2 Cor 5:11-21 Personal Study Guide
September 1, 2019

INTRODUCTION

This inductive Bible study is designed to walk you through a particular passage and help you study it thoroughly. It is divided into five parts or “steps” which will guide you from a larger, broader perspective down to a more narrow, tightened understanding of the text. This guide also contains additional components, such as Going Deeper and Further Study, to help you as you work through the text.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE
2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE
3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE
5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Beginning with the day after your growth group meets, we encourage you to get alone with God and follow the instructions provided in this guide. Each step has specific guidelines followed by questions. We trust if you faithfully use this study to meet with the LORD each day not only will your personal walk with the LORD grow deeper but your growth group experience will be enhanced as well.

This week we venture into 2 Corinthians and take a look at the ministry of reconciliation. The second book of Corinthians is much different than the first. Although they both were written by the Apostle Paul to the believers at Corinth, 2 Corinthians is a much more personal letter. Paul spends much time explaining and defending his ministry and apostleship, while encouraging the believers in the midst of suffering.

Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to trust in God in the midst of all circumstances and to continue to support the Christians in Jerusalem. The letter is deeply emotional, summed up by Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians in chapter 12 verse 15 that he would “most gladly spend and be spent for (their) souls.”

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE

Discovering the Passage seeks to get an overall idea of the meaning of the passage. Think bigpicture. Pray for God to open your eyes to the meaning of Scripture.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 three times

• First, read for general understanding of the passage
• Second, read looking for major themes
• Third, read trying to discern the main idea

Now, prayerfully and meditatively, answer the following questions below
Questions

  1. What point is Paul trying to make in this passage?

  2. According to verse 12 what is the issue Paul is addressing among the Corinthians?

  3. Do you see any elements of Paul defending his ministry or apostleship in this passage? If so, why does Paul choose these elements in particular?

  4. What is the message that Paul wants the Corinthians to persuade others to believe? Which verses speak to the specific nature of the message?

  5. Paul’s thinking shifts in verse 16 which necessitates a new paragraph. What is the shift in his thinking?

2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE

Identifying the Structure seeks to gain insight into why the author wrote the way he did. Try to think like the author. Pray for God to give you insight into the writing of the Scriptures.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 again*, looking for*:

• any connecting words in the passage (so that, for, because, etc.)
• the different types of sentences used (commands, questions, statements, rebukes, etc.)
• the divisions in the text (I.e. paragraphs, sentence breaks, etc.)

Now, prayerfully answer the questions below.

Questions

  1. After reading 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 how would you structure or divide this passage?

  2. Compare these sections of Scripture: 11-13, 14-17, and 18-21. Why would they be categorized together? What is similar and distinct among these groupings of verses?

  3. What is the main point in each of these sections?

  4. Why does Paul implore those who are already Christians to be reconciled to God? (v. 20)

3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS

Focusing on Key Words seeks to identify and contemplate the use and meaning of specific words or concepts within the text. Pray for God to open your eyes to words and concepts you’ve never seen before or have overlooked.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 again, paying attention to:

- repeated and/or emphasized words or names
- verbs (specifically those with unusual tenses)
- cross-references
- major themes

Now prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

  1. The name “Christ” is used six times in this passage but not once does Paul use “Jesus Christ.” What does “Christ” signify and why does Paul choose this moniker?

  2. . What comes to your mind when you hear the word “persuade”? Is it positive or negative, a casual suggestion or a passionate plea? Why does Paul use this word in v. 11?

GOING DEEPER: Wisdom

The Greek word (peithō) translated “persuade” here in 2 Corinthians 5:11 is used 52 times in the New Testament and it has the idea of attempting to influence someone to embrace a particular attitude or action. It can be used to speak of negatively influencing someone, which is the case in Matthew 27:20. The predominant usage of
this word in Scripture, however, is positive. “Persuade” is regularly used in the book of Acts in the context of evangelism. Acts 18 says that Paul “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” Paul sought to reasonably and compellingly convince the Jews and Greeks to repent and believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ.

Proclaiming the message of the Gospel to a lost and dying world ought to therefore be accompanied with an appropriate measure of persuasion. This is what Paul has in mind when he says “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Cor 5:11). It is the Lord who enables an unbeliever to respond to the Gospel in saving faith,
but all Christians have the responsibility to diligently and passionately proclaim
the message of the Gospel to others.

  1. What does it mean when Paul says the love of Christ controls us in v. 14?

  2. What does the term “reconciliation” mean? So then what is first assumed?

  3. Define: “ambassador.” How does this speak into the ministry of reconciliation?

FURTHER STUDY

  1. How does Paul’s assertion in v. 20 help us further understand “persuasion”?

  2. Paul says in v. 12 that he is giving the Corinthians cause to boast in him. What does he mean by “boast”?

4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE

Connecting to the Whole seeks to become aware of how key concepts and themes are seen elsewhere in Scripture. This is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Pray for God to help you see how this passage connects to the rest of the Bible.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 again, paying attention to how it builds and draws on other places in Scripture. Look for:

- common people, places, or ideas found other places in the Bible
- similar stories or phrases
- cross references

Now prayerfully and meditatively answer the questions below

Questions

  1. Paul comments in verse 11 that the Corinthians know “the fear of the Lord.” Why is this important? Cross reference 2 Cor. 7:11; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 15:13.

  2. Boasting is typically understood negatively as sinful. Considering 2 Cor. 1:12-14, how does this earlier text inform the boasting Paul calls them to in 5:12?

  3. Paul claims not to “regard anyone from a worldly point of view” in 2 Cor. 5:16. Read Matthew 9:36. How does Jesus’s view of people inform how we should view people?

  4. Paul uses the word “all” in verse 14. Does “all” mean everyone? Consider how is “all” clarified in John 1:12 and Roman 5:12-17 (hint: the clarifier is in verse 17).

  5. Read and reflect on Colossians 2:13-14. How does this further explain the idea of “reconciliation”?

5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Applying the Text seeks to see people changed as the Word of God is brought to bear in the lives of individuals and communities (growth groups). Pray for God to reveal to you where you need to change and have the courage to take action.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 again and:

  • write down any unanswered questions that remain
  • write a paraphrase, in your own words, of the passage
  • decide on an action step as a response of obedience to the passage (I.e. make a lost friend with which to share the gospel, commit to praying with your spouse 10 minutes a day, etc.)

Now, prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

  1. Is your life consumed with the ministry of reconciliation? Discuss in your growth group. Commit to a plan for announcing your “ones”. Begin praying individually and corporately for your “ones”.

  2. Think about your conversion experience. What was it about the gospel that persuaded you to believe?

  3. How do you see the love of Christ controlling your life, your family, your GG?

  4. Paul stated in verse 16 that he no longer regards people with a worldly point of view. Since becoming a Christian, how has your view of people changed?

  5. Everyone has fears and hesitations with evangelism. What are yours? How can we help each other overcome them.

FURTHER STUDY

  1. Describe a time in your life when you persuaded someone to do or believe something.

  2. Read 1 Cor. 6:9-11. Reflect on the point Paul makes in 2 Cor. 5:17 about a “new creation” and the “old” being gone. How does your life reflect that you are a new creation?

  3. Do you view your ambassadorship to Christ as a privilege? Explain.