This paper investigates the author’s intended meaning for 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 and examines the application of this passage of Scripture for today’s reader. A brief introduction to the author, the setting, and the historical, literary, and social context is provided. The paper then focuses on the message Paul, the author, is trying to convey to the Corinthians. The passage is investigated by looking at the reference to a revelation, the use of the word “boast”, the example of a hardship, and the claim that weakness is an asset. It is concluded that Paul is using very different criteria than the Corinthians to support the findings of a true apostle.
Keywords: Corinthians, Paul, boast, weakness
Corinthian or Christ-Centered Criteria?
In 2 Corinthians 12:1 – 10, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Corinthians to make a spirited defense against
…show more content…
The people were known to be immoral, drunkards and adulterous. It was the 4th largest Roman city. They were prosperous. A trading post, controlling the main intersection between Europe and Asia. Corinth was one of the most immoral cities, full of prostitutes and pagan temples and known for its luxury and extravagance. They valued external things like show, eloquence, persuasiveness, physical appearance and a life that was all together. Paul was not impressive, though likely strong, but not trained in speech, nor eloquent.
In second Corinthians, Paul is not pleased with their condition of the congregation in Corinth. They had financial abundance, yet resisted sharing. They wanted Paul to raise his own funding and Paul took nothing from them and drew his support from the Macedonian churches. This angered them. They were consumed with the virtues of their culture. There is a problem when you are consumed by these things but Paul is your messenger. The Corinthians were attracted by the externals of the Super Apostles without critical evaluation of their
Putting pen to paper, Paul pleas with the Corinthians to better themselves through Christ Jesus. While in discourse with the Corinthians, the polemic language of Paul becomes, at times, difficult to digest. While pursuing a better relationship with the believers in Corinth, the apostle often used terms such as ‘we,’ ‘our,’ and ‘us.’ These pronouns can be understood in multiple ways; however, the manner in which they are comprehended sheds light on Paul’s agenda. In the analysis of 2 Corinthians 4: 8-18, the pronouns are best understood as being inclusive in terms of Paul, his followers, and the believers in Corinth.
The Corinthians had a way of self-praise and boasting over their superior actions. They would speak in tongues and prophecy in public “not to benefit others who are in attendance but, in Paul’s view, simply to elevate themselves in the eyes of others” (Bart Ehrman, A Brief Introduction to the New Testament, p. 228). In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists the variety of gifts that various members of the church possess, saying that the Spirit has assigned each gift to each individual. Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that God has given the individuals in the community distinctive roles and gifts that, when used appropriately, better the church as a whole. To emphasize the importance of unity in the church, Paul writes, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Cor 12:12). Paul shows how each member of the church has imperative value, just as each part of the body is essential for it to work properly. The Corinthians’ problem of boasting would fade away as soon as they acknowledge that there is value in the diversity of the members of the church. God placed each person in the role that He intends for them to fill and everyone must recognize His placement. Greater than all other gifts is the gift of love. Love is crucial because it builds up the community and strengthens every believer, regardless of their differences. Paul stresses that the most excellent gift is love, writing “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Cor
In this essay I will be explaining my passage, Romans 12:1-21. Romans 12s topic and main focus being on “Living Sacrifice” and how a christian should live out his or hers salvation. I will be explaining my passage from two different points of views, from the people, during that times view, and my personal view. My main focus is to help you understand this passage on a deeper level. In Romans 12 Paul constantly reminds us that Salvation is obtained only through grace and not works. Do not be conformed to this world” (vss. 1-2). Much of the errors and trials that Paul dealt with in his “Epistles”, were because the believers
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.
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
Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV)
As in the interpretation of any passage of Scripture, the correct interpretation of Philippians 2:1-11 rests upon a careful examination of its context. Paul is writing the letter to the Philippians in order to thank them for their gift which they sent by Epaphroditus to him in prison. Although some scholars have argued that the current Epistle to the Philippians was originally several separate letters, based upon the sharp change of tone in 3:1, the “therefore, then, accordingly” in 2:1 clearly connects chapter two with chapter one. The immediate context of 2:1-11 is the exhortation to unity in 1:27-30. In this section, Paul urges the Philippians “to live as
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
The objective of this paper is to achieve a thorough exegetical analysis of Philippians 2:2-11. To accomplish this objective, the basic contents of this passage will be examined. Furthermore, all relevant issues from this passage will be examined as well. This passage will be made clear in its context so that the content will fit into the overall meaning of the passage. More importantly, a verse by verse analysis of the passage will be given to understand the author’s thoughts.
Paul begins his letter with honesty and speaks of his genuine dealings with the church of Corinth. He goes on to
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
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
It is determined by the readers and writers’ religious response to the world and by a person's final cultural categories of rhetoric. Apostle Paul’s journey to minister and teach the church, embodied more than one religious response, his primary response was the Reformist view of the world (see Table 1). This assumes that salvation would come from supernaturally given insight to deal with corruption in social organizations and structures (Robbins, 1996). His secondary religious response to the world was Revolutionist (see Table 1). This view declares that a supernatural power has to destroy the natural earth for salvation to come, as believers feel compelled to participate in changing the world in word and in deed (Robbins, 1996). Apostle Paul encouraged the church of Philippi to be humble and work together because others are watching their example. It is clear that his ministry was a religious movement due to his consciousness of the group. In chapter 2 verse 4, the Apostle Paul appeals to keep the harmony and solidarity of the group (Desilva, 2004); explaining that Christ’s example of humility is the solution to selfish motivations and vanity.
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.
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