"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"
Chapter Seven
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see how God can use others to comfort us
2) To understand true repentance: what leads to it, and what is the
evidence that it has occurred
SUMMARY
Chapter seven begins with Paul summarizing his pleas to the Corinthians
made in the previous chapter. Again he calls for spiritual purity, and
for "hearts wide open" (1-3).
Paul returns now to a point where he left off in chapter two, his
anxiety when searching for Titus (cf. 2:12-13). After arriving in
Macedonia, he finds him and the report Titus has from the church in
Corinth is a source of great comfort and joy to Paul. Indeed, even the
manner in which Titus was received by the Corinthians filled Paul with
joy (4-7).
The Corinthians had received a previous letter from Paul with much
sorrow, but with a godly sorrow that led to true repentance. Paul
could see that, and he wanted them to know it was only out of care for
them he had written it (8-12). Thus, the way they had received Titus
and Paul's letter, rendering quick obedience, gave Paul confidence in
the Corinthians (13-16).
OUTLINE
I. PAUL'S PLEA TO THE CORINTHIANS (1-3)
A. A PLEA FOR HOLINESS (1)
1. In view of the promises given (1a)
2. By cleansing ourselves from all filthiness (1b)
3. By perfecting holiness in the fear of God (1c)
-- This is a summary of the plea found in 6:14-18
B. A PLEA FOR THEM TO OPEN THEIR HEARTS (2-3)
1. To open their hearts for Paul and his companions (2a)
2. For they have done no wrong to anyone (2b)
3. Not said to condemn, but out of love (3)
-- This is a repetition of the plea found in 6:11-13
II. PAUL'S COMFORT AND JOY (4-16)
A. COMFORTED BY THE COMING OF TITUS (4-6)
1. Paul's boldness made possible by his comfort and joy (4)
2. Arriving in Macedonia, Paul was troubled (5)
3. But God comforted him by the arrival of Titus (6; cf. 2:12-13)
B. COMFORTED BY HEARING OF THEIR REPENTANCE (7-12)
1. Titus bore good news of their repentance (7)
2. Their repentance made him glad he had written the earlier
epistle (8)
3. He was glad their sorrow was that godly sorrow which leads to
true repentance (9-10)
4. The evidence of their godly sorrow (11)
5. Even so, he initially wrote out of a desire to express his
care for them (12)
C. HIS JOY IN THE JOY OF TITUS (13-16)
1. Comforted in their comfort, he also rejoiced seeing the joy of
Titus (13a)
2. Titus' spirit had been refreshed by the Corinthians (13b)
3. The Corinthians had lived up to the reputation Paul have given
them (14)
4. Titus grew in his love for them by the way they received him
(15)
5. All this increased Paul's joy and confidence in the
Corinthians (16)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Paul's plea to the Corinthians (1-3)
- Paul's comfort and joy (4-16)
2) In view of the promises in the preceding chapter, what two things
does Paul admonish us to do? (1)
- Cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit
- Perfecting holiness in the fear of God
3) What plea does Paul repeat that was made in chapter six? (2)
- Open your hearts to us
4) What was Paul's condition when he first came to Macedonia? (5)
- His flesh had no rest, troubled on every side
- Outside were conflicts, inside were fears
5) How did God comfort him in Macedonia? (6-7)
- By the coming of Titus
- By the consolation Titus had in the earnest desire, mourning, and
zeal of the Corinthians toward Paul
6) What about the Corinthians' sorrow led Paul to rejoice? (9)
- Their sorrow led to repentance
7) What is the difference between "godly sorrow" and "sorrow of the
world"? (10)
- Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation
- Sorrow of the world produces death
8) Name seven things that demonstrated the Corinthians' godly sorrow
(11)
- Diligence
- Clearing of themselves
- Indignation
- Fear
- Vehement desire
- Zeal
- Vindication
9) Why had Paul written to the Corinthians? (12)
- That his care for them in the sight of God might be apparent
10) What gave Paul comfort and joy? (13)
- The comfort of the Corinthians gave him comfort
- The joy of Titus who had been refreshed by the Corinthians gave
him joy
11) What had served to increase Titus' affection for the Corinthians?
(15)
- Their obedience
- How they received him in fear and trembling
12) What else gave Paul joy? (16)
- The confidence he had in the Corinthians in all things
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