2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Following the salutation (2 Cor. 1:1-2), there is a lengthy thanksgiving (1:3-11). Such thanksgiving sections are characteristically placed after the salutation in many Hellenistic letters, including twelve of the thirteen letters in the Pauline corpus (the exception is Galatians); but this one is particularly long and emotional and focuses rather more on Paul’s experiences (of "a deadly peril”) than is usually the case.
Paul plunges into a defense of his travel plans (1:12-2:13). He denies that he has acted in a worldly or fickle manner (1:12-14). After reviewing his plans (1:15-22), he explains the reason why he changed them: he was reluctant to cause the Corinthians as much grief as he had on an earlier visit (1:23-2:4). This leads to instruction how to forgive and comfort someone the congregation had properly punished, apparently for opposing Paul and thereby damaging the Corinthian believers (2:5-11). Paul then begins the recital of the events that have led to the writing of the present letter (2:1213), but the recital is broken up by an outburst of praise and a lengthy articulation of the nature and purpose of his ministry (2:14-7:4).
Paul begins this long section by insisting that God himself has made him competent for this ministry, which divides people around him as he serves as "the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (2 Cor. 2:14-3:6). This leads to a comparison and contrast between ministry under the old covenant and under the new (3:7-18). Since Paul has received this new-covenant ministry by the mercy of God, he is committed to integrity in the proclamation of the "gospel of the glory of Christ,” regardless of how he himself is received (4:1-6). The treasure is Christ; the earthenware vessel in which the treasure is contained is Paul and his ministry (4:7-18). That does not mean this earthenware vessel will always be poor and perishing: the ultimate prospect is the transformation that comes when the "heavenly dwelling”
swallows up Paul’s mortality in life (5:1-10). With such a prospect before him, Paul’s motives in life and ministry are to please Christ, not those to whom he ministers; yet far from suggesting indifference toward his hearers, this gospel and this view of ministry ensure that it is nothing less than the love of Christ that compels him to serve as Christ’s ambassador, proclaiming reconciliation and a new beginning on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice for sins (5:16-21). Therefore Paul pleads with the Corinthians to have an open heart to God and to God’s ambassador, so as not to receive God’s grace in vain (6:1-13); for they must understand that proper response to God is exclusive (6:147:1). So Paul brings his appeal to a close (7:2-4).
At this point, Paul resumes his account of the return of Titus and the encouraging report he brought with him (2 Cor. 7:5-16). Paul is almost euphoric with transparent relief that the Corinthians have responded with repentance and godly sorrow to the earlier rebukes by visit and letter. This means it is possible for Paul to bring up a matter of constant concern to him at this stage of his ministry, namely, the collection for the Christians in Jerusalem and the Corinthians’ part in it (8:1-9:15). The Macedonians had set a high standard by their sacrificial giving (8:1-6); the Corinthians, who had been the first to respond, are now exhorted to bring the project to completion as well as they began it (8:7-15). Titus’s mission is designed to further the cause (8:16-24) and to prepare the Corinthians for a visit by Paul himself, possibly accompanied by some Macedonians (9:1-5). Paul concludes by setting the collection within a theological framework that ties this ministry to the gospel and to the glory of God (9:6-15).
The nature of the relationship between 2 Cor. 1-9 and 10-13 is disputed (see the section Occasion below), but the latter seem to depict Paul’s response to a fresh outbreak of opposition at Corinth. Paul appeals for a faith that is obedient (10:1-6) and condemns the opposition for its ugly boasting and one-upmanship (10:7-18). In 11:1-15 he exposes the false apostles who have usurped authority in the church and denounces their false criteria. Then, answering fools according to their folly, Paul engages in a little boasting of his own—by inverting all the criteria of his opponents and boasting in things they would despise (11:16-33). In fact, Paul boasts in weakness, so that the power of God may powerfully operate through him (12:1-10). The Corinthians themselves are to blame for not taking decisive action against these opponents. Paul contrasts his own motives (12:11-21), begging the Corinthian believers to reconsider their course and warning them that if necessary, he will take strong action when he arrives on his third visit (13:1-10). The epistle ends with a final appeal, greetings, and the words of "the grace” (13:11-13 [vv. 11-14 in NIV]).