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Introduction
to 2 Corinthians
Summary of the Book of 2 Corinthians
This summary of the book of 2 Corinthians provides information
about the title
author(s)
date of writing
chronology
theme
theology
outline
a brief overview
and the chapters of the Book of 2 Corinthians.
Author
Paul is the author of this letter (see 1:1; 10:1). It is stamped with his style and contains
more autobiographical material than any of his other writings.
Date
The available evidence indicates that the year a.d. 55 is a
reasonable estimate for the writing of this letter. From 1Co 16:5-8 it may be concluded that 1
Corinthians was written from Ephesus before Pentecost (in the late spring) and
that 2 Corinthians may have been written later that same year before the onset
of winter. 2Co 2:13; 7:5 indicate that it was probably written from
Macedonia.
Recipients
The opening greeting of the letter states that it was addressed to
the church in Corinth and to Christians throughout Achaia (the Roman province
comprising all of Greece south of Macedonia; see map
2288).
Occasion
It seems that Paul wrote as many as four letters to the church at
Corinth: (1) the letter referred to in 1Co 5:9 (see note there); (2) 1 Corinthians; (3)
the "severe" letter (see 2Co 2:3-4; see also below); (4) 2 Corinthians.
After writing 1 Corinthians Paul continued his ministry at Ephesus until he
heard that his letter had not completely accomplished its purpose. A group of
men had come to Corinth who presented themselves as apostles. They were false
teachers who were challenging
among other things
Paul's personal integrity
and his authority as an apostle (see 11:4; 12:11).
In the face of this serious situation
Paul decided to make a
quick trip to Corinth (12:4; 13:1-2) to see whether he could remedy the
situation. The visit turned out to be painful and did not accomplish its
purpose. So when Paul returned to Ephesus
he wrote the Corinthians a severe
letter "out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many
tears" (2:4)
probably sending it by Titus (12:8). Some identify this letter with 2Co 10-13. Others think it has been lost.
After writing the severe letter
Paul had second thoughts. He was
deeply concerned about how the Corinthians might react to it. So after the riot
caused by Demetrius and his fellow silversmiths (see Ac 19:23-41)
he left Ephesus and set out for
Macedonia by way of Troas. He expected to meet Titus in Troas to get news of
the effect of his severe letter on the Corinthian church
but Titus was not
there (see 2Co 2:12-13). Still deeply concerned and despite
the fact that the Lord had opened up an opportunity to preach the gospel at
Troas
Paul said good-by to the believers there and moved on to Macedonia
where he met Titus. To his relief
the news from the Corinthian church was
basically good. The severe letter had brought its intended results (7:5-16). The encouraging report of Titus of the
improved situation at Corinth is the immediate occasion of the writing of 2
Corinthians.
How
then
does one explain the harsh tone of chs. 10 - 13
which is so different from the rest of the
letter? Some think that when Paul had just completed writing the first nine
chapters
a report came to him that a strong and vocal minority was still
causing trouble at Corinth. So before sending off the letter he added the last
four chapters to address this troublemaking group. Others hold that chs. 10 - 13 were written some time after Paul had sent
the first nine chapters and that they constitute a separate letter. There is
however
no manuscript evidence that warrants splitting 2 Corinthians into two
parts.
Purposes
Because of the occasion that prompted this letter
Paul had a
number of purposes in mind:
- To express the
comfort and joy Paul felt because the Corinthians had responded favorably
to his painful letter (1:3-4; 7:8-9
12-13).
- To let them know
about the trouble he went through in the province of Asia (1:8-11).
- To explain why he had
changed his travel plans (1:12 -- 2:4).
- To ask them to
forgive the offending party (2:5-11).
- To warn them not to
be "yoked together with unbelievers" (6:14 -- 7:1).
- To explain to them
the true nature (its joys
sufferings and rewards) and high calling of
Christian ministry. This is the so-called great digression
but it turns
out to be in some ways the most important section of the letter (2:14 -- 7:4; see note on 2:14).
- To teach the
Corinthians about the grace of giving and to make sure that they complete
the collection for the poor Christians at Jerusalem (chs. 8 - 9).
- To deal with the
minority opposition in the church (chs. 10 - 13).
- To prepare the
Corinthians for his upcoming visit (12:14; 13:1-3
10).
Structure
The structure of the letter relates primarily to Paul's impending
third visit to Corinth. The letter falls naturally into three sections:
- Paul explains the
reason for the changes in his itinerary (chs. 1 - 7).
- Paul encourages the
Corinthians to complete their collection in preparation for his arrival
(chs. 8 - 9).
- Paul stresses the
certainty of his coming
his authenticity as an apostle and his readiness
to exercise discipline if necessary (chs. 10 - 13).
Unity
Some have questioned the unity of this letter (see above)
but it
forms a coherent whole
as the structure above shows. Tradition has been
unanimous in affirming its unity (the early church fathers
e.g.
knew the
letter only in its present form). Furthermore
none of the early Greek
manuscripts breaks up the book.
Outline
I.
Apologetic: Paul's Explanation of His Conduct and Apostolic
Ministry (chs. 1-7)
A.
Greetings (1:1-2)
- Thanksgiving for Divine Comfort
in Affliction (1:3-11)
- The Integrity of Paul's Motives
and Conduct (1:12;2:4)
- Forgiving the Offending Party at
Corinth (2:5-11)
- God's Direction in Ministry (2:12-17)
- The Corinthian Believers -- a
Letter from Christ (3:1-11)
- Seeing the Glory of God with
Unveiled Faces (3:12;4:6)
- Treasure in Clay Jars (4:7-16a)
- The Prospect of Death and What
It Means for the Christian (4:16b;5:10)
- The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11;6:10)
- A Spiritual Father's Appeal to
His Children (6:11;7:4)
- The Meeting with Titus (7:5-16)
II.
Hortatory: The Collection for the Christians at Jerusalem (chs. 8-9)
- Generosity Encouraged
(8:1-15)
- Titus and His
Companions Sent to Corinth (8:16;9:5)
- Results of Generous
Giving (9:6-15)
III.
Polemical: Paul's Vindication of His Apostolic Authority (chs. 10-13)
- Paul's Defense of His
Apostolic Authority and the Area of His Mission (ch. 10)
- Paul Forced into
Foolish Boasting (chs. 11-12)
- Final Warnings (13:1-10)
- Conclusion
Final
Greetings and Benediction (13:11-14)
──《New
International Version》
Introduction to 2 Corinthians
The second epistle to the Corinthians
probably was written about a year after the first. Its contents are closely
connected with those of the former epistle. The manner in which the letter St.
Paul formerly wrote had been received
is particularly noticed; this was such
as to fill his heart with gratitude to God
who enabled him fully to discharge
his duty towards them. Many had shown marks of repentance
and amended their
conduct
but others still followed their false teachers; and as the apostle
delayed his visit
from his unwillingness to treat them with severity
they
charged him with levity and change of conduct. Also
with pride
vain-glory
and severity
and they spake of him with contempt. In this epistle we find the
same ardent affection towards the disciples at Corinth
as in the former
the
same zeal for the honour of the gospel
and the same boldness in giving
Christian reproof. The first six chapters are chiefly practical: the rest have
more reference to the state of the Corinthian church
but they contain many
rules of general application.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians》
2 Corinthians General Review
AUTHOR: Paul
the apostle
along with Timothy (1:1)
PLACE OF WRITING: Somewhere in MACEDONIA
while Paul was on his way
to make another visit to Corinth. This would be during his third
missionary journey
in a part of which Luke says very little (cf. Ac
20:1-2).
TIME OF WRITING: Possibly in the fall of 57 A.D.
making it but a few
months after writing First Corinthians (likely written in the spring of
57 A.D.).
MESSENGER: Titus
who was accompanied by two others on his journey
(8:16-24)
BACKGROUND OF THE EPISTLE: The church in Corinth began in 52 A.D.
when Paul visited there on his second missionary journey. It was then
that he stayed one and a half years
the first time he was allowed to
stay in one place as long as he wished. A record of this visit and the
establishment of the church is found in Ac 18:1-18.
This second letter of Paul to the Corinthian church was occasioned by
the report brought back by Titus
who informed Paul of their reception
of the first letter
and how they received the rebuke that letter
contained (2:12-13; 7:5-9).
PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: Titus' report was encouraging
but evidently
it also brought troubling news that some at Corinth were questioning
Paul's authority as an apostle. This doubt may have planted by
"Judaizing teachers" who seemed to follow Paul and attempted to
undermine his teaching concerning the Law. They appear to have
questioned his veracity (1:15-17)
his speaking ability (10:10; 11:6)
and his unwillingness to accept support from the church at Corinth
(11:7-9; 12:13). There were also some people who had not repented of
their licentious behavior (12:20-21). Paul's primary purpose
then
in
this epistle is:
TO VINDICATE HIS APOSTLESHIP AND MANNER OF LIFE
He hopes that by writing in advance of his visit he can get all of the
necessary rebuke out of the way (1:23-2:3; 13:10). He also uses the
opportunity to encourage them to have the collection for the needy
saints in Jerusalem ready when he comes (9:1-5; cf. 1 Co 16:1-2).
This letter is the most biographical and least doctrinal of Paul's
epistles. It tells us more about Paul as a person and as a minister
than any of the others. Those who would be ministers of the gospel
would do well to carefully study it (along with Paul's epistles to
Timothy and Titus).
KEY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 7:2
"Open your heart to us. We have wronged no one
we have corrupted no
one
we have defrauded no one."
BRIEF OUTLINE:
SALUTATION AND THANKSGIVING (1:1-11)
I. PAUL EXPLAINS HIS MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (1:12-7:16)
A. HE DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY
1. The Changed Plan (1:12-22)
2. The Delayed Visit (1:23-2:4)
3. The Penitent Offender (2:5-11)
B. HE DESCRIBES HIS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY
1. Triumphant (2:12-17)
2. Accredited (3:1-3)
3. Glorious (3:4-18)
4. Honest (4:1-6)
5. Suffering (4:7-18)
6. Hopeful (5:1-10)
7. Devoted (5:11-17)
8. Reconciling (5:18-21)
9. Approved (6:1-10)
C. HE MAKES HIS APPEAL TO THEM
1. To Open Their Hearts (6:11-13)
2. To Be Separate From The World (6:14-7:1)
3. The Comfort And Confidence They Have Given Him (7:2-16)
II. THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS IN JERUSALEM (8:1-9:15)
A. THE EXAMPLE OF MACEDONIA (8:1-5)
B. THE BASIS FOR HIS EXHORTATION (8:6-15)
C. THE MESSENGERS FOR THIS MINISTRY (8:16-9:5)
D. THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO GIVE LIBERALLY (9:6-15)
III. PAUL DEFENDS HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY (10:1-13:10)
A. EXPLANATION CONCERNING HIS CONDUCT
1. He Uses Weapons Mighty In God (10:1-11)
2. The Contrast Between Him And His Opponents (10:7-18)
B. SOME FOOLISH BOASTING
1. The Necessity For Boasting (11:1-21)
2. The Grounds For His Boasting (11:22-12:10)
3. His Rebuke For Compelling Him To Boast (12:11-13)
C. HIS FINAL WARNINGS
1. Motivated By Love
He Seeks Their Edification (12:14-19)
2. His Fear Of What He Will Find (12:20-21)
3. His Coming Will Be In Judgment If Necessary (13:1-6)
4. But He Hopes To Avoid Sharp Words By Writing In Advance
(13:7-10)
CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS AND BENEDICTION (13:11-14)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION
1) On which journey did the apostle Paul establish the church in
Corinth?
- His second journey
2) Where does one read about the establishment of the church in
Corinth?
- Ac 18:1-18
3) On which journey did Paul write both of his epistles to the
Corinthians?
- His third journey
4) From where did Paul write his FIRST epistle to the Corinthians? (cf.
1 Co 16:8)
- Ephesus
5) From where did Paul write his SECOND epistle to the Corinthians?
(cf. 7:5; 8:1; 9:2-4)
- Somewhere in Macedonia (perhaps Philippi
Thessalonica
Berea?)
6) What is the approximate date of writing?
- The fall of 57 A.D.
7) Whose arrival likely prompted Paul's writing of this epistle?
(7:5-7)
- Titus
8) What sorts of things about Paul were questioned by those challenging
his apostolic authority? (cf. 1:15-17; 10:10; 11:6; 11:7-9; 12:13)
- His veracity
- His speaking ability
- His refusal to accept financial support
9) What is the purpose of this epistle?
- To vindicate Paul's apostleship and manner of life
10) What other topic does Paul discuss in this epistle? (9:1)
- The collection for the saints
－－《Executable
Outlines》