These small group study notes on the book of 2nd Corinthians contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, lessons to learn, and applications. Feel free to print them, copy them, or share them. I only ask that you remember these are are personal study notes and are only meant as a supplement to your own study, not a replacement. May God be glorified! Visit our inductive Bible study main page for more studies on this and other books of the Bible. See the bottom of the page for the rest of the study on 2 Corinthians chapter 2.
2 Corinthians 2:1-8 Inductive Bible Study - Outline, Key Words, Cross References, Teaching Notes, and Discussion Questions
Time to Love
Chapter 2:1-8
2 Cor 2:1-8
1 But I determined this for my own sake, that I would not come to you in sorrow again. 2 For if I cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? 3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.
5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree — in order not to say too much — to all of you. 6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
Other Titles
Restoring the Offender
Why Paul Didn’t Visit
Love Takes Different Forms
Excessive Sorrow is Counterproductive
Key Words
· Sorrow 8
· Joy / Rejoice 3
· Caused 3
· Love 2
Outline
I. The Letter 1-4
II. The Restoration 5-8
Questions
1. How can sorrow be beneficial?
2. In what ways did Paul show his love for the Corinthians?
3. What was the sin of the man who had received church discipline? 1 Cor 5:1,2
4. What is the purpose of church discipline?
5. Describe the effect of church discipline upon this man.
6. When should punishment be replaced by comfort?
7. How can excessive sorrow affect an individual?
8. Contrast constructive sorrow with destructive sorrow.
Observations / Comments
1. Church discipline can be very effective with a true believer.
2. The purpose of church discipline is to bring someone to their knees, not to destroy them.
3. Repentance and restoration is always the goal of church discipline.
4. Repentance is what the Lord requires of us and is very pleasing to Him.
5. Sorrow can be a very productive emotion.
6. Love often requires us to make tough decisions in relationships.
7. Usually those we love bring us the greatest sorrow or the greatest joy.
8. Confronting issues head-on is very difficult, but necessary.
Cross References
1. 1 Cor 4:21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
Phil 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
2. Matt 26:37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
Philem 20 Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.
3. Matt 27:3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
1 Cor 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
4. 2 Cor 7:8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it — for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while — 9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
2 Cor 12:15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
Prov 27:5 Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
5. Prov 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father
And bitterness to her who bore him.
Ps 78:40 How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness
Andgrieved Him in the desert!
41 Again and again they tempted God,
And pained the Holy One of Israel.
6. 1 Cor 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges.REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.
7. Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
2 Cor 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Phil 2:27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
8. Gal 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
1 Tim 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Key Verse
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.
Central Teaching
Godly sorrow is necessary to bring about true repentance which is essential before loving restoration takes place.
Application - Make Your Own!
When someone repents, give them an extra dose of love and acceptance.
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