2 Corinthians

The book of 2 Corinthians, written around 55 AD, is the Apostle Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth. This letter addresses the challenges the church faced in responding to his instructions. Paul defends his apostleship against false teachers questioning his authority, emphasizing that his ministry is marked by weakness and suffering, which display God’s power and grace. He encourages the believers to remain faithful, practice generosity in their collection for the poor in Jerusalem, and live as ambassadors of Christ. Paul highlights the new covenant through Christ, contrasting it with the old covenant and affirming that believers are transformed by the Spirit. He calls the Corinthians to examine themselves, reconcile with one another, and pursue holiness, all while maintaining confidence in God’s sustaining power.

Chapter 1

Paul wrote with Timothy to the church in Corinth and all believers in Achaia. He extended grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ, affirming their shared faith and unity.

Praise To The God Of All Comfort

Paul praised God as the source of compassion and comfort and explained that God comforts believers in their troubles so they can comfort others. He noted that sharing Christ's sufferings also brings shared comfort through Him. Paul explained that distress and comfort are for the benefit of others to encourage patient endurance. Paul recounted his trouble in Asia, where he describes the pressure as endurable and that he despaired life. However, he learned to rely on God, who delivered him. Paul credited their prayers for his deliverance and invited thanks to God for answered prayers.

Paul's Change Of Plans

Paul explained his change of travel plans, affirming he acted with integrity and relied on God’s grace. He clarified that his message about Christ was consistent and was rooted in God’s faithfulness. Paul emphasized that Christ fulfills all God’s promises, and believers speak “Amen” to glorify God. He reminded them of their shared foundation in Christ that is sealed by the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of future blessings. Paul explains that his visit was postponed to spare them.

Paul's Change Of Plans (cont.) - Chapter 2

Paul decided against another painful visit to avoid distress for the Corinthians, who were his source of joy. He wrote to them with love and anguish, aiming to inspire mutual joy and understanding rather than grief. His intent was to encourage their faith and unity.

Forgiveness For The Offender

Paul urged the church to forgive and comfort an individual who caused them grief. He explained that their punish punishment was sufficient and continued sorrow could overwhelm the offender. He called for love and forgiveness to prevent Satan from exploiting the situation. Paul affirmed his own forgiveness for their sake.

Ministers Of The New Covenant

In Troas, Paul found an opportunity to preach but didn't find Titus, whom he expected to be there, so he continued to Macedonia. He praised God for leading believers in victory through Christ and spreading the fragrance of Christ (i.e. making Christ known everywhere). To some, this brought life but to others this brought death. Paul emphasized sincerity in preaching like true ministers of God, not those who preach the Word for profit.

Ministers Of The New Covenant (cont.) - Chapter 3

Paul rejected the need for letters of recommendation and said the Corinthians themselves were proof of his ministry. Their transformation was a "letter from Christ," written by the Spirit on their hearts. Paul acknowledged his competence came from God, who made him a minister of the new covenant. This covenant, based on the Spirit, gives life, unlike the old covenant that brought death.

The Greater Glory Of The New Covenant

Paul compared the old covenant, which brought condemnation and death, to the new covenant, which brings righteousness and life. While the old covenant had glory, it was temporary. The new covenant has surpassing and eternal glory. Paul explained that through Christ, our hearts are transformed and through the Spirit of the Lord there is freedom.

Present Weakness And Resurrection Life - Chapter 4

Paul encouraged perseverance in ministry, renounced deception, and presented God’s truth openly. He acknowledged that the gospel remained hidden to unbelievers, blinded by "the god of this age." He preached Christ reflecting God’s glory in his heart. Despite being persecuted, Paul and his companions endured. He expressed confidence in God’s promise to raise believers with Christ. Paul highlighted how momentary suffering yields incomparable, eternal glory.

Awaiting The New Body - Chapter 5

Paul compared earthly life as living in a temporary tent to an eternal heavenly dwelling from God. God prepared this destiny and gave the Spirit as a guarantee. Paul expressed confidence, knowing that living in the body meant being away from the Lord. However, he longed to be with the Lord and focused on pleasing Him in both states. He reminded believers of Christ’s judgment seat, where all will receive what is due to us, whether good or bad.

The Ministry Of Reconciliation

Paul explained that fear in the Lord leads Christians to want to persuade others. He expressed that Christ's death frees believers to live for Christ instead of themselves. Through Christ, believers became a new creation, "The old has gone, the new is here!" God reconciled the world to Himself in Christ, not counting sins against people. Paul emphasized his role as Christ’s ambassador, pleading for reconciliation with God. He declared that Christ, who was sinless, became a sin offering for humanity so that in him believers could become God’s righteousness.

The Ministry Of Reconciliation (cont.) - Chapter 6

Paul urged the Corinthians not to waste God’s grace, emphasizing the urgency of salvation. He quoted Scripture to stress that now is the time of God’s favor and salvation.

Paul's Hardships

Paul and his companions avoided discrediting their ministry by putting no stumbling blocks in front of others. In this context, stumbling blocks could be in avoiding actions, words, or attitudes that might cause others to falter in their faith. Paul commends himself through enduring hardships, beatings, and imprisonments while demonstrating purity, patience, and love. Paul opened his heart to the Corinthians and urged them to reciprocate his affection.

Warning Against Idolatry

Paul warned against being yoked with unbelievers and explained the incompatibility of righteousness with wickedness and God’s temple with idols. He reminded them of their identity as God’s dwelling place and called them to separate themselves from unclean practices and promised God’s acceptance and fatherly relationship to those who live in holiness.

Paul's Joy Over The Church's Repentance - Chapter 7

Paul opened with a call to purify oneself from everything that contaminates the body and spirit in reverence for God. He recalled his struggles in Macedonia, where God comforted him through Titus. Titus brought news regarding the Corinthians and came with comfort from God. Paul expressed gratitude that his previous letter led the Corinthians to repentance. He clarified that his intent was to strengthen their devotion to him and to God. Titus grew an affection toward the Corinthians due to their obedience and warm reception, which affirmed Paul’s confidence in their faithfulness.

The Collection For The Lord's People - Chapter 8

Paul praised the Macedonian churches for their generosity during a time of severe trial and poverty. He urged the Corinthians to use the Macedonians' as an example of charity. He reminded them of Christ’s example, who became poor to enrich them spiritually. Paul emphasized giving willingly and proportionally ("according to your means" - 2 Corinthians 8:11), aiming for equality in meeting needs. Quoting Scripture Paul wrote, 'The goal is equality, 15as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”' - 2 Corinthians 8:15.

Titus Sent To Receive The Collection

Paul commended Titus for his enthusiasm and initiative in assisting the Corinthians. Along with Titus, other respected brothers were sent to ensure the offering was handled honorably before God and others. Paul called the Corinthians to demonstrate love through giving to reinforce their reputation among the churches.

Titus Sent To Receive The Collection (cont.) - Chapter 9

Paul reminded the Corinthians of their initial eagerness to help and how he was boasting about them to the Macedonians. Paul sent Titus and others ahead to finalize arrangements. He explained that he was sending Titus to help them prepare since he has boasted about them and about the importance of giving generously, not reluctantly.

Generosity Encouraged

Paul explained that sowing generously leads to reaping generously. He urged each person to give willingly and cheerfully, as God loves a cheerful giver. God would provide for their needs and enable further generosity. Their service would not only meet the needs of others but also inspire gratitude to God. Paul praised God for His indescribable gift of grace.

Paul's Defense Of His Ministry - Chapter 10

Paul addressed accusations of being timid in person but bold in letters. He emphasized that his spiritual warfare used divine, not worldly, weapons to demolish arguments and bring thoughts into obedience to Christ. He warned that he would confront disobedience boldly if needed. Paul explained that his authority was from God to build them up, not tear them down. He dismissed comparisons to those who commended themselves and focused on God’s assignment. Paul expressed hope to expand his ministry as their faith grew, boasting only in the Lord.

Paul And The False Apostles - Chapter 11

Paul expressed fear that the Corinthians may deceived into accepting a false gospel or spirit due to their devotion to Christ. By this, Paul means that the Corinthians wanted to follow Christ so wholeheartedly, that they may be easily manipulated by false teachers claiming to know the gospel. Paul told them to not accept a gospel that he hasn't taught them and that they have already accepted. Paul defended his authority against the “super-apostles,” a group of false teachers that criticized Paul. Paul emphasized his knowledge and integrity despite being untrained in speech. He reminded them that he preached freely to avoid being a financial burden and rejected the claims of false apostles, who, like Satan, masquerade as servants of righteousness.

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

In a tone of ironic boasting, Paul contrasted his hardships with the arrogance of others. He listed his credentials as a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a servant of Christ to highlight his unmatched sacrifices. Paul recounted severe trials, including floggings, stoning, shipwrecks, and constant dangers. He bore the emotional weight of concern for the churches. Paul concluded that if he must boast, it would be in his weaknesses, which reveal God’s strength.

Paul's Vision And His Thorn - Chapter 12

Paul shared a personal revelation that described a man caught up to the third heaven and experiencing indescribable things. He was not permitted to provide details but said he would not boast about himself unless it were about his weaknesses. Paul said to keep him humble about revelations, God allowed a “thorn in the flesh,” a tormenting trial. Despite pleading with God three times to remove it, God responded that His “grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul embraced his weakness and saw it as an opportunity for Christ’s power to work through him. For Christ’s sake, he delighted in hardships, declaring, “For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Paul's Concern For The Corinthians

Paul lamented being forced to defend himself against the false teachers. He reminded them of the marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—which he demonstrated among them. Paul expressed his love and concern, promising not to exploit them. He commended Titus and others who also acted with integrity. Paul’s fear, however, was that his next visit might reveal unresolved sin and division and warned against discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, and other sins. His ultimate desire was their strengthening and repentance before God.

Final Warnings - Chapter 13

Paul announced his intention to visit the Corinthians for the third time. He warned that he would not spare those persisting in sin. Paul acknowledged that while Christ was crucified in weakness, He lives by God’s power. In the same way, Paul’s weakness is accompanied by God’s power in his ministry. He urged the Corinthians to examine themselves to see if they were truly in the faith, reminding them that Christ dwells in them unless they fail the test. His desire was not to use his authority harshly but to build them up in truth and righteousness.

Final Greetings

Paul urged the Corinthians to rejoice, seek restoration, encourage one another, live in unity, and pursue peace. He said that God would be with them. He sent greetings from all the believers with him and closed with: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”