The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
Background and Date
In various ways 2 Corinthians reflects Paul’s dealings with the church in Corinth during the period from the founding of the church in about A.D. 50 until the writing of this letter in A.D. 55 or 56. The various episodes in the interactions between Paul and the Corinthians can be summarized as follows:
1. The founding visit to Corinth lasted about eighteen months (see Acts 18).
2. Paul wrote an earlier letter than 1 Corinthians (see 1 Cor. 5:9).
3. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus, about A.D. 55.
4. A brief but painful visit to Corinth caused “sorrow” for Paul and the church (see 2 Cor. 2:1; 13:2).
5. Following the painful visit, Paul wrote a severe letter, delivered by Titus (see 2 Cor. 2:4; 7:6–8).
6. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia, while on his way to Corinth again, in A.D. 55 or 56.
7. Paul’s final visit to Corinth (Acts 20) was probably when he wrote Romans, just before returning to Jerusalem. The painful visit, which Acts does not record, and the severe letter provide immediate background for the writing of 2 Corinthians.
We do not possess the severe letter, although some scholars have suggested that 2 Corinthians 10—13 may have been part of that epistle. There is no manuscript evidence to support this view, however.
Occasion and Purpose
First Corinthians was not as effective as Paul had hoped in settling the crisis at Corinth. The party opposing Paul gained strength, and its leader was particularly obnoxious to him (2:5–11; 10:7–12). Paul hurriedly traveled to Corinth from Ephesus in an attempt to meet the situation. Although this visit is not mentioned in Acts, it is implied in 2 Corinthians 12:14. Paul failed to achieve his desired objective (2:1; 12:14, 21; 13:1, 2), and experienced open hostility from the leader of the opposition (2:5–8; 7:12). Paul then returned to Ephesus, where he wrote a severe letter to the Corinthians, putting into it the full weight of his apostolic authority. He sent the letter by Titus, and then made his way to Macedonia, where Titus met him with an encouraging report (2:12, 13; 7:6–16). The majority had been won back to Paul and had taken disciplinary action against the offender (2:5–11). However, there was still a rebellious minority (chs. 10—13). Paul wrote to express a message of conciliation to the loyal majority and to rebuke the rebellious minority. He also gave instructions concerning the offering he was collecting for the impoverished church in Jerusalem.
Characteristics
Second Corinthians is the most autobiographical of Paul’s letters, containing numerous references to the hardships he endured in the course of his ministry (see 11:23–33). Paul mentioned these to establish the legitimacy of his ministry and to illustrate the nature of true spirituality.
In defending his ministry, Paul opens his heart, showing his deep emotion. He reveals his strong love for the Corinthians, his ardent zeal for the glory of God, his uncompromising loyalty to the truth of the gospel, and his stern indignation in confronting those who disrupt the fellowship of the church. His life was bound up in the life of his converts, and he was not coldly professional in his ministry (see 1:6; 5:13; 7:3–7; 11:2; 12:14, 15).
Content
Second Corinthians consists of three main parts. The first seven chapters contain Paul’s defense of his conduct and his ministry. He explains the change in his plans to visit Corinth and responds to a charge of fickleness. In discussing the Christian ministry, he expounds on its nature, its problems, its motivating principles, and its responsibilities.
The second unit, chapters 8 and 9, deals with the offering being raised by Paul for the poor saints in Judea. Paul urged the Corinthians to be liberal and cheerful in giving so that God might bless them in every way.
Chapters 10 through 13 form the third segment of the letter and contain a message of rebuke to the remaining detractors in the church. Paul responds to the jibes and slanders of his critics and fully vindicates his authority as an apostle.
Personal Application
Second Corinthians is a valuable guide in examining our own motives for serving the Lord, whether as lay people or as ordained pastors and evangelists. As an instrument of the Holy Spirit, this letter can refine our motives until we reflect the kind of selfless giving best exemplified in Christ, but also found in His servant Paul. The instructions concerning the collection for Jerusalem (chs. 8 and 9) emphasize generosity in the area of financial resources, just as Paul emphasized generosity in self-giving throughout the book.
Christ Revealed
Jesus Christ is the focus of our relationship with God. All God’s promises to us are Yes in Jesus, and we say “Amen” to God’s promises in Jesus (1:19, 20). Jesus is God’s Yes to us and our Yes to God. Only in Christ do we see the glory of God, and only in Him are we transformed by that glory (3:14, 18), for Christ is the very image of God (4:4–6). God came to us in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself (5:19). Thus, it is “in Christ” that we have become new creatures (5:17). This change was accomplished through the marvelous act of God’s grace in which Christ, “who knew no sin,” became “sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (5:21).
Jesus is also the focus of our service to God. We proclaim Jesus as Lord and ourselves as servants for His sake (4:5). We willingly share not only Christ’s life and glory but also His dying (4:10–12), His willingness to be weak so that others might experience the power of God (13:3, 4, 9), and His willingness to be impoverished so that others might be enriched (8:9). We experience His weakness but also His strength as we seek to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (10:5).
Again, Jesus is the focus of our present life in this world, where we simultaneously experience in our mortal bodies both “the dying of the Lord Jesus” and His life (4:10, 11).
Finally, Jesus is the focus of our future life, for we will be raised up with Jesus (4:14), who is the “betrothed…husband” of the church (11:2) and the judge of all men (5:10).
The Holy Spirit at Work
The Holy Spirit is the power of the New Covenant (3:6), because He makes real to us the present and future provisions of our salvation in Christ. By the gift of “the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee,” we are assured that all God’s promises are Yes in Christ, and that we are anointed and “sealed” as belonging to Him (1:20–22). The present experience of the Spirit is specifically “a guarantee” of the glorified bodies we will one day receive (5:1–5).
We do not merely read about the will of God in the “letter” of Scripture, for “the letter [alone] kills.” The Spirit who gives life (3:6) changes our way of living by opening our eyes to the living reality of what we read. Thus, we progressively experience and embody the will of God, and we ourselves become epistles of Christ, “known and read by all men” (3:2).
When we submit ourselves to the work of the Spirit, we experience a miracle. We find that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (3:17). There is liberty to behold the unveiled glory of the Lord and to be changed more and more into the likeness of what we behold. The Holy Spirit gives us freedom to see and freedom to be what God wants us to be (3:16–18).
The work of the Holy Spirit is evident in daily inward renewal (4:16), spiritual warfare (10:3–5), and the “signs and wonders and mighty deeds” of Paul’s ministry in Corinth (12:12). Paul ended his letter with a blessing, which included “the communion [fellowship] of the Holy Spirit” (13:14). This could indicate a sense of the Spirit’s presence or, more likely, an enjoyment of the fellowship the Spirit gives us with Christ and with all people who love Christ.
Outline of 2 Corinthians
II. Explanation of Paul’s ministry 1:3—7:16
A. Comfort and suffering 1:3–11
C. Forgiving the offender 2:5–11
D. Distraction in Troas 2:12, 13
E. Nature of Christian ministry 2:14—7:4
1. Life and death issues 2:14–17
2. Living letters of commendation 3:1–3
3. Sufficiency from God 3:4–6
4. Unveiled in the New Covenant 3:7–18
5. Integrity and openness 4:1–6
6. Dying and living with Jesus 4:7–15
7. Eternal perspective 4:16—5:11
8. Reconciled and reconciling 5:12—6:2
9. Paying the price to minister 6:3–10
10. Heartfelt appeal for holiness 6:11—7:4
F. Rejoicing over the report from Corinth 7:5–16
III. Generosity in giving 8:1—9:15
A. Macedonians and Jesus as examples 8:1–9
B. Fulfilling good intentions 8:10–12
C. Sharing resources 8:13–15
D. A trustworthy delegation 8:16–24
E. Timely preparation of the gift 9:1–5
F. Blessings of giving 9:6–15
IV. Defense and use of apostolic authority 10:1—13:10
A. Rebuke of superficial assessment 10:1–11
B. Rebuke of foolish comparisons 10:12–18
C. Godly jealousy for the church 11:1–4
D. Comparison with false apostles 11:5–15
E. Corinthians’ misguided tolerance 11:16–21
F. Paul’s reluctant boasting 11:22—12:13
G. Announcement of third visit 12:14—13:10
1. Integrity of Paul’s motives 12:14–19
2. Warning to remaining rebels 12:20—13:4
3. Call to self-examination 13:5–10
V. Concluding greetings 13:11–14
Greeting
1 PAUL, aan apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and bTimothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, cwith all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 aGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Comfort in Suffering
3 aBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who acomforts* us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any 1trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as athe sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our 1consolation also abounds through Christ.
6 Now if we are afflicted, ait is for your consolation and *salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also *suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that aas you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Delivered from Suffering
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of aour 1trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened *beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should anot trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
10 awho delivered us from so great a death, and 1does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
11 you also ahelping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on 1our behalf bfor the gift granted to us through many.
Paul’s Sincerity
12 For our boasting is this: the *testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in 1simplicity and agodly *sincerity, bnot with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more *abundantly toward you.
13 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
14 (as also you have understood us in part), athat we are your boast as byou also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Sparing the Church
15 And in this confidence aI intended to come to you before, that you might have ba second benefit—
16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, ato come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.
17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan aaccording to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?
18 But as God is afaithful, our 1word to you was not Yes and No.
19 For athe Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, bSilvanus, and cTimothy—was not Yes and No, dbut in Him was Yes.
20 aFor all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
21 Now He who *establishes us with you in Christ and ahas anointed us is God,
22 who aalso has sealed us and bgiven us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 Moreover aI call God as *witness against my soul, bthat to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
24 Not athat we 1have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for bby faith you stand.
1 But I determined this within myself, athat I would not come again to you in sorrow.
2 For if I make you asorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Forgive the Offender
3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, aI should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, bhaving confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much 1affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, anot that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
5 But aif anyone has caused grief, he has not bgrieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.
6 This punishment which was inflicted aby the majority is sufficient for such a man,
7 aso that, on the contrary, you ought rather to *forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with *too much sorrow.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are aobedient in all things.
10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For 1if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Triumph in Christ
12 Furthermore, awhen I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and ba 1door was opened to me by the Lord,
13 aI had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us 1diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ aamong those who are being saved and bamong those who are perishing.
16 aTo the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And bwho is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not, as 1so many, apeddling2 the word of God; but as bof *sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
Christ’s Epistle
1 Do awe begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, bepistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
2 aYou are our epistle written in our hearts, known and *read by all men;
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, aministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not bon tablets of stone but con tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
The Spirit, Not the Letter
4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God.
5 aNot that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but bour sufficiency is from God,
6 who also made us sufficient as aministers of bthe *new covenant, not cof the letter but of the 1Spirit; for dthe letter kills, ebut the Spirit gives life.
Glory of the New Covenant
7 But if athe ministry of death, bwritten and engraved on stones, was glorious, cso that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,
8 how will athe ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry aof righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.
11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
12 Therefore, since we have such *hope, awe use great boldness of speech—
13 unlike Moses, awho put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at bthe end of what was passing away.
14 But atheir minds were *blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
16 Nevertheless awhen one turns to the Lord, bthe veil is taken away.
17 Now athe Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is bliberty.*
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding aas in a mirror bthe glory of the Lord, care being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as 1by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, aas we have received *mercy, we bdo not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in *craftiness nor 1handling the *word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the *truth acommending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, ait is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds athe god of this *age bhas blinded, who do not believe, lest cthe light of the *gospel of the glory of *Christ, dwho is the image of God, should shine on them.
5 aFor we do not *preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and bourselves your *bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For it is the God awho commanded light to shine out of *darkness, who has bshone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, athat the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8 We are ahard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not aforsaken; bstruck down, but not *destroyed—
10 aalways carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, bthat the *life of Jesus also may be *manifested in our body.
11 For we who live aare always *delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death is *working in us, but life in you.
13 And since we have athe same spirit of faith, according to what is written, b“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,
14 knowing that aHe who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15 For aall things are for your sakes, that bgrace,* having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Seeing the Invisible
16 Therefore we ado not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is bbeing renewed day by day.
17 For aour light *affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a *far more exceeding and *eternal weight of glory,
18 awhile we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Assurance of the Resurrection
1 For we know that if aour earthly 1house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house bnot made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this awe groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our 1habitation which is from *heaven,
3 if indeed, ahaving been clothed, we shall not be found naked.
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, abut further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also ahas *given us the Spirit as 1a *guarantee.
6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
7 For awe walk by faith, not by sight.
8 We are confident, yes, awell pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
The Judgment Seat of Christ
9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
10 aFor we must all *appear before the *judgment seat of Christ, bthat each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
11 Knowing, therefore, athe terror of the Lord, we *persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
Be Reconciled to God
12 For awe do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity bto boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart.
13 For aif we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of *sound mind, it is for you.
14 For the *love of Christ compels us, because we *judge thus: that aif One died for all, then all died;
15 and He died for all, athat those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
16 aTherefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, byet now we know Him thus no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone ais in Christ, he is ba new *creation; cold things have passed away; behold, all things have become dnew.
18 Now all things are of God, awho has *reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that aGod was in Christ *reconciling the *world to Himself, not 1imputing* their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are aambassadors* for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be *reconciled to God.
21 For aHe made Him who *knew no *sin to be sin for us, that we might become bthe *righteousness of God in Him.
Marks of the Ministry
1 We then, as aworkers* together with Him also bplead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For He says:
a“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
3 aWe give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.
4 But in all things we commend ourselves aas ministers of God: in much 1patience,* in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
5 ain stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
6 by purity, by knowledge, by *longsuffering, by *kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by 1sincere* love,
7 aby the word of truth, by bthe power of God, by cthe armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet *true;
9 as unknown, and ayet well known; bas dying, and behold we live; cas chastened, and yet not killed;
10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many arich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Be Holy
11 O Corinthians! 1We have spoken openly to you, aour heart is wide open.
12 You are not restricted by us, but ayou are restricted by your own affections.
13 Now in return for the same a(I speak as to children), you also be open.
14 aDo not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For bwhat 1fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what 2communion* has light with *darkness?
15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ayou1 are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
b“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
17 Therefore
a“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I awill be a Father to you,
And you shall be My bsons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.”
1 Therefore,a having these *promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting *holiness in the *fear of God.
The Corinthians’ Repentance
2 Open your hearts to us. We have *wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, awe have cheated no one.
3 I do not say this to condemn; for aI have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
4 aGreat is my *boldness of speech toward you, bgreat is my boasting on your behalf. cI am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For indeed, awhen we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but bwe were troubled on every side. cOutside were conflicts, inside were fears.
6 Nevertheless aGod, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by bthe *coming of Titus,
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the 1consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.
8 For even if I made you asorry with my letter, I do not regret it; bthough I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.
9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.
10 For agodly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; bbut the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what aclearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be bclear* in this matter.
12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, abut that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
The Joy of Titus
13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit ahas been *refreshed by you all.
14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.
15 And his affections are *greater for you as he remembers athe *obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
16 Therefore I rejoice that aI have confidence in you in everything.
Excel in Giving
1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the *churches of Macedonia:
2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and atheir deep *poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
3 For I bear *witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
4 imploring us with much urgency 1that we would receive the gift and athe fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first agave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the bwill of God.
6 So awe urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
7 But as ayou abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see bthat you abound in this grace also.
Christ Our Pattern
8 aI speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, athat though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His *poverty might become brich.
10 And in this aI give advice: bIt is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and cwere desiring to do a year ago;
11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.
12 For aif there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened;
14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.
15 As it is written, a“He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
Collection for the Judean Saints
16 But thanks be to God who 1puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord.
18 And we have sent with him athe brother whose *praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,
19 and not only that, but who was also achosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us bto the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind,
20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—
21 aproviding honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you.
23 If anyone inquires about aTitus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are bmessengers1 of the churches, the glory of Christ.
24 Therefore show to them, 1and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our aboasting on your behalf.
Administering the Gift
1 Now concerning athe ministering to the saints, it is *superfluous for me to write to you;
2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a ayear ago; and your *zeal has stirred up the majority.
3 aYet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be *in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready;
4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this 1confident boasting.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to 1exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a 2grudging obligation.
The Cheerful Giver
6 aBut this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows 1bountifully will also reap 1bountifully.
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, anot grudgingly or of 1necessity; for bGod loves a cheerful giver.
8 aAnd God is able to make all grace *abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every *good work.
9 As it is written:
a“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now 1may He who asupplies* seed to the sower, and bread for food, 2supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your brighteousness,
11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, awhich causes thanksgiving through us to God.
12 For the administration of this *service not only asupplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they aglorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal bsharing with them and all men,
14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding agrace of God in you.
15 Thanks be to God afor His indescribable gift!
The Spiritual War
1 Now aI, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the *meekness and *gentleness of Christ—bwho in presence am *lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
2 But I beg you athat when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 aFor the weapons bof our warfare are not 1carnal but cmighty in God dfor pulling down strongholds,
5 acasting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6 aand being ready to punish all disobedience when byour obedience is fulfilled.
Reality of Paul’s Authority
7 aDo you look at things according to the outward appearance? bIf anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even 1so cwe are Christ’s.
8 For even if I should boast somewhat more aabout our authority, which the Lord gave 1us for 2edification and not for your destruction, bI shall not be ashamed—
9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters.
10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but ahis bodily presence is weak, and his bspeech contemptible.”
11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.
Limits of Paul’s Authority
12 aFor we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 aWe, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.
14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), afor it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ;
15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, ain other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly *enlarged by you in our sphere,
16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.
17 But a“he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
18 For anot he who commends himself is approved, but bwhom the Lord commends.
Concern for Their Faithfulness
1 Oh, that you would *bear with me in a little afolly—and indeed you do bear with me.
2 For I am ajealous* for you with godly jealousy. For bI have betrothed you to one husband, cthat I may present you das a *chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest somehow, as athe serpent deceived Eve by his *craftiness, so your minds bmay be corrupted from the 1simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he who comes preaches *another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a *different spirit which you have not received, or a adifferent gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!
Paul and False Apostles
5 For I consider that aI am not at all *inferior to the most eminent apostles.
6 Even though aI am untrained in speech, yet I am not bin knowledge. But cwe have 1been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.
7 Did I commit sin in 1humbling* myself that you might be *exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you afree of charge?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you.
9 And when I was present with you, and in need, aI was a burden to no one, for what I lacked bthe brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.
10 aAs the truth of Christ is in me, bno one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? aBecause I do not love you? God knows!
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, athat I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
13 For such aare false apostles, bdeceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into aan angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, awhose end will be according to their works.
Reluctant Boasting
16 I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little.
17 What I speak, aI speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast.
19 For you put up with fools gladly, asince you yourselves are wise!
20 For you put up with it aif one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.
21 To our shame aI say that we were too weak for that! But bin whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.
Suffering for Christ
22 Are they aHebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: ain labors more *abundant, bin stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, cin deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received aforty bstripes minus one.
25 Three times I was abeaten with rods; bonce I was stoned; three times I cwas shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, ain perils of my own countrymen, bin perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, ain sleeplessness often, bin hunger and thirst, in cfastings often, in cold and nakedness—
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: amy deep *concern for all the churches.
29 aWho is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to *stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, aI will boast in the things which concern my 1infirmity.
31 aThe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bwho is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 aIn Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was *guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
The Vision of Paradise
1 It is 1doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to avisions and brevelations of the Lord:
2 I know a man ain Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one bwas *caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—
4 how he was caught up into aParadise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not aboast, except in my infirmities.
6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
The Thorn in the Flesh
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the *abundance of the revelations, a athorn in the *flesh was given to me, ba messenger of Satan to 1buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 aConcerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made *perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly aI will rather boast in my infirmities, bthat the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore aI take pleasure in infirmities, in *reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. bFor when I am weak, then I am strong.
Signs of an Apostle
11 I have become aa fool 1in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for bin nothing was I *behind the most eminent *apostles, though cI am nothing.
12 aTruly the *signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and bwonders* and mighty cdeeds.
13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this *wrong!
Love for the Church
14 aNow for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for bI do not seek yours, but you. cFor the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent afor your souls; though bthe more *abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
16 But be that as it may, aI did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!
17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you?
18 I urged Titus, and sent our abrother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 aAgain,1 do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? bWe speak before God in Christ. cBut we do all things, beloved, for your edification.
20 For I *fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that aI shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, *jealousies, outbursts of *wrath, *selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
21 lest, when I come again, my God awill *humble me among you, and I shall *mourn for many bwho have sinned before and have not *repented of the uncleanness, cfornication,* and *lewdness which they have practiced.
Coming with Authority
1 This will be athe third time I am coming to you. b“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
2 aI have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent 1I write to those bwho have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again cI will not spare—
3 since you seek a proof of Christ aspeaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty bin you.
4 aFor though He was crucified in weakness, yet bHe lives by the power of God. For cwe also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
5 *Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, athat Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you 1are bdisqualified.
6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
Paul Prefers Gentleness
7 Now 1I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though awe may seem disqualified.
8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
9 For we are glad awhen we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, bthat you may be made complete.
10 aTherefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the bauthority* which the *Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
Greetings and Benediction
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become *complete. aBe of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love band peace will be with you.
12 aGreet one another with a holy kiss.
14 aThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and bthe 1communion* of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
1:1 Paul’s commission as an apostle is a key issue of this epistle. Timothy was involved in founding the church in Corinth (Acts 18:5). Achaia: A region of Greece including Corinth and Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1).
1:4 For some of Paul’s troubles, see 11:23–33.
1:8–10 We means Paul himself here and in most contexts of the epistle. Trouble: Possibly severe illness or persecution. Asia: Not the continent but a province of the Roman Empire, in the western part of modern Turkey. So great a death: Such a great danger that, humanly speaking, there was no hope of surviving.
1:12 See section 3 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
1:12 Simplicity is the opposite of duplicity or deviousness, with which some of Paul’s critics had accused him. More abundantly: Especially.
1:13, 14 To the end: Fully, in contrast to in part.
1:15–17 Paul defends his change in plans. First, he had planned to visit Macedonia, then Corinth (1 Cor. 16:5). Then he decided to visit Corinth before and after the trip to Macedonia (v. 16), with the hope of blessing the Corinthians twice (v. 15). Apparently his recent painful visit to Corinth had prompted him to return to Ephesus rather than proceeding immediately to Macedonia. Now he has gone to Macedonia and is on his way to Corinth again. (See Introduction to 2 Corinthians: Background and Date.)
1:17, 18 The rhetorical form of Paul’s questions expects an answer of “No, of course not.” He had not been vacillating and frivolously changing his plans, saying Yes and No. His words and his ministry have reflected the faithfulness and consistency of God.
1:19, 20 Silvanus: Silas (see Acts 18:5). Christ is the positive and completely consistent living Word from God; likewise, Paul’s ministry has been consistent. His travel plans may change, but only because of his constant commitment to the unchanging gospel. Christ is the fulfiller and fulfillment of all the promises of God because He is their sum and substance. Through Jesus, believers say Amen (“Yes, so be it”) in response to God.
1:20–22 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
1:21, 22 Sealed us: God has marked us as belonging to Him. The Holy Spirit Himself serves as guarantee (Greek arrabon, “pledge,” “deposit”) of God’s commitment to complete His work in us (see 5:5; Eph. 1:13, 14; also Rom. 8:23), thus confirming the Yes that is in Jesus (v. 20).
1:23—2:2 Paul delayed his proposed visit to Corinth out of consideration for the church. He cannot be glad as long as they remain sorrowful.
2:3, 4 Wrote: The previous severe letter (or “tearful letter”) written as a follow-up to the painful visit. Some identify 1 Cor. as the severe letter, but it does not seem to fit that description. Others suggest that 2 Cor. 10—13 fits that description, but no manuscript evidence supports the separation of those chapters from the rest of the epistle.
2:5–11 The conflict that caused the painful visit and the severe letter involved a challenge to Paul’s authority as an apostle. The severe letter achieved a degree of correction. The rebel who caused grief, not merely for Paul, but for the entire church to some extent, had been repudiated by the majority (see 7:6–13). With their cooperation, Paul is ready to forgive and comfort the offender. To continue to punish him (after he has repented) would damage not only him but the church and Paul’s own work, because it would allow Satan to take advantage of the discord in the church. The traditional identification of the offending person with the incestuous man in 1 Cor. 5:1–5 is possible, but the offense here seems to have been directed particularly at Paul with the charge being grievous, rude conduct, not immorality.
2:12 Troas was a coastal city in Asia Minor (Acts 16:8, 9).
2:14–17 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
2:14–16 Paul begins a long digression on the nature of Christian ministry, not returning to the subject of Titus’ report until 7:5. Perhaps in response to that good report (7:5–16), Paul abruptly gives praise to God. Although he left Troas in anxiety, he now saw his experience as just one more step in a continuous triumphal procession to the glory of Christ.
The Roman triumph was a victory parade for a conquering army and its leader. Both victors and captives were part of the procession, and both groups could smell the fragrance of burning spices which accompanied the parade. The aroma, however, meant something different to the two groups. Likewise, the fragrance of Christ (the gospel) is to those who are perishing an aroma of death leading to death, for it signifies and leads to their ultimate judgment. Those who are being saved find the knowledge of Christ to be an aroma of life leading to life, for it signifies life now and leads to life eternal. For Christians to have such significance for the eternal destinies of others is a serious matter, prompting Paul’s question in v. 16 (answered in 3:5). Sufficient: Worthy, qualified, or capable.
2:17 Peddling the word of God: Teaching it only as a way of making money, without understanding the seriousness of the responsibility.
3:1–3 You are our epistle: Unlike the intruders trying to discredit Paul and elevate themselves, Paul did not need a letter of introduction and recommendation. His legitimacy as a minister of the gospel was proved by their changed lives as a result of the work of the Spirit in them.
3:4–6 Paul’s trust is not self-confidence but confidence in the sufficiency (see 2:16) of God’s Spirit, who empowers life and ministry in the reality of the new covenant. The letter kills means that the external code of the Old Covenant produces spiritual death, because the Law shows us our need but is powerless to meet the need (Rom. 7:7). Only the Spirit gives life. The advantage of the New Covenant is that it is an inward power bearing the Spirit of God Himself, enabling us to keep God’s Law. See Jer. 31:33; Rom. 8; Heb. 8:6–13.
3:5, 6 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
3:7–10 The ministry of death refers to the ritual of the OT, which was based on a covenant engraved on stones and not on hearts (v. 3) and which brought condemnation (v. 9). Nevertheless the giving of that covenant was accompanied by great glory because it was God’s Word. Moses, as minister of that covenant, reflected its glory (see Ex. 34:29–35). Only in comparison to the New Covenant can the Old Covenant be said to have no glory.
3:12, 13 Confident hope in the lasting glory of the New Covenant makes bold speech appropriate. In contrast, Moses wore a veil to obscure the temporary nature of the glory on his face.
3:14, 15 Moses’ literal veil illustrates the spiritual veil which prevents some who read the OT from seeing the true glory of God’s Word, which is Christ (see 4:6).
3:16, 17 Whenever Moses left the people to go into the presence of the Lord, he removed his veil (see Ex. 34:34). Likewise, under the New Covenant to turn to the Lord is to be open to the Spirit, who gives the liberty of unveiled access to God in Christ (see v. 14).
3:17, 18 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
3:18 Beholding as in a mirror connotes “reflecting” as well as “looking into.” As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are continually transformed into the same image by the Spirit of the Lord. We then, with ever-increasing glory, reflect what we behold.
4:1 Therefore: An important connecting word. The transcendent glory of the ministry of the New Covenant (ch. 3) provides a basis for courage to be completely honest.
4:2 Commending: Honest behavior is Paul’s “letter of recommendation,” along with the reality of the Corinthians’ faith (see 3:1–3).
4:4 Satan, the god of this age (see John 12:31), blinds the minds of people, but they choose not to believe, resulting in their inability to see the glory of Christ.
4:7–11 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
4:7 Treasure: The knowledge of God in the face of Christ. Earthen vessels are weak and fragile. This verse is virtually thematic for the entire letter, expressing the paradox of how weak human beings can be the instruments of the power of God (see 12:9, 10).
4:8, 9 The providential hand of God was controlling Paul’s persecutions, keeping them within manageable proportions.
4:10, 11 Paul enlarges the theme of power through weakness (v. 7) to include life through death. Paul’s missionary career was dangerous, and at any time he might suffer martyrdom. As he endured hardships and surrendered himself to the possibility of death, he was following the pattern of Jesus (see 1 Cor. 15:31; Gal. 6:17). However, in the midst of his perils he could experience the life of Jesus, strengthening and sustaining him in his present weakness and assuring him of future resurrection.
4:12 Paul was willing to suffer hardship or martyrdom so that the Corinthians could know the power of God.
4:16–18 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
4:16 Not lose heart: Because of faith in the future resurrection (v. 14) and because of the present experience of God’s renewing power, Paul continues to preach with courage and determination (see v. 1).
4:17 Paul’s hardships can be termed light affliction (see 11:23–29) only in comparison with the future eternal weight of glory (see Rom. 8:18).
4:18 Do not look does not mean “ignore,” but “do not keep looking at,” or “gazing at.” Paul recognizes that the outward man is perishing (v. 16), but by faith he sees more than the outward and more than the present. We must clearly see temporary things in light of the eternal (see v. 17; Heb. 11:1).
5:1 The present earthly body is like a fragile tent in contrast to the future body, which is called a building.
5:2 Groan: A sigh of frustration with bodily limitations that simultaneously expresses hope. See 4:16; Rom. 8:22, 23. Clothed: With the new body. Paul changes imagery from a building (v. 1) to clothing (see 1 Cor. 15:53, 54).
5:3, 4 Naked: A spirit or soul without a body. Ancient Greeks often spoke of the body as a tomb; Paul said it is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). Thus, he did not desire an escape from the body at death, but rather desired its renewal (1 Cor. 15:35–55).
5:5 This very thing: The renewed body for which we long. Our present experience of renewed life by God’s Spirit is a guarantee (Greek arrabon, “pledge,” “deposit”) that He will perfect what He has begun. See note on 1:21, 22; see also Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:14.
5:6 Absent from the Lord: Christ is with us spiritually, but His physical absence means we do not perceive Him as clearly or as fully as we will in the future. See Phil. 1:23; Col. 3:3, 4; 1 John 3:2.
5:7 See section 4 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
5:8 To be present with the Lord is better than our present condition, even if it means to be absent from the body between death and the day of our resurrection (see note on v. 6). This text conclusively disproves any notion that the believer experiences any lapse between death and his presence with Christ.
5:9 Therefore: Paul’s conclusion is that in view of the confident expectation of seeing Christ (v. 8) and our hope for the resurrection (vv. 5, 6) he desires to be well pleasing to Him. This holds true whether he is present or absent, that is, in the body or out (v. 6).
5:10 For: Knowledge of a future accountability for our service is another reason to seek “to be well pleasing to Him” (v. 9). The Corinthians were familiar with the judgment seat (bema). See Acts 18:12.
5:11 The terror of the Lord (the appropriate reverential awe or fear of our Creator and Judge) strengthens our resolve to please Christ ourselves (vv. 9, 10) and motivates our attempts to persuade others to trust in Christ.
5:12–17 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
5:12 Opportunity to boast: Paul explains his motives to the Corinthians to give them an answer for his detractors, who are preoccupied with superficial judgment.
5:13 If his critics call him irrational (beside ourselves), Paul knows he is only trying to serve God. If, on the other hand, Paul is of sound mind, that also is for the benefit of others, specifically the Corinthians.
5:14 The love of Christ: His love for us, which motivated Him to die for us. Compels: Constrains, confines, leaves no option. Christ died as the substitute for all; therefore, He died as the representative of all, and all died in Him. Although the pain of death was Christ’s alone, the benefit of His death is given to those who trust Him. See Rom. 6:2–10; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:3.
5:16 According to the flesh suggests external evaluation viewed from an earthly perspective. Since his conversion, Paul no longer estimates a person according to worldly standards of judgment.
5:17 In Christ: Paul’s most characteristic expression of what it means to be a Christian. Christ’s death and Resurrection for us, and our identification with Him by faith, make existence as a new creation possible. At present this new creation is only partially experienced, but it is to be our focus as the completion of the re-creation is assured (see 4:16—5:5). Our relationship with Christ affects every aspect of life.
5:18, 19 See section 2 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.
5:18, 19 The ministry of reconciliation is to announce the message of what God, who was in Christ, has done to provide atonement for sin. Those already reconciled (v. 17) have the commission to bring that message to others. Imputing: In His grace, God has refused to reckon our trespasses against us.
5:21 This statement is the positive counterpart to the statement in v. 19 that God does not impute our trespasses to us. He imputed them instead to Christ, who was sinless in every respect (see Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5). He bore our sins on the Cross and endured the penalty that we deserved, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. See also Rom. 8:3, 4; 1 Cor. 1:30; Gal. 3:13, 14.
6:1 In vain: It is possible to refuse or to miss the benefits of the grace of God.
6:2 Time: The Greek word kairos denotes an appointed time or “season,” rather than a certain length of time. The “right time” to receive God’s grace is now (see also Heb. 3:7—4:11).
6:3–13 See section 1 of Truth-In-Action at the end of 2 Cor.