2 Corinthians 3: 1 – 6

  1. Turning someone over to satan. (1 Corinthians 5: 5)
    1. It is witchcraft if we feel that a punishment will be duly given out by our doing this to another
    2. We are not called to discipline those around us by use of the enemy.
      1. When enemy was attacking someone, we need to pray for them. Luke 22: 31
      2. Paul also talks about how to deal with people in rebellion. 2 Thessalonians 3: 14, 15
        1. The person in 1 Corinthians has already been talked to according to the rules of Matthew 18. (See Vs 9, 11)
      3. Studying word of God with them. (three get together and don’t bring up Torah, then they are like those who have eaten sacrifices to the dead. but if they talk about Torah they have eaten at the table of the Almighty one) (Luke 10: 38 – 42)
      4. Casting pearls before swine Matthew 7: 6  Dogs are Gentiles (Matthew 15: 26) and swine are RomansStep
    3. Meaning is to step back from them and let the consequences of their actions take over.
      1. Sickness is not always a result of sin (See John 9: 2, 3)
      2. Sometimes it is a result of sin (See 1 Corinthians 11: 30)
  2. Paul handing people over to satan 1 Timothy 1: 20
    1. Not a lot of reason given for it until we read his second letter.
    2. 2 Timothy 2: 17, 18 they were preaching a false gospel that was leading people astray
      1. 2 John 7, 10 don’t give them any encouragement or become partners in their work.
  3. What is someone cursed me?
    1. Resist the devil and he will flee 1 Peter 5; 8, 9
    2. Proverbs 26: 2 a undeserved curse will not land
    3. Pray for those who curse you Luke 6: 28
    4. They are under a curse for what they do to children. (Matthew 18: 6)
  4. Paul’s dealing with other antagonists
    1. Alexander the coppersmith 2 Timothy 4: 13
    2. Demas, Phygelus, and Hermogenes deserted me 2 Timothy 4: 10; 1: 15
    3. This person was involved in sexual sin which has a special place. 1 Corinthians 6: 18

2. Letters of recommendation 2 Corinthians 3: 1 – 3

  1. The Corinthians challenge Paul’s authority
    1. He had no letters of recommendation to prove he was sent by anyone to them
    2. How did they know he was really from God?
  2. Paul’s answer was the lives of the Corinthians themselves. Vs 2
    1. Their transformed lives are the result of Paul’s work among them.
    2. The church must bear fruit which is a result of their….being sent.
    3. The greatest work happening here was a changed life.
  3. Their lives are the proof of a new covenant. Vs 3
    1. Old covenant written on stone.
    2. New Covenant written on hearts (See Jeremiah 31: 33, 34)
    3. ACTS EMPHASIS IS ON THE MIRACLES IN PAUL’S LIFE.  PAUL EMPHASIZES CHANGED LIVES AS HIS GREAT WORK.

3. Paul’s success rests on God’s power Vs 4 – 6

  1. Paul denies any measure of self competence.
    1. It only comes from Jesus
      1. 1 Corinthians 15: 10 not I but God’s grace
      2. 1 Corinthians 4: 20 For the kingdom of God is not a lot of talk but God’s power
      3. 1 Corinthians 2: 4, 5 I don’t use clever speeches, but God’s power
    2. He will also echo this throughout this letter
      1. 4: 7 excellency of the power may be of God
      2. 5: 18 He has given us the ministry of reconciliation
      3. 12: 9 my grace is sufficient.
  2. We are called to be ministers of God’s new covenant. 6a
  3. Crucial difference between the covenants. 6b
    1. Law could only point out sin and not accomplish righteousness
      1. He thought he was carrying out the covenant by killing people.
      2. Law worked from the outside in.
    2. Only through God’s grace did he become a minister of the new covenant.
      1. New covenant works from the heart to outward behavior
      2. Through faith in Christ the Holy Spirit operates
      3. We can conform internally and externally.
  4. Summary (so far)
    1. Man has sinned, was cut off from believers, now repented and asked to be accepted.
    2. We can accept him because we are all captives to Jesus
    3. We can live lives around us that are a testimony that we are changed
    4. The lives we live are by the grace of God.
    5. If we don’t live these lives by grace we can be outsmarted by satan.