August 2026

Read 2 Corinthians 4:7–18. Make a list of Paul’s sufferings. How did he endure his sufferings?

John Huss, the great reformer of the old Bohemia, once said about Jesus, “He is Master of the world, and we are contemptible mortals—yet He suffered! Why, then, should we not suffer also, particularly when suffering is for us a purification?”—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 105.

Read 2 Corinthians 3:1–9. In what sense can we be an epistle of Christ?

Letters of recommendation were common in the Greco-Roman world. However, Paul did not bear such letters. The Spirit’s transformative power in the lives of the Corinthians was proof of his authentic ministry. Yet, Paul was sure that it was not through his intelligence or efforts that the church in Corinth came into being (2 Cor. 3:4–6). He was not involved in self-promotion (2 Cor. 3:5, 1 Cor. 2:2).

Read for This Week’s Study

2 Cor. 3:1–9, 2 Cor. 4:7–18, 2 Cor. 5:11–15, Col. 1:19–23, Eph. 2:13–16, 2 Cor. 6:11–7:1, 2 Corinthians 7.

Memory Text:

Read Ellen G. White, “The Message Heeded,” pp. 323–334, in The Acts of the Apostles.

“Those who have borne the greatest sorrows are frequently the ones who carry the greatest comfort to others, bringing sunshine wherever they go. Such ones have been chastened and sweetened by their afflictions; they did not lose confidence in God when trouble assailed them, but clung closer to His protecting love. Such ones are living proof of the tender care of God.”—Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 122.

Read 2 Corinthians 2:12, 13. Where did Paul go after writing “the severe letter” to them? What did he do there?

Paul’s heart was uneasy while waiting for Titus (2 Cor. 7:5, 6). Despite that uneasiness, he couldn’t stop talking about Jesus (2 Cor. 2:12). He loved Jesus so much. At that point, he didn’t yet know the results of his letter. He was anxious to see Titus and hear about the reaction of the Corinthians.

Rather than visiting the Corinthians a second time, Paul, after returning to Ephesus, sent what became known as “the severe letter” (see 2 Cor. 2:3, 4; 2 Cor. 7:8, 12).

Read 2 Corinthians 7:5–13. What was the result of what he wrote to them, and what was Paul’s reaction because of that result?

We saw that some in Corinth doubted Paul’s intentions and love. Today, we will look into one particular reason: his changing travel plans (2 Cor. 1:15–2:4).

Read 1 Corinthians 16:5–7. What was Paul’s original travel plan?

Yesterday, we learned that Paul’s love for the Corinthians was made manifest in that he comforted them in their hardships, just as he received comfort from God in his (2 Cor. 1:1–11). Today, we will see that his love for them was also displayed through the integrity that he and his fellow workers manifested toward the church members in Corinth.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:12–14 in the light of 2 Corinthians 2:17 and 2 Corinthians 4:2. How does Paul’s sincerity reveal his love for the Corinthians?

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3–7. What is the reason for Paul’s attitude of thanksgiving here?

Paul’s thankfulness focuses on the comfort that God provides for those who are suffering. In this passage, the verb parakaleō (to comfort) and the noun paraklēsis (comfort) occur together ten times. This represents one third of all occurrences of these words in 2 Corinthians (29 times). God is portrayed as the “Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Cor. 1:3, 4, NKJV).

In 1 Corinthians 15:9–19, Paul explains how severe and dreadful the consequences of denying the Resurrection are. Without the Resurrection, believers have no hope in the present, much less in the future.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:9–19. What do we lose if Christ has not been raised?