Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

2 Corinthians
This is perhaps Paul‟s most personal and autobiographical letter.

Reading 2 Corinthians is like turning on the TV in the middle of a show.

The two letters we have in the Bible from Paul to the Corinthians is just part of their
ongoing conversation and relationship over time.

Corinth
Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

1 Corinthians = 56 – 57 AD

 The congregation itself in dispute with Paul

Soon after 1 Corinthians, the Corinthian church was entered by a group of outsiders,
who are hostile to Paul.

 Jewish Christians (2 Cor 11:22)

 Considered themselves to be apostles, even super-apostles (2 Cor 11:5)

 Paul thinks they are illegitimate leaders and pervert the gospel (2 Cor 11:3-4)

Paul makes a surprise visit to the Corinthians, but whilst he is there, it turns bad.

Forced to leave, Paul wants to return, but decides to write a letter instead - the
“sorrowful letter”:

3 I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed by those who ought
to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4
For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to
grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you. (2 Cor 2:3-4)

At the same time as all this is going on, Paul is also having a tough time in his travels
– very painful, even near-death experiences – see 2 Cor 1:3-11

The severe letter brings some change, but another letter is needed – this letter is 2
Corinthians.
Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Paul makes
Outsiders surprise visit Paul leaves, and instead of
Enter which turns out returning, writes a severe
painful letter

Even though the severe letter works to

some degree, another letter is needed to
address the issues – this is our 2
Corinthians

Three major parts to 2 Corinthians:

1-7, 8-9, 10-13.

Chapters 1-7 – Paul gives an explanatory defense of his actions and an explanation of
what Christian leadership really looks like.

The big point – the normal experience of weakness and suffering

8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in

the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure,
so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.
But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the
dead (2 Cor 1:8-9)
Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is
from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not
destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life
of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being
given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal
body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Chapters 8-9 – Paul turns his mind to the collection for Jerusalem

The example of the Macedonians:

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up
in rich generosity 2 Cor 8:2

2 Cor 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was
rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might
become rich.

The climax of it all – 2 Cor 9:7 - 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his
heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver

Chapters 10-13 –goes directly after the super-apostles.

 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles
of Christ. (2 Cor 11:13)

 The super-apostles were boastful:

12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend

themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare
themselves with themselves, they are not wise (2 Cor 10:12)
Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

 Paul responds by boasting – in his weaknesses! (2 Cor 11:30)

 Even his vision can‟t bring him glory – because he can‟t talk
about it.

 2 Cor 12:6 - Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a

fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no
one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say

 The key point

7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great

revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment
me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to
me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s
power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in
insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am
strong.

Christian ministry is a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody.

Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Philippians
Already done some work on this when we investigated what 4:13 means.

Written in the early 60's – perhaps 62. One of Paul's captivity epistles (Ephesians,
Colossians and Philemon are the others).

The recipients are the mostly Gentile church in Philippi, which was founded in 48-49
by Paul, Silas and Timothy. The occasion for the letter is that Ephaphroditus, one of
the members of the Philippian church, had come to Paul in prison and brought news
of the church, plus a gift of support. Along the way, Epaphroditus got sick, and Paul
now writes to the Philippians to encourage them about their show of generosity, and
also to reassure them of Epaphroditus' welfare.

Several features of the letter:

1. It is almost the opposite of Galatians in that here Paul is full of praise and
affection. If you want to know how ticked Paul is in Galatians, then read Philippians –
this is how he writes when he is feeling good towards the folks.

2. Amongst its major themes is that present suffering does not cast doubt upon
the gospel, and can be used for the purposes of the gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served
to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole
palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my
chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of
God more courageously and fearlessly.(1:12-13)

3. Another major theme is that the key to living within the Christian community
is to live as servants of one another:

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his
love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make
my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and
purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own
interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil 2:1-4)
Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians
Perhaps the earliest of Paul‟s letters

Founded during Paul‟s second missionary campaign

Paul has success in winning converts, and then has to move on after a short time.

In 1 Thessalonians, you get a letter from Paul which is all about helping young
Christians. People who have been evangelised, but he didn‟t have a chance to follow-
up much.
Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Getting the emphasis wrong from not enough solid teaching

Part of Paul‟s gospel proclamation was that Jesus had come, and part of it was he is
coming soon.

9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you
turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son
from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming
wrath.

Every Christian should live with a sense of imminence in their lives.

But they have got muddled

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to
grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose
again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep
in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive,
who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have
fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud
command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the
dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will
be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
5 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you
know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While
people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as
labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a
thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night
or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be
alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get
drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled,
putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord
Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live
together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just
as in fact you are doing.
Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

The fear of the young Christians in Thessalonica that if they die before Jesus comes
back, they will somehow miss out.

The basic point is – the dead don‟t miss out!

Reading the Bible in historical context – meeting the Lord in the air.

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the
voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will
rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together
with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
forever.

Zapping up to heaven?

„the air‟ = the midpoint, the space between earth and heaven (see Eph 2:2).

Which direction do Jesus and his people go after meeting in the air?

The parousia (coming) of an emperor and the parousia (coming) of Jesus.

Lecture 9 – 2 Corinthians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians

Probably written shortly after 1 Thessalonians

Seems to be occasioned by a number of different concerns, although the primary one

is that the people have received an erroneous teaching that the day of the Lord has
already come (2 Thess 2:1). Precisely how this was talked about is unclear, but again
it makes clear the way that imminence was a fundamental reality of early Christian
thinking.

Paul makes clear we stand on this side of the second coming.

The other major problem appears to be people who are lazy and refuse to work. The
reason why they refuse to work is also unclear, but the problem is mentioned in both 1
Thessalonians (1 Thess 4:9-12) and in 2 Thessalonians (3:6-15).

A forgotten ethic – the virtue of earning enough that you wouldn‟t be a freeloader

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something
useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
(Eph 4:28)

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work
with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of
outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thess 4:9-12)

11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12
Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn
the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do
not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him
as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. (2 Thess 3:6-15)

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they
may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. (Tit 3:14)