2 Corinthians

Composition

2 Corinthians is a book in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Scholars mainly agree that Saint Paul the Apostle wrote the book as a letter to the Christian congregation in Corinth, a Greek city. Paul had founded the congregation in Corinth after he converted to Christianity in roughly 33 CE. Before beginning his ministry as a Christian, Paul was a Jewish leader called a Pharisee. Paul had persecuted the early Christian Church before his conversion, and his experience as a leader in the Jewish religion influenced his Christian ministry, as he often cited Old Testament scripture to help convince Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

Saint Paul wrote numerous letters that became books in the New Testament, including 1 Corinthians and Romans. These so-called Pauline letters give insight into the early Church’s history and the development of its doctrine.

Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in roughly 55 CE from Macedonia. He wrote the letter that became 2 Corinthians after having written another letter to the same congregation, which became 1 Corinthians, about a year earlier. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians after he learned about problems with and disunity in the congregation. He exhorted the congregation to act in unity and with love in 1 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians indicates that more happened in the relationships between Paul and the Corinthian Church after he sent the first letter. Some scholars believe that Paul traveled to Corinth after the first letters, and members of the congregation questioned Paul’s apostolic authority. 2 Corinthians seems to indicate that Paul was offended by the congregation and vowed not to return because of the disrespect. However, the letter also seems to indicate that the church at Corinth apologized and again recognized Paul’s apostolic authority.

2 Corinthians is known for a lack of continuity between sections. Some scholars believe that it is a combination of more than one letter from Paul to the church in Corinth. For example, some scholars believe that Paul may have written the final chapters of 2 Corinthians as a separate letter before he wrote the earlier sections.

Paul includes his own name and the name Timothy in the letter’s greeting. Scholars are unsure exactly what role Timothy played in developing the letter. He might have been Paul’s scribe for the letter or a witness to Paul’s experiences that he notes in the letter.

Summary

As a letter, 2 Corinthians opens with a Paul introducing himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” and introducing Timothy “our brother” (New American Bible, 2 Cor. 1.1). He offers grace to his audience and gives thanks to God, indicating that God helped him through a difficult experience.

The body of the text is wide-ranging in the topics that it covers and does not follow a single narrative. Throughout the letter, Paul covers three main topics: a clash between Paul and the Corinthian congregation that is eventually resolved; directives about a collection for a church in Jerusalem; and the validity of Paul’s apostolic authority.

The body of the letter begins with Paul explaining that he had plans to visit the church in Corinth but changed his plans after being offended by members of the congregation. Paul expresses the deep hurt he felt at the church’s actions saying, “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you might be pained but that you might know the abundant love I have for you” (2 Cor 2.4). Scholars believe that Paul was upset because one of the members of the congregation dismissed his apostolic authority. Paul then goes on to indicate that the matter has been resolved and exhorts the members of the church to forgive one another and act in unity.

Paul continues by trying to defend his credentials to be acting as an apostle. He points out that the congregation’s very existence acts as part of his credentials since he started the congregation himself. Paul then begins discussing Christians’ relationship with God and their understanding of the gospel. He indicates that suffering is part of life, but Christians have a life after death because of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. He also expresses happiness about the congregation in Corinth for mending their relationships.

In chapters 8 and 9, Paul gives an update about other churches and asks the Corinthians for their support. He points out that the Gentiles in the church in Macedonia were very generous in their financial offerings for a church in Jerusalem and asks the Corinthians to likewise be generous with financial contributions. He supports his request with scripture saying, “As it is written: ‘Whoever had much did not have more, and whoever had little did not have less’” (2 Cor. 8.15). He indicates that God expects them to give what they can and introduces his companion Titus, who will collect the donations for the church. Paul wants the congregation to trust him when he visits them.

In chapters 10 through 13, Paul presents a defense of his apostolic ministry. He explains that some members of the Corinthian congregation accused him of being tough in his letter but weak in person. He explains that, even though boasting is foolish, he will boast about himself because he fears that the Corinthians are easily convinced by this, even from fools. He warns the Corinthians that they could be fooled by preachers or other apostles who spread untrue messages merely because other preachers boast about their accomplishments. He says, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere [and pure] commitment to Christ” (2 Cor. 11.3).

When Paul boasts, he explains that he has the same qualifications as other preachers. He is a Hebrew, an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, and a minister of Christ. He also says that he is more than these other apostles because he has been imprisoned more often, endured more beatings, and completed more work. He explains in detail some of these painful experiences, such as being beaten by rods and shipwrecked. Paul also discusses experiences that scared him or that caused him to have to escape secretly to stay alive. He also talks about his selfless concern for the Church and the way he tries not to be a burden to the congregation.

After defending his record, Paul tells the congregation that he will visit them again. He also warns them that he will admonish them if they have not repented for their sins. He advises them to be strong and live out their faith.

In a conclusion, Paul encourages the members of the congregation to encourage and be loving toward one another.

Themes

2 Corinthians is wide-ranging, and the text can be challenging to understand because it does not follow a single idea and covers many topics. However, it is an important and often-studied text because it contains personal insight into Paul as well as doctrinally important ideas.

One idea that links Paul’s personal experiences and his doctrinal ideas in the letter is his belief that being a follower of Jesus Christ comes at a cost. In the opening of the letter, Paul references suffering that he experienced during his ministry travels. He does not go into detail about his suffering because he wants to praise God for helping him overcome his problems, but he mentions the suffering to help show that it is part of a Christian life. He repeats the idea that Christians face difficulty in chapter 4, “We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair” (2 Cor. 4.8). In chapter 11, when he “boasts” about his ministry, he recounts being beaten, being imprisoned, and nearly dying.

The idea that the members of the church are expected to be generous and loving is another important theme of the letter. Paul exhorts the congregation to forgive the member who questioned his apostolic authority to help create unity in the church. In chapters 8 and 9, he discusses the importance of giving financially. He indicates that people of all backgrounds should give what they can to help others and the Church. Paul indicates that people who receive more from God are expected to give even more. In his conclusion, Paul repeats the idea that members of the church should be loving and caring toward one another.

Bibliography

Aernie, Jeffrey W. “Faith, Judgment, and the Life of the Believer: A Reassessment of 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.” Catholic Biblical Quarterly. vol. 79, no. 3, 2017, pp. 438-54. EBSCO, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=124087819&site=ehost-live. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

The Bible. New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE). Oxford University Press, 2011.

“2 Corinthians.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2022, bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/0

Garland, David E. 2 Corinthians: The Christian Standard Commentary. B&H Publishing Group, 2021.

Jeremiah, David. 2 Corinthians: The Call to Reconciliation. Thomas Nelson, 2020.

Larkin, William. “Mission of God in the NT: 2 Corinthians.” Columbia International University, www.ciu.edu/content/mission-god-nt-2-corinthians. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

“Second Corinthians.” Insight for Living Ministries, 2022, insight.org/resources/bible/the-pauline-epistles/second-corinthians. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.