47 Outline of Second Corinthians

I. Introduction............................ 1:1-11

A. Paul's Thanksgiving to God 1:1-7

2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

B. Paul's Trouble in Asia 1:8-11

2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

II. Paul's Explanation of His Change of Plans........................ 1:12-2:13

A. Paul's Original Plan     1:12-22

2Co 1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;

B. Paul's Change of Plans     1:23-2:4

2Co 1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

C. Paul's Appeal to Forgive     2:5-13

2Co 2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

2Co 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

III. Paul's Philosophy of Ministry............................... 2:14-6:10

A. Christ Causes Us to Triumph     2:14-17

2Co 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

B. Changed Lives Prove Ministry     3:1-5

2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

C. New Covenant Is the Basis of Ministry....... 3:6-18

2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

D. Christ Is the Theme of Ministry     4:1-7

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

E. Trials Abound in the Ministry     4:8-15

2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

F. Motivation in the Ministry     4:16-5:21

1.      Motivation of External Perspective ......4:16-18

2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2.      Motivation of the Future Presence of Christ............... 5:1-8

2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

3.      Motivation of Future Reward ........5:9, 10

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

4.      Motivation of the Love of Christ   5:11-16

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

5.      Motivation of the Message of Reconciliation............... 5:17-21

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

G.   Giving No Offence in the Ministry .. . 6:1-10

2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

IV. Paul's Exhortations to the Corinthians........................ 6:11-7:16

A. Paul's Appeal for Reconciliation     6:11-13

2Co 6:13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

B.   Paul's Appeal for Separation from Unbelievers................... 6:14-7:1

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

C. Paul's Meeting with Titus     7:2-7

2Co 7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

2Co 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

D. Corinthians' Response to Paul's Letter ......7:8-16

2Co 7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

I. Example of the Macedonians............................. 8:1-6

2Co 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

II. Exhortation to the Corinthians............................... 8:7-9:15

A. Example of Christ     8:7-9

2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

B.   Purpose of Giving     8:10-15

2Co 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

2Co 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

C. Explanation of the Delegation     8:16-9:5

1.      Policies in Giving    8:16-24

2Co 8:20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

2Co 8:21 Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

2.      Readiness in Giving    9:1-5

2Co 9:2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

D. Exhortation to Giving     9:6-15

1.      Principles in Giving    9:6, 7

2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

2.      Promises from Giving    9:8-15

2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

I. Paul Answers His Accusers......................... 10:1-18

A. The Charge of Cowardice Is Answered.................... 10:1, 2

2Co 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2Co 10:2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

B. The Charge of Walking in the Flesh Is Answered.................... 10:3-9

2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

C. The Charge of Personal Weakness Is Answered.................... 10:10-18

2Co 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

2Co 10:11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.

II. Paul Defends His Apostleship............................... 11:1-12:13

A. Paul's Declaration of His Apostleship.................... 11:1-15

2Co 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

2Co 11:6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

B.   Paul's Sufferings Support His Apostleship.................... 11:16-33

2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

C.   Paul's Revelations Support His Apostleship.................... 12:1-10

1.      Vision of Paradise    12:1-6

2Co 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2.      Thorn in the Flesh    12:7-10

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

D. Paul's Signs Support His Apostleship................... 12:11-13

2Co 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

III. Paul Announces His Upcoming Visit........................ 12:14-13:10

A. Paul's Concern Not to Be a Financial Burden................... 12:14-18

2Co 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

B. Paul's Concern Not to Find Them Carnal................... 12:19-21

2Co 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

C. Paul's Warning to Examine Yourselves................... 13:1-10

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

IV. Conclusion . ........................ . 13:11-14

2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.