Introduction to

2 Corinthians

Author

The author twice identifies himself as Paul (1:1; 10:1), and the letter reflects Paul’s usual style of writing Greek. The letter also refers to many of Paul’s distinctive doctrines, such as justification by grace through faith, the Christian life as being lived “in Christ” and by the power of the Spirit, and Christian suffering as sharing in Christ’s suffering. Moreover, it is unlikely that a writer seeking to imitate Paul would portray him as an apostle in danger of losing his authority at Corinth or as a pastor struggling to preserve the infant church there from apostasy. People sometimes question whether Paul wrote some of the letters traditionally attributed to him (such as 1-2 Timothy and Titus), but this is not the case with 2 Corinthians.

Date

Paul’s relationship to his converts at Corinth is complex. It seems that he visited the city of Corinth on three occasions: (1) his founding visit of 18 months (from the fall of AD 50 to the spring of 52; Acts 18:1–8); (2) a brief visit (the summer or fall of 55; 2:1; 12:21; 13:2; not mentioned in Acts) that proved “painful” (2:1) both to him and to the Corinthians; (3) a final visit of three months (the winter of 56/57; Acts 20:2b–3a), during which time he wrote Romans.

Moreover, it appears that he wrote at least four letters to his friends at Corinth: (1) a letter previous to that of 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 5:9–11), which no longer exists; (2) 1 Corinthians, which Paul probably wrote in AD 54 and was presumably delivered by the delegation mentioned in 1 Cor 16:12; (3) a severe letter (2:3–4, 9; 7:8, 12), which Paul probably sent in the spring of 56 and also no longer exists; (4) 2 Corinthians, which was sent in 56 or 57, although Paul probably wrote it in stages. When we remember the relentless demands and pressures of Paul’s pastoral service (11:28), it seems likely that he composed all of his letters, apart from Philemon, over a considerable period, perhaps days or even weeks or months.

So then, we may speak of three visits (founding, “painful,” and final) and four letters (“previous,” 1 Corinthians, “severe,” 2 Corinthians).

Place of Composition

Several references within 2 Corinthians suggest that Paul was in the province of Macedonia when writing (2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2–4). Of special significance is the present tense in 9:2: “I have been boasting about it [the Corinthians’ eagerness to help] to the Macedonians.” This is confirmed by Greek manuscripts that note in the subscription to the letter that Paul wrote it “from Philippi,” a Macedonian city.

Occasion and Purpose

Two events prompted Paul to write this letter. First, his pastoral assistant Titus arrived (7:6–16) with welcome news that the majority of the Corinthians to whom Paul wrote the “severe letter” had responded favorably. Second, fresh, disturbing news arrived that some of Paul’s vocal opponents had said and done things that harmfully affected the believers.

Paul wrote with three main purposes: (1) to express his great relief and delight that the Corinthians reacted positively to his “severe letter” that Titus had delivered and reinforced (2:9, 12–14; 7:5–16); (2) to encourage the Corinthians to complete the collection they promised to take for believers at Jerusalem before his next visit (8:6–7, 10–11; 9:3–5); (3) to prepare them for his imminent visit through self-examination and self-judgment (12:14; 13:1, 5, 11). In essence, Paul had one overriding aim: to pave the way for his planned third visit so it would be free of embarrassment and everyone would enjoy it.

Was Paul’s final visit to Corinth a pleasant one? Apparently it was, for during this three-month stay in “Greece” (primarily Corinth; Acts 20:2–3), Paul wrote or completed his letter to the Romans, which gives no hint of trouble at Corinth. Moreover, Rom 15:26–27 indicates that the Corinthians completed their collection for needy fellow believers in Jerusalem. And the very preservation of 2 Corinthians (presumably at Corinth) argues that Paul’s visit was successful.

Structure

There are three clearly distinguishable sections in 2 Corinthians: (1) chs. 1–7 explain Paul’s recent conduct toward the Corinthians (1:1—2:11) and describe his apostolic ministry (2:12—7:16); (2) chs. 8–9 call the Corinthian church to complete their collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem; (3) chs. 10–13 vigorously defend how Paul exercised and will exercise his apostolic authority. The first section is basically explanation; the second, encouragement; and the third, defense; or, use the technical terms, apologetic, hortatory, and polemical.

Themes

An English phrase such as “I must rejoice” (cf. 6:10; 7:4, 7, 9, 13, 16) sums up the distinctive tone of chs. 1–9, while its major theme is comfort in the midst of affliction (1:3–7; 7:4, 6–7, 13). On the other hand, “I must go on boasting” (12:1; cf. 10:8, 13, 16–17; 11:18, 21, 30; 12:5–6, 9) sums up the tone of chs. 10–13, and it chiefly emphasizes strength in the midst of weakness (11:23–33; 12:5, 9–10; 13:4). Paul liked to express truth through paradox, so in addition to the two paradoxes just mentioned, he speaks of life in the midst of death (4:10–12; 5:4; 6:9), spiritual renewal in the midst of physical weakeness (4:16), joy in the midst of sorrow (6:10), and generosity in the midst of poverty (6:10; 8:2).

Unity

At 10:1 there is such a sudden and unexpected change of tone that some scholars propose that the letter is made up of two separate letters (chs. 1–9 and chs. 10–13) and that Paul wrote chs. 10–13 either before or after chs. 1–9. There are, however, several compelling reasons for believing that Paul sent the letter as a single document, even if he wrote it over a period of time, during which the situation at Corinth changed for the worse:

1. All the contents of the letter can be related to a single, unifying purpose in writing, namely, to prepare the way for Paul’s imminent third visit to Corinth (9:3–5; 10:2, 11; 12:14, 20–21; 13:1–2, 10) by removing any obstacles that might prevent that visit from pleasing and benefiting everyone.

2. The entire letter is an “apology” in the sense that it defends Paul against various complaints or charges that at least some of the Corinthians and the intruders from Judea made (1:12–13, 17; 5:11–13; 8:13–15; 10:1, 10; 11:6; 13:6). Paul asks, “Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you?” (12:19). What Paul writes in 1 Cor 9 about defending his apostolic rights (1 Cor 9:4–12) could equally apply to 2 Corinthians as a whole: “This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me” (1 Cor 9:3).

3. Several expressions in chs. 10–13 seem to echo or refer back to similar statements in chs. 1–9. For example, “We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ” (12:19) echoes “in Christ we speak before God [with sincerity]” (2:17), where the Greek phrase is identical and is found nowhere else in Paul’s letters.

4. We can explain the abrupt change of tone at 10:1 by suggesting that at the end of ch. 9 there was an interval of some length in Paul’s dictation. During that time, Paul received news of a worsening situation at Corinth that prompted him to defend his apostolic authority and sternly warn about his forthcoming visit (chs. 10–13).

5. With regard to the alternative views that see 2 Corinthians as a composite document, it is difficult to think of circumstances that might have led to a combination of two separate letters, one without a normal ending and another without a regular beginning such as Paul’s other letters would lead us to expect. Also, there is no manuscript evidence that supports the division of the letter into two or more parts.

Theological Value

Traditionally, Paul’s two letters to Timothy and his one letter to Titus are called the “Pastoral Letters.” But 2 Corinthians has a strong claim to be regarded as the supreme pastoral letter because it witnesses so vividly to the “daily . . . pressure” (11:28) of Paul’s anxious concern for the Corinthian believers. “Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” (11:29). Paul, the matchless pastor, penned a profound, though brief, autobiography. In this letter we have beautiful examples of the tenderness of a spiritual shepherd sensitive to the needs of his flock (1:24; 2:6–7; 6:1; 10:2; 13:5, 10); the pleading of a spiritual father jealous for his children’s affection, purity, and unity (6:11–13; 11:2–3; 13:11); and the fears of a spiritual mentor as he confronts the persistent sin of his charges (12:20–21; 13:2, 10).

This letter also includes classic discussions about the meaning of Christian suffering (1:3–11; 4:7–18; 6:3–10; 12:1–10), the proper exercise of Christian discipline (2:5–11; 7:8–13; 13:1–4), the role of a minister of the new covenant (2:14–17; 4:1–5; 5:16–21; 11:28–29; 12:14–15), the relation between the old and new covenants (3:7–18), the theology of death and resurrection (4:7—5:10), the nature and means of reconciliation (5:18–21), and the principles and practice of Christian stewardship (8:1—9:15).

Outline

I. Paul’s Explanation of His Conduct (1:1—2:11)

A. Salutation (1:1–2)

B. Praise to the God of All Comfort (1:3–11)

1. A Doxology Celebrating Divine Comfort (1:3–7)

2. Deliverance From Affliction (1:8–11)

C. Paul’s Change of Plans (1:12—2:4)

1. Characteristics of His Conduct (1:12–14)

2. Charge of Fickleness Answered (1:15–22)

3. A Canceled, Possibly Painful Visit (1:23—2:4)

D. Forgiveness for the Offender (2:5–11)

II. Paul’s Explanation of His Apostolic Ministry (2:12—7:16)

A. Ministers of the New Covenant (2:12—3:6)

1. Restlessness at Troas (2:12–13)

2. The Privilege of Apostolic Service (2:14–17)

3. The Results of the Ministry (3:1–3)

4. Competence for Service (3:4–6)

B. The Greater Glory of the New Covenant (3:7–18)

1. Lesser and Greater Glory (3:7–11)

2. Veiling and Unveiling (3:12–18)

C. Present Weakness and Resurrection Life (4:1–18)

1. The Light Brought by the Gospel (4:1–6)

2. The Trials and Rewards of Apostolic Service (4:7–15)

3. Glory Through Suffering (4:16–18)

D. Awaiting the New Body (5:1–10)

E. The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11—6:2)

1. Motivation for Service (5:11–15)

2. The Messengers of Reconciliation (5:16—6:2)

F. Paul’s Hardships (6:3–13)

G. Warning Against Idolatry (6:14—7:1)

H. Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance (7:2–16)

III. Paul’s Summons to Complete the Collection for Believers in Jerusalem (8:1—9:15)

A. The Collection for the Lord’s People (8:1–15)

1. The Generosity of the Macedonians (8:1–6)

2. A Plea for Liberal Giving (8:7–12)

3. The Aim of Equality (8:13–15)

B. Titus Sent to Receive the Collection (8:16—9:5)

1. The Delegates and Their Credentials (8:16–24)

2. The Need for Readiness (9:1–5)

C. Generosity Encouraged (9:6–15)

IV. Paul’s Defense of His Apostolic Authority (10:1—13:14)

A. Paul’s Defense of His Ministry (10:1–18)

1. The Potency of Apostolic Authority (10:1–11)

2. Legitimate Spheres of Activity and Boasting (10:12–18)

B. Paul and the False Apostles (11:1–15)

C. Paul Boasts About His Sufferings (11:16–33)

D. Paul’s Vision and His Thorn (12:1–10)

E. Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians (12:11–21)

F. Final Warnings (13:1–10)

G. Final Greetings (13:11–14)