Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS (Part 3):

So basically, what they did was they came into town, and they said, "We've come to know the Lord and we've been taught by the apostle Paul." So, the false teachers would say "Well, he might be the apostle Paul, but we are the super apostles!" They put themselves above Paul. And they are the ones that came in with the "health and wealth" doctrine.

That's kind of interesting because Paul sacrificed himself to make tents so that he would not have to take money from the people. But as soon as the false teachers came in, they said "Oh, he never taught you how to give."

And so, they gave what they had to these teachers and set them up pretty good, good housing, and good material things. And when Paul found out about it, he says "I sacrifice myself to not take your money. Forgive me for this wrong." You turn around and give it to false teachers, and I sacrifice so that you can hear the gospel and not be burdened down with finances. So false teachers had come into Corinth, and corrupted the church itself, addressed by 1 Corinthians.

And then we have the corruption of leadership addressed in 2 Corinthians. Everything in 2 Corinthians, all 13 chapters, has to do with ministry. Not ministers, but ministry. It is one of the greatest books in the bible if not the greatest book in the bible that teaches believers what those in the ministry are supposed to be doing, what their motive is, and what it's like to serve Christ.

But it is the blueprint of all ministry.

And as Paul is presenting it, it's not just for people who call themselves ministers, but every believer has a ministry. This is the blueprint for ministry as Paul compares himself with the false teachers, both in what they're teaching, and how they conduct their life and their motive for what they do. It is a tremendous book. Every believer should be held accountable, not only for what they do, but why they do it!