We continue our study of First and Second Corinthians. In the first and second chapters of his second letter, Paul speaks to the Corinthians of the comfort that is found in God. There evidently were questions being raised among those in Corinth who were not walking according to the instructions Paul had given them. It seems that some were finding fault with Paul’s absence, questioning why he hadn’t come to Corinth as yet.
Paul tells them of the sufferings and trials through which he passed in Asia and how that God was sufficient for every distress. He did have a desire to come to them again, but had been hindered. He further presses on their conscience that he had not come to them yet in order to spare them the chastisement that their worldly ways deserved.
He longed that there might be true repentance among all those in the assembly at Corinth so that, when he came, there might be rejoicing rather than sorrow among them. He had wept many tears over the assembly because of his great love for them and their worldly condition.
One especially among them had been disciplined and many in the assembly had bowed to this action. There was a danger that the one disciplined would not be shown love upon his repentance. God had forgiven him and Paul desired that they would also, for in doing so he would forgive too.
Satan, ever ready to take advantage of anything in order to seek to destroy God’s people, would seek to keep the Corinthians from showing a spirit of love and forgiveness.
1. Paul told the Corinthians that God had comforted him in his persecutions so that he, in turn, might comfort others who were also suffering persecution and trials. As the early church (in Acts) multiplied, it had a source of comfort too. What was this source? Acts 9:___
2. What does Scripture contain that gives us hope? Romans 15:___
3. What are believers to do with the words of Scripture which tell of the return of the Lord Jesus for His own? 1 Thessalonians 4:___
4. What sad result would take place if the Corinthians failed to show grace and forgiveness toward the repentant man? (This is a very real danger for believers today also.) Hebrews 12:___
5. What direction does Paul give to the Ephesian believers concerning forgiveness? Ephesians 4:___