Class Notes, Eph 2:1-10

Eph 2:1-3 (NIV)  As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

·         Before we were regenerated, what was our spiritual state?

o    We were spiritually dead

o    There are two types of death in scripture, spiritual death and physical death.  Sometimes we confuse the two

o    So, in answer to the question, when did you become a Christian, and the person answers, I was always a Christian or I was born a Christian, what is the problem?

·         It is not true

·         We are spiritually dead and separate from God

§  John 1:12-13 (NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

·         Three ideas of moral pathology (Simpson, p46)

o    Pelagianism asserts the convalescence of human nature. Man merely needs teaching

o    Semi-pelagianism admits his ill-health, but affirms that the symptoms will yield to proper treatment, to a course of tonic drugs and a scrupulous regimen

o    Biblical Christianity ... pronounces that mortification has set in and that nothing less than infusion of fresh lifeblood can work a cure. Nostrums (medicine of secret composition; questionable remedy) and palliatives (something that helps but cannot cure the disease) aggravate rather than allay the disease. Sin is an organic epidemical malady, a slow devitalizing poison issuing in moral necrosis (localized death of living tissue); not a stage of arrested or incomplete development, but a seedplot of impending ruin."

·         Paul describes the environment in three ways

·         The first is a lifestyle that follows the ways of this world.  How would you describe this lifestyle?

o    The phrase ‘olam hazeh (CJB) is used in the Complete Jewish Bible (reference to a Gentile demonic lifestyle)

o    Not just opposed to the rules of God, but actually, seeks to eliminate God from every aspect of life.  There is a worldview that is of this world and there is a biblical one.  They are in opposition to each other

·         Secondly, this lifestyle is dominated by the "ruler of the kingdom of the air" also called "the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient"

o    The ruler is Satan

o    Satan has been cast out of heaven by Christ' ascension

o    His rule is restricted to earth.  This is also the region where demons dwell

o    His power though extends into the hearts of unbelievers

·         Not all unbelievers are demon-possessed

·         Even in Jesus' time it was somewhat rare

·         Today, there are 30-50 times as many people, so demon possession would be more rare

·         So, the philosophy or lifestyle of the world influences people, Satan and his demonic forces influences people, and lastly, our flesh (human nature marred by sin) dominates us

o    Our sinful nature is inherited from Adam and is corrupted

o    We want to satisfy our lusts

o    We desire to sin

o    We want to be proud

o    We want to do things to excess

o    We are all narcissists to a degree (some more than others)

·         Consequently, prior to coming to Christ, what is our state?

o    We are objects of wrath

o    Why?

·         Because we opposed God (from three different ways).  We accepted a philosophy that pushes or eliminates him.  We followed the ruler of this world.  We allowed our flesh to dictate our needs

Eph 2:4-5 (NIV) But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

·         So that we understand our state before coming to God, how would you describe it?

o    Opposed, enemies, without any good (from God's perspective), and without ANY hope

o    Who takes the first step?

·         GOD

·         This is an absolutely key thought.  You did not seek God.  God sought you.  If you think you initiated the relationship, then you have completely missed the point

·         1 John 4:9-10 (NIV) This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

·         I love how the AMP and NLT translate the Greek

o    Eph 2:4-5 (NLT) But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, …

o    Eph 2:4 (AMP) But God — so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us,

·         Why all the discussion on our condition prior to the statement that it is grace that saved us?

o    Paul wants us to truly understand:

·         Our condition

·         Our rebellion

·         Our lack of saving our self

·         God's amazing love

·         Our need for heart felt repentance, thanks, and humility

·         GRACE -- God's riches at Christ' Expense.  Undeserved merit

Eph 2:6-10 (NIV) And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

·         We have been transformed from objects of wrath to what kind of object now?

o    Objects of his grace.  Objects of his kindness.  Objects of his incomparable riches

·         What are the ages to come?

o    Millennial age, and the age that follows, and whatever other ages God plans

·         Obviously, the "seated" is not literal but has to be taken metaphorically.

o    Seated refers to our new home, our new citizenship

o    Jesus has literally done, what we will do in the future

·         Verse 8 and 9 are the summary verses of this whole section.  Put it in your own words

o    You cannot save yourself

o    God saved us.  It had nothing to do with us

o    In heaven, there will be no more boasting.  (it would be nice to see that today)

·         So salvation is not something we have produced.  It is not a masterpiece that we can show off.  But we are a masterpiece that God shows off.  The JB translates workmanship, a work of art.  The Greek word is poime, which is where we get the word poem

o    But here is the part where we have a role

o    God's created the poem.  He has even prepared the good works for us to do.  So what are we doing to write it?

·         You are writing a gospel each day, by the things that you do, and the words that you say.  Men read what you write, distorted or true.  What is the gospel according to you? (Author unknown)

Eph 1:15-23

1. Salutation 1:1-2
   
2. The Christian's calling 1:3—3:21
   
   1. Individual calling 1:3—2:10
      
      1. The purpose: glory 1:3-14
         
      2. The means: knowledge 1:15-23
         
      3. The motive: grace 2:1-10
         
   2. Corporate calling 2:11-3:19
      
      1. Present unity 2:11-22
         
      2. Past ignorance 3:1-13
         
      3. Future comprehension 3:14-19
         
   3. Doxology 3:20-21
      
3. The Christian's conduct 4:1—6:20
   
   1. Spiritual walk 4:1—6:9
      
      1. Walking in unity 4:1-16
         
      2. Walking in holiness 4:17-32
         
      3. Walking in love 5:1-6
         
      4. Walking in light 5:7-14
         
      5. Walking in wisdom 5:15—6:9
         
   2. Spiritual warfare 6:10-20
      
4. Conclusion 6:21-24 (reference, Constable, 2010)
   

• The nine spiritual blessings Paul identified in verses 3-14 are election, predestination, adoption, grace, redemption, forgiveness, knowledge, sealing, and inheritance. Stott summarized them as three: past election, present adoption, and future unification.
  

  Eph 1:15-16 (NIV) For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
  

• What does Paul mean by "ever since I heard about your faith …?"
  
  • Could be a work was previously started -- that does not fit with Acts
    
  • Could be that his early works was so short that he had not seen much fruit during his initial visit. Later he would spend almost 3 years there teaching them
    
  • NOTE: Paul's first visit to Ephesus (on the sea coast of Lydia, near the river Cayster) is related in Acts 18:19-21. The work, begun by his disputations with the Jews in his short visit, was carried on by Apollos (Acts 18:24-26), and Aquila, and Priscilla. At his second visit, after his journey to Jerusalem, and thence to the east regions of Asia Minor, he remained at Ephesus "three years" (Acts 19:10, the "two years" in which verse are only part of the time, and Acts 20:31); so that the founding and rearing of this church occupied an unusually large portion of his time and care; whence his language shows a warmth of feeling, a free outpouring of thought, and a union in spiritual privileges and hope between him and them (Eph 1:3, etc.), such as are natural from one so long and so intimately associated with those whom he addresses. On his last journey to Jerusalem, he sailed by Ephesus, and summoned the elders of the Ephesian church to him at Miletus, where he delivered his farewell charge (Acts 20:18-35).
    

    (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
    

• How would you describe his relationship to the Ephesians? How would you compare that to the Corinthians?
  
  • Ephesians: Close, warm relationship; good knowledge of truth; little difficulty
    
  • Corinthians: Loving but strained; knowledge of the truth is corrupted by false ideas of worship; much difficulty
    
• Prayers in the bible are a good opportunity to study the concept of biblical prayer and then compare it to what we pray. What is the first aspect of prayer that Paul mentions?
  
  • Thanksgiving
    
  • What does that mean, and how can we incorporate that in our prayers? Specifically thank God for:
    
    • their salvation;
      
    • particular service in the church or community;
      
    • spiritual change in their life;
      
    • spiritual knowledge;
      
    • spiritual encouragement given through a word or testimony;
      
    • the person's genuine concern or willingness to find out about me;
      
    • the person's follow-up on my prayer requests
      
  • What would another person thank God about me? And who would do that?
    

  Eph 1:17-20 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
  

• Let's look deeper at other aspects of biblical prayer. Let's list what Paul prays and discuss what that means (or how that looks)
  
  • God would give a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him better
    
    • First of all, what does the previous verses 13 and 14 say? We have the Spirit as a seal and deposit
      
    • So then, this would not be the Holy Spirit. It is called "a spirit of wisdom and revelation" in all other translations except NIV. The NIV does have a footnote saying that it could be translated "a spirit" -- not clear why they went with "the Spirit" denoting the Holy Spirit. AMP says "a spirit of wisdom and revelation of insight into mysteries and secrets." Message says "to make you intelligent and discerning"
      
    • So what does that mean? What are we praying for when we pray that for someone?
      
      • Insight in to the scriptures -- assumes what? They are in the scriptures
        
      • Focus is on the relationship aspect, ie, to know him better. So it is not just head knowledge (the word used, epignosis refers to exact, complete, and experiential knowledge of God)
        
        • Discussion on QT: Suggestions for different ways to have QT
          
        • A few verses at a time and a QT journal
          
        • A few chapters at a time and a short journal entry
          
        • A store produced journal with a thought, verse, and area to write
          
        • Really need two-way communication. I don't think it is sufficient just to read the word. I think there has to be engagement. It could be prayer afterwards reflecting on God's word
          
  • God would enlighten the eyes of their hearts so that they would understand their hope
    

    Eph 1:18 (NIV) By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),…
    

    Eph 1:18 (MESSAGE) your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians,
    

    Eph 1:18 (NLT) I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
    

    • What does it all mean?
      
      • We don't see very well with our earthly eyes
        

        2 Cor 4:17-18 (NIV) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
        

    • Spiritual focus to life
      
      • Recognizing that our inheritance, our retirement reward, our real hope is not found in this life but in the life to come
        
    • What happens when we do that to how we live this life?
      
      • We begin to see what God is doing and not what we want to do with life
        
      • Earthly life takes on less importance
        
      • We move from narcissism to servanthood. It is not about what I can get out of life to make me happy. I have a reward. I am not missing out on anything by sacrificing for others or for the sake of the gospel
        
      • It is a change in the basic structure of how we think about life
        
  • The third is a continuation of enlightened eyes. To know the incomparable power available to us
    
    • The power was displayed in raising Christ back from the dead
      
    • The Greek word, dynamis, refers to a spiritually dynamic living force. Other descriptive terms include: working, strength, might, and mighty
      
    • Why does the believer need God's strength?
      
      • It is too easy to give up
        
      • It is too easy to believe I am a failure
        
      • It is natural to try to live the Christian life in our own strength
        
        • Butler article on "Why I'm not a Committed Christian"
          
        • Tson described the difference, "When you make a ommitment, you are still in control, no matter how noble the thing you commit to. One can commit to pray, to study the Bible, to give his money, or to commit to automobile payments, or to lose weight. Whatever he chooses to do, he commits to. But surrender is different. If someone holds a gun and asks you to lift your hands in the air as a token of surrender, you don't tell that person what you are committed to. You simply surrender and do as you are told. . . . Americans love commitment because they are still in control. But the key word is surrender. We are to be slaves to the Lord Jesus Christ."
          

          Pasted from <http://www.navpress.com/dj/content.aspx?id=4422>
          

      • What am I, a committed Christian, or a surrendered Christian? Maybe if I surrendered, I would be less likely to do things in my own strength
        

  Eph 1:21-23 (NIV) … far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
  

• Why is Paul reminding the Ephesians that Jesus is above all rule and authority, power and dominion?
  
  • The Jews would have seen those words as referring to evil angelic powers
    
  • We do not need to worry about what evil could, can, or has done to us. We have a different prize which cannot be taken away from us. We have a true future and a hope. The enemy wants to zap us of our strength by keeping us focused on the material aspects of life
    
• Everything is subject to Christ. Obviously, we don't see that now. So what is Paul saying?
  
  • It could be referring to the millennial rule of Christ
    
  • It is a present true statement but evil is allowed to run its course until the time of judgment which will occur during the tribulation period
    
• We are Christ's body, the church, now on earth. The time of judgment is coming. We are a sort of firstfruits that will judge the world. We are to be surrendered to his authority as an example to the world. Christ is making his appeal to the world through us
  
  • Individually, I believe that what is true of the church ought to be true of us as individuals
    
  • What does my life show to those around me

Eph 1:1-4

• Background:
  
  • Prison epistle (w. Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians)
    
  • First imprisonment in Rom (62 AD). Acts 28-16-31
    
  • Second imprisonment (2 Timothy)
    
  • Strong emphasis on "mystery" and the church, and love
    

  Outline (reference, Constable, 2010 -- here and throughout the notes)
  

• Salutation 1:1-2
  
• The Christian's calling 1:3—3:21
  
  • Individual calling 1:3—2:10
    
    • The purpose: glory 1:3-14
      
    • The means: knowledge 1:15-23
      
    • The motive: grace 2:1-10
      
  • Corporate calling 2:11-3:19
    
    • Present unity 2:11-22
      
    • Past ignorance 3:1-13
      
    • Future comprehension 3:14-19
      
  • Doxology 3:20-21
    
• The Christian's conduct 4:1—6:20
  
  • Spiritual walk 4:1—6:9
    
    • Walking in unity 4:1-16
      
    • Walking in holiness 4:17-32
      
    • Walking in love 5:1-6
      
    • Walking in light 5:7-14
      
    • Walking in wisdom 5:15—6:9
      
  • Spiritual warfare 6:10-20
    
• Conclusion 6:21-24
  

  Eph 1:1-2 (NIV) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
  

  To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
  

  2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
  

• The term "apostle" has a general meaning and a specific meaning.
  
  • It means "sent one"
    
  • It also refers to the 12 or Paul, those who had seen the risen Christ
    
• Paul calls the recipient "saints" (Gr, hagiois, meaning holy ones)
  
  • While the letter here is addressed to Ephesus, there is some argument that the letter was meant to be circulated among the churches
    
  • Very little personal information
    
• Grace and peace were common in Paul's greetings
  
  • Grace, Gr charis, meaning God's unmerited favor
    
  • Peace, Gr eiren,is our condition resulting from God's grace
    

  Eph 1:3-10 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
  

• Verses 3-14 are one sentence in the Greek text.
  

God and Father	Blessed us in heavenly realms	Every spiritual blessing in Christ
	Chose us before the creation of the world	To be holy and blameless in his sight
	Predestined us	To be adopted as his sons
In Him (the son)	Redemption (through his blood)
	Forgiveness of sins
	Lavished on us (the riches of God's grace)	With all wisdom and understanding
	Made known to us	The mystery of his will

• What does it mean he chose us?
  
  • "It [election] involves a paradox that the New Testament does not seek to resolve, and that our finite minds cannot fathom. Paul emphasizes both the sovereign purpose of God and man's free will." (Francis Foulkes)
    
  • Here is a vast host of people hurrying down the broad road with their minds fixed upon their sins, and one stands calling attention to yonder door, the entrance into the narrow way that leads to life eternal. On it is plainly depicted the text, 'Whosoever will, let him come.' Every man is invited, no one need hesitate. Some may say, 'Well, I may not be of the elect, and so it would be useless for me to endeavor to come, for the door will not open for me.' But God's invitation is absolutely sincere; it is addressed to every man, 'Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely' (Rev. 22:17). If men refuse to come, if they pursue their own godless way down to the pit, whom can they blame but themselves for their eternal judgment? The messenger addressed himself to all, the call came to all, the door could be entered by all, but many refused to come and perished in their sins. Such men can never blame God for their eternal destruction. The door was open, the invitation was given, they refused, and He says to them sorrowfully, 'Ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life.' (H A Ironside)
    
• What does it mean to be predestined?
  
  • Predestination is the mean by which God chose to save us. Election emphasizes the people, and predestination the means
    
  • God predetermined the final destiny of the elect, namely, that we would be His full-fledged sons (cf. Rom. 8:15, 23; Gal. 4:4-7). Jesus Christ was the agent who made that adoption possible by His death. Sons adopted in Roman culture received the same rights and privileges as children born into the family. Likewise our adoption does not imply an inferior status in relation to God. God predestined us to adoption because He delighted to bless us in this way. (Constable)
    
• What is redemption? (Chart from Constable, Notes on Ephesians, 2010)
  

  
  

  • New testament uses 6 different words for redemption. We were bought back (interesting concept) by a ransom price. The price was blood, representative of life, from a perfect sacrifice
    
    • Immediate result is forgiveness
      
    • Adoption gives us immediate access to our inheritance
      
• What is the mystery of his will?
  
  • First, what is a mystery? The NT uses the term "mystery" to refer to a truth previously hidden but now made known by divine revelation
    
  • The mystery is that God's purpose is to bring everything into submission to the son
    
  • When does this happen?
    
    • The word for administration is oikonomia, and is not translated in the NIV, means dispensation, arrangement, or administration
      
      • Eph 1:9-10 (NASB) He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
        
    • Word for times is kairos, meaning particular times, rather than the passage of time
      

  Eph 1:11-14 (NIV) In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory.
  

• In this section, there is a "we" and a "you." Any thought as to what Paul was referring?
  
  • "We" could be Jewish believers
    
  • "You" could be Gentile believers
    
  • The "also" shows continuity while also marking the discontinuity
    
• So, given that understanding, what would predestined being referring to?
  
  • God chose the Jews to believe first because they were always part of his plan to take the message to the world
    
  • Acts 3:25-26 (NIV) And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."
    
  • Rom 1:16 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
    
• This is a strong statement (vs 11) about the sovereignty of God. What does sovereignty mean to you?
  
  • He allows
    
  • He intervenes when appropriate to his will
    
  • He lets people experience the consequence of their sin AND
    
  • He lets people experience the general effect of sin (so that they repent or seek God)
    
• What is the result of believing?
  
  • Being sealed by the Holy Spirit
    
• When does the sealing occur?
  
  • At the same moment of belief, and not a separate event
    
  • Whereas "filling" is a repeatable event (not a single event)
    
    • Eph 5:18 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
      
  • Are only Gentile believers "sealed?" No, it says "you also"
    
• Deposit, Gr word arrabon, was a regular feature of the Greek business world. The arrabon was a part of the purchase price of anything paid inadvance as a guarantee that the rest of the price should in due time be paid."(Barclay)
  
• The nine spiritual blessings Paul identified in verses 3-14 are election, predestination, adoption, grace, redemption, forgiveness, knowledge, sealing, and inheritance. Stott summarized them as three: past election, present adoption, and future unification.

Class Notes, 2 Cor 7:5-9:15

2 Cor 7:5 (NIV) For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn — conflicts on the outside, fears within.

• How does Paul's description of his life contrast with the health and wealth gospel that some churches preach? In definite contrast
• How would they respond to this verse? Persecution is different from other sufferings
• If persecution is accepted under the health and wealth gospel, that raises two questions
  • Why is it that the ones who walk more closely to Christ are more likely to be persecuted?
  • And, doesn't that encourage a shallow walk with God, since health and wealth come to those who believe but don't live in a way to upset the apple cart?
• QT NOTE: Paul had a very tough life. There were joys but quite often it was difficult. It was far from the health and wealth gospel that some would like to preach. Of course, people make a distinction between troubles that are the result of persecution and non-persecution. It is as if that those who suffer persecution have no rescue from their troubles, but those who face trials not caused by persecution have the promise of healthy bodies and fixed circumstances. So, the really godly, those who are often the victim of persecution are consigned to live lives of pain and suffering, and those who are not persecuted get the good life. How illogical. Why is it we believe such things. Don't we realize that the evil and pain in this world is the result of this world's rebellion to God that started in the garden. This world is not our home. We are aliens and sojourners in it. We are, as the song says, "just a passin through." And, "our treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue." Why is it we must have our reward here and now? Why is it that we cannot wait for our reward?
  2 Cor 7:6-16 (NIV) But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. 
  8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it — I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.
  In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you. 
• This is another very personal section. We learn two things from this section
  • Paul had sent a hurtful letter to the Corinthians
  • The Corinthians had responded with godly sorrow and repentance
• Regarding Paul's letter, he did and he didn't regret it. What is he saying?
  • He regretted it because he did not want to hurt them
  • He didn't regret it because he knew they needed it
• What does Paul's attitude tell you about how he saw his relationship to the Corinthians?
  • He was like a parent. He doesn't want to hurt, but he knows it is the best thing
• How do the Corinthians respond?
  • Hurt
  • Deeply sorrowful (godly sorrow)
  • Alarm, indignation, longing, concern, and readiness to see justice done
• How could the Corinthians responded?
  • Bitterness and resentment
  • Superficial repentance
• It is not clear what Paul means by "innocent" since they were genuinely sorrowful ...
• QT NOTE: Paul is extremely joyful because of the response of the church to a very harsh letter now lost. It hurts when your children, physical or spiritual, make poor choices. And there is no greater joy than seeing them repent and make correct choices. I pray that for my own children. That they would learn to seek God with all of their heart, and that they would learn that what this world offers is not worth the sweat it costs. But knowing God is worth every penny and then more. 
• QT NOTE: Some people wonder how a good God can allow evil in the world. I would offer, how can a good God not allow evil. Evil is a reminder of our rebellion and the only hope that we might turn from our selfish course and pursue God, who created Eden, but has let us experience this life in order that we would repent of our rebellion and return to him. Evil is the proof that life is not the way that God intended, nor the way to a relationship with God that will completely fulfill a person. If God was to take away every evil action or result, what we would learn, what would we do? The one thing it would not do is cause us to seek Him. It didn't work in the garden, it won't work today.
  2 Cor 8:1-9 (NIV) And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6 So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 
  8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
• A number of principles for giving come out of this passage -- what do you see?
• V1. Giving is an act of grace (which differentiates it from something in or out of the law, ie, it can not be compared to tithing)
• V2. Circumstances (wealth or poverty) do not dictate giving
• V2,3. Giving is sacrificial
• V3,4. Giving is a personal decision. It is a privilege and not a command
• V5. Giving is between the giver and God (and no one else's business)
• V4-8. Giving is not commanded
• V8. Giving is a measure of our love for others
• APPLICATION: The church today is so hung up on tithing and the ten commandments (the law), that we forget one of the most essential truths of the new covenant. We are not under the law but grace. Giving is done freely, voluntarily, and between God and the giver. It is a joy and not a burden.
  2 Cor 8:10-15 (NIV) And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 
  13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15 as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." 
• From an observation point of view, verse 10 tells us what? The Corinthian church led in the project to help the Jewish church
• The mentioning of their start may also be communicating a problem (at the same time)? They may have dropped the project
• What are some addition principles of giving?
  • V11-12. It does not matter how much you give, the important thing is "willingness"
  • V13. God does not want others to get rich at the giver's expense (think televangelist)
  • V14-15. Giving out of your plenty is not wrong. But holding back can result in having too little later
  2 Cor 8:18-21 (NIV)
  18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
• What are some additional principles related to giving?
  • V18,19. Choose men of good character and acceptable to the body to handle the money
  • V20,21. Go the extra mile to avoid criticism in the use of church funds
  • V20,21. Do what is right in the eyes of the Lord and in the eyes of men
  2 Cor 9:1-15 (NIV) There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we — not to say anything about you — would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. 
  6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:
  "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
  his righteousness endures forever." 
  10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 
  12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 
• Why was this church giving project so important?
  • It was an example to smaller churches
  • It reflects on the name of Christ (implied)
  • (not mentioned) It shows Gentile concern for Jewish needs
  • It is needed by the poor in Jerusalem
• Additional giving principles
  • V5-7. Giving is done willingly, and not grudgingly
  • V6-9. Giving is sowing
  • V11-12. Giving expresses thankfulness to God
• What are God's promises regarding giving?
  • V6. There is a blessing to those who sow generously
  • V6. There is a "curse" to those sow sparingly
  • V7,8. God promises to make grace abound to the giver
  • V10-11. God promises to enlarge your harvest of righteousness
  • V11. God promises to make you rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion (?)
• The last point doesn't seem to fit and can be misinterpreted
  • Gal 6:7-9 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
  • Rich in every way does not mean financially wealthy, otherwise there would be no reason to give to the Jerusalem church. From verses in other letters, God does expect the "rich" to give generously
  • (Constable, p81, 2010) Preachers of "prosperity theology" have used these verses to support their contention that God will inevitably give you more material goods if you give what you presently have to Him. They often urge their hearers to give to God through their ministries. However Paul was comparing what God does on the physical plane with what He does spiritually. The farmer who plants a crop gets back more seed than he sowed. Similarly, Paul argued, those who sow spiritually by giving sacrificially to others will receive more spiritual seed, namely, divine enablement to help more people (vv. 8-9). Moreover God will not just supply more spiritual seed, but He will multiply it.
    Generally what we give away is what we get back. That is the principle in view. However this is not a promise that we will inevitably get more wealth if we give away our wealth. The opposite usually happens. In Galatians 6:7 the emphasis is on "that" rather than "reap." Paul's point there was that we reap in kind what we sow (cf. Gal. 6:8). He did not say that we will get back more of whatever we sow. "In everything" implies that God may give generous Christians more material resources that they can pass on to others. However, we should remember that the context is primarily dealing with righteousness that comes back to the person who sows righteous acts, not Rolls Royces and Rolex watches.