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 12.
2 Corinthians 12:14-21 Inductive Bible Study - Outline, Key Words, Cross References, and Discussion Questions
Investing in the Lives of Others
Chapter 12:14-21
2 Co 12:14-21
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.
17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
Key Words
· Burden 2
· Parents 2
· Children 2
· Sent 2
· I am afraid 2
· Come 3
· Advantage 2
· You/your 17
· Titus 2
· Wish 2
· I 21
·
Titles
Not Burdening
Loving More
All for Your Upbuilding
What is an Apostle Afraid of?
Outline
I. Expending – not burdening 14-16
II. Ditto for Titus 17-18
III. All for their upbuilding 19
IV. Paul’s apprehension 20-21
Cross References, Questions, Observations
14 Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
2 Co 13:2
2 I have previously said when present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that if I come again I will not spare anyone,
2 Co 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. EVERY FACT IS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.
1 Co 10:33
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
Php 4:17
17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
1 Th 2:8
8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
1 Pe 5:2-3
2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;
3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
Ge 24:36
36 "Now Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has.
Pr 13:22
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
Pr 19:14
14 House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
a) What was Paul’s explanation for not being a burden to them?
b) What general principle can we draw from this?
1) Chinese culture is at odds with this Biblical principle.
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
Ro 9:3
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,
Jn 12:24
24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit .
Jn 10:10-11
10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
11 " I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Php 2:17
17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Col 1:24
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.
1 Th 2:8
8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
2 Ti 2:10
10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
1 Pe 2:24
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
a) How does this compare to the way most people relate?
b) When you related this way, how do people respond?
c) What are the dangers of relating in this way?
1) Love draws people to Christ.
16 But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am, I took you in by deceit.
2 Co 11:9
9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.
2 Co 12:13
13 For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
2 Co 4:2
2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2 Co 7:2
2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
1 Th 2:3
3 For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit;
Gal 6:2
2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Isa 53:4
4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
1 Pe 2:24
24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
a) What do you think about someone being a burden on others?
b) What are a few ways we can help bear the burdens of others?
1) Jesus was the ultimate, supreme burden bearer!
17 Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I?
1 Co 4:17
17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
1 Co 16:10
10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am.
Mt 28:20
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
2 Ti 2:2
2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
a) How do people usually respond when taken advantage of?
1)
18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take any advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
2 Co 2:12-13
12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord,
13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.
2 Co 7:2
2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
2 Co 8:18
18 We have sent along with him the brother whose fame in the things of the gospel has spread through all the churches;
2 Co 8:16-17
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
2 Co 8:22
22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found diligent in many things, but now even more diligent because of his great confidence in you.
Php 2:19-22
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
Ne 5:14
14 Moreover, from the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor's food allowance.
Ac 20:33-35
33 " I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes.
34 "You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.
35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Ro 4:12
12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.
1 Pe 2:21
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
a) What “same steps” is Paul referring to here?
1)
19 All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
Isa 53:7
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
1 Co 9:12
12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
1 Co 10:33
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.
1 Co 14:26
26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
2 Co 10:8
8 For even if I boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be put to shame,
2 Co 13:10
10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
Ro 15:2
2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
1 Co 8:1
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
1 Co 10:23
23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
1 Co 14:4-5
4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying .
1 Co 14:26
26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
Eph 4:29
29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Eph 4:15
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
1 Co 16:14
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
a)
1) Much is said and done “in the name of Christ” that is not upbuilding.
20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
1 Co 4:18-20
18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power.
20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.
2 Co 11:3
3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
Jn 15:8
8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
2 Co 2:3
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.
2 Co 10:10
10 For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible."
Jn 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 " By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
a) Why might Paul expect to find these things?
b) How might Paul differ from their expectations.
1)
21 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
1 Jn 5:18
18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.
Mt 3:8
8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;
Mt 11:20-21
20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.
21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Mk 1:15
15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Lk 5:32
32 "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
Lk 15:7
7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance .
Ac 11:18
18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
Ro 2:4
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
2 Co 7:10
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.
2 Pe 3:9
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
a)
1) It is not merely sin, but unrepentant sin that is a cause for mourning.
Key Verse
15 I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
Central Teaching
The focus of the Christian life should be giving and serving rather than receiving.
Application - Make Your Own!
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