Summary of the Book of 2 Corinthians
This letter is in the Bible’s New Testament. Paul wrote this letter to Christians in Corinth because there were false teachers in the church. They spoke badly about Paul. They said he kept changing his mind. This was because he did not visit Corinth. They also said he was not a genuine apostle*. Unlike the false teachers, Paul was not a great speaker. Also unlike them, Paul did not ask the church for money.
Paul explained why he had not visited them. He also explained why he had been so severe towards the Christians in Corinth. But he was happy that they had confessed their evil deeds to God. And now, they accepted Paul as a friend again. He was not a powerful person like the false teachers. But because he was weak, people saw God’s power through him. He had not come to talk about himself. He had come to tell them about Jesus. By the death of Jesus, God had changed them from enemies into friends. Then he asked them for a generous gift for the poor Christians in Judea.
Finally he gave reasons why he was a genuine apostle*. God chose him to be an apostle*. And he had suffered many troubles because he taught God’s message. But Paul was glad to work for God. This was his answer to those who spoke badly about him.
*Apostle: a person whom God sent to teach the Christian message to the world.
Summary of the Book of Proverbs
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of articles about wisdom. It is in the Old Testament part of the Bible. Its main author was King Solomon.
The Book of Proverbs teaches that we must respect God. This is the most important lesson about wisdom.
The Book of Proverbs begins with Solomon’s advice to his son. In Proverbs chapters 1-9, Solomon explains the choice between wise behaviour and foolish behaviour. Good people are wise because they respect God. But evil people are fools. God will punish evil people. So, Solomon advised his son to study wisdom.
In Proverbs chapters 10-22, there are 375 proverbs (wise words). These proverbs teach us how to be wise in many different situations. Then, there are 30 wise lessons (Proverbs chapters 22-24), many more proverbs (Proverbs chapters 25-29), two hard puzzles, and a poem (Proverbs chapters 30-31).
Summary of the Book of John
John was a close friend of Jesus. For three years, John lived with Jesus. John saw how Jesus behaved. And John believed that Jesus is God (John 1:1-18). John wrote his Gospel (good news) so that other people would believe this too (John 20:31).
John saw that Jesus did many wonderful things (John 21:25). Jesus cured ill people (John 4:43-54). Jesus walked on water (John 6:14-24). He provided food for 5000 men (John 6:1-15). Jesus was alive again after his own death (John 20). John describes these events in the same way as the other Gospels.
But the main part of John’s Gospel is not about these wonderful deeds. Instead, many chapters contain Jesus’ words. For example, John 13-17 contain Jesus’ words on the night before he died. John thought that Jesus’ words were wonderful (John 3:34). And we must accept Jesus’ words. If we believe Jesus’ words, then we will live with God in heaven always. But if we do not obey Jesus, God will punish us (John 3:36).
Jesus died so that we can live with God in heaven (John 3:16). This is why we must confess our evil deeds to God. And this is why we must invite Jesus into our lives. Then, we will become the children of God (John 1:12).