Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, Dr Adenilton Tavares de Aguiar, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

I. Ministry of Death

A. Read 2 Corinthians 3:2-3. What does Paul mean when he says that Christ’s letter is written on “tablets of human hearts?” And why does he compare that to “tablets of stone?” (Paul writes that believers are “a letter from Christ” to others. That letter is reflected in their hearts. It is not written in stone.)

B. Read 2 Corinthians 3:5-6. Paul compares “letters” to the “Spirit.” What does he mean by this? (Letters refers to the letters that compose the Ten Commandments. Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit.)

C. Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-8. Paul calls the Ten Commandments, which were carved in stone, “the ministry of death.” I have been told that the Ten Commandments are the transcript of God’s character. Was I wrongly taught? How do you understand Paul’s words?

D. To better understand this, read Jeremiah 31:31-34. Are the Ten Commandments dead? Are their contents irrelevant? (The new covenant, according to Jeremiah, writes the law of God on the hearts of His people.)

1. When Paul contrasts in 2 Corinthians 3:7-8 the “ministry of death” with the “ministry of the Spirit,” it seems to pit the Holy Spirit against the Ten Commandments. How does Jeremiah help us understand what Paul is teaching us? (It is the Holy Spirit who inspires us to do right things. This is how our hearts are directing our path.)

2. There is another logical problem with this idea. Why would the same law, when written in stone be a ministry of death, but when written on our hearts be glorious? Does location matter? (On the surface it sounds like a location issue. I think the difference is that our hearts (the Holy Spirit speaking in us) gives us direction for living. This is different than studying a series of rules that say, essentially, don’t do this or you die.)

E. Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-7. Is Paul saying that our actions do not matter? (If the gospel message comes from our hearts, right behavior matters because it “commends” God to others. Our lives either commend or undermine our gospel ministry.)

1. Have you considered how your conduct either commends or undermines the gospel? When you promote the will of God, do you do so in a way that also reflects His grace?

II. The Yoke

A. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-17. What does it mean to be “unequally yoked with unbelievers?” (“Yoked” is a farming term. See Deuteronomy 22:10. At a minimum, Christian ministry should not place us in a binding partnership with those who reject the gospel.)

1. Would this apply to marrying an unbeliever?

2. Would it apply to having a business partnership with an unbeliever?

3. Is an “unbeliever” anyone who is not a member of your denomination? (Paul compares the term “unbeliever” with “Belial.” This is not a matter of agreeing on all points of the gospel; it is a matter of allegiance to Christ versus unbelief.)

B. Look again at 2 Corinthians 6:16. When Paul writes about Christians being “the temple of the living God,” what does he mean? (Paul says that the Spirit of God lives in us, and therefore our lives should be separate from those involved in wrong living. Paul wants us to convert others, but he does not think we should have intimate associations with them.)

1. In light of Paul’s “yoke” discussion, do our actions matter? (Yes. Paul is not telling us that the Ten Commandments are dead, and therefore we can do whatever we want. Actions matter.)

III. The Veil

A. Read 2 Corinthians 3:11-14. Paul says that when the old covenant is read, a “veil” remains over their hearts. What is that veil? What does it prevent them from seeing? (A veil prevents someone from seeing clearly. Paul’s point seems to be that apart from Christ they failed to see the true significance and fulfillment of the old covenant.)

1. 2 Corinthians 3:14 tells us that “only through Christ” is the veil taken away. What do you think Paul means by this? (Apart from Christ, they failed to see where the old covenant was pointing. When a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Jesus perfectly obeyed and bore the penalty for our sins. Our salvation therefore rests on Him, not on our law-keeping.)

B. Read 2 Corinthians 3:15-18. What is happening to us when we look to Jesus for our salvation? (We are transformed. Instead of looking to the law as the means of obtaining righteousness, we look to Jesus, who died for us. As we behold Him, the Spirit transforms us into His image.)

IV. The New Being

A. Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. How can love control us? I thought love was the opposite of coercion? (Such great love shown to us by Jesus, a love that saves us from death, changes our hearts and causes us to decide to live for Jesus.)

B. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. Does this sound like we act as we always have because we are saved by faith and not by our works? (This says that we are a “new creation.”)

C. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. How are we a “new creation?” (This is a “God thing.” Paul says that this new creation is from God, who reconciles us to Himself through Christ. As we saw in 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Holy Spirit transforms us.)

1. We have a ministry. It is called “reconciliation.” What are we reconciling? (Apart from Christ, our sins separate us from God. But in Christ, God has acted to reconcile us to Himself by not counting our trespasses against us. Our ministry is to share that great good news and urge others to be reconciled to God.)

D. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. What has Jesus done with our sins? (Though Jesus knew no sin, God made Him “to be sin” for us. Jesus bore our sin and died on our behalf.)

1. What is the impact on us of Jesus’ death on our behalf? (We are now the “righteousness of God.”)

2. When Paul calls us “ambassadors,” what is he suggesting we should do? (An ambassador represents a country. We are now representatives of what Jesus has done for humans to allow us to have eternal life!)

E. Read 2 Corinthians 7:1. How can this be true? If in Christ we have become ‘the righteousness of God,’ why does Paul still tell us to pursue holiness?(Our right standing in Christ does not eliminate growth in holiness. Paul tells believers to cleanse themselves and bring holiness “to completion.” Likewise, 1 John 3:2-3 says that when Christ appears we will be like Him, and that everyone who has this hope purifies himself now.)

F. Friend, we are saved by grace, and not the death-giving law. What Jesus has done for us inspires us on the path to holiness. We desire to be holy like Jesus. Will you ask the Holy Spirit, right now, to put you on the path to holiness?

V. Next week: Stewardship and Mission.

Copr. 2026, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

1. “The conversion of sinners and their sanctification through the truth is the strongest proof a minister can have that God has called him to the ministry” -Ellen White. Does this refer only to evangelization and baptisms? If you think it is more broad than that, what else does it entail?

2. Sunday’s lesson says “The experience of salvation of the church in Corinth is the evidence of Paul’s authentic ministry.” What evidence do you see happening in your church right now that is consistent with the presence of an authentic Christ-centered ministry?

3. What might be signs of an inauthentic or, perhaps, merely “shallow” ministry? What are the signs you might see in the ministers? What are the signs you might see in the congregation?

4. Paul says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Cor 4:7. Can you share time where you tried to do ministry without the all surpassing power coming from God ,and it was not particularly successful? Conversely, can you share a time where the all surpassing power of God did so much more than your ‘jar of clay’ could’ve ever imagined?

5. Our author points out that “the ministry of reconciliation” is an often overlooked sign of authentic Christ-directed ministry. Can you share a testimony of a time that an unlikely  reconciliation occurred that just had to be the direct result of the Holy Spirit’s work?

6. Paul says that our reconciliation with God means separation from harmful influences. “Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.” -2 Cor 6:17. A common criticism of Christians in our culture is that Christians are intolerant and judgmental. What is your response to this criticism? What examples do you see where you actually agree with this criticism of Christians? What examples do you see where you completely disagree with this criticism of Christians? How do you see Jesus navigating this issue—the One who avoided all sin, yet said it was the precisely the sick who needed a doctor?

7. Paul perfectly expresses the paradox that Jesus promised would be true–His yoke is easy, but we will carry a cross. Paul speaks about joy in the midst of hardship. Can you share an experience of “joy in the midst of hardship?” How is Christian “joy in the midst of hardship” different from the worldly, “I just want to be happy?”

I. The Good Thing about Problems

A. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. What is the good thing about suffering? (If we have suffered affliction and God has comforted us, we have learned something about how to comfort others.)

1. What are the two characteristics of God that can help us when we face problems? (He is the Father of “mercies.” He is the “God of all comfort.”)

B. Look again at 2 Corinthians 1:4. Have you had someone do a poor job of attempting to comfort you? (If so, that taught you that not all efforts to comfort are successful.)

1. I recall that at a funeral someone attempted to offer comfort by saying, “Do not worry; this was part of God’s plan.” What do you think about that attempt to bring comfort? (It makes it sound like God was directly responsible for the person’s death. And it makes it appear that God had more important things in mind than keeping your loved one alive.)

2. A questionable attempt at comfort related to the one just mentioned is explaining what you see as God’s reason for the death. “God wanted to use your loved one to teach others not to smoke.” Does that provide comfort?

a. Note that the title of this lesson is “Love-driven Ministry.” How important is it to consider whether your comfort is an attempt to be loving?

C. Read 2 Corinthians 1:5-7. Paul repeats the idea that experiencing suffering and comfort helps us to bless those who are also suffering. Why do you think he repeats this lesson? (Because our suffering and God’s comfort are not merely personal experiences; God can use them to equip us to help others.)

D. As people live longer, more of us encounter dementia, either personally or in those we love. Let’s examine some practical lessons that I learned from the suffering that my mother and I experienced in her final illness.

1. My mother died of Alzheimer’s, which is a particular type of dementia. One thing I observed is that Alzheimer’s can affect the filters that a person formerly used in getting along with others. For example, my mother, who never seemed to get angry, began having regular fits of anger. As another example, I never heard my mother swear. But now she would regularly swear. How could that knowledge be a comfort to others? (It can help family members understand that hurtful behavior may result from the disease and should not necessarily be taken personally.)

2. Another result of Alzheimer’s is that you forget where you put things. Sometimes you put them in ridiculous places. My mother thought someone was breaking into her home and stealing the things she misplaced. How could that knowledge be a comfort? (It helps us understand that accusations of stealing may arise from memory loss and confusion rather than genuine distrust.)

3. Finally, it was very distressing to me that more distant relatives would insist that I put my mother in an institution where she would be closely watched. My mother begged me not to take her out of her home. My mother’s life was at much greater risk while she remained in her own home. If you have seen a friend or relative die of Alzheimer’s, what would you have advised me to do? What comforting and loving counsel would you give? (Had I known then what I know now, I would have left my mother in her home until she could no longer care for herself. Her freedom was much more valuable than marginally extending the increasingly difficult life that lay ahead.)

II. Paul’s Advantage in Giving Comfort

A. Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-10. What are Paul’s qualifications to give comfort to those in Corinth? (His afflictions were so severe that he thought he would die.)

1. What did this terrible affliction teach Paul? (To rely completely on God. If God will raise the dead, then He can rescue those who fear that they are dying.)

B. Read 2 Corinthians 1:11. I listened to a presentation about studies examining the benefits of prayer for those who are sick. One recent study found that in-person intercessory prayer reduced reported pain and anxiety, while a large study of remote intercessory prayer found no improvement in complications following heart surgery. What does Paul say about intercessory prayer? (He says that “the prayers of many” contributed to the blessing they received. Scientific studies may have difficulty measuring the work of God, but Paul plainly believed that the prayers of others mattered.)

III. Paul on the Defensive

A. Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-14. When Paul says that the Corinthians only “partially understand us,” what does that suggest is a problem? (Distrust has arisen because of the failure of the Corinthians to fully understand Paul’s letter.)

1. What should that teach us when we are unhappy with another person? (We should be sure we are acting on complete information. We should not assume the worst.)

B. Read 2 Corinthians 2:17. What does the fact that Paul has to make this defense suggest about the charges brought against him? (The charges are that Paul is not sincere. He is in ministry for the money.)

C. Look again at 2 Corinthians 1:12-13. What does Paul argue shows that he is sincere, and not a “peddler” of God’s word? (His behavior was simple – he was not engaged in some complex scheme the people would have a hard time understanding.)

1. Step back just a moment and consider all that we have read. Why do you think Paul discussed his suffering before he entered into a defense of his actions? (Paul’s suffering sets the foundation for arguing that he is sincere in his dealings with the Corinthians.)

D. Read 1 Corinthians 4:19 and 1 Corinthians 16:5-7 to discover another attack on Paul. Did Paul have set travel plans? (Paul planned to go to Corinth and he had a tentative travel schedule. But, his travel depended on God’s will.)

E. Read 2 Corinthians 1:15-17. What does this suggest about what the Corinthians are saying about Paul’s travel plans to see them? (It sounds like they are critical. They seem to say he was “vacillating.”)

1. Have you experienced this when it comes to family visiting you or you visiting them? (My parents were jealous about us spending an appropriate amount of time with them.)

2. Have you experienced this in a another context where someone promises to help you but never follows through?

F. Read 2 Corinthians 1:18-20. How does Paul answer the suggestion that his changed plans show that he is unreliable? (He points to the reliability of the message he preached. Jesus Christ is not “Yes and No.” All of God’s promises find their “Yes” in Christ. Paul’s changed travel plans do not mean that either his gospel or his character is untrustworthy.)

G. Read 2 Corinthians 1:21-24 and 2 Corinthians 2:1. Why has Paul not shown up at Corinth as the church members expected? (Paul says he did not come because he wanted to spare them another painful encounter.)

IV. The Painful Letter

A. Read 2 Corinthians 2:4 and 2 Corinthians 7:8. What did Paul do in place of his visit? (He sent the Corinthians a letter that made them “grieve.”)

1. Why do you think he sent a letter instead of showing up personally? It was less stressful? (A letter allows the recipient to more calmly consider the entire message.)

B. Read 2 Corinthians 7:9-11. Did the letter work? (Yes. It produced repentance. This shows the success of Paul’s strategy of writing rather than visiting.)

1. Notice verse 10. If we repent of our bad behavior, what is the outcome? (Salvation without regret.)

2. Is something in your past still causing regret? What should godly grief over our past produce? (Repentance that leads to salvation. Unlike worldly grief, godly grief moves us toward God rather than toward hopelessness.)

C. Friend, have you seen the upside of suffering? Have you seen how loving correction can cause temporary grief yet ultimately produce something good? Both ideas can seem doubtful at first, but the Bible shows us how God can turn our suffering into a blessing for others and how godly rebuke can lead to repentance and salvation without regret. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the path of love when you face these challenges.

V. Next week: Authentic Christian Ministry.

Copr. 2026, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.