Transformation The things which do not destroy us have the power to make us stronger
as instruments of ministry for God.This is not an act from which God merely receives praise, but by which God is able to display his compassion without violating a persons freewill by merely overpowering him with his presence and goodness.
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
3-4
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 so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
1. Which attribute of God is brought to bear on the suffering of the saint?
a. The first Greek word for this attribute is oivktirmo,j. and the second is para,klhsij. They are used in the NT, in the LXX translation of th OT, and in the Apocrypha only in the listed passages. Examine each passage and try to discern from each passage what each word deals with or means. Give specific phrases that support your conclusion. Do not tell me what you think before you do the study, but stick with what the text reveals.For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.oivktirmo,j (oiktirmos):Ps. 24:6; 50:3; 68:17; Isa. 63:15; Rom. 12:1; 2 Co. 1:3; Heb. 10:28
para,klhsij (parakletos): 1 Ma. 10:24; Isa. 66:11; Acts 4:36; 13:15; Rom. 15:4f; 2 Co. 1:3f, 6f; 8:4; Heb. 12:5; 13:22b. What metaphor is used for the God who possesses this attribute? How is the use of this metaphor difficult for people in our world?
2. When a Christian suffers, his sufferings are no longer considered his own by those of whom?
3. Read the book of Acts and list passage that deal with Paul's sufferings. Compare this list with 2 Cor. 11:23-28. Does Paul have the right (moral imperative) to speak to this subject?Job 1 and 42; Job 4 and 29-31
In Job there are many parts to the story which contribute to the development of the author's understanding and resolution of the problem relating to the suffering of the believer.
Now that you have read the summary of the story note several things about the story.
1.) Compare the image of priest in chapter 1 with that in chapter 42.
a) Who did Job offer sacrifice for? Did he like them?2) How do I get the idea that the argument with the friends took Job from a deathwish to a lifewish? Does he want to die in chapter 4? Give me a reason? How do I get he wants to live in chapters 29-31.
b) Did these people commit a real sin or a hypothetical sin. READ the text carefully, just don't tell me what you think!
c) Which is the greater priesthood (1 or 42)? Why?