2 Corinthians 2 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                              Chapter Two

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
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