2 corinthians - oak hill · pdf filethe “logic” of 2 corinthians ... paul’s...

Enduring in Authentic Ministry
2 Corinthians George H. Guthrie
Union University

Introduction to 2 Corinthians

Corinth

Pauls Ministry in Corinth: A Chronology
Spring 50 Paul arrives in Corinth for the first time (March?)
Late Spring 52 Paul arrives in Ephesus for a period of extensive ministry (May?)
Summer or Paul receives news of the Corinthians and writes the Previous Letter
Autumn 52 (1 Cor. 5:9)
Summer/ Paul writes 1 Corinthians and sends it to Corinth (Timothy sent to
Autumn 53 Macedonia)
Early Spring 54 Timothy arrives in Corinth, finding the church in disarray
Late Spring 54 When shipping opens, Paul travels to Corinth for the sorrowful visit
(2 Cor. 2:1); returns to Ephesus (May?)
Summer 54 Titus reports to Paul in Ephesus; Paul writes the sorrowful letter
(2 Cor. 2:3-4)
Autm-Winter Ministry in Troas then Macedonia; Paul writes 2 Corinthians while in Macedonia
54/55
January-March The apostle stays for three months in Corinth; writes Romans 56

The Logic of 2 Corinthians
Chapters 1-7: Prepare for My Coming by Embracing
My Authentic Ministry
Chapters 8-9: Prepare for My Coming by Making
Ready the Collection
Chapters 10-13: Prepare for My Coming by Dealing
with the False Teachers
(See Book Outline)

What Would You Do?

~Winter, AD 54/55
A group of false teachers (Sophists) have infiltrated the church with another Jesus, a different spirit, a different gospel
Paul is traveling, away from Corinth
A young church whose members have been profoundly shaped by their culture; they are in a spiritually dangerous situation
Guide
Pattern
What Does Paul Do?

Session 2 Devastating Ministry Moments (1:3-14)
George H. Guthrie
Union University
2 Corinthians

Praise God for His Encouragement! (1:3-7)
1. God is a Compassionate, Encouraging God
(1:3)
2. The Affliction We Face is Purposeful (1:4-6)
3. There is a Fellowship of Suffering and
Encouragement (1:7)

Pauls Recent Deliverance (1:8-11)
1. An Extraordinary Affliction (1:8)
2. The Purpose of the Affliction (1:9)
3. Deliverance by God (1:10)
4. Prayer Partnership (1:11)

The Integrity of Pauls Recent Actions (1:12-14)
1. The Integrity of Paul's Mission (1:12)
2. An Appeal for Understanding (1:13-14)

Session 3 Paradigms for Authentic Ministry (2:14-3:6)
George H. Guthrie
Union University
2 Corinthians

2 Cor. 2:14-16
Yet, thanks be to God, who always leads us in
triumphal procession in Christ and makes
known through us the aroma of knowledge
about him everywhere we go. 15For, we are a
fragrance of Christ to God among those who
are being saved and among those who are
being destroyed. 16To some we are a stench
arising from death and leading to death, to
others an aroma arising from life and leading to
life. And who is qualified for this role?!
3 Words of Encouragement

1. Assume a Posture of Thanks and
Confidence in God
How Should We Live Out
Authentic Ministry?
for what, exactly?
?

The Roman Triumph

Hail
Triumphator!!

1. lead in triumphal procession as a captive; or to
lead in victory over hostile forces (Col. 2:15?)
2. to lead in triumphal procession
3. to cause to triumph (Tyndale, KJV, Calvin, etc.)
4. triumph over (Col. 2:15?)
5. expose to shame - used metaphorically
6. display, publicize, make known (e.g., HCSB)
the exact nuance?

. . . has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christs triumphal procession (NLT-SE) . . . who always leads us as captives in Christs triumphal procession (NIV11) . . . who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, (ESV) . . . God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. (MESSAGE) . . . who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ (NET) . . . who always leads us in triumph in Christ (NAS95) . . . which always causeth us to triumph in Christ (KJV) . . . who always puts us on display in Christ (HCSB)

1. lead in triumphal procession as a captive; or to

Strabo, Geography, 12.3.6: But Adiatorix, the
son of Domnecleius, tetrarch of the Galatians,
received from Antony that part of the city which
was occupied by the Heracleiotae; and a little
before the Battle of Actium he attacked the
Romans by night and slaughtered them, by
permission of Antony, as he alleged. But after
the victory at Actium he was led in triumph and
slain together with his son.
But only 4-5 texts in this vein out of
over 70 uses of the verb!

The Carthaginians, when they were
utterly overthrown, sent ambassadors
to make peace and league with him;
he bade those that came return immediately, as
refusing to hear them before they brought L.Terentius
with them, a good man, whom the Carthaginians had
taken prisoner. . . . . And Terentius followed him
when he triumphed, wearing the cap of one that was
made free; and when he died, Scipio gave wine
mingled with honey to those that were at the funeral,
and performed other funeral rites in his honor.
(Plutarch, Regum, 76.7)

1. lead in triumphal procession (as a captive); or to

1. Assume a Posture of Thanks and
Confidence in God
In our
ministries,
God leads us
triumphantly
in Christ!
Authentic Ministry?

2. Keep Proclaiming & Incarnating the
Good Gospel
Authentic Ministry?

2 Cor. 2:14-16
Yet, thanks be to God, who always leads us in
triumphal procession in Christ and makes
known through us the aroma of knowledge
about him everywhere we go. 15For, we are a
fragrance of Christ to God among those who
are being saved and among those who are
being destroyed. 16To some we are a stench
arising from death and leading to death, to
others an aroma arising from life and leading to
life. And who is qualified for this role?!
OT SACRIFICE?

When used of Sacrifices we have this formula.
49 occurrences in the LXX:
(Gen 8:21; Exod 29:18, 25, 41; Lev 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2,
9, 12; 3:5, 11, 16; 4:31; 6:8, 14; 8:21, 28; 17:4, 6;
23:13, 18; Num 15:3, 5, 7, 10, 1314, 24; 18:17;
28:2, 6, 8, 13, 24, 27; 29:2, 6, 8, 11, 13, 36; Jdt
16:16; Sir 50:15; Ezek 6:13; 16:19; 20:28, 41; Dan
4:37)
Two places in Paul: Eph. 5:2; Phil. 4:18

+
Like the spices cinnamon and camels thorn
I gave an aroma ()
and like choice myrrh
I gave a fragrance (),
like galbanum and onycha and myrrh oil,
indeed like the vapor () of frankincense
in a tent. (LXX Sir 24.15)

In all cases in ancient literature where
these two words are used together but
outside of the septuagintal formula,
refers either to a good or bad smell, and
refers to a pleasing fragrance.
Philo Greco-Roman Literature Pseudepigrapha
+

The Incense
Bearers Appian, Punica, 66 -
Next came a lot of incense bearers, and after
them the general himself on a chariot
embellished with various designs, wearing a
crown of gold and precious stones, and
dressed, according to the fashion of the
country, in a purple toga embroidered with
golden stars. He bore a scepter of ivory, and a
laurel branch, which is always the Roman
symbol of victory.

Dionysius of Halicarnassus (Ant.
rom. 7.72.13
After these bands of
dancers came a throng
of lyre-players and many
flute players, and after
them the persons who
carried the censers in
which perfumes and
frankincense were
burned along the whole
route of the procession.

Horace, Odes 4.2.50-51
You will celebrate festivals and public
games for the answer to the city's prayers,
brave Augustus's return, and no lawsuits
heard in the Forum.
Then, if something I sing deserves hearing, my
best voice will join in, and 'O glorious
sun, worthy of praise,' I will gladly ch

2 corinthians - oak hill · pdf filethe “logic” of 2 corinthians ... paul’s...

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