Scofield Reference Bible Notes/2 Corinthians

by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - 2 Corinthians

Read first chapter of 2 Corinthians
WRITER: The Apostle Paul
DATE: A.D. 60; probably from Philippi, after the events of Acts 19:23-20:1-3.
THEME: The Epistle discloses the touching state of the great apostle at this time. It was one of physical weakness, weariness, and pain. But his spiritual burdens were greater. These were two kinds--solicitude for the maintenance of the churches in grace as against the law-teachers, and anguish of heart over the distrust felt toward him by Jews and Jewish Christians. The chilling doctrines of the legalizers were accompanied by detraction, and by denial of his apostleship.
It is evident that the really dangerous sect in Corinth was that which said, "and I of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:12). They rejected the new revelation through Paul of the doctrines of grace; grounding themselves, probably, on the kingdom teachings of our Lord as "a minister of circumcision" (Romans 15:8); seemingly oblivious that a new dispensation had been introduced by Christ's death. This made necessary a defence of the origin and extent of Paul's apostolic authority.
The Epistle is in three parts:

• Paul's principles of action, 1:1-7-16.
• The collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, 8:1-9:15.
• Paul's defence of his apostolic authority, 10:1-13:14.

CHAPTER 1

Verse 4

comforteth
encourages; and so also where "comfort," etc., occurs in following verses.

Verse 6

salvation
(See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

Verse 12

grace
Grace (imparted). vs. 2 Corinthians 4:15; Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.

Verse 14

day of
(See Scofield "1 Corinthians 1:8").

CHAPTER 2

Verse 15

saved
(See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

CHAPTER 3

Verse 3

tables of
i.e. the ten commandments.

Verse 6

for the letter killeth
(See Scofield "Romans 7:6").

Verse 9

righteousness
(See Scofield "Romans 3:21").

Verse 14

vail
Omit the word italicized "vail".

Verse 18

Lord Jehovah.
Exodus 34:34.
changed into transformed. The same Greek word is rendered "transfigured" in Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2.

CHAPTER 4

Verse 1

Lord Jehovah.
Exodus 34:34.
changed into transformed. The same Greek word is rendered "transfigured" in Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2.

Verse 10

dying
Lit. putting to death, i.e. crucifixion. 11 1 Corinthians 15:31.

Verse 15

abundant grace
Grace (imparted). 2 Corinthians 6:1-3; Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.

CHAPTER 5

Verse 9

labour
(Greek - ἀβαρής^[1]).

Verse 10

For we must all appear
The judgment of the believer's works, not sins, is in question here. These have been atoned for, and are "remembered no more forever" Hebrews 10:17 but every work must come into judgment, ; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:10; Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:24,25. The result is "reward" or "loss" (of the reward), "but he himself shall be saved" 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
This judgment occurs at the return of Christ Matthew 16:27; Luke 14:14; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:12.
See other judgments:
(See Scofield "John 12:31") See Scofield "1 Corinthians 11:31" See Scofield "Matthew 25:32" See Scofield "Ezekiel 20:37" See Scofield "Jude 1:6" See Scofield "Revelation 20:12"

Verse 19

world kosmos = mankind. (See Scofield "Matthew 4:8").
tresspasses Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

Verse 21

sin Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").
righteous Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 5:21").

CHAPTER 6

Verse 1

sin Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").
righteous Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 5:21").

Verse 2

salvation
(See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

Verse 7

righteousness
(See Scofield "1 John 3:7").

Verse 14

righteousness (See Scofield "Romans 10:10").
unrighteousness Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

Verse 16

temple
(Greek - ναός^[2]," the sanctuary itself).

Verse 17

come out from among them
Separation, Summary:

• (1) Separation in Scripture is twofold: "from" whatever is contrary to the mind of God; and "unto" God Himself. The underlying principle is that in a moral universe it is impossible for God to fully bless and use His children who are in compromise or complicity with evil. The unequal yoke is anything which unites a child of God and an unbeliever in a common purpose Deuteronomy 22:10.
• (2) Separation from evil implies (a) separation in desire, motive, and act, from the world, in the ethically bad sense of this present world-system. (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8") and (b) separation from believers, especially false teachers, who are "vessels unto dishonour" 2 Timothy 2:20,21; 2 John 1:9-11.
• (3) Separation is not from contact with evil in the world or the church, but from complicity with and conformity to John 17:15; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 6:1.
• (4) The reward of separation is the full manifestation of the divine fatherhood 2 Corinthians 6:17,18 unhindered communion and worship Hebrews 13:13-15 and fruitful service 2 Timothy 2:21 as world-conformity involves the loss of these, though not of salvation. Here, as in all else, Christ is the model. He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners" Hebrews 7:26 and yet in such contact with them for their salvation that the Pharisees, who illustrate the mechanical and ascetic conception of separation (See Scofield "Matthew 3:7") , judged Him as having lost His Nazarite character. Luke 7:39 Cf ; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 10:27.

CHAPTER 7

Verse 1

perfecting
(See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").

Verse 6

comforteth
encourageth; so in 2 Corinthians 7:7.

Verse 10

salvation (See Scofield "Romans 1:16")
world kosmos = world-system. Galatians 6:14; John 7:7. (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8").

CHAPTER 8

Verse 1

Moreover
In 2Cor. 8., 9., the apostle sums up the Christian doctrine of giving. It may be thus summarized:

• (1) It is a "grace," i.e. a disposition created by the Spirit 2 Corinthians 8:7
• (2) In contrast with the law, which imposed giving as a divine requirement, Christian giving is voluntary, and a test of sincerity and love 2 Corinthians 8:8-12; 9:1,2,5,7
• (3) The privilege is universal, belonging, according to ability, to rich and poor 2 Corinthians 8:1-3,12-15; 1 Corinthians 16:1,2.
• (4) Giving is to be proportioned to income 2 Corinthians 8:12-14; 1 Corinthians 16:2. The O.T. proportion was the tithe, a proportion which antedates the law Genesis 14:20.
• (5) The rewards of Christian giving are (a) joy 2 Corinthians 8:2 (b) increased ability to give in proportion to that which has been already given 2 Corinthians 9:7-11 (c) increased thankfulness to God 2 Corinthians 9:12 (d) God and the Gospel glorified 2 Corinthians 9:13,14.

Verse 12

willing
See 2 Corinthians 8:10-12, (See Scofield "2 Corinthians 8:1").

CHAPTER 9

Verse 7

cheerful
(Greek - ναός^[3]).

Verse 9

righteousness
2 Corinthians 9:9,10. (See Scofield "1 John 3:7").

CHAPTER 11

Verse 6

rude
a simple person in speech.

Verse 7

offence
Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

Verse 15

righteousness
(See Scofield "1 John 3:7").

CHAPTER 12

Verse 2

third heaven
First heaven, of clouds; second, of stars; third, God's abode.

Verse 4

paradise
See note on hades, (See Scofield "Luke 16:23").

Verse 7

thorn
It has been conjectured that Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was chronic ophthalmia, inducing bodily weakness, and a repulsive appearance Galatians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 2:3,4; 2 Corinthians 10:10. This cannot be positively known, and the reserve of Scripture is as sure a mark of inspiration as its revelations. Paul's particular "thorn" is not described that his consolations may avail for all to who any thorn is given.

Verse 9

perfect in
(See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").

Verse 21

sinned
Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

CHAPTER 13

Verse 9

perfection
Perfecting. (See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").

Verse 11

perfect
Perfected. Cf. (See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").

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