2 Corinthians Summary and Bible Study [FREE PDF]

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This 2 Corinthians summary by Chapter, gives you a breakdown of Paul’s teachings about depending on God, hope, the fear of the Lord, Old vs New Covenant and breaking down strongholds.

*Disclaimer: As these are my personal notes, please only use them as reference points and study the Bible for yourself to get a deeper revelation of God’s word.

*Note: Bible verses below are taken from the ESV translation.

2 Corinthians Bible Study PDF overview

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2 Corinthians Chapter 1

Relying on God

Beginning at verse 4 we see why many of us may go through certain trials in life.

Trials not only strengthen us, by they also test our faith, so that we may become perfect and complete without lack (James 1:2-8).

It is during these trials that the comfort and peace that Christ bestows upon us is magnified and we learn to shall this same comfort with others.

In verse 8, Paul talks about the troubles they have been through in Asia, that was far beyond what they could handle, but God rescued them as they fully relied on Him.

The importance on depending on God’s grace rather than human wisdom is explained in verse 12.

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus talks in great detail about the power of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26, John 14:16, John 16:7-8, John 16:13-14.

Paul also reminds them of the power of the Holy Spirit in verses 21-22.

2 Corinthians Chapter 2

There are two sections to Chapter 2 of this book. The first is about forgiving the sinner, explained in verses 5-13, and the next is about the victory for the ministers of the New Covenant, received through Christ Jesus in verses 14 onwards.

2 Corinthians Chapter 3

Old Covenant VS New Covenant

In this Chapter, Paul goes over the difference between the Old and New Covenant in verses 7-18.

Old CovenantNew Covenant
Etched in stone tabletsEtched on people’s hearts
Ministry of condemnationMinistry of righteousness
Moses face shone with God’s glory that faded awayThe Glory of the New Covenant remains forever
Minds covered by a veil that cannot see the truthVeil in removed when believing in Christ

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:16-17

2 Corinthians Chapter 4

Light of the Gospel

Jesus said that He is the Light of the World. Study ➡ John 8:12

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world.

This is why in 2 Corinthians 4:6 Pauls says,

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. (NLT)

Study ➡ 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Clay Jars

Glory be to God! Verses 7-9.

We are afflictedBut not crushed
PerplexedBut not in despair
PersecutedBut not forsaken
Struck downBut not destroyed

Do not Lose Hope

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

2 Corinthians Chapter 5

Philippians 3:20 tells us that our citizenship is in Heaven, not earth, which is again relayed in verses 1-4.

Our Goal as Believers – To Please Him

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Importance of the Fear of the Lord

Fear of the Lord is knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), hatred of evil (Proverbs 8:13) and fear of the Lord results in humility (Proverbs 15:33).

Old Life is Gone; New Life has Come

He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:15

Verses 17-21 is a powerful reminder of the love of God, displayed through Christ.

Old TestamentNew Testament
Genesis 2:17But God brought us back to eternal life through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
Jeremiah 31:34Through Christ, God no longer counts our sins (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 44:22Christ who never sinned, became a sin offering for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Also study ➡ Isaiah 43:19

2 Corinthians Chapter 6

Patience and Endurance

Endurance is vital in following Christ and this was part of Paul’s troubles. But Jesus said in Mark 13:13, And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Paul talks about his trials in verses 5-10, yet they faithfully preached the truth.

Yet we are the temple of the living God, what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16

2 Corinthians Chapter 7

God Helps us through Battles

Even though Paul faced hardships in every directions, God sent him comfort (verses 6-7).

Importance of Repentance

Study verses 9-11

2 Corinthians Chapter 8

This Chapter talks about the importance of giving out of the goodness of our hearts.

Check out these bible verses on giving to others in need, and by giving to others we demonstrate the love of God.

2 Corinthians Chapter 9

God loves a Cheerful Giver

The willingness in giving joyfully explained in verses 2-5.

Verses 6-7 echoes what Jesus said in Luke 6:38.

God is our provider

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 2 Corinthians 9:10 (NLT)

2 Corinthians Chapter 10

This Chapter talks about why it is better to boast about the Lord, rather than in our own ability to perform.

From verses 3-5, Paul talks about breaking down strongholds not by human ways but by Godly ways.

Bible study on Pride ➡ 2 Corinthians 10:12

Paul also explains that when he boasts, he only boasts about the work of God (Jeremiah 9:24) and not of himself (verse 13).

2 Corinthians Chapter 11

False Apostles

This Chapter talks about the enemies plan to confuse God’s people through false apostles, who preach a different Gospel message (not the Gospel of Jesus) and through a different spirit (not the Spirit of God).

Recognising a false prophet can be difficult to someone who has not read the word of God, as they are difficult to identify, due to deceit and disguise (verse 13 and verse 15).

Even satan disguises himself as the angle of light (verse 14).

Trials

From verses 16-33, Paul talks about the multiple trials he faced during this journey. From being stoned, shipwrecked, faced danger and death many times and have often gone without food.

2 Corinthians Chapter 12

Our Weakness is Our Strength

Paul mentions having a vision and revelation of Heaven, and says he saw something that cannot be explained in words.

I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know, only God knows. 2 Corinthians 12:2 (NLT)

While this experience was worth boasting about, he kept it to himself for the fear of pride setting in. Verse 7 teaches us why pride is such a big hurdle in our walk with the Lord.

Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

Three times Paul asked God to remove this weakness, yet this was God’s response, and there was a good reason behind it.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

From verses 11:21, Paul explains that he had never been nor did he want to be a financial burden, as some claimed. For his main fear was that on his return to Corinth, he would still find people heavy in their sin and this is what grieved him the most.

2 Corinthians Chapter 13

Maturing in Christ

This closing Chapter gives us a glimpse into the power of Jesus Christ. Though he was crucified in weakness, He now reigns in victory.

Paul wants us to test ourselves so that the genuinness of our faith be revealed.

Pauls last words in this letter is powerful (verse 11):

  • Be joyful
  • Grow in maturity
  • Encourage each other
  • Live in peace and harmony

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