Introduction to 2 Corinthians

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV

Author

The author identifies himself immediately:

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother...” —2 Corinthians 1:1, NKJV

There is virtually no serious dispute within historic Christianity regarding Pauline authorship. The early church accepted the letter as the work of the Apostle Paul.

Timothy is included in the greeting because he was traveling with Paul, but the letter itself clearly reflects Paul’s personal thoughts, experiences, emotions, and apostolic authority.

Date and Place of Writing

Most conservative scholars date 2 Corinthians to approximately A.D. 55–56. Paul most likely wrote the letter from Macedonia, possibly from Philippi, during his third missionary journey after leaving Ephesus.

The likely sequence of events is as follows:

1. Paul founded the Corinthian church during his second missionary journey and remained there for approximately eighteen months.
2. He later wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus.
3. After sending 1 Corinthians, serious conflict developed between Paul and some members of the Corinthian church.
4. Paul made a difficult and painful visit to Corinth.
5. He then wrote a severe and sorrowful letter that has apparently not been preserved.
6. Titus later brought encouraging news that many of the Corinthians had repented and renewed their affection for Paul.
7. Paul then wrote 2 Corinthians before making another visit to the church.

This sequence helps explain the unusually emotional tone of the letter. Paul writes with relief, joy, sorrow, concern, affection, and at times forceful apostolic authority.

Historical Background

Corinth was one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in the Roman Empire. Its location made it an important center of trade, travel, commerce, and cultural exchange.

The city was known for being:

• A major commercial center
• Religiously pluralistic
• Morally corrupt
• Culturally sophisticated
• Deeply influenced by Greek and Roman values

The Corinthians naturally tended to evaluate leaders according to standards such as eloquence, education, status, wealth, rhetorical skill, personal appearance, and outward success.

These cultural values created ongoing tension with Paul’s ministry. Paul intentionally refused to build his ministry upon worldly standards because the gospel exalts Christ rather than human ability or achievement.

Paul’s Relationship with the Corinthian Church

Understanding Paul’s relationship with this congregation is essential for understanding the letter. Their relationship was unusually complex.

Paul loved the Corinthian believers deeply. He had spent approximately eighteen months establishing the church:

“And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” —Acts 18:11, NKJV

Yet members of the church repeatedly questioned:

• His authority
• His motives
• His sincerity
• His leadership
• His apostleship

False teachers had entered Corinth and persuaded some believers that Paul lacked the qualities of a true apostle. According to worldly expectations, Paul appeared unimpressive. He suffered constantly, endured persecution, experienced financial hardship, lacked polished rhetorical presentation, and often appeared physically weak.

Ironically, these weaknesses became evidence of his genuine apostleship because they reflected the suffering, humility, and sacrificial ministry of Christ Himself.

Purpose of the Letter

1. To Express Joy over Their Repentance

Many of the Corinthian believers had responded positively to Paul’s earlier correction. Paul rejoices that their sorrow had produced genuine repentance.

“Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance.” —2 Corinthians 7:9, NKJV

2. To Defend His Apostolic Ministry

Large portions of the letter defend Paul’s character, calling, conduct, and ministry. He does not defend himself merely out of personal pride. The credibility of the gospel was being threatened by false teachers who were attempting to undermine the apostle appointed by Christ.

3. To Expose False Apostles

Paul repeatedly contrasts true Christian ministry with counterfeit ministry. The false teachers emphasized impressive credentials, public recognition, rhetorical ability, outward appearance, and self-promotion.

Paul instead emphasizes:

• Faithfulness
• Sacrifice
• Suffering
• Humility
• Dependence upon God
• Christ-centered ministry

4. To Encourage the Collection for Jerusalem

Chapters 8–9 encourage the Corinthians to complete their contribution for suffering believers in Jerusalem. Paul presents generosity as an expression of God’s grace rather than as a mere financial obligation.

5. To Prepare for His Upcoming Visit

Paul plans to visit Corinth again. He hopes that his coming will be marked by joy, restoration, and fellowship rather than confrontation and discipline.

Major Themes

1. Strength through Weakness

This is perhaps the central theme of the entire letter. The world celebrates strength, status, self-sufficiency, and visible success. God often chooses to work through weakness so that His power and glory will be unmistakable.

Paul repeatedly points to experiences such as:

• Suffering
• Persecution
• Physical weakness
• Financial hardship
• Emotional pain
• Personal humiliation

These experiences become opportunities for the power of Christ to be revealed.

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” —2 Corinthians 12:10, NKJV

2. Comfort in Suffering

The letter begins with one of Scripture’s richest descriptions of God’s comfort:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” —2 Corinthians 1:3, NKJV

God comforts believers in their trials so that they may become instruments of comfort to others. Suffering is therefore not merely an obstacle to Christian ministry. In God’s hands, it can become preparation for ministry.

3. The New Covenant

One of Paul’s richest theological discussions appears in chapters 3–4. He contrasts Moses and Christ, the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, the letter and the Spirit, condemnation and righteousness, and fading glory with lasting glory.

The New Covenant brings:

• Forgiveness
• Spiritual life
• Righteousness
• Freedom
• Transformation through the Holy Spirit

4. Reconciliation

God has reconciled sinners to Himself through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Those who have been reconciled have also been entrusted with the message and ministry of reconciliation.

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” —2 Corinthians 5:18, NKJV

This passage contains one of Scripture’s clearest explanations of the gospel and the mission of the church.

5. Christian Giving

Chapters 8–9 contain one of the Bible’s fullest treatments of Christian generosity. Paul teaches that giving should be:

• Voluntary
• Cheerful
• Sacrificial
• Grace-motivated
• Proportionate
• An expression of worship

Christian generosity is not rooted in legalism or compulsion. It flows from gratitude for the grace believers have received through Christ.

6. Spiritual Warfare

Paul reminds believers that Christian ministry is fundamentally spiritual. The church does not advance the gospel through worldly manipulation, coercion, or self-promotion.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” —2 Corinthians 10:4, NKJV

The spiritual battle is fought through divine truth, prayer, obedience, and dependence upon the power of God.

Connections to 1 Corinthians

Second Corinthians should be read as a continuation of the relationship reflected in 1 Corinthians. Many of the problems addressed in the earlier letter remain important in this second letter, including:

• Challenges to spiritual authority
• Church divisions
• Spiritual immaturity
• Church discipline
• Repentance
• Restoration

First Corinthians focuses primarily on correcting sinful behavior and disorder within the congregation. Second Corinthians focuses more deeply on restoring the relationship between Paul and the church while defending the character of authentic gospel ministry.

Old Testament Connections

Paul frequently draws upon the Old Testament to explain the gospel and the nature of New Covenant ministry. Particularly important connections include:

• Moses’ veiled face in Exodus 34
• The glory associated with the giving of the Law
• The prophetic promise of the New Covenant
• Isaiah’s prophecies concerning salvation
• The Exodus as a picture of God’s redeeming work
• David’s experiences of suffering, weakness, and trust

Paul consistently demonstrates that Jesus Christ fulfills God’s redemptive purposes revealed throughout the Old Testament.

Christ in 2 Corinthians

Christ is presented as:

• The source of comfort in suffering
• God’s faithful “Yes” to every divine promise
• The image of God
• The Lord proclaimed by the apostles
• The treasure carried in fragile earthen vessels
• The One who became poor for our sake
• The source of sufficient grace
• The One through whom reconciliation is accomplished

The entire letter points believers away from confidence in themselves and toward complete dependence upon Christ.

Outline of 2 Corinthians

Key Verse

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” —2 Corinthians 5:18, NKJV

Key Takeaways