The Second Letter of the Apostle Paul to the
CORINTHIANS
Author:
Paul an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Date:
About 57 AD.
Themes:
Another serious problem had arisen among the Corinthian Christians besides the ones Paul dealt with in his first letter to them. Some false teachers had come there saying that Paul was not a true apostle of Christ and that his teachings were not to be trusted. And they had convinced some Christians that this slander was true, and had brought the whole church into danger. For if they rejected Paul’s apostleship they would begin to question the truth of the gospel of Christ which he preached, the only true gospel there is. So for the sake of believers there, and for the sake of the truth of Christ, it became necessary for Paul to set forth his authority as an apostle whom Christ had appointed, and to show that his words and deeds were in accordance with his apostleship. Therefore, more than in any other of his New Testament letters, he writes of his personal life and his service for Christ. He speaks in moving terms of his experiences, his motives, his labors, and his sufferings. In doing so he shows once and for all what true service for Christ is and involves, and what those who call themselves the servants of Christ should be and how they should behave.
Contents:
Encouragement and comfort in trouble and suffering 1:3-11
Paul’s canceled journey to Corinth 1:12—2:4
Forgiveness to those who had caused grief 2:5-11
Competent for Christ’s service through Christ 2:12—3:6
The new covenant more glorious than the old covenant 3:7-18
God’s servants; God’s treasure in earthen pots 4:1-8
The future heavenly condition of believers 5:1-8
Paul’s goal: To please Christ 5:9
Believers before Christ’s judgment seat 5:10
Reconciliation: God’s part and man’s part 5:11-21
Today is the day of salvation 6:1-2
Paul’s troubles, sufferings, and manner of life 6:3-13
Believers should not unite with unbelievers 6:14-18
Perfecting holiness 7:1
Paul’s love for them, their repentance 7:2-12
Titus and the Corinthian Christians 7:13-16
Generous giving 8:1—9:15
Example of the Macedonian believers 8:1-5
Request that Corinth follow that example 8:6-8
The example of Christ 8:9
Paul’s advice 8:10-15
Paul sends Titus to Corinth 8:16—9:5
Wonderful results of generous giving 9:6-15
Paul sets forth his apostleship 10:1—12:21
Spiritual warfare 10:3-6
Paul’s “boasting” 10:7-18
Paul’s desire and fear for believers there 11:1-3
False apostles 11:4-6
Paul’s behavior toward the Corinthians 11:7-12
False teachers are Satan’s servants 11:13-14
Paul’s further “boasting” 11:15-22
Faithfully serving in troubles and dangers 11:23-33
Paul is caught up to Heaven and returns 12:1-6
Paul’s thorn in the flesh, its good results 12:7-10
Paul’s love for the believers at Corinth 12:11-21
Closing remarks 13:1-14