2 Corinthians

Contents

General preface

Author’s preface

Chief abbreviations

Select bibliography

1. The importance of 2 Corinthians

2. Historical matters

a. The city of Corinth

b. Paul and the Corinthians

i. Paul’s pioneer mission in Corinth

ii. Paul’s contacts with Corinth during his Ephesian ministry

iii. Paul’s contacts with Corinth while in Macedonia

3. Literary matters

a. Paul’s Corinthian correspondence: how many letters?

i. The ‘previous letter’

ii. 1 Corinthians

iii. The ‘severe letter’

iv. 2 Corinthians 1 – 9

v. 2 Corinthians 10 – 13

b. The genre and rhetorical nature of 2 Corinthians

c. Interpolations in 2 Corinthians?

i. 2:14 – 7:4

ii. 6:14 – 7:1

d. Date and provenance

4. Opposition to Paul in Corinth

a. The opposition reflected in chapters 1 – 7

b. The opposition reflected in chapters 10 – 13

i. The ‘false apostles’ and their attack against Paul

ii. ‘False apostles’ and ‘super-apostles’

i. Theological differences between Paul and the ‘false apostles’

5. Theology and major themes

a. God the Father

b. Jesus Christ

c. The Holy Spirit

d. The atonement

e. Reconciliation

f. Personal eschatology

i. Paul’s ministry experience and practice

ii. Marks of authentic ministry

h. The collection

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)

Additional note: Paul’s troubles in the province of Asia

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)

Additional note: the meaning of thriambeuonti hēmas in 2:14

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)

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