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Paul's letters · New Testament · 13 chapters

The book of 2 Corinthians

God’s power in the weakness of his servant

Author
The apostle Paul, with our brother Timothy (1:1)
Written
About AD 56
Time covered
Written from Macedonia (2:13; 7:5), after leaving Ephesus, a few months after 1 Corinthians and before Paul’s stay in Greece (Acts 20:1-3)
Key word
Ministry

Paul blesses the God of all comfort, who delivered him from a deadly peril in Asia. He explains why he postponed his visit and asks the church to forgive the disciplined brother. He then describes the glory of the ministry of the new covenant, greater than that of Moses, a treasure carried in earthen vessels, and the calling of ambassadors: “Be ye reconciled to God!” Comforted by Titus, he rejoices in the godly sorrow that produced repentance. He encourages the collection by citing the generosity of the Macedonians and the example of Christ, who became poor. Finally, facing the false apostles, he boasts of his sufferings and his weakness, because the grace of Christ is sufficient for him.

Main theme

Paul opens his heart and defends his ministry: a ministry of the new covenant, carried in earthen vessels, where the grace of Christ shines forth precisely in weakness.

Outline

  1. 2 Corinthians 1-2 — Comfort and a change of plans

    The God of all comfort, the reasons for the postponed visit and forgiveness for the repentant brother.

  2. 2 Corinthians 3-7 — The ministry of the new covenant

    The glory of the Spirit, a treasure in earthen vessels, the ministry of reconciliation and the joy of repentance.

  3. 2 Corinthians 8-9 — The grace of giving

    The collection for the saints in Jerusalem, following the example of the Macedonians and of Christ himself.

  4. 2 Corinthians 10-13 — Paul defends his apostleship

    Facing the false apostles, Paul boasts of his sufferings and his weakness, where the power of Christ is at work.

Key points

  • God comforts his servants in their afflictions so that they in turn can comfort those who suffer (1:3-4).
  • All the promises of God find their “yea” in Jesus Christ (1:20).
  • The ministry of the Spirit in the new covenant surpasses in glory the ministry of the letter engraved on stone (3:6-8).
  • The treasure of the gospel is carried in earthen vessels, so that the power may be seen to belong to God (4:7).
  • In Christ, God reconciles the world to himself, and his servants are ambassadors of that reconciliation (5:18-20).
  • Godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation; the sorrow of the world produces death (7:10).
  • Christian generosity imitates Christ, who became poor to make us rich, and God loves a cheerful giver (8:9; 9:7).
  • The grace of Christ is sufficient: his power is made perfect in weakness (12:9-10).
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 — God comforts his children in order to make them comforters.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2 Corinthians 4:7 — The key image of ministry: a divine treasure in fragile earthen vessels.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — The promise of an entirely new life for anyone who is in Christ.

Jesus in 2 Corinthians

Second Corinthians shows Christ as the “yea” of all God’s promises (1:20) and the image of God whose glory shines in his face (4:4-6). Sinless, he was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him (5:21); rich, he became poor to make us rich (8:9). His power is displayed in the weakness of his servants (12:9).

Did you know?

  • When Paul writes that he has been “shipwrecked three times” (11:25), the shipwreck at Malta (Acts 27) has not yet happened: so he experienced at least four shipwrecks.
  • The escape from Damascus in a basket is told twice (Acts 9:25; 11:32-33), but only this letter specifies that the city was guarded by the governor under King Aretas.
  • The closing benediction that names the Lord Jesus Christ, God and the Holy Spirit (13:14) is one of the clearest trinitarian formulas in the New Testament, often used at the close of worship services.

Quiz on 2 Corinthians

What answer does the Lord give Paul when he asks him to take away his thorn?

Complete: “If any man be in Christ, he is…”

According to Paul, which giver does God love?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.