New Testament
2 Corinthians
13 chapters
Start reading: 2 Corinthians 1About this book
Second Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter, written to a church he loved and had recently wounded, and that had in turn questioned him. Some newcomers were belittling his weak appearance and plain speech, so Paul answers not with a list of credentials but with an unusual defense: God's power shows up in weakness. He speaks of comfort received in suffering and passed on to others, of ministry as clay jars carrying a treasure, and of the new creation that comes to anyone in Christ. He urges the Corinthians to reconcile with God and to finish a generous collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem, praising cheerful giving. The final chapters turn sharp as Paul confronts self-styled super-apostles, yet even there he boasts only in his hardships and in a thorn he was given that Christ refused to remove. Scholars debate whether the letter was originally one document or several, but its message is clear: real ministry looks like Christ, humble, costly and full of grace.
- Author
- The apostle Paul, with Timothy named in the greeting; authorship is widely accepted.
- Date
- About AD 55–57, written from Macedonia after Paul left Ephesus.
- Audience
- The church in Corinth and believers in the surrounding region of Achaia.
Themes
Outline
- 1:1–2:17Greeting, comfort and Paul's change of plans
- 3:1–7:16The nature of new-covenant ministry
- 8:1–9:15The collection for Jerusalem
- 10:1–13:10Paul defends his apostleship
- 13:11–13:13Final greetings and blessing
Key verses
Chapters of 2 Corinthians
- 12 Corinthians 1Paul blesses the God of all comfort, who comforts believers in their troubles so that they can comfort others in turn.
- 22 Corinthians 2Paul explains that he wrote his earlier letter out of deep distress and love, not to hurt them but to show how much he cares.
- 32 Corinthians 3Paul says the Corinthians themselves are his letter of recommendation, written by the Spirit on human hearts rather than on stone.
- 42 Corinthians 4Because of God's mercy, Paul says he does not lose heart, and he renounces underhanded methods, preaching openly.
- 52 Corinthians 5Paul contrasts our earthly tent, which will be taken down, with a building from God, an eternal home in heaven, and says believers groan in longing for it.
- 62 Corinthians 6Paul urges the Corinthians not to receive God's grace in vain, since now is the day of salvation.
- 72 Corinthians 7Paul invites the Corinthians to purify themselves and make room in their hearts for him, insisting he has wronged no one.
- 82 Corinthians 8Paul holds up the churches of Macedonia as a model of generosity: in severe trial and deep poverty, their joy overflowed in rich giving, beyond their means and by their own choice.
- 92 Corinthians 9Paul continues his appeal about the offering for the believers in Jerusalem.
- 102 Corinthians 10Turning to critics who say he is bold only in letters and unimpressive in person, Paul appeals to them by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.
- 112 Corinthians 11Paul, uncomfortable but forced to boast like a fool because rival teachers are misleading the Corinthians, expresses a jealous concern like a father who promised his daughter to one husband.
- 122 Corinthians 12Paul speaks reluctantly of a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven and heard things no one may repeat, and he leaves it at that, unwilling to boast.
- 132 Corinthians 13Paul warns that on his third visit he will not spare those who continue in sin, since Christ is not weak toward them but powerful among them; though crucified in weakness, he lives by God's power.