The Book of 2 Corinthians

Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians in order to defend his apostleship against super-apostles who questioned his ministry because of his suffering.  The book is broken up into three major sections: (1) Chapters 1-7 address the affliction that he experienced and his boast in the God of all comfort because the new covenant; (2) Chapters 8-9 encourages generous giving among them by speaking of the example of the Macedonians and the sufficiency of God’s grace; (3) And upon additional information chapters 10-13 intensifies his warnings against false teachers who promote themselves and preach a different gospel.

The apostle exalts that as a minister who is dependent upon God, that when deliverance happens, the praise is attributed to God alone (1:3-11).  This framework is set up as a paradigm for understanding Paul’s ministry to the church throughout the rest of the letter. His yearning for the Corinthians reveals the purity of his conduct and of his message amongst them. He speaks of the triumph that the gospel of Christ wrought within the believer as a pointer to the validity of his ministry within the new covenant (2:12-3:6).  Indeed, since the new covenant accomplishes redemption and gradual transformation as Christ is beheld (3:12-18), Paul’s hope and joy in proclamation of the gospel will give light to those for whom God has lifted the veil.  The beauty of righteousness of God imputed to the believer because of the sacrifice of Christ (5:21) provides the basis of the ministry of reconciliation that is called for and the righteous living that loving care for others in generosity.  As Paul continues he proclaims that in his weakness, Christ is shown strong (12:9-10).  So unlike his detractors, he desires them to esteem Christ (12:15), and to comfort each other with the comfort of the gospel (13:11-4).