The Start of Fall 2019
The first and second Corinthians and Joshua make up the main curriculum of the Korean Bible Study group for the year 2019-2020. What stands out is a unique order proposed by The Korean Bible Study Committee: 2 Corinthians, Joshua, then 1 Corinthians. The obvious question is why 2 Corinthians is placed before 1 Corinthians. Furthermore, what is the relation between the book of Joshua and the letters to the Corinthians? I believe that some part of the fun associated with this year’s bible study would be a slow unfolding of the reason for this “eccentric” study curriculum order.
The Overall Impression of the first and second Corinthians
Long. Compared to the other letters written by the apostle Paul, two letters to the Corinthians are significantly longer. In reference, most other letters have fewer than six chapters and the second lengthiest letter, the book of Romans, has sixteen chapters. The total chapters written for the Corinthians, including both the first and second letters, amount to twenty nine. Besides, some scholars believe that there could be up to two additional letters written by Paul to the Corinthians. If two addition letters are included, the total length of the Corinthians could have been close to fifty chapters. Compared to this volume, many other letters (Galatians, Philippians, Colossians and others) are significantly shorter, usually fewer than six chapters.
Why such a long letter?
My hypothesis is that the length of the letter is positively correlated to the degree of trouble that the recipients of the letter caused. The book of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel contain long prophetic message most of which were warning, to the people in northern Israel and southern Judah. In His love, God continued to reach out to His people with many, lengthy words because His people were not listening and causing many troubles.
What God was to the Israelites in the Old Testament, Paul to the Corinthians in the New Testament. Paul’s long letter reflects both his love and heartbreak toward the Corinthians. As God continued to pursue His people, Paul continued to reach out to the Corinthians. Church in Corinth suffered from an internal division, sexual immorality, deception from false teachers, rebellious attitude toward Paul, and false idea of Jesus Christ. Because of Paul’s relentless love toward the Corinthians, Paul’s letters had become lengthy, consisting of exhortation, firm rebuke, and warning.
Never, Never, Never Give up
Some chapters in the second Corinthians clearly demonstrate Paul’s resolute determination not to lose the Corinthians to the false teachings of the false teachers. Paul deployed all of his arsenals to protect his people – rebuke, his credentials as an apostle, his extraordinary visions and revelations – from false teachings. He was fully engaged in this war for the sake of the Church of Corinth. In fact, I found many references to spiritual warfare in the second Corinthians.
Instead of looking all chapters of the second Corinthians, I plan to share my thoughts on the first, second, fourth and twelfth chapters of the second letter to the Corinthians.
Give Life 