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 8:7-15 Inductive Bible Study - Outline, Key Words, Cross References, and Discussion Questions
Abound in Giving
Chapter 8:7-15
2 Co 8:7-15
7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
9 For” you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became , so that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
11 But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
13 For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality —
14 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
15 as it is written, "HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK."
Key Words
· Abound 2
· Abundance 2
· Love 2
· Rich 2
· Do 4
· Supply 2
· Need 2
· Much 2
· Readiness 2
· Gathered 2
· Equality 2
· Poor 1
Titles
Principles for Giving
Generous intentions should be realized by faithful actions
Abound in Giving
The Proof of Love
That There May be Equality
He Became Poor
Outline
I. Exhortation to abound in giving 7-8
II. Example of Jesus giving 9
III. Execute your plans 10-12
IV. Equality is aim 13-15
Cross References, Questions, Observations
7. But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also.
1 Co 1:5
5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,
Eph 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
2 Co 9:8
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;
Php 1:9
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
1 Th 4:9-10
9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
2 Th 1:3
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;
1 Pe 1:22
22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
2 Pe 1:5
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
2 Ti 2:1
2:1 Be Strong You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Pe 3:18
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
a) What did you learn from this verse?
1) The Christian life is a life of growth. Even though we might be doing well in other areas, God always wants us to be growing in areas where we are strong and in areas where we are weak.
2) God doesn’t want me to just get by in the Christian life. He wants me to abound!
8. I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.
2 Co 9:2
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
2 Co 6:6
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
2 Co 8:24
24 Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you.
Jas 2:14-16
14 Faith and Works What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
1 Pe 1:22
22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
1 Jn 3:17-19
17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
a) Why not simply make it a command?
b) How does giving demonstrate faith?
1)
9. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
Jn 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Ro 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Co 1:4
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
Eph 2:7
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Jn 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
Jn 16:15
15 " All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
Php 2:6-8
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Jn 1:14
14 The Word Made Flesh And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Ro 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Co 1:4
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
Eph 2:7
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Jn 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
Jn 16:15
15 " All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
Php 2:6-8
6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Col 1:16-17
16 For by Him all things were created,both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Jn 17:19
19 "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
Mt 20:28
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Lk 2:7
7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Php 2:7-8
7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Ro 8:32
32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Jas 2:5
5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
a) List the “riches of Christ”
b) List the “poverty of Christ
c) Describe the gift that He gives believers
d) Describe our former poverty
e) Describe a believer’s wealth
1)
10. I give my opinion in this matter, for this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to do this, but also to desire to do it.
2 Co 9:2
2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
1 Co 7:25
25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
a) Why is there sometimes a disconnect between what we desire to do and what we actually do?
b) When Paul states his opinion in this matter, how does the authority of this differ from Scriptures that essentially communicate, “Thus says the Lord”?
1)
11. But now finish doing it also, so that just as there was the readiness to desire it, so there may be also the completion of it by your ability.
Ex 35:5
5' Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD'S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze,
Pr 3:28
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.
1 Co 16:2
2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.
2 Ti 4:7
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
a) What does it say about our desire and/or ability when we fail to complete a task?
1)
12. For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Ex 25:2
2 " Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.
Ex 35:5
5' Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the LORD'S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze,
Ex 35:21-22
21 Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD'S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.
22 Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold; so did every man who presented an offering of gold to the LORD.
Mk 12:42-44
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
Lk 16:10
10 " He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
2 Co 9:7
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
a)
1)
13. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality —
Ac 4:34-35
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales
35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Php 4:19
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Ti 6:17-18
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
2 Th 3:10
10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
a) How does this differ from pure Communism?
1)
14. at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality;
Jos 19:9
9 The inheritance of the sons of Simeon was taken from the portion of the sons of Judah, for the share of the sons of Judah was too large for them; so the sons of Simeon received an inheritance in the midst of Judah's inheritance.
Ac 2:44
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
1 Jn 3:17
17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
a) What are your thoughts on “equality” being a goal of giving?
1)
15. as it is written, "HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK."
Ex 16:18
18 When they measured it with an omer, he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; every man gathered as much as he should eat.
Mt 25:28-29
28'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.'
29 " For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
Mt 6:33
33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
a) Where else do you see this principle in life?
1)
Key Verse
9 For” you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
Central Teaching
I am to voluntarily and faithfully give to those in need according to how the Lord has prospered me.
Application - Make Your Own!
Continue praying about giving to a certain ministry.
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