General Information | |
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| Name | This is the second letter Paul sent to the church in Corinth. |
| Author and Date | As with his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul identifies himself as the author (1:1). No serious challenge has been put forward to Paul’s authorship. The style and vocabulary is consistent with 1 Corinthians and Romans and it was widely and early accepted by the Church. However, some have argued that 2 Corinthians is actually two letters, put together at some point. They point to the different tone between the first part (chs. 1-9) and the second part (10-13). They say the first part is full of joy and celebration, while the second is bitter and reproachful. They also argue that 2:4 speaks of a letter written “with many tears” and that this letter is now actually the second half of 2 Corinthians. However, there is no manuscript evidence of the two halves ever being separate, and the difference in tone is just that, Paul changing the tone of his writing in the second half of the letter. It is likely that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians just after 1 Corinthians, probably during his stay at Ephesus, in the fall of A.D. 56. |
| Audience | Although Paul addresses this second letter to Corinth, he also includes “with all the saints who are all in Achaia.” Achaia was the region where Corinth was located, and of which Corinth was the capital. It was the north-central part of the Corinthian isthmus, along the north shore of the Corinthian Gulf. Many have tried to explain Paul’s inclusion of Achaia in his address. Some have said Paul intended 2 Corinthians to be a circular letter to all the churches in the province, similar to Galatians, but this does not seem probable. A more likely explanation is that Paul meant to curb the Corinthian church’s arrogance and pride. From the content of the two letters sent to them, it seems the Corinthian church had a tendency to think they were more spiritual than they actually were. Moreover, while the province of Achaia was rural and given to poverty, Corinth was a bustling metropolis, made wealthy through trade. It is possible all these things caused the believers in Corinth to look down on those around them in the country. Thus, Paul may have wanted to remind the Corinthians that he saw them along with those in the rest of the province, not separate from them. |
| Message and Occasion | In contrast to 1 Corinthians, Paul begins this second letter expressing his joy that the majority had accepted the correction he had given them. He also asks for an offering for the poor believers in Jerusalem. He then addresses those who were still resisting his rebuke, once again defending his authority as an apostle. The occasion of this second letter has been the subject of intense debate. Points of disagreement involve how many times Paul had visited Corinth until he wrote them this letter, how many letters he had written to them previous to this one and who was the “offender” in 2 Corinthians. Traditionally, scholars have argued that the “previous letter” Paul refers to is 1 Corinthians and the “offender” is the incestuous man in 1 Corinthians 5. As mentioned previously, some hold that 2 Corinthians doesn’t fit with 1 Corinthians, so there must be another letter in between these, possibly the second half of 2 Corinthians. This argument contends that Paul must have made a brief visit to Corinth between the two letters, and that the “offender” is a leader who opposed Paul. This is based on 2 Cor 12:14; 13:1-2, where Paul refers to his plans to visit them a third time. The traditional view says this does not mean specifically that he had visited them between 1 and 2 Corinthians, but that he was ready for his third visit to the city. |
Key Information | |
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| Key Verses | 1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 4:1-2 “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 10:4-6 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” |
| Key People | Corinthians Being addressed to them, the believers in Corinth are center stage in 2 Corinthians. Clearly, many of them had repented of their sins since Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, but many had not, and were still causing division. Saints in Achaia In contrast to 1 Corinthians, Paul includes “all the saints in Achaia” in his second letter to Corinth. See the above comments on the audience of 2 Corinthians. Paul Once again, Paul is forced into reminding the Corinthians of his apostolic authority in 2 Corinthians. |
| Key Events | Paul’s Plans to Visit to Corinth Paul says in 2 Cor 12:14 that he was ready “for the third time” to visit Corinth. He warns that this time he will “not spare” the sinners in Corinth and would demand that they examine themselves to see if they “are in the faith.” |
Important Theology in Matthew | |
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| The New Covenant | Paul taught about the New Covenant in 2 Cor 3:7-18. He contrasts the Old and New Covenants, calling the Old Covenant a “ministry of death” (3:7) and “condemnation” (3:9), while he calls the New Covenant is a “ministry of the Spirit” and “righteousness” (3:9). He says the Old Covenant did reveal God’s glory, but the New Covenant is “more glorious” (3:8). The Old Covenant put a veil over men’s hearts, while the New removes the veil. The Old Covenant passed away, while the New is everlasting (3:11). While the Old Covenant brought condemnation, the New brings hope. |
| Sacrificial Giving | Paul uses the example of Christ in reference to giving, saying that though He was rich, He became poor (8:9), and that the Corinthians should continue in their giving, so that some day when they are in need, others would be able to help them. He also says that giving is “proof of your love” for other Christians. He teaches that giving should be done cheerfully and not grudgingly, and that those who give generously will be generously rewarded. Conversely, those who “sow sparingly will also reap sparingly” (9:6). |
| Christology | Paul taught on Christ’s deity (1:12; 19; 4:5) humanity (8:9), atoning death (5:14-15; 18-19, 21), and resurrection (5:15) in 2 Corinthians. |
General Outline | |
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Greetings and News (1:1-11)
Paul’s Ministry (1:12-7:16)
Ministering in the Collection (8:1-9:15)
Ministry by Correction (10:1-13:10)
Final Greetings (13:11-13) |
Used by permission. ©2017 H. Wayne House, Charting the New Testament. All Rights Reserved.