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NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATION NT 102

NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATION NT 102. THE CHURCH AT CORINTH (II) LETTERS FROM PRISON (I). II CORINTHIANS Introduction Background A. Provisional. B. Relationship & correspondence history thus far: 1. Founding visit 2. “Previous letter” – lost (1 Cor. 5:9) 3. I Corinthians

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NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATION NT 102

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  1. NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATIONNT 102 THE CHURCH AT CORINTH (II)LETTERS FROM PRISON (I)

  2. II CORINTHIANS • Introduction • Background • A. Provisional

  3. B. Relationship & correspondence history thus far: • 1. Founding visit • 2. “Previous letter” – lost (1 Cor. 5:9) • 3. I Corinthians • 4. Paul’s plan to return to Corinth (via Macedonia) • C. I Cor. did not solve the situation

  4. Occasion • A. Matters in Corinth do not improve (cf. 1 Cor 9:12) • 1. Source/s (who is behind this is not entirely clear) • 2. Dissention against Paul

  5. Initial Plans: Macedonia then Corinth

  6. Sudden visit and sudden departure

  7. B. Collection is still a pressing concern for Paul (1 Cor 16:5ff) C. Paul changes his plans—instead of coming via Macedonia, he arrives directly from Ephesus making a surprise, 2nd visit (cf. 1 Cor. 16:5; 2 Cor. 1:15ff) D. Instead of returning from Ephesus to Corinth, he writes a 3rd “severe/sorrowful” letter, which is now lost (2:3-4; 7:8-12)

  8. More unexpected events… Titus is not in Troas

  9. E. Something happens in Ephesus: a severe trial in which Paul expected to die (1:8-11) F. Paul composes a 4th letter (2 Cor 1-9).

  10. Sequence of I-II Corinthian Correspondence: • “previous letter” (lost) • I Cor. • “severe/tearful” letter (lost) • II Cor. 1-9 • II Cor. 10-13

  11. Literary Integrity of 2 Corinthians • A. Clearly entirely authentic (but cf. 6:14—7:1) • B. Problematic features • C. Proposed relationships between 1-9 & 10-13 • 1. II Cor. 10-13 part of the 3rd “severe” letter • 2. II Cor. 10-13 a 5th letter

  12. Purpose A. II Corinthians comprised of two letters both of which prepare for Paul’s 3rd visit. B. II Cor. 1-9 is a conciliatory response C. II Cor. 10-13 is written in the light of new trouble

  13. Content • A. Explanation & Reconciliation (1-7) • 1. The recent past & his changes of plan • a. Paul’s life-threatening experience & God’s comfort & deliverance (1:3-11)

  14. b. Explanation for changes in itinerary (1:12—2:4) • (i) his integrity & sincerity (vv.12-14) • (ii) not casual in my planning (vv.15-17) • (iii) to spare you the grief of an even tougher visit, I wrote instead (vv.18—2:4) • c. Speaking of grief: Forgiveness to Paul’s opponent (2:5-11) • d. Return to itinerary (2:12-13)

  15. 2. Paul’s apostolic ministry (2:14—7:4) a. A celebration of his ministry under God’s call (2:14-17) b. Discussion of the two covenants (3:1-18) (i) that of Moses came with a glory, but: - the glory faded - it was only letter, not Spirit - the letter brought death

  16. (ii) that far greater ‘transforming’ covenant which Paul announces • - unfading glory • - with Spirit • - brings life • c. Exposition on the nature of this glory & its ministry (4:1—7:4) • d. Return to itinerary (7:5-16)

  17. Clay jars

  18. B. His initial purpose: the collection (chs. 8-9) • 1. From Macedonian example, excel in generosity (8:1-7) • a. “severe trial” + “overflowing joy” + “extreme poverty”  rich generosity (v. 2) • b. As you excel in all else, so this. • 2. Consider the example of Christ (8:8-9) • 3. Make good on your former eagerness (8:10—9:5) • 4. In the light of God’s grace, give joyously (9:6-15)

  19. 5. Jerusalem collection • Why was Paul so concerned about the success of this collection? • i. Spiritual • ii. Ecclesiological • iii. Diplomacy

  20. C. “Defense” of Paul’s apostolic ministry 1. Dealing with accusations (ch.10; cf. 1 Cor 1-4) a. Against him b. Against them

  21. 2. The boast of the “fool” (11:1-12:10): turning everything on its head • a. Patronage (11:1-15) • b. A series of 4 boasts: Graeco-Roman drama: the “fool’s speech” (11:16; 12:11) • (i) his “power” (11:16-29) • (ii) his “courage” (11:30-33) • (iii) his “great visions” (12:1-6) • (iv) his “miracles” (12:7-11) • 3. Concluding warnings in the light of his impending 3rd visit (12:11-13:10)

  22. D. One of Paul’s finest moments: i. 3 features ii. 2 central issues iii. Discipleship & a suffering Messiah (Mark) iv. Christian ministry

  23. PRISON EPISTLES Introduction A. Include: Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, Philippians B. Indicate: Later stage of development: Paul and/or Churches? C. Dates are approximate and can vary by several years.

  24. Setting in the Life of Paul • A. Review of Paul’s correspondence history to date • 1. Two letters during 2nd missionary journey, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (AD 50) • a. written from Corinth when he founded the church • b. primary concern was eschatology

  25. 2. Four letters during 3rd missionary journey (Acts 18:23—21:14; AD 53-57) • a. Letters: • (1) 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus, AD 54/55) • (2) 2 Corinthians (from Philippi, in Macedonia, AD 56) • (3) Galatians (?) • (4) Romans (from Corinth, AD 57) • b. Primary concerns • (1) significance and meaning of the gospel • (2) nature and defense of Paul’s apostleship

  26. B. Subsequent events • 1. The writing of Romans • 2. Speech to Ephesian elders in Miletus (Acts 20:17-35) • 3. Has three fundamental concerns about the future: • a. Imprisonments (v.23) • b. Profound pastoral concern for them • c. False teaching … from within (v.30)!

  27. C. Themes which dominate these Epistles • 1. Written from prison • 2. Reflect Paul’s profound & on-going pastoral concern • 3. Combat heretical teaching

  28. Critical Issues in the Study of the Prison Epistles • A. 4 major concerns: • 1. Location of Paul’s imprisonment (Ephesus, Caesarea, Rome?) • 2. Authenticity of Ephesians (and thus Colossians) • 3. Destination of Ephesians • 4. Integrity of Philippians

  29. B. Issues involved in determining imprisonment location • 1. Impinges only on dating • 2. Raises possibility of two different imprisonments • a. Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon • (1) All written at same time and carried by the same people. • (2) Possible scenario to occasion the writing of all three • b. Philippians might have been written on a separate occasion

  30. 3. Geographical & other elements to be considered • 4. Conclusion: a Proposal… • a. Roman imprisonment is probably best suggestion (although Ephesian setting a possibility) • b. Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon written during imprisonment’s early stages • c. Philippians almost at imprisonment’s end: he expects to be soon released (Phil 1:19; cf. 2:17)

  31. PHILIPPIANS • Introduction • A. History: Acts 16:6-10: Macedonia & Philippian imprisonment • B. Location at time of writing: again in prison this time in Rome

  32. C. Critical issue: integrity of the letter • 1. “Fragments” theory • a. 3 fragments proposed • (1) 4:10-20: thanks for their gift • (2) 1:1—3:1; 4:4-7, 21-23: Paul warns against internal rivalry and complaint • (3) 3:2—4:3; 4:8-9: this having failed, he vigorously attacks agitators

  33. b. Problems with theory • (1) much too complex & subtle • (2) doesn’t explain why “stitched” together in the present form • (3) Paul could move from one thought to another without strict logical sequence • 2. Supposed non-genuine themes

  34. The City of Philippi • A. Established by Alexander’s father, Philip II of Macedonia • B. Controlled nearby goldmine • C. Overlooked a fertile plain • D. Conquered by Rome in 168 BC

  35. Roman Forum

  36. Paul & the Church at Philippi • A. Founded by Paul around 50 AD – on his 2nd missionary journey (Acts 16:12-40; cf. 1 Thess 2:2; Phil. 4:15).

  37. Via Egnatia to Philippi

  38. B. Perhaps Paul’s most beloved congregation • 1. They are gracious & generous (2 Cor 8:1-4) • 2. Paul’s evident affection for them, and pervasive joy of the letter (Phil 1:4-5, 8; 4:1; cf. 1:1 and Philem 1) • 3. Mutual affection (2 Cor 11:8-9; Phil 4:14-19)

  39. 4. Genre is “a friendship letter”: celebration of fellowship & mutual fondness • a. Basic features • b. Friendship in the ancient world

  40. c. Note the frequent employment of the language of: • (1) fellowship/koinonia (1:5; 2:1; 3:10; 4:15) • (2) togetherness/syn-prefix (struggle together with, rejoice, share, worker, soldier, imitator, yoke etc.) • (3) “equity”/oneness (1:27; 2:2; cf. 1:6, 30; 2:2, 18; 4:3)

  41. Occasion & Purpose • A. Occasion • 1. Epaphroditus & some companions arrive • 2. Writes this letter for Epaphroditus to take home

  42. B. Purpose: a number of matters but tends to be “looser” than other epistles • 1. Expresses thanks for their friendship & gift • 2. Informs his situation • 3. Exhorts to Christ-mindedness & unity • 4. Warns against false teachers from the outside

  43. Content • A. Thanksgiving and Prayer (1:3-11) • B. Report on his circumstances (1:12-26) • 1. In the present (vv. 12-18) • 2. Looking toward the future (vv. 19-26)

  44. C. Exhortation to maintain unity (“whether I come or remain absent” 1:27—2:30; cf. Eph) • 1. Standing firm in one spirit, striving with one mind for the faith of the gospel • 2. Given our special relationship, fulfill my joy by being one (2:1-4)

  45. 3. Examples (2:5-30) • Phil. 2:6-11: Self-humiliation & the exaltation of Christ • Exegetical issues: • i. Meaning of morphe (“form”) • ii. Meaning of harpagmon

  46. (1) Christ as very God • (2) Christ as a man (“being found in human form”) • (3) The result: Exaltation • (4) Your response: “Work out” your salvation in this very spirit (vv. 12-18)

  47. D. Attack against false teachers (3:2-—4:1) • 1. A warning against Judaizers (3:1-3) • 2. A discussion on why their teaching is futile (3:4-21) • a. A word of personal testimony • (1) When it comes to keeping the law, Paul has “been there, done that” • (2) Instead, everything is now Christ: • (3) consequently: a warning against complacency • (4) Parallelism between Phil. 2 & 3 • b. A final condemnation of the false teachers • 3. A final exhortation

  48. E. Concluding exhortations (4:2-9) • F. Thanks for the gift (4:10-19) • G. Final greetings

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