THE KING’ S BUSINESS,
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INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK (i. 1-14) T HE introduction contains two thoughts: the^ Address and Greeting (i. 1, 2 ), and1 the Thanksgiving (i. 3-14). 1. The Address and Greeting (i. 1, 2 ). The address is similar to, only briefer than that o f the first epistle. Timothy is associated with Paul (not as author, but as sender o f the epistle) instead o f Sos- thenes (cf. 1 Corinthians i. 1). “ The church o f God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia” are addressed. Not that the epistle is encyclical with regard to its application, for surely a recognition o f the nature o f its peculiar contents shows that it has its strict and almost exclusive application to the church at Corinth. Probably the region round about Corinth is included (cf. 1 Corinthians xvi. 15; Acts xix. 21), Corinth doubtless being looked upon as the mother church. Reference is made to the local churches of this region in viii. 1, 18, 19, 23, 24; xi. 8, 28; xii. 13; consequently the salutation here is probably limited to the church as a regularly established assembly and also to the scattered saints in and about that region. The words may be a gentle reminder to the proud Corinthian church that it was not important enough to be the whole thing. As the Corinthian believers are the church of God, so Paul is the apostle of Christ, Jesus. 2. The Thanksgiving and Hope for the Corinthian Believers (i. 3-14). The Apostle is grateful to God for the comfort he has found in all his tribulation for the gospel’s sake, not only for its per sonal blessing, but also for its altruistic effect and the sympathy which it has cre ated. His troubles have been serious and heavy. They have bowed him down. They are described as “above measure,” as “a sentence o f death,” and “ so great a death.” Such sufferings are to be expected—they came to Christ; they will com.e to His fol lowers (John xv. 20) 2 Timothy iii. 12). The Head suffered; so must also the body.
(b ) The sufferings o f the apostle (v. 20-vi. 10).
6. Confidential relations between the apostle and the Corinthians restored (vi. 11-vii. 16). (a) The plea for the establishment o f confidential relations (vi. 11- vii. 4). (b) Confidential relations between the apostle and the Corinthian believers re-established (vii. 5-16). III. M atters C oncerning the C ollection for the P oor S aints a t J erusalem (via. 1-ix. 15). 1. Exemplary beneficence (viii. 1-15). (a) Illustrated in the matchless giv ing o f the Macedonian churches (viii. 1-5). (b ) The example o f our Lord Jesus Christ (viii. 9.) (c ) The direct appeal to the Corin 2. The care to be exercised with ref erence to raising and distributing the collection (viii. 16-ix. 5). 3. The nature and blessing o f true giv ing (ix. 6-15). IV. P aul ' s A postolic C haracter and A uthority V indicated ( x . 1-xiiL 10). 1. The insinuations against the apostle stated and vindicated (x. 1-12). (a) The charges o f cowardice and weakness (x. 1-12). 2. Paul’s glorying is according to the divine standard (x. 13-18). 3. The emoluments and evidences of apostleship (xi. 1-xii. 18). (a) The emoluments o f apostleship (xi. 1-xii. 10). (b ) The evidences (xii. 11-21). 4. Apprehensions in view o f Paul’s intended visit (xiii. 1-10). thian church to give to the fund for the poor saints at Jerusalem (viii. 6-8, 10-15).
T he C onclusion (xiii. 11-14).
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