Analysis

1. PAUL’S RESPONSE TO A CRISIS RESOLVED (1:1 – 9:15)

• A. Preface (1:1–11)

  • i. Greeting (1:1–2)

  • ii. Benediction (1:3–11)

• B. The body of the response (1:12 – 7:16)

  • i. Personal defence (1:12–24)

    • a. General defence of integrity (1:12–14)

    • b. Defence of changed travel plans (1:15–24)

  • ii. The ‘severe letter’: its purpose and aftermath (2:1–13)

    • a. The purpose of the ‘severe letter’ (2:1–4)

    • b. Forgiveness for the offender (2:5–11)

    • c. Waiting for Titus (2:12–13)

  • iii. Competency in ministry (2:14 – 4:6)

    • a. Led in triumph (2:14–17)

    • b. Letters of recommendation (3:1–3)

    • c. Ministers of the new covenant (3:4–6)

    • d. The greater glory of new covenant ministry (3:7–11)

    • e. The greater boldness of new covenant ministers (3:12–18)

    • f. The conduct of Paul’s ministry (4:1–6)

  • iv. Present suffering and future glory (4:7 – 5:10)

    • a. Treasure in jars of clay (4:7–15)

    • b. We do not lose heart (4:16–18)

    • c. The heavenly dwelling (5:1–10)

  • v. The ministry of reconciliation (5:11–21)

    • a. Defence of his ministry (5:11–15)

    • b. God’s reconciling act in Christ (5:16–21)

  • vi. Reconciliation practised (6:1 – 7:4)

    • a. An appeal for reconciliation (6:1–13)

    • b. A call for holy living (6:14 – 7:1)

    • c. A further appeal for reconciliation (7:2–4)

  • vii. Paul’s joy after a crisis resolved (7:5–16)

    • a. Paul’s relief when Titus arrived (7:5–7)

    • b. The ‘severe letter’ and its effects (7:8–13a)

    • c. Titus’ happiness and affection for the Corinthians (7:13b–16)

• C. The matter of the collection (8:1 – 9:15)

  • i. The example of the Macedonians (8:1–6)

  • ii. Paul exhorts the Corinthians to finish what they began (8:7–15)

  • iii. Commendation of those who will receive the collection (8:16–24)

  • iv. Be prepared and avoid humiliation (9:1–5)

  • v. An exhortation to be generous (9:6–15)

 

2. PAUL RESPONDS TO A NEW CRISIS (10:1 – 13:14)

• A. Paul’s exercise of apostolic authority (10:1–18)

  • i. Paul responds to criticisms (10:1–11)

  • ii. Boasting within proper limits (10:12–18)

• B. Paul’s plea for tolerance and condemnation of his opponents (11:1–15)

  • i. The Corinthians’ gullibility (11:1–6)

  • ii. The matter of financial remuneration (11:7–15)

• C. The ‘fool’s speech’ (11:16 – 12:13)

  • i. Accept me as a fool (11:16–21a)

  • ii. Paul’s Jewish ancestry (11:21b–22)

  • iii. A better servant of Christ (11:23–33)

  • iv. Visions and revelations (12:1–10)

  • v. Signs of an apostle (12:11–13)

• D. Paul’s planned third visit (12:14 – 13:10)

  • i. Paul refuses to burden the Corinthians (12:14–18)

  • ii. The real purpose of Paul’s fool’s speech (12:19–21)

  • iii. Paul threatens strong action on his third visit (13:1–10)

• E. Conclusion (13:11–14)

  • i. Final exhortations and encouragement (13:11–13)

  • ii. Benediction (13:14)