The Book of 2 Corinthians

After some initial contacts and correspondence between Paul and the Corinthian church, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus. Next, Paul made a trip across the Aegean Sea to Corinth to address further problems in the church. This visit between the writing of 1 and 2 Corinthians was a painful one for Paul and the congregation because of the serious issues involved. After this difficult visit, reports reached Paul at Ephesus that opponents in Corinth were still attacking him and questioning his spiritual authority in the church. These troublemakers were attempting to persuade a portion of the church to reject Paul. In response, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. Shortly after that, Paul traveled to Corinth again, where he remained about three months.

Paul wrote this letter to address three categories of people involved in the church at Corinth. First, he wanted to encourage the majority who had been faithful to him. He wanted to challenge and expose the false leaders and messengers who continued to speak against him personally, trying to undermine his leadership and authority. He wanted to warn and firmly address the minority in the church who were being influenced by Paul's opponents and resisting his authority and correction. Paul defended the integrity of his ministry and reaffirmed his authority as a pioneer leader of the Corinth church. He also clarified his motives of love and concern for the Corinthians and warned them against further rebellion.

2 Corinthians has three main divisions. Paul begins by thanking God for giving him peace and comfort as he suffered for the sake of Christ and His message. Paul then commends the Corinthians for how they disciplined a spiritual offender. Paul then shares the most extensive insight in the New Testament on the true character of Christian ministry. He stresses the importance of separation from worldly beliefs, behaviors and lifestyles. He then expresses joy in learning from Titus that many in the church who had previously rebelled against Paul had experienced a genuine change of heart.

The tone of his letter changes in chapter 10 -13. Paul defends his apostleship. By presenting this defense, Paul hopes the Corinthians will be able to compare and, thus, identify the false messengers among them. Paul concludes 2 Corinthians in the only benediction in the New Testament addressing all three persons of the Trinity: Go the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Four major features characterize this letter. It is the most autobiographical of all Paul's letters. His many personal references are made with open and transparent humility, sincere apology and even embarrassment at the need to defend himself. But this tone was understandable and necessary because of the situation at Corinth. It goes beyond all of Paul's other New Testament letters in revealing the deep love and concern he felt for his spiritual children. It contains the New Testament's most developed teaching about Christian suffering and about Christian giving. Key terms, such as "weakness", "grief", "tears", "danger", "distress", "suffering", "comfort", "boasting", "truth", "ministry and glory" highlight the unique character of this letter.