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Origin, Authorship, and Date of Writing

2 Corinthians is a letter in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul. Paul, an influential early Christian missionary and theologian, is believed to have written this letter to the church in Corinth, a major city in ancient Greece. Most scholars agree that Paul is indeed the author of 2 Corinthians. The letter is thought to have been written in the mid-50s A.D., likely around 55-57 A.D. This dating is based on historical and textual analysis, including Paul's references to his travel plans and the context of his missionary work.

Setting

The setting of 2 Corinthians is primarily Paul's circumstances during his missionary journeys. The letter addresses various challenges and issues that arose in the early Christian community in Corinth. Corinth was a cosmopolitan city, known for its wealth, commerce, and diverse population. This backdrop is significant as it influenced the nature of the problems and controversies addressed in the letter, such as moral laxity, doctrinal confusion, and the questioning of Paul's apostolic authority.

Purpose and Themes

The primary purpose of 2 Corinthians seems to be to defend Paul's apostolic authority and to address various misunderstandings and criticisms he faced from the Corinthian church. The letter is also intended to encourage and console the believers in Corinth, urging them to reconciliation, forgiveness, and steadfastness in their faith. Key themes include the nature of Christian ministry, the power of God in human weakness, the concept of the 'new covenant', and the importance of generosity and mutual support within the church community.

Structure (Click to Open)

2 Corinthians is structured in a somewhat complex and less systematic way compared to some of Paul's other letters. It appears to combine several different pieces of correspondence into one. The letter can be divided into several sections: Paul's explanation of his conduct and apostolic ministry (chapters 1-7), instructions concerning generosity and the collection for the Jerusalem church (chapters 8-9), and a defense of his apostolic authority against his critics (chapters 10-13).

Significance (Click to Open)

The significance of 2 Corinthians lies in its deep insight into Paul's thoughts and feelings, especially his reflections on the nature of Christian ministry and apostleship. It provides a unique window into the challenges and dynamics of the early Christian communities. The letter's emphasis on strength in weakness, the transformative power of the Christian message, and the importance of genuine, selfless leadership has been influential in Christian theology and practice throughout the centuries.

Key Themes

Paul defends his apostolic      authority throughout the letter, emphasizing the sincerity, endurance,      and divine sanction of his ministry amidst opposition and challenges. His      defense is not for his own sake but for the spiritual welfare of the      Corinthians and the credibility of the Gospel. 

The theme of reconciliation      pervades the letter. Paul seeks reconciliation with the Corinthians, and      he presents the Gospel as God’s means of reconciling the world to Himself      through Christ. He urges the Corinthians to be reconciled to God and to      one another, embodying the message of reconciliation in their community      life. 

Paul emphasizes the paradox of      strength in weakness, elucidating that his sufferings and weaknesses      serve as a platform for the manifestation of Christ’s power and grace.      This theme underscores the paradoxical nature of Christian ministry and      life, highlighting reliance on God’s power rather than human strength. 

Paul dedicates substantial portions of the letter to the discussion of Christian giving. He encourages the Corinthians to contribute generously to the collection for the Jerusalem church, outlining the principles of cheerful, voluntary, and proportional giving. 

Paul contrasts the glory of the New Covenant with the Old Covenant. The New Covenant is characterized by the Spirit who gives life, freedom, transformation, and everlasting glory, while the Old Covenant, though glorious, is characterized by condemnation, veiling, and transience. 

2 Corinthians Outline

  I. Greetings and Thanksgiving (1:1–11)

A. Paul’s Salutation (1:1–2)
          1. Introduction of Paul and Timothy
          2. Greeting to the Church in Corinth
 B. Thanksgiving and Affliction (1:3–11)
          1. Praise to God for Comfort in Affliction
          2. The Purpose of Affliction
          3. The Assurance of Deliverance

II. Paul’s Ministry and Plans (1:12–2:13)

A. Paul’s Integrity and Plans (1:12–22)
      1. Paul’s Conscience
      2. Change of Plans
      3. God’s Faithfulness
B. The Painful Visit (2:1–4)
      1. Reason for the Painful Visit
      2. Purpose of the Letter
C. Forgiveness and Comfort for the Offender (2:5–11)
      1. Call to Forgive
      2. The Danger of Unforgiveness
D. Paul’s Anxiety and Relief (2:12–13)
      1. Paul’s Visit to Troas
      2. Journey to Macedonia

III. The Ministry of the New Covenant (2:14–7:1)

A. Triumph in Christ (2:14–17)
      1. The Fragrance of Christ
      2. Sincerity in Christ
B. The Glory of the New Covenant (3:1–18)
      1. Letters of Recommendation
      2. Superiority of the New Covenant
C. Treasure in Jars of Clay (4:1–18)
      1. Proclamation of Jesus Christ
      2. Affliction and Renewal
D. The Eternal Weight of Glory (5:1–10)
      1. Earthly Tent and Heavenly Dwelling
      2. The Judgment Seat of Christ
E. The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11–21)
      1. The Fear of the Lord
      2. Reconciliation Through Christ
F. Paul’s Appeal and Warning (6:1–7:1)
      1. The Day of Salvation
      2. Paul's Hardships
      3. Call to Holiness

IV. The Collection for the Jerusalem Church (8:1–9:15)

A. The Example of the Macedonian Churches (8:1–15)         
     1. Generosity of the Macedonian Churches          
     2. Encouragement to Give Generously     
B. The Ministry of Giving (8:16–9:5)          
     1. Titus and the Collection          
     2. Preparation for the Collection     
C. The Cheerful Giver (9:6–15)          
     1. The Principle of Sowing and Reaping          
     2. God’s Indescribable Gift

V. Paul’s Defense of His Apostolic Authority (10:1–12:21)

A. The Lord’s Soldier (10:1–6)          
     1. Paul’s Appeal by the Meekness and Gentleness of Christ  
     2. The Spiritual War     
B. Boasting in the Lord (10:7–18)          
     1. The Measure of Commendation          
     2. The Limits of Authority     
C. Paul’s Foolish Boasting (11:1–33)          
    1. The Divine Jealousy  
    2. Paul’s Sufferings      
D. The Thorn in the Flesh (12:1–10)       
    1. Paul’s Vision and Revelation      
    2. Paul’s Weakness and Christ’s Power     
E. Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians (12:11–21)    
    1. The Signs of an Apostle     
    2. Paul’s Fear for the Corinthians

VI. Final Warnings and Exhortations (13:1–14)

A.  Examination and Proof (13:1–6)     
     1. The Third Visit      
     2. The Test of Faith     
B. Prayer and Greeting (13:7–14)     
     1. Prayer for Restoration    
     2. Final Greetings and Benediction

2 Corinthians stands as a testament to Paul’s unwavering commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his unrelenting love for the Corinthian church. It is a letter marked by passion, emotion, and deep spiritual insights, offering timeless principles and teachings pertinent to Christian life and ministry.

1 Corinthians
Summaries
Galatians

In 2 Corinthians 1-4, Paul addresses the Corinthian church, emphasizing God's comfort in affliction, his apostolic authority, and the glory of the New Covenant. He begins by highlighting the comfort received from God amidst sufferings, asserting that comfort experienced is meant to be shared with others in their afflictions. He then addresses accusations and...

In 2 Corinthians 5-9, Paul delves deeper into themes of reconciliation, transformation, generosity, and Christian service. Chapter 5 unfolds the concept of the believers’ heavenly dwelling and the transformation of being a new creation in Christ, with the old gone and the new come. Paul emphasizes the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to believers, with God...

In 2 Corinthians 10-13, Paul ardently defends his apostolic authority and counters the criticisms of false apostles. Chapter 10 portrays the spiritual warfare and divine power inherent in true apostolic ministry, while Paul clarifies the depth of his commitment and the sincerity of his actions and letters.In Chapter 11, the discourse intensifies with Paul’s...