The Book of 2 Corinthians is one of the Pauline epistles in the New Testament of the Bible. It is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. The overarching theme of 2 Corinthians is reconciliation. In this letter, Paul addresses the Corinthians’ problems and defends his own apostleship. He urges them to be reconciled to God and to himself as an apostle.
Paul had previously written a severe letter to the Corinthian church in response to reports of problems and divisions. This letter no longer exists. However, it prompted repentance by some in the church. After Titus informed Paul of the Corinthians’ repentance, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to express his joy and instruct the Corinthians further.
2 Corinthians contains important teachings on Christian ministry. Paul presents the principles that motivate him in building up the church. He also defends his ministry against false teachers who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. The letter provides insight into Paul’s heart for the gospel ministry and his labor of love for the Corinthian believers.
Outline of 2 Corinthians
The book can be outlined as follows:
I. Paul’s Explanation of His Conduct (Chapters 1-7)
In this first major section, Paul addresses accusations against his character and defends his integrity as an apostle. He explains why he changed his travel plans and assures the Corinthians of his love for them.
A. Salutation (1:1-2)
Paul greets the church at Corinth.
B. Paul’s Afflictions in Asia (1:3-11)
Paul describes his troubles in the province of Asia and how God delivered him. This showed that Paul suffered on behalf of others.
C. Paul’s Conduct and Character (1:12-2:4)
Paul explains why he changed his travel plans instead of visiting them as originally intended. He did this for their benefit, out of love.
D. Forgiveness for the Offender (2:5-11)
Paul urges the Corinthians to forgive and comfort someone who had caused grief, so that Satan would not outwit them.
E. Ministers of the New Covenant (2:12-17)
Paul describes his ministry as spreading the aroma of Christ to those being saved and those perishing.
F. Glory Through Righteousness (3:1-18)
Paul contrasts the old covenant and the new covenant, showing that ministry under the new covenant brings greater glory because it is empowered by the Spirit.
G. Present Weakness and Resurrection Life (4:1-18)
Though Paul faces troubles in his ministry, he does not lose heart. His momentary afflictions are producing an eternal glory.
H. Our Heavenly Dwelling (5:1-10)
Paul looks forward to his resurrected body. In the meantime, he strives to please the Lord.
I. The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11-6:2)
Christ’s death reconciles us to God. Paul pleads with the Corinthians to be reconciled to God and explains his ministry of reconciliation.
J. Paul’s Hardships (6:3-13)
Though facing many troubles, Paul has maintained purity in his ministry. He appeals to the Corinthians to open their hearts to him.
K. Warning Against Idolatry (6:14-7:1)
Since Christians are God’s temple, they must separate themselves from spiritual darkness.
L. Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance (7:2-16)
Paul rejoices that his severe letter brought repentance among the Corinthians. His spirit has been refreshed by Titus’ report.
II. Paul’s Instructions About the Collection (Chapters 8-9)
Paul gives the Corinthians instructions for the collection for poor Christians in Jerusalem which he is organizing.
A. Generosity Encouraged (8:1-15)
Paul holds up the Macedonians as an example of generosity. He reminds the Corinthians of Christ’s sacrifice.
B. Titus Sent to Receive the Collection (8:16-9:5)
Paul is sending Titus and others to help the Corinthians prepare their generous gift.
C. Generosity Rewarded (9:6-15)
Giving generously results in blessings from God. Paul quotes Psalm 112:9.
III. Paul’s Vindication of His Apostolic Authority (Chapters 10-13)
False teachers have infiltrated the Corinthian church and challenged Paul’s authority. Paul responds boldly and gives a defense of his apostleship.
A. Paul’s Apostolic Authority (10:1-18)
Paul refutes those who see him as timid in person but bold at a distance. The Lord has given him authority for building up believers.
B. Paul and the False Apostles (11:1-15)
Paul exposes the false apostles as counterfeit ministers of righteousness. They preach a false Jesus.
C. Paul’s Sufferings as an Apostle (11:16-33)
Paul gives a detailed account of the sufferings he has endured for Christ. He is not inferior to the false apostles.
D. Paul’s Visions and Revelations (12:1-10)
Though Paul has had great visions, he boasts in his weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on him.
E. Concern for the Church (12:11-21)
Paul has acted for the Corinthians’ strengthening, even though some accuse him falsely. He warns about immorality among them.
F. Final Warnings and Appeals (13:1-14)
Paul warns he will be bold when he comes. He calls on them to examine themselves and live rightly. After final appeals, he closes with a prayer.
Key Themes in 2 Corinthians
Ministry
A major theme in 2 Corinthians is Christian ministry. Paul presents principles on ministry to instruct the Corinthians and defend his own ministry against false apostles.
According to Paul, ministry involves suffering. He says, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Faithful ministry requires perseverance through afflictions.
Ministry is a privilege, not a right. Paul writes, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5). All true ministry flows from the power of the Holy Spirit.
The ultimate aim of ministry is bringing glory to God. Paul declares, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). God shines his glory through redeemed sinners.
Gospel
2 Corinthians highlights the power and implications of the gospel message. Paul declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The gospel changes lives completely as people are reconciled to God.
Paul explains that his ministry involved proclaiming this message of reconciliation. God made Christ “to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, Jesus took our sins upon himself so we could be made righteous.
As a result, Christians have the ministry of spreading this gospel. Paul writes, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Believers now represent Christ in bringing the message of reconciliation to the lost.
Giving
In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul gives instructions regarding the collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. This passage provides key principles about giving:
- We should give willingly, not under compulsion (2 Corinthians 8:3, 12)
- Giving demonstrates the sincerity of our love (2 Corinthians 8:8)
- Christ himself enables our generosity (2 Corinthians 8:9)
- God rewards cheerful giving with blessings (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)
For Paul, the offering for Jerusalem was about more than the money. It represented spiritual fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers and unity in the church.
Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship
Much of 2 Corinthians is devoted to Paul’s defense of his apostleship. False teachers had infiltrated the Corinthian church and sought to undermine Paul’s authority and credibility.
Paul stresses the sacrifices he made as an apostle: “Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one – I am talking like a madman – with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death” (2 Corinthians 11:23). He endured these things for their benefit.
Some accused Paul of being timid in person. But Paul says he will be bold against those who remain in unrepentant sin: “I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them” (2 Corinthians 13:2).
Paul calls upon the Corinthians to examine themselves. If Christ is truly living in them, they will do what is right (2 Corinthians 13:5). Though forceful in defending his authority, Paul’s ultimate aim was the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians.
Key Quotes
2 Corinthians contains several notable verses:
- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
- “And he has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Application of 2 Corinthians Today
As one of Paul’s letters, 2 Corinthians holds authority for Christians today. Here are some key applications believers can take from this book:
- We should generously support the work of ministry in spreading the gospel.
- Our giving reflects our devotion to Christ and love for others.
- Unity in the body of Christ crosses social, cultural, and ethnic boundaries.
- Ministers face hardships in serving the gospel, so we should pray for them.
- God’s strength is shown through human weakness surrendered to Christ.
- All believers have a role in the ministry of reconciliation – sharing the gospel.
- Our conduct should back up our profession of faith in Christ.
- Forgiveness and restoration should be readily given when there is repentance from sin.
Second Corinthians reveals Paul’s heart for the Corinthian church. Through the letter, we see principles for healthy church life. Paul’s teaching on ministry and the gospel continues to instruct Christians today.