Tonight we are beginning our summer study of 2 Corinthians. We will be reading through 2 Corinthians 1-2. You don’t have to read through the chapters beforehand, although I would encourage you to do so.
Although Paul writes both 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians to the same church and somewhat for the same reasons, there is a difference in the tone of this second letter In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul begins with a brief thanksgiving for the church followed by a upbraiding of the church for its divisions. In the second letter, however, Paul speaks primarily of comfort (the word is mentioned 12x) and forgiveness and love, even for those who have wronged others. This difference in tone may go back to what transpired between the two letters – a spiritually painful visit to Corinth and a physically painful visit in Ephesus – both of which Paul references in the first chapter. These setbacks appear to have sent Paul into a depression, and out of this depression, Paul has a different perspective on the troubles of the Corinthian church, or at least a different tone. As we read through the introduction this evening, see if you can relate to Paul’s perspective in coming out of his despair.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is gourmet cheeseburgers. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here and bring a friend.
Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all Comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:2-4