Paul's Second Letter to Corinth

Background Information
Paul (1:1; 10:1) apparently wrote this letter from somewhere in Macedonia, possibly from the city of Philippi. It would have been written not long after 1 Corinthians (2:9; 12:21), during Paul’s third missionary journey (2:12-13; 7:5-7).

Paul had hoped that his first letter, 1 Corinthians, would resolve the moral, social, and theological difficulties within this church, but it seems that the resolution would not happen so easily. In addition to the initial letter, it seems that he had also undertaken an additional, quick visit to Corinth, then returning to Ephesus to finish out his work there (12:14; 13:1–2). It also seems as though he wrote an additional, brief, prior letter to them (delivered by Titus between 1st and 2nd Corinthians), a letter which we do not have today.

After all this, and after Paul had wrapped up his ministry in Ephesus, facing intense pressure from persecution there, he traveled onward to Troas, where he expected to reconnect with Titus (2:12-13). Rather than meet Titus, Paul found him nowhere, thus raising his concern – so he moved on to Macedonia, perhaps to Philippi, where he encountered even more intense persecution and trouble (7:5-16). However, while there, he finally reconnected with Titus and received the encouraging news that the church at Corinth had repented and responded well to his correction.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth (1:1).

The theme of this book is “Christian Ministry.”
 
This is the most autobiographical of all Paul’s NT letters, giving insight into the feelings and life of Paul to a degree and depth unparalleled in any other. Such self-disclosure did not come easily or naturally for Paul who was, instead, reluctant to give such personal information, not wishing to draw undue attention to himself (11:18. 30; 12:1. 5-6; 12:11). This was, in a sense, a defensive letter, one in which Paul defended his conduct, credentials, and role as an apostle due to those who criticized, doubted, or sought to undermine his leadership and ministry.

Paul wrote with two distinct purposes.

• First, he wanted to commend the church at Corinth on their positive, repentant response to his first epistle. (7:6-8)

Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.

They had disciplined the sinning member and corrected their wrong, divisive behaviors. This overjoyed Paul.

• Second, he wanted to defend his apostleship against a faction in the church who attempted to discredit him. (11:23)

Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

There were people, Jewish religious leaders and otherwise, who actively endeavored to discredit and undermine Paul’s influence and teaching in the church.

Outline of the Book

Robert G. Gromacki provides the following outline for this letter:

• Greeting (1:1–2)
• A Defense of His Conduct (1:3–2:11)
  • His sufferings (1:3–11)
  • His past conduct (1:12–22)
  • His future plans (1:23–2:4)
  • His treatment of the offender (2:5–11)
• A Defense of His Ministry (2:12–7:16)
  • Contrasted with legalism (2:12–3:18)
  • Opposed by Satan (4:1–18)
  • Examined by Christ (5:1–10)
  • Motivated by love for Christ (5:11–19)
  • Marked by lack of offense (5:20–6:10)
  • Saturated with spiritual concern (6:11–7:4)
  • Encouraged by joy over results (7:5–16)
• A Defense of the Collection for the Jerusalem Church (8:1–9:15)
  • Example of the Macedonians (8:1–7)
  • Example of Jesus Christ (8:8–15)
  • Testimony of the church delegates (8:16–9:5)
  • Blessings of giving (9:6–15)
• A Defense of His Apostleship (10:1–12:13)
  • His authority (10:1–18)
  • His lack of financial support (11:1–15)
  • His sufferings (11:16–33)
  • His in (or out) of body experience (12:1-6)
  • His physical weakness (12:7–10)
  • His miracles (12:11–13)
• A Defense of His Upcoming Visit (12:14–13:10)
• Closing (13:11–14)