Back to Home Page | Back to Index |

2 Corinthians Chapter Two

 
Chapter Two general Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To appreciate the attitudes Paul had in writing his first epistle
 
2) To understand the need for proper follow-up toward one who has 
 reacted favorably to church discipline
 
3) To see the different effects the gospel can have on people
 
SUMMARY
 
Paul continues to defend his integrity by explaining that his change of
plans was an effort to prevent his coming to them in sorrow. Indeed,
his previous letter was written for the same reason, and with much
anguish of heart (1-4). Speaking of grief, he reminds them that the
one who caused most of it had properly repented after their
disciplinary actions, and they should be careful to forgive and comfort
the person. Paul himself was willing to forgive the penitent offender,
because he knew how Satan could easily take advantage of their
situation (5-11).
 
He then reveals the anxiety of trying to find Titus, which prompted his
leaving an "open door" in Troas to go on to Macedonia (12-13). He will
return to the subject of finding Titus and the comfort he received upon
doing so (7:5-7), but at this point Paul begins vindicating his 
ministry as an apostle of Christ. With thanks to God, Paul describes 
the "triumphant" nature of his ministry, in which God leads him as in a
victory procession. Carrying the imagery of a victory procession a
little further (in which it was common to have incense as part of the 
parade), Paul views himself and his work as the "fragrance of Christ" 
which to those being saved is an "aroma of life", but to those who are
perishing it is an "aroma of death" (14-16b). Realizing his own 
insufficiency for such things, he speaks not as those who "peddle" the 
Word of God, but with sincerity and with an awareness that it comes 
from God, and is in the sight of God (16c-17).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIS INTEGRITY CONTINUES (1-13)
 
 A. THE REASON FOR HIS DELAY (1-4)
 1. He was determined not to come to them in sorrow (1-2)
 2. His previous letter he wrote in sorrow, lest when he came 
 there would be sorrow and not joy for both him and them (3-4)
 
 B. FORGIVENESS FOR THE OFFENDER (5-11)
 1. Speaking of sorrow, much of their grief was caused by one man
 (5)
 2. However, their discipline was effective and the penitent 
 offender should be forgiven and reassured of their love for 
 him (6-8)
 3. His previous letter was a test of their obedience, and he is
 willing to forgive those they have forgiven, lest Satan take
 advantage of their situation (9-11)
 
 C. HIS CONCERN FOR THEM (12-13)
 1. In Troas, the Lord had given him an "open door" to preach the
 gospel (12)
 2. But with no word from Titus, anxiety for their situation 
 prompted him to leave for Macedonia (13)
 
II. THE "TRIUMPHANT" NATURE OF PAUL'S MINISTRY (14-17)
 
 A. ALWAYS LED IN TRIUMPH BY GOD IN CHRIST (14a)
 1. Paul expresses thanksgiving to God
 2. The reason: for leading them in a triumphal procession 
 similar to that enjoyed by a military leader after a victory
 
 B. THROUGH THEM "FRAGRANCE" IS DIFFUSED (14b-16)
 1. God diffuses the "fragrance of His knowledge" in every place
 (14b)
 2. To God, they are the "fragrance of Christ" (15)
 a. To those who are perishing, they are an "aroma of death"
 (16a)
 b. To those who are being saved, they are an "aroma of life"
 (16b)
 3. He realizes his dependency upon God for sufficiency to be such
 things (16c-17)
 a. Unlike many, who "peddle" the Word of God (17a)
 b. In contrast, he speaks sincerely, as from God, and in the
 sight of God (17b)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - Paul's defense of his integrity continues (1-13)
 - The "triumphant" nature of Paul's ministry (14-17)
 
2) What was Paul determined not to do? (1)
 - To come to them in sorrow
 
3) Why did he write his previous letter? (3)
 - Lest when he came he would have sorrow over those who ought to
 give him joy
 
4) How did Paul write as he penned his letter? (4)
 - Out of much affliction and anguish of heart, and with many tears
 
5) What did Paul want them to do with the man who had sinned, yet 
 repented after their disciplinary action toward him? (7-8)
 - To forgive and comfort him
 - To reaffirm their love to him
 
6) What was one purpose in writing to them as Paul had done? (9)
 - To test their obedience
 
7) Why was Paul so willing to forgive the offender once the Corinthians
 had forgiven him? (10-11)
 - Lest Satan take advantage of the situation
 
8) When Paul came to Troas to preach the gospel, what did he find? (12)
 - An "open door" provided by the Lord
 
9) Who did he not find that troubled him greatly? Where did he then 
 go? (13)
 - Titus
 - Macedonia
 
10) Why does Paul give God thanks? (14)
 - For always leading him in triumph in Christ
 
11) How does Paul describe God working through him? (14)
 - As diffusing the fragrance of His knowledge in every place
 
12) In what two ways, and to what two groups of people, does Paul 
 describe himself as "the fragrance of Christ"? (15-17)
 - An "aroma of life to life" to those who are being saved
 - An "aroma of death to death" to those who are perishing
 
13) How do many misuse the Word of God? How did Paul speak the Word?
 (17)
 - As "peddling" (using it to make profit)
 - With sincerity, as from God, and in the sight of God in Christ

The Devices Of Satan (2:11)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. When Paul wrote his second epistle to the Corinthians, he alluded to
 the possibility that Satan might take advantage of them:
 
 "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant
 of his devices." (2 Co 2:11)
 
2. Informed Christians, however, need not be in a position to be caught
 off guard...
 a. Satan's advantage is based upon one being "ignorant of his 
 devices"
 b. But if we are aware of the methods Satan uses to lead people 
 astray, we can resist him successfully!
 
3. What are some of "The Devices Of Satan"? How can we defend 
 ourselves against them?
 
[In study we shall attempt to answer these questions. We begin by 
noticing a "device" of Satan that Paul described later in this same 
epistle...]
 
I. BLIND THE MINDS OF PEOPLE
 
 A. REGARDING THIS "DEVICE" OF SATAN...
 1. There are some whom "the god of this age" has blinded - cf. 
 2 Co 4:3-4
 2. The Spirit warned this would be done through "doctrines of 
 demons" - 1 Ti 4:1-3
 3. Today, many minds are blinded to the truth...
 a. By the doctrine of ATHEISM - there is no God
 b. By the doctrine of EVOLUTION - we are simply animals
 c. By the doctrine of HUMANISM - man is the measure of all 
  things, and in him alone is the solution to our problems
 -- Those who are so blinded are hindered from receiving the truth
 
 B. OUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST IT...
 1. Is actually a strong offense, involving a war for the 
 "thoughts" of men - 2 Co 10:3-5
 2. Our greatest weapon is TRUTH, which can defeat the false
 arguments and free those who have been blinded into captivity
 - cf. Jn 8:32
 a. Thus the need for discussion and debate, in order to cast
  down "arguments" - 2 Co 10:5
 b. Consider the example of Paul, who "reasoned" with others - 
 Ac 17:2-3; 19:8-9
 3. Other weapons involve CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDES that are "mighty 
 in God"...
 a. E.g., the meekness and gentleness of Christ - 2 Co 10:1-4
 b. E.g., patience and humility in correcting others - 2 Ti 2:
 24-26
 -- "Speaking the truth in love" (Ep 4:15), we can be defeat 
 this "device of Satan"!
 
[Another "device of Satan" is to...]
 
II. GET PEOPLE HOOKED ON "THE THINGS OF THE WORLD"
 
 A. REGARDING THIS "DEVICE" OF SATAN...
 1. I am referring to those things described in 1 Jn 2:15-17
 a. The lust of the flesh
 b. The lust of the eyes
 c. The pride of life
 2. Satan used these tactics against EVE - cf. Gen 3:6
 a. What she saw was "good for food" (the lust of the flesh)
 b. It was "pleasant to the eyes" (lust of the eyes)
 c. It was "desirable to make one wise" (pride of life)
 3. Satan also tried these tactics in tempting Jesus - Mt 4:1-11
 a. "command that these stones become bread" (lust of the 
 flesh)
 b. "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down..." (pride 
  of life)
 c. "All these things I will give you if..." (lust of the eyes)
 4. Today, Satan uses these tactics with a vengeance, tempting
 people through...
 a. Immorality (lust of the flesh)
 b. Materialism (lust of the eyes)
 c. Arrogance (pride of life)
 
 B. OUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST IT...
 1. Saturate ourselves with the Word of God!
 a. This is how Jesus overcame His temptations by the devil
 b. Note how He answered each temptation by saying "It is 
 written..." - Mt 4:4,7,10
 2. Develop a strong love for the Father!
 a. For that love is incompatible with a love for the world 
 - cf. 1 Jn 2:15
 b. One cannot be a friend of the world and maintain friendship
 with God - Ja 4:4
 -- By saturating ourselves with God's Word and being strong in 
 our love for Him, we will effectively submit to Him and be 
 able to resist the devil, causing him to flee! - Ja 4:7
 
[Yet let's not think that Satan will give up easily; there are other 
"devices" up his sleeve, including...]
 
III. PERSECUTE THOSE TRYING TO DO RIGHT
 
 A. REGARDING THIS "DEVICE" OF SATAN...
 1. Peter warned that the devil sought to devour Christians 
  through persecutions - 1 Pe 5:8-9
 2. Paul worried that afflictions brought about by Satan might 
 tempt the Thessalonians to give up - 1 Th 3:1-5
 3. Even today, Satan persecutes Christians!
 a. Some literally, through great suffering as Christians
 b. Others through social pressures that are often equally 
 effective:
 1) Peer pressure
 2) Ridicule
 3) Ostracism
 
 B. OUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST IT...
 1. Encourage one another!
 a. This is what Peter sought to do - cf. 1 Pe 5:8-10
 b. Paul sent Timothy to do the same - cf. 1 Th 3:2-3
 2. Adopt the proper attitude: Rejoice!
 a. Knowing that trials can make us stronger - cf. Ja 1:2-4; 
  Ro 5:3-4
 b. Knowing that those who endure are blessed by God - cf. 1 Pe
 4:12-14; Mt 5:10-12
 3. Commit yourself to God in doing good - cf. 1 Pe 4:19
 a. God is a faithful Creator
 b. He takes note of our suffering, and will one day repay 
 those who trouble us (including Satan himself!), and give 
 us rest - cf. 2 Th 1:4-8; Re 20:10
 
[There is another "device" of Satan, that often has deadly effect...]
 
IV. GET PEOPLE TO ENJOY EVIL COMPANY
 
 A. REGARDING THIS "DEVICE" OF SATAN...
 1. The wrong companions can defeat one's effort to do good - cf.
 1 Co 15:33
 2. Amnon was led astray by the counsel of his "friend", Jonadab 
 - 2 Sam 13:1ff
 3. Today, many Christians are hindered in their spiritual 
 growth...
 a. By the company they keep
 b. By the activities in which such company engages
 
 B. OUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST IT...
 1. Realize the danger of the wrong companions - cf. Pr 13:20
 2. Heed the advice Paul made to the Corinthians:
 a. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers..."
 - 2 Co 6:14-16
 b. "Come out from among them..." - 2 Co 6:17-18
 c. "...perfecting holiness in the fear of God." - 2 Co 7:1
 
[Finally, let's look at one more "device" of Satan...]
 
V. DISCOURAGE PEOPLE THROUGH UNCHRIST-LIKE CHRISTIANS
 
 A. REGARDING THIS "DEVICE" OF SATAN...
 1. This relates to Paul's concern in our text - cf. 2 Co 2:6-11
 a. A sinning brother was disciplined, and had repented
 b. The need now was for the church to confirm their love and
 forgiveness
 c. Otherwise, Satan might take advantage of this situation:
 1) Defeating the church by their unwillingness to forgive
 2) Overcoming the weak brother by his being swallowed up in
 sorrow if forgiveness was not granted by the 
 congregation
 2. Today, Satan sometimes wins many souls by this "device"
 a. Christians who are unloving, unmerciful, and unforgiving,
 become stumblingblocks to others
 b. Christians who are apathetic, sluggish, in their service 
 and devotion to God, adversely influence new Christians
 
 B. OUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST IT...
 1. Place our ultimate faith in the Lord, not in brethren - cf. 
 2 Ti 4:16-18
 a. This is not to suggest that brethren can't be trusted
 b. But brethren are fallible, the Lord is not!
  2. Remember that not all brethren set the proper example - e.g., 
 3 Jn 9-12
 a. Imitate the good examples
 b. Don't let the bad ones discourage us
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. This is not an exhaustive list, rather only a sampling of "The
 Devices Of Satan"
 a. The Scriptures certainly reveal much more about how the "Great 
 Deceiver" works
 b. There is also an interesting work of fiction that provides some
 interesting insights; it is called "The Screwtape Letters", by 
 C. S. Lewis
 
2. I trust this study has been sufficient to show, however...
 a. That our adversary is indeed strong
 b. That ignorance of his devices make us susceptible
 c. That if we are not diligent, he can indeed take advantage of us!
 
Remember, therefore, these important words of the apostle Paul...
 
 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of
 His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able
 to stand against the wiles of the devil."
 
 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
 principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
 darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in
 the heavenly places."
 
 "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able
 to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
 
 (Ep 6:10-13)

－－《Executable Outlines》

The Intention to Exhort

The Smell of Death

The Fragrance of Life

I. Interrelation Among Members

1. No Pains

2. Make Me Glad

3. Tears In Love

II. Forgiveness in the Body

1. Excessive Sorrow

2. Forgive Him Together

3. The Scheme of Satan

III. Spread the Fragrance of Christ

1. Hold Fellow Workers in High Esteem

2. Triumph in Christ

3. Preach Christ