2 Corinthians Bible Study: A Guide to God's Strength

Verses to read

• “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

• “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”

  2 Corinthians 5:17

• “He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.”

  2 Corinthians 12:9

Why did Paul write 2 Corinthians?

Paul wrote this letter to defend his work as a teacher. Some people in the city of Corinth were saying bad things about him. They thought a real leader should be rich and powerful. Paul wanted them to know that following Jesus is about being humble.

He also wrote to tell them he loved them. He had visited them before and it was a difficult trip. This letter helped fix their relationship. It teaches us how to be kind even when people are mean to us.

How does God comfort us?

One big theme in this book is comfort. Life can be very painful sometimes. Paul says that God is the 'Father of mercies.' This means He is very kind and wants to help those who are hurting.

When God comforts us, it is not just for our own sake. He gives us peace so that we can share it with others. If you see a friend who is sad, you can use the hope God gave you to help them feel better too.

What does it mean to be a new creation?

Paul tells the people that when they follow Jesus, they become new. He calls this being a 'new creation.' It means your old mistakes do not define you anymore. God gives you a fresh start.

This change happens on the inside. Your heart begins to love what God loves. Even if things on the outside stay the same for a while, your spirit is made brand new by God's love.

Why is weakness a good thing?

Most people want to be strong. But Paul says that he is happy to be weak. He had a physical problem that he called a 'thorn in the flesh.' He asked God to take it away, but God said no.

God told Paul that His grace is enough. Grace is God's free gift of love and help. When we realize we cannot do things on our own, we rely on God more. That is when His great power shows up the most in our lives.

What does 2 Corinthians say about giving?

Paul talks about how to give money and help to others. He says that God loves a 'cheerful giver.' This means we should not give because we feel forced to. We should give because we are happy to help.

Giving is a way to show thanks to God. When we share what we have, it shows that we trust God to take care of us. It brings the church together and helps people who are in need.

Common questions

Who wrote the book of 2 Corinthians?

The apostle Paul wrote this book. He was a leader in the early church who traveled to many cities to tell people about Jesus.

What is the main message of 2 Corinthians?

The main message is that God uses weak and hurting people to do great things. It focuses on God's comfort and the power of His grace.

What was Paul’s 'thorn in the flesh'?

The Bible does not say exactly what it was. It was likely a physical pain or a difficult problem that kept Paul humble and relying on God.

How can I apply 2 Corinthians to my life?

You can apply it by trusting God when you feel tired or sad. Remember that He is making you new and will give you the strength you need for today.