Power in Weakness: The Message of 2nd Corinthians (Paul's Greeting - 1:1-11)

In Second Corinthians, the Apostle Paul explored how God’s power works best in our weakness and how God offers comfort when we’re frustrated and discouraged. He also challenged the Corinthians to give for the sake of others and to share the message of reconciliation. We’re following the outline below:

• Session 1 - Paul’s Greeting (1:1-11)
• Session 2 - A Change in Plans (1:12 – 2:4)
• Session 3 - Forgiveness (2:5-17)
• Session 4 - God’s New Agreement (3:1-18)
• Session 5 - Treasure in Clay Jars (4:1-15)
• Session 5 - Hope (4:16 – 5:10)
• Session 6 - Bringing People to God (5:11 – 6:13)
• Session 7 - The Temple of God (6:14 – 7:1)
• Session 8 - Paul’s Joy (7:2-16)
• Session 9 - Rules for Giving (8:1-24)
• Session 10 - Money for God’s (9:1-24)
• Session 11 - A Major Shift in Tone  (10:1-18)
• Session 12 - False Prophets (11:1-15)
• Session 13 - Suffering (11:16 – 12:13)
• Session 14 - A Coming Visit (12:14 – 13:4)
• Session 15 - In Conclusion (13:5-13)

During our first session, we discussed the letter's background and Paul's greeting (2 Corinthians 1:1-11). The discussion and passage follow.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 [New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition]

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

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

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.

We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia, for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many may give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.