2 Corinthians
Paul's most personal letter: weakness, comfort, reconciliation, and a ministry questioned.
Who wrote it
The letter names Paul as author (1:1), with Timothy beside him, and almost no scholar doubts that. The main debate is about the letter's shape: the tone changes sharply at chapter 10, and some scholars think chapters 10 to 13 were a separate letter (perhaps the "letter of tears" or a later one) joined to chapters 1 to 9, while others think it is one letter written after a change of mood. Some also wonder whether chapters 8 and 9, or 6:14-7:1, were originally separate. The letter itself shows that Paul wrote several letters to Corinth (1 Corinthians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 2:3-4, 7:8).
Who it was for
The same church as 1 Corinthians, after a painful visit and a tense exchange of letters. Some in Corinth had been won over by outside teachers whom Paul sarcastically calls "super-apostles" (11:5), and who questioned Paul's authority, his speaking, and his refusal to take pay. Many in the church seem to have repented after Titus's visit (7:6-16), but a minority were still opposed.
When it happens
After 1 Corinthians, Paul visited Corinth in a painful visit, sent a severe letter, and then left Ephesus for Troas and Macedonia, anxious to hear from Titus. Titus met him with good news (7:5-7), and Paul wrote from Macedonia, planning to come to Corinth a third time (12:14; 13:1). The order of events is pieced together from hints in the letter, and some details are uncertain.
How to read it
A personal letter, at times a defense, at times a heartfelt appeal. Paul moves among thanksgiving, explanation, a teaching about the new covenant, a fundraising appeal, and, at the end, an ironic "fool's speech" in which he boasts only of his weaknesses.
Map: Troas, Macedonia, Corinth, and Jerusalem
Open mapPaul moves from Ephesus to Troas and on to Macedonia, waiting for news from Corinth, and turns his thoughts to Jerusalem and the collection.
Timeline
Open timelineIn order, not to scale.
God comforts and reconciles through weakness: the Christ who was crucified in weakness works through a servant who carries the treasure in a clay jar, so that the power is clearly God's.
- Comfort in suffering
- Ministry of the new covenant
- Reconciliation
- Generosity and the collection
- Power in weakness
Who’s who
Paul
The apostle, writing from Macedonia after a painful time with the Corinthians.
- Chapters: 1, 10
Timothy
Named with Paul as co-sender and as one who preached in Corinth (1:1, 1:19).
- Parents: Eunice
- Chapters: 1
Titus
Paul's co-worker, who carried the severe letter and brought back good news; also organizes the collection.
- Chapters: 2, 7, 8, 12
The "super-apostles"
Outside teachers who questioned Paul's authority and boasted of their credentials.
The offender
A person who wronged Paul or the church, whom the church disciplined and Paul now asks them to forgive (2:5-11).
The Macedonian churches
Poor churches such as Philippi and Thessalonica that gave generously.
Family links and chapters: Theographic Bible Metadata, CC BY-SA 4.0. About our sources