus, he addressed this letter to the Corinthian church “with many tears,” II Corinthians 2:4. The letter was written about 57 A.D. Several features of special interest characterize this Epistle—notably the gospel as the wisdom of God, the supremacy of love, and the doctrine of the resurrection. —Through the Bible Day by Day
The Gospel the Power of God and the Wisdom of God
Salutation, I Corinthians 1:1-3
I. True and False Wisdom, I Corinthians 1-6
1. Thanksgiving for the Grace Given to the Corinthians, I Corinthians 1:4-9
2. The Cause of and Remedy for Divisions in the Church, I Corinthians 1:10-31
3. The Basis of Paul’s Ministry, I Corinthians 2
4. The Function of the Apostles, I Corinthians 3
5. The Labors of the Apostles, I Corinthians 4:1-13
6. Conditions Which Require Paul’s Presence at Corinth, I Corinthians 4:14-5:13
7. Heathen and Christian Life in Contrast, I Corinthians 6
II. Reply to Inquiries from the Corinthians, I Corinthians 7-10
1. Concerning Marriage, I Corinthians 7
2. Concerning Things Sacrificed to Idols, I Corinthians 8, 10
(Apostolic Liberty), I Corinthians 9
III. “A More Excellent Way”, I Corinthians 11-16
1. The Deportment of Women in the Church, I Corinthians 11:1-16
2. The Observance of the Lord’s Supper, I Corinthians 11:17-34
3. Concerning Spiritual Gifts, I Corinthians 12
4. The Greatest Gift, I Corinthians 13
5. Speaking with Tongues, I Corinthians 14
6. The Resurrection, I Corinthians 15
7. The Offering for the Saints, I Corinthians 16:1-8
8. Personal Matters, I Corinthians 16:9-18
Conclusion, I Corinthians 16:19-24 —Through the Bible Day by Day
2 Corinthians Intro
2 Corinthians Intro: Outline
Titus had been commissioned by the Apostle to go from Ephesus to Corinth to enforce the instructions of the first Epistle. See II Corinthians 2:13; 7:6, 16; 8:6. For some reason his return had been delayed, a circumstance that caused Paul great anxiety. In the meanwhile the tumult at Ephesus had compelled the Apostle to leave that city, and he went to Troas to await his friend. When Titus did not arrive, Paul went on to Macedonia, where they met.
On the whole, the report was encouraging. The majority in the Corinthian church had accepted Paul’s instructions and had acted upon them. They were for the most part tenderly attached to him, though a party still resisted his authority, demanded letters of commendation from Jerusalem, accused him of vacillation, and boasted their pure Hebrew descent. It was largely for these that the Epistle was prepared; but we may be thankful for the criticisms which called it into existence. It is an unrivaled revelation of tenderness, self-sacrifice, and triumphant hope. —Through the Bible Day by Day
The Glory of the Ministry of the Gospel
Salutation, II Corinthians 1:1-2
I. A Career of Triumph in Christ, II Corinthians 1-7
1. Thanksgiving Because of Good News from Corinth, II Corinthians 1:3-7
2. Paul’s Deliverance from an Affliction unto Death, II Corinthians 1:8-11
3. His Sincerity in All His Dealings with the Corinthians, II Corinthians 1:12-2:11
4. The Vindication of His Authority, II Corinthians 2:12-3:18
5. The Character of His Ministry, II Corinthians 4:1-6:17
6. His Good Courage toward the Corinthians, II Corinthians 7:1-16
II. The Offering for the Church at Jerusalem, II Corinthians 8-9
1. The Liberality of the Macedonian Churches, II Corinthians 8:1-6
2. “Complete the Doing,” II Corinthians 8:7-15
3. Titus and Paul’s Other Helpers, II Corinthians 8:16-24
4. The Motive for and Reward of Benevolence, II Corinthians 9
III. The Apostle’s Final Vindication, II Corinthians 10-13
1. His Standing with the Corinthians, II Corinthians 10:1-11:15
2. His Labors, Sufferings and Spiritual Experience, II Corinthians 11:16-12:13
3. Announcement of a Third Visit, II Corinthians 12:14-13:10
Conclusion, II Corinthians 13:11-14 —Through the Bible Day by Day