Studies In 2 Corinthians

By James Dobbs

This is a verse-by-verse study in 2 Corinthians as it relates to Christians today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Dobbs
• Release date: Jan 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224381081

James Dobbs

I graduated from Dallas County High School in Plantersville, Alabama and from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.  I have pastored churches in Arkansas, Idaho, Alabama, Oregon and South Dakota.  I retired from the U.S. Air Force.  I am married to Pam, and we have five children and twelve grandchildren.

Book preview

In this study in 2 Corinthians, all scripture is from the King James Bible, and all commentary references are from Matthew Henry’s Commentary.  The study is my understanding by God’s guidance of what this book says to us as Christians today.

Chapter 1

2 Corinthians 1:1 says, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:  Paul identified himself as the author of this letter and gave his qualification to write it.  He did not speak of any degrees he may have earned or any earthly titles he may have earned.  Paul simply identified himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.  This should be the way we view ourselves today, not necessarily as an apostle, but that whatever we are called to be in the church, the body of Christ, we are because of our faith in Christ.  Paul acknowledged Timothy as a brother.  As followers of Christ, we are all brothers and sisters through our faith in Him.  Paul said he was writing to the church of God at Corinth, and to all the saints in Achaia.  What we know is that Paul was writing to us as well.  Just as these truths applied to all believers in Corinth and Achaia, they apply to us today.  Verse two adds, Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul wished them grace and peace.  I believe that these two things are inclusive.  When we are saved by and living under the grace of God, we will be at peace in our lives, no matter the conditions under which we live.  When we are not living under the grace of God, then we can never be at peace in the world. Verse three continues, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  Paul said that he blessed God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  This was not two Gods, but two manifestations of the One God.  Paul declared God to be the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort.  Only through accepting the mercy of God through our faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord can we find comfort in this evil world.  When we have this comfort from God, nothing in this world can take it away.  Verse four states, 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.  Paul said that since God comforts His people in times of trouble that His people should be able to comfort others.  We are to be caring, compassionate people as followers of Christ.  Verse five adds, For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. I believe this means that Christ takes on the suffering for all sins for all time, and since this is true, then our consolation should abound because of our faith in our salvation through Christ.  Verse six continues, And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.  Paul was basically saying that whatever state he found himself in, whether afflicted or comforted, that everything he did was for the comfort and salvation of others.  We need the same attitude.  Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we must continue to witness to and comfort others through our faith in Christ.  Verse seven concludes, And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.  Paul declared his hope for the Christians at Corinth to be steadfast.  They were suffering persecution as was Paul, but he knew that their consolation through Christ would always be there.  When we are suffering due to our faith today, we simply have to rest in the consolation of our salvation.

2 Corinthians 1:8 says, For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. Though Paul proclaimed freedom and peace through the gospel, he did not want people to believe that this meant freedom and peace in this world at all times.  Paul wanted the followers of Christ to know that not only would they not always be at peace in the world, but that being true to Christ might bring persecution and suffering.  Paul said that in Asia they were pressed out measure and above their strength.  He also said that they feared for their lives.  Paul was not sharing this to bring honor to himself for his sufferings for Christ, but to call on his fellow believers to remain strong in their faith no matter what.  Verse nine adds, But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:  Paul said that under the sentence of death that they knew that their deliverance was not to come by their own strength, but through God Who raises the dead.  Like Paul, we cannot rely on our own strength for deliverance, and even if we lose our life for our faith in Christ, God will still raise us to everlasting life. Verse ten continues, Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;  Paul said that Christ delivered us from death when we accepted Him as our Savior, that every day He delivers us from the power of death from sin when we follow Him as Lord, and that we can trust Him for the final deliverance into Heaven when He returns.  We are not just saved and left to live by our own power, but once we accept Christ as Savior and Lord, He is with us forever to deliver us from death under sin to life through faith in the grace of God.  Verse eleven states, Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.  Paul said the prayers for those with him and for him helped them in their ministry.  We need to be in prayer for our fellow believers today, especially those who are ministers of the gospel.  Never underestimate the power of prayer.  Verse twelve adds, For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.  Paul said