Traditional view
The letter is received as written by , with named as co-sender (1:1). It is among the undisputed Pauline letters.
New Testament · Pauline Epistles
2 CorinthiansThe Second Epistle to the Corinthians
Second Corinthians is the most personally exposed of Paul's letters. After a painful confrontation with the Corinthian church and the intrusion of rival missionaries, Paul writes to defend his apostolic ministry, explain his recent travel decisions, and urge the completion of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. The letter alternates between tender reconciliation, sober self-disclosure, and sharp polemic.
The story
Meet 2 Corinthians
Second Corinthians is the most personally exposed of 's letters. After a painful confrontation with the Corinthian church and the intrusion of rival missionaries, Paul writes to defend his apostolic ministry, explain his recent travel decisions, and urge the completion of the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. The letter alternates between tender reconciliation, sober self-disclosure, and sharp polemic.
Paul presents his ministry as cruciform: he carries the dying of in his body so that the life of Jesus may be visible in him, and he glories in weakness because Christ's power is made perfect there. Against opponents who boasted in spectacular credentials and impressive rhetoric, he points to suffering, integrity, and the upbuilding of the church as the true marks of an apostle.
The letter is also a remarkable theological resource on the new covenant ministry of the , on the ministry of reconciliation, on generosity grounded in the grace of Christ, and on the future hope that sustains present afflictions. Its emotional intensity makes it one of the richest windows into the apostle's interior life.
Setting
Historical context
Between the writing of 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, relations between and the Corinthian church grew turbulent. Paul made a short and painful visit to that did not resolve the issues there, and he subsequently sent a severe letter, often referred to as the tearful letter, which may be lost or may be partly preserved in chapters 10 to 13. carried this letter and returned with the welcome news that the majority had repented and reaffirmed their loyalty to Paul.
New opponents had also arrived in Corinth. Paul calls them super-apostles and false apostles. They appear to have come from a Jewish-Christian background, presented impressive credentials and rhetorical skill, and questioned Paul's legitimacy, his refusal to accept financial support from the Corinthians, and the suffering that marked his ministry.
Paul writes from , both relieved by Titus's news and concerned to consolidate the church's renewed loyalty before his planned third visit. He also presses the long-running project of the Jerusalem collection, calling the Corinthians to complete what they had begun and to give in proportion to the grace they have received in .
In sequence
Timeline
ca. 54–55 CE — First Corinthians sent
writes from Ephesus addressing many issues in the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians 2:1; 13:2
Painful visit
makes a short, distressing visit to that does not heal the conflict.
2 Corinthians 2:3-4
Severe (tearful) letter
writes a sharp letter carried by , calling the church to repentance.
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Affliction in Asia
recounts a near-fatal crisis in the province of from which God delivered him.
2 Corinthians 7:5-16
Meeting Titus in Macedonia
moves through and into where he is comforted by 's report of Corinthian repentance.
ca. 55–56 CE — Composition of 2 Corinthians
From writes to confirm reconciliation, press the collection, and defend his ministry against rival missionaries.
2 Corinthians 12:14; 13:1-10
Planned third visit
announces his coming visit and warns those who persist in opposition.
What to notice
Key themes
Cruciform apostolic ministry
carries the dying of in his body so that the life of Jesus may be made visible through weakness.
Comfort in affliction
The God of all comfort sustains in suffering so that he may comfort others with the comfort he himself has received.
New covenant ministry
Christian ministry is a ministry of the , not of the letter, written on human hearts and full of glory.
Reconciliation
God in has reconciled the world to himself, and exercises an ambassadorial ministry of reconciliation.
Power in weakness
boasts in his weaknesses because 's power is perfected in them, including the mysterious thorn in his flesh.
Grace and generosity
The example of the churches and the grace of the Lord motivate cheerful and proportionate giving.
True and false apostleship
Against rivals who boast in credentials, points to suffering, integrity, and the upbuilding of the church as the marks of genuine apostleship.
The shape of the book
Outline
- 1:1-11
Greeting and comfort in affliction
blesses the God of all comfort and recalls a desperate trial in .
- 1:12–2:13
Explanation of travel plans
defends his change of plans, urges forgiveness of an offender, and recalls his anxious wait for .
- 2:14–7:4
Apostolic ministry of the new covenant
describes ministry as a procession in 's triumph, a treasure in jars of clay, and an ambassadorship of reconciliation.
- 7:5-16
Joy at the Corinthians' repentance
The arrival of with good news brings deep comfort.
- 8:1–9:15
The collection for Jerusalem
commends the example of the and the grace of as motives for generous, cheerful giving.
- 10:1–13:10
Defense against rivals
reluctantly boasts in weakness and suffering, exposes the super-apostles, and warns the church before his coming visit.
- 13:11-14
Closing exhortation and benediction
A final appeal to live in peace and the trinitarian grace that closes the letter.
On the map
Where 2 Corinthians takes place
7 mapped places · marker size reflects how often each place is mentioned in 2 Corinthians.
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