I. The spiritual battle framing 2 Corinthians A. Satan targets what is most valuable to believers 1. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are the means of divine power in this age a. Without the Spirit, believers are left with fleshly strength and human wisdom B. Progressive and kingdom emphases often omit the Holy Spirit 1. This omission is a serious sign of imbalance a. Christian life, service, and truth depend on the Spirit's guidance, comfort, and illumination C. Communication with God depends on the Spirit 1. Prayer and understanding both require divine enabling a. Jesus promised the Comforter and the Spirit of truth D. Scripture and the Spirit must not be separated 1. Christ is known through the Spirit and the Word a. The lesson warns against zeal without knowledge and against dismissing Paul's authority II. Historical setting of Paul and Corinth A. Possible numbers of letters and visits 1. Paul likely wrote three letters, though as many as five are argued a. Paul likely visited Corinth three times B. Paul's first visit to Corinth 1. In AD 51 he ministered there for a year and a half a. He knew the people personally and their response to his teaching C. Paul's move from Corinth to Ephesus 1. In AD 52 he left with Priscilla and Aquila a. In Ephesus they instructed Apollos more accurately before he went to Corinth D. Paul's long Ephesian ministry 1. In AD 53 he returned to Ephesus and stayed about two and a half years a. Ephesus became the base for wider ministry in the region E. Early correspondence with Corinth 1. Paul wrote an earlier lost letter while in Ephesus a. 1 Corinthians 5:9 refers back to that prior letter 2. The Corinthians misunderstood that letter a. News of their problems came through Chloe's household and later through Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus F. 1 Corinthians as corrective correspondence 1. Paul wrote to address divisions and moral confusion in the church a. Timothy was also sent to help stabilize the situation G. The painful second visit 1. Timothy's efforts did not resolve the crisis a. Paul made a sorrowful visit to Corinth and resolved not to come again in grief H. The severe letter sent through Titus 1. After the painful visit, Paul wrote another lost letter a. Titus carried it, and Paul wrote it reluctantly and sharply I. Paul's move from Ephesus to Macedonia 1. After the Ephesian riot he left for Macedonia a. He stopped in Troas hoping to meet Titus 2. In Macedonia Titus brought good news and bad news a. The church had improved, but a consolidated anti-Paul opposition remained J. The third visit to Corinth 1. Paul later returned and stayed three months in Greece a. This is the setting for the final visit before writing and after receiving Titus's report III. Purpose and structure of 2 Corinthians A. The letter is deeply personal and intimate 1. Paul opens his heart and expresses love despite repeated difficulties a. The letter defends both his apostleship and his message B. The chief threat is false teachers 1. They claim apostolic authority and work inside the church a. They attack Paul's character, weakness, authority, and doctrine C. The book's major sections 1. Chapters 1-7 defend Paul's ministry and explain his sufferings a. Chapters 8-9 address the collection for the saints in Jerusalem b. Chapters 10-13 sharply denounce opponents and reaffirm Paul's identification with Christ D. Application 1. Scripture and Spirit must be trusted against modern attacks a. Growth is shown in changed attitudes, words, and actions b. The Word transforms believers and bears fruit Summarizing Topics 1. Spiritual power and Scripture 2. Corinth's complex history 3. Paul defends his apostleship Bible Passages Most Explored - 2 Corinthians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 2:5, 2 Corinthians 7:5-9, 2 Corinthians 7:12 - 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 1 Corinthians 16:10-17 - Acts 18:18-28; Acts 19:1; Acts 20:1-3