2–Corinthians

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Introduction to the book of 2–Corinthians

	Unlike First Corinthians, Second Corinthians is a subjective book. First Corinthians teaches the church how to do things and how Christians conduct themselves in various situations. Second Corinthians reveals what it is like to be an Apostle. 

	It seems that the Corinthians resolved most of the problems Paul mentioned in his first letter. After a time, certain Jews came into the church and began to stir up trouble, which required a visit from the Apostle Paul. 

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	The Jews were creating problems in various ways: 

• They were presenting themselves as legitimate Apostles (2nd Cor. 11:13).

• They stirred up strife and division.

• They criticized Paul and challenged his authority (2nd Cor. 11:19-20).

• They tried to build up a following for themselves among established churches but did not evangelize.

• They taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation and for keeping Jewish ceremonial laws.

• They criticized Paul for receiving money for his work to undermine, sabotage, and damage Paul's character before the Corinthian church. This is important to understand because Paul refers to these accusations in his second letter.

	Second Corinthians reflects the tumultuous relationship that Paul had with the church in Corinth. 

	Many appreciate 2 Corinthians due to its memorable word pictures, and some have been encouraged by the hardships Paul endured. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us that "...God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (NLT).

	Others have been inspired by the picture of the triumphal procession in Second Corinthians 2:14, in which Paul and others are led in Christ. Still, others have quoted Paul's words in Second Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) "...for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life," while others have gained strength from Paul's struggle with of his "thorn in the flesh" in chapter 12.

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Theme & Overview

	Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to be reconciled with him and reject false apostles challenging his authority and creating dissension or conflict in the church. Dissension means a dispute, disagreement, or discord. So, these false apostles and leaders created conflicts and disputes among the believers.

	Inner strife plagued the church at Corinth. Paul wrote to resolve the disagreements, restore unity to the congregation and reestablish his leadership role. According to the "NIV Quest Study Bible," reading 2 Corinthians is like overhearing one side of a telephone conversation. Though some specifics aren't known, the feelings come through loudly. In this letter, the apostle Paul wrote about the joys, sorrows, ambitions, frustrations, and assurances he had for the believers at Corinth. Examining Paul's emotions—evident by what he said and how he said it—can be helpful in developing our own relationship with God. The main issues of the book include:

• Handling dissension within the church.

• False teachings.

• Church leadership.

• The unique dilemmas of Christians in the world.

Other issues include questions of financial support for the church and the poor.

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Author

	The internal evidence is also very strong. The writer calls himself Paul (2 Cor. 1:1; 10:1). Scholarship is virtually unanimous in its agreement that the Pauline authorship of this epistle is unmistakable, not only in content but in style and vocabulary.

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Date

	AD 55

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Background

	Apostle Paul learned about the severe problems fermenting in the Corinthian church. Problems with worldliness, internal disputes, and doctrinal defections continue to fester in spite of Paul's efforts in the first epistle or first letter. 	

	False leaders and false apostles came against Paul and his teachings. Paul wanted the Corinthians to look at the clear facts and evidence that "if anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do (2 cor. 10:7)NIV. Paul explains that those people (false apostles) seek to tear the Corinthian church down, but Paul seeks to build up the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 10:8).

	False apostles disguised themselves as apostles of Christ. Second Corinthians explains the difference between real apostles versus fake apostles. The leaders of this group seem to have been incredibly hostile to Paul (2 cor 10:7-11). The charges leveled against the apostle Paul by this group are indicated in many passages. 

	For example, The fake apostle accused Paul of:

• fickleness (2 Cor. 1:17)

• authoritarianism (2 Cor. 1:24)

• ministering without proper credentials (2 Cor. 3:1)

• cowardice (2 Cor. 10:1, 10)

• failure to maintain proper clerical dignity (2 Cor. 11:7)

• presumption (2 Cor. 10:13–17)

• and fleshliness (2 Cor. 10:2).

Likewise, the apostle Paul has a few things to say about his accusers. For example:

• They corrupted the Word (2 Cor. 2:17)

• They were deceptive (2 Cor. 3:1)

• They were Jews masquerading as ministers of Christ (2 Cor. 11:23–27)

• They were domineering (2 Cor. 11:20)

• They were bold (2 Cor. 11:21)

• They lacked the spiritual courage to step out and start their own ministry (2 Cor. 11:23–27)

Thus it was no small wonder that the apostle Paul was seriously concerned about the spiritual well-being of the church at Corinth.

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The Purpose & Audience

		In light of their problems, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in order:

1. To explain his sufferings in Asia (1:3–11).

2. To justify himself in his change of plans about returning to Corinth (1:12–2:4).

3. To instruct them in the treatment of the offender (2:5–11).

4. To express his joy at the good news of their progress (2:14–17).

5. To bring about their full reconciliation with himself (6:11–7:16).

6. To urge the Corinthians to participate in the collection for the church at Jerusalem (Chapters. 8, 9).

7. To establish his authority as an apostle (10:1–13:10).

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Characteristics & Key Verse(s)

1 Cor 5:9

2 Cor 2:1–17

2 Cor 6:13–7:12

2 Cor 9:1–5

2 Cor 13:10–13

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Outline #1

1. Introduction - 1:1-2

2. Apostolic Experience - 1:3-11

3. Apostolic Explanation - 1:12-2:11

4. Apostolic Ministry - 2:12-7:16

5. Apostolic Fellowship - 8:1-9:15

6. Apostolic Defense- 10:1-13:14

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Outline #2

I.      Introduction (1:1–11)

  II.      Explanation of Paul's ministry (Apology) (1:12–7:16)

    A.      The conduct of Paul (1:12–2:11)

    B.      The calling of Paul (3:1–6:10)

    C.      The challenge of  Paul (6:11–7:16)

  III.      Collection for Jerusalem  (Appeal) (8, 9) 

  IV.      Vindication of Paul's authority (Authority) (10:1–13:10)

    A.      The defense of the apostle (10:1–18)

    B.      The boast of the  apostle | (11:1–12:10)

    C.      The credentials of the  apostle (12:11–18)

    D.      The charge of the  apostle (12:19–13:10)

  V.      Conclusion (13:11–14)

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