2 Corinthians 12: 1-10

The first section of the note on 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 in the HarperCollins Study Bible leads the reader to contemplate the issue of unity in the body of Christ, the lack of which is arguably the origin of most, if not all of the issues facing the Corinthian church. The Christians in Corinth were challenged with several internal problems, many of which could have been solved by the members seeking unity in their diversity. Paul introduces the idea that the church should function as the body of Christ, valuing the abilities and roles that God chose for each member. The first part of the note states, “Like certain other ancient writers, Paul regards the human body as illustrating the point that unity and diversity are not incompatible, applying

In 146 B.C. the Roman general Mummius crushed Greece’s attempt towards independence by completely destroying the city of Corinth. For a hundred years the area of the city laid in ruins. Eventually Julius Caesar sent a colony of veterans and descendants of Freedmen to rebuild the city, and in a short period of time a new Corinth was created from the old ruins (Ancient Corinth p. 20). During the rebuilding of Corinth Caesar was assassinated and reconstruction was continued by Emperor Augustus (Background First Corinthians).

Writings of the Apostle Paul populate the canon of the New Testament. The rawness and earnestness found within spring from the pages igniting a wonder in the reader of who Paul the Apostle was. Paul went to great lengths to spread the name of Jesus and one cheers anxiously from the sideline waiting to see if he ever gets the upper hand. Attacked, insulted, beaten, discredited, and victimized are just a few adjectives that could describe daily life for Paul. He becomes a model of devotion and fervor to continue the cause. Today, the same occurs in a less physical form. An abundance of scholarship of Paul exists at the tip of any pupil’s hand. However, seemly, many authors do Paul a disservice by misinterpreting his teachings or marketing a

In chapters eight and nine of the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote principles and instructions in giving that a Christian should live by and recognize. In this paper, a few will be studied and analyzed through the account of Paul’s involvement in the Jerusalem collection to get a better understanding of them, but most importantly to see how God wants Christians to apply these to their lives. “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

His evidence for making such a request flows from reports he has received from members of Chloe’s household (1 Corinthians 1:11, 5:1). Also, Paul seems to have received several questions from the church in Corinthian because of Paul’s reference to them (1 Corinthians 7:1, 7:25 8:1, 12:2, 16:1). However, Paul’s main issue with the Corinthian’s division comes down to a misunderstanding of the Gospel and claiming to have spiritual knowledge apart from Christ (Fee 49,

The apostle had evidently issued a warning to the Corinthians to maintain a clear separation from those persons who continued to exhibit the pagan lifestyle that was characteristic of Corinth. (As we have seen, the city was renowned for its

In this passage of the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses several concerns. He is addressing the situation of a man who has sinned not only against himself, but against the Corinthian Church as well. He explains why he wrote a letter rather than bringing sorrow upon them. Paul is sensitive to the Lord’s leading, and in love, writes to the church encouraging them to discipline this man in love for the purpose of restoring him. He urges the Corinthians to be obedient and love the man through forgiving and encouraging him. Paul shares with them his trust in the Lord for the outcome of this matter and how burdened he was for restoration to take place. He warns them of the need to not allow Satan a foothold through this

As with most other Pauline attributed documents, 1 Corinthians is believed to be a single document that addresses salient topics and rationalizes Paul’s view of faithfulness to Christ with Corinth citizens. The newly founded church of Corinth was in correspondence with Paul requesting his answers to questions they posed on topics ranging from marriage to the resurrection of the dead; the latter being one of the most highlighted in 1 Corinthians. Paul’s assurance of resurrection illustrates a concern for Corinth as he admonishes their disbelief in resurrection of the dead with a series of explanations as to why such doubt would render the faith of Christ “in vain”. Given the context of the time, Paul’s correspondence with Corinth clearly

In second Corinthians 12 begins in an interesting way. Paul implies that he knows a person that has taken blissful journey fourteen years to the third heaven. Paul then implies that this individual heard something that are forbidden for humans to hear. One can only contemplate what might that individual hear and who the individual was that took this prestigious journey to the heavens. This paper will explore key points that Yarbro Collins highlights in “Paul’s disability: The Thorn in His Flesh.” Second, investigate the importance of “Messenger of Satan” in 2 Cor 12:7. Finally, this paper will examine what John T. Fitzgerald says about the phrase in comparison to Yarbro Collin’s writing. The concealment of Paul’s thorn in the flesh provides an interesting mystery for the modern interpreter.

Paul audience could follow his thoughts on building because of the many building that was built in their cities (Green, 2013, p.544, p.552) After Paul preaching the gospel in Athens, he continues to Corinth, the provincial capital of Achaia. The Jews in Acts who ended up in Corinth were known by their Latin names and some Greek families in city took Roman names. Paul was very familiar with the landscape of his audience. Paul was humble, but was uplifting God’s grace. Paul is careful not to think too highly of himself, but it was due to God’s grace he’s a wise builder. He told them he planted the seed when he preached and Apollo helped watered and God gives the growth. Paul stated the foundation is the

Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV)

Kim addresses more scholars of the anti- imperial, political interpretations; Richard Horsley, and Neil Elliott and their interpretations of First Corinthians. In essence, Kim refutes their interpretations of passages in First Corinthians because the terminology Paul used in First Corinthians is indicative of the evil system of the world and not the Roman Empire. Kim argues that although the terms may seem to be referring to the Roman Empire, the Roman Empire is just an instrument being used in the hands of a more evil force. Elliott’s arguments along with Horsley’s end up being contradicted within the epistle itself. Kim ultimately concludes that Wright, Georgi, Elliott, and Horsley all have a problem with their

In 1Corinthians, Paul appeals to the lowest denominator in the group and abjures wisdom. “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, the intelligence of the intelligent will I frustrate.” 1Cor18. He deals with incest, lawsuits, sexual immorality, and married life, food sacrificed to idols – matter which one readily answered by the Torah and the law. Yet Paul does no research and uses no knowledge he might have learned in his years as a practicing Jew. He relies only on his own intuition, and his personal revelation of Jesus’ death, resurrection and the imminence of his second coming. Unfortunately, this off-the-cuff memo of dealing with real life issues is open to prejudices, rationalizations, projections and a variety of defense mechanisms.

As Paul arrived in Athens he experienced deep distressed when he saw that idols dominated the city. Because Paul had a Christian worldview, the presence of so many idols immediately disturbed him. Let’s back up.

The previous section of the letter is the introduction and Paul’s note of thanks for the Corinthian believers. There is a distinct note of commendation and love in the first section before Paul begins to condemn and exhort the Corinthians for their poor behavior. Much of this behavior is linked to their boasting about their wisdom, or the wisdom of those whom they choose to follow. Therefore, much of Paul’s teaching is in relation to true wisdom, as opposed to worldly wisdom. Paul continues to address the issue of factions in the church by further concentrating on the issue of wisdom, before he begins approaching other issues from the report in chapters 5 and 6. Following this, Paul begins to address the questions posed by the