Comfort amid affliction
The God of all comfort who comforts us, that we may comfort others (ch. 1).
New Testament · Book 47 of 66
2 Corinthians
Paul's most personal letter. A defense of gospel ministry under pressure — comfort and conflict, giving and glory, weakness and power — with the tone shifting markedly at chapter 10.
13
Chapters
Pressure
Ministry under
10:1
Tone shift
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. ”
Ministry Under Pressure
Two registers. Before chapter 10, pastoral encouragement and the collection for saints. After 10:1, apostolic authority against the false apostles — the tone shifts deliberately.
Pastoral defense
1–910:1 — tone shift
Strength perfected in weakness (12:9) — the letter's paradox and its resolution.
- Author
- Paul, with Timothy (1:1)
- Date
- c. AD 55–56, from Macedonia
- Audience
- The Corinthian church, plus the wider Achaian churches
- Position
- New Testament · Book 47 of 66
Structure
- Comfort in affliction1–2
The God of all comfort; Paul's change of plans defended; the painful letter.
- New-covenant ministry3–6
The veil removed; treasure in earthen vessels; ambassadors of reconciliation.
- Reconciliation and joy7
Titus's report; godly sorrow working repentance.
- The collection for Jerusalem8–9
Macedonian example; cheerful giving; the indescribable gift.
- Apostolic authority (tone shifts)10–13
Paul answers the false apostles; the foolish boasting; the thorn in the flesh.
Section pages
Each section is one focused part of 2 Corinthians — purpose, key movements, key verses, Christ-in-this-section. Roughly five minutes each.
Themes
New-covenant glory
From glory to glory as we behold the Lord with unveiled face (ch. 3).
Treasure in earthen vessels
Excellency of the power of God, not of us — light afflictions working eternal weight (ch. 4).
Reconciliation
God in Christ reconciling the world; the ministry and message of reconciliation (ch. 5).
Grace of giving
Abounding in this grace; the cheerful giver; God loves and supplies (ch. 8–9).
Apostolic authority
Weapons not carnal; boasting in weakness; power perfected in infirmity (ch. 10–12).
If you only read a few chapters
- 3The veil removedThe new-covenant ministry of the Spirit; glory surpassing the letter.
- 4Treasure in earthen vesselsOuter man perishing, inner renewed; light affliction, eternal weight of glory.
- 5Ambassadors for ChristAt home in the body, absent from the Lord; reconciliation; he made him to be sin.
- 8Macedonian generosityRich poverty; grace in giving modelled.
- 9Cheerful givingHe which soweth sparingly; the indescribable gift.
- 12Thorn in the fleshThird heaven; my grace is sufficient; strength perfected in weakness.