The Second Epistle to the Corinthians

1. 2 Corinth 5:11 – “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.” Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord Knowing here is factual knowledge What is the therefore, there for? the terror of the Lord? To whom is this terror directed? Does we persuade men help? Matt 25:46 – “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Is this the basis by which the unsaved are brought home to be saved? What about us 2 Corinth 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. How should we interpret this verse? The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 5:11-15 Christ’s Life & Ministry is Revealing Christ – the New Creation Part 1 1 June 25, 2017 Bob Eckel

2. but we are well known (made manifest) to God What do you think being made manifest to God means? Notice the passive tense here! Who we are in Christ. and I also trust are well known (made manifest) in your consciences. Trust – present active indicative What’s this all about – being made manifest in your consciences? 2 Corinth 5:12 – “For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.” For we do not commend (boast about) ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, In the flesh, aren’t we the focus of all boasting? The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 5:11-15 Christ’s Life & Ministry is Revealing Christ – the New Creation Part 1 2 June 25, 2017 Bob Eckel

3. What would this boasting be about? that you may have somewhat (an answer) for those who boast(glory) in appearance and not in heart. Again flesh not spirit. The alternative: 2 Corinth 1:12-14 – For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus. Gal 6:12-14 - As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 5:11-15 Christ’s Life & Ministry is Revealing Christ – the New Creation Part 1 3 June 25, 2017 Bob Eckel

4. Do you think that our In Christ behavior is to benefit the body and/or the unsaved? 2 Corinth 5:13 – “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you.” For if we are beside ourselves (astonished), it is for God; Interpret besides ourselves. The exchanged life portrayed – a work of astonishment. Acts 10:45 - While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. And to God be the glory! or if we are of sound mind (be sober), it is for you. How is this different from being besides ourselves? Is this how Paul was perceived? 1 Corinth 9:19, 22 - For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; ….. to the weak I became as weak, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 5:11-15 Christ’s Life & Ministry is Revealing Christ – the New Creation Part 1 4 June 25, 2017 Bob Eckel

5. that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Or is this more miraculous (2 Corinth 12:1-6) and not for us today? 1 Thess 1:5 - For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 2 Corinth 5:14,15 – “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” For the love of Christ compels us, compels – constrains or presses together How do you interpret and implement this love of Christ? Let’s see what follows because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 5:11-15 Christ’s Life & Ministry is Revealing Christ – the New Creation Part 1 5 June 25, 2017 Bob Eckel

6. Basic Christianity!!!! Rom 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Eph 2:1 - And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 1 John 2:2 - And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” live for themselves is better translated as unto themselves present active subjunctive (possible but uncertain) for Him is better translated unto Him - the exchanged life Phil 1:21 – For to me to live is Christ….. Notice importantly that His resurrection is included here! Rom 14:7-9 – For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Corinth 5:11-15 Christ’s Life & Ministry is Revealing Christ – the New Creation Part 1 6 June 25, 2017 Bob Eckel