Introduction to the 2 Corinthians

This may be the 2nd or 3rd letter to the Corinthians by Paul. The reason for this is the allusion in 1 Corinthians 5:9 to a former letter. That would make 1st Corinthians Paul’s 2nd letter and 2nd Corinthians Paul’s 3rd letter.

There seem to be definite connections between 1st and 2nd Corinthians. Some of the issues addressed in 1 Corinthians find resolution or expanded treatment in 2nd Corinthians. For instance, in the issue of a believer committing incest, where Paul orders that the person be thrown out of the church (1 Corinthians 5), in 2nd Corinthians Paul urges restoration in view of apparent repentance (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11). Also, Paul’s stern earlier letter (1st Corinthians) appears to have deeply hurt the Corinthians, but Paul rejoices because their grief resulted in repentance (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:8-13).

Finally, in the significant matter of divisions in the church, caused by those espousing worldly philosophy, dynamic speech, and “spiritual” manifestations (1 Corinthians 1-4; 9; 12-14), it appears that some in the church have naively embraced so-called “super apostles,” who preach against the true Gospel and challenge Paul’s apostolic authority. Paul gives a very strong rebuttal (2 Corinthians 10-13) against these “false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). Against their rhetoric, putting on airs, extreme measures (e.g. striking them on the face, 1 Corinthians 11:20), and questionable displays of power, Paul argues for the blameless nature of his conduct (1:12, 17, 18; 6:3-10; 7:2, 3), his frequent suffering for the sake of the church and for God’s glory (1:5-11, 4:8-12; 6:4-10; 11:23-12:9), his strong love for all his churches, especially the Corinthian church (2:4; 11:2, 7-11; 12:14, 15), his apostolic authority to build them up and defeat any opposition (2:9; 10:8; 13:8-10), and the frequent emphasis that Paul judges not according to worldly standards but according to the invisible spiritual realm known to the eyes of faith (1:12).

Other distinctive issues addressed are the glory of the ministry of the new covenant (ch. 3) and the principles of Christian stewardship (chs. 8, 9).

Some great verses in 2 Corinthians (TNIV):

3:5 – “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
4:7 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
3:18 – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
10:5 – “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
12:9 – “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”