16:22 f Gal. 1:8, 9
16:22 g Jude 14, 15
16:22 1 Gr. anathema
16:22 2 Aram. Marana tha; possibly Maran atha, Our Lord has come
16:23 h Rom. 16:20
Introduction to Second Corinthians
Title
This is the second NT epistle the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in the city of Corinth (see Introduction to 1 Corinthians).
Author and Date
That the Apostle Paul wrote 2 Corinthians is uncontested; the lack of any motive for a forger to write this highly personal, biographical epistle has led even the most critical scholars to affirm Paul as its author.
Several considerations establish a feasible date for the writing of this letter. Extrabiblical sources indicate that July, A.D. 51 is the most likely date for the beginning of Gallio’s proconsulship (cf. Acts 18:12). Paul’s trial before him at Corinth (Acts 18:12–17) probably took place shortly after Gallio assumed office. Leaving Corinth (probably in A.D. 52), Paul sailed for Palestine (Acts 18:18), thus concluding his second missionary journey. Returning to Ephesus on his third missionary journey (probably in A.D. 52), Paul ministered there for about 2 ½ years (Acts 19:8, 10). The apostle wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus toward the close of that period (1 Cor. 16:8), most likely in A.D. 55. Since Paul planned to stay in Ephesus until the following spring (cf. the reference to Pentecost in 1 Cor. 16:8), and 2 Corinthians was written after he left Ephesus (see Background and Setting), the most likely date for 2 Corinthians is late A.D. 55 or very early A.D. 56.
Background and Setting
Paul’s association with the important commercial city of Corinth (see Introduction to 1 Corinthians: Title) began on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18), when he spent 18 months (Acts 18:11) ministering there. After leaving Corinth, Paul heard of immorality in the Corinthian church and wrote a letter (since lost) to confront that sin, referred to in 1 Cor. 5:9. During his ministry in Ephesus, he received further reports of trouble in the Corinthian church in the form of divisions among them (1 Cor. 1:11). In addition, the Corinthians wrote Paul a letter (1 Cor. 7:1) asking for clarification of some issues. Paul responded by writing the letter known as 1 Corinthians. Planning to remain at Ephesus a little longer (1 Cor. 16:8, 9), Paul sent Timothy to Corinth (1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10, 11). Disturbing news reached the apostle (possibly from Timothy) of further difficulties at Corinth, including the arrival of self-styled false apostles (11:13; see note on 11:4).
The Agora of Corinth
To create the platform to teach their false gospel, they began by assaulting the character of Paul. They had to convince the people to turn from Paul to them if they were to succeed in preaching demon doctrine. Temporarily abandoning the work at Ephesus, Paul went immediately to Corinth. The visit (known as the “painful visit,” 2:1) was not a successful one from Paul’s perspective; someone in the Corinthian church (possibly one of the false apostles) even openly insulted him (2:5–8, 10; 7:12). Saddened by the Corinthians’ lack of loyalty to defend him, seeking to spare them further reproof (cf. 1:23), and perhaps hoping time would bring them to their senses, Paul returned to Ephesus. From Ephesus, Paul wrote what is known as the “severe letter” (2:4) and sent it with Titus to Corinth (7:5–16). Leaving Ephesus after the riot sparked by Demetrius (Acts 19:23—20:1), Paul went to Troas to meet Titus (2:12, 13). But Paul was so anxious for news of how the Corinthians had responded to the “severe letter” that he could not minister there though the Lord had opened the door (2:12; cf. 7:5). So he left for Macedonia to look for Titus (2:13). To Paul’s immense relief and joy, Titus met him with the news that the majority of the Corinthians had repented of their rebellion against Paul (7:7). Wise enough to know that some rebellious attitudes still smoldered under the surface, and could erupt again, Paul wrote (possibly from Philippi, cf. 11:9 with Phil. 4:15; also, some early manuscripts list Philippi as the place of writing) the Corinthians the letter called 2 Corinthians. In this letter, though the apostle expressed his relief and joy at their repentance (7:8–16), his main concern was to defend his apostleship (chaps. 1–7), exhort the Corinthians to resume preparations for the collection for the poor at Jerusalem (chaps. 8, 9), and confront the false apostles head on (chaps. 10–13). He then went to Corinth, as he had written (12:14; 13:1, 2). The Corinthians’ participation in the Jerusalem offering (Rom. 15:26) implies that Paul’s third visit to that church was successful.
Historical and Theological Themes
Second Corinthians complements the historical record of Paul’s dealings with the Corinthian church recorded in Acts and 1 Corinthians. It also contains important biographical data on Paul throughout.
Although an intensely personal letter, written by the apostle in the heat of battle against those attacking his credibility, 2 Corinthians contains several important theological themes. It portrays God the Father as a merciful comforter (1:3; 7:6), the Creator (4:6), the One who raised Jesus from the dead (4:14; cf. 13:4), and who will raise believers as well (1:9). Jesus Christ is the One who suffered (1:5), who fulfilled God’s promises (1:20), who was the proclaimed Lord (4:5), who manifested God’s glory (4:6), and the One who in His incarnation became poor for believers (8:9; cf. Phil. 2:5–8). The letter portrays the Holy Spirit as God (3:17, 18) and the guarantee of believers’ salvation (1:22; 5:5). Satan is identified as the “god of this age” (4:4; cf. 1 John 5:19), a deceiver (11:14), and the leader of human and angelic deceivers (11:15). The end times include both the believer’s glorification (4:16—5:8) and his judgment (5:10). The glorious truth of God’s sovereignty in salvation is the theme of 5:14–21, while 7:9, 10 sets forth man’s response to God’s offer of salvation—genuine repentance. Second Corinthians also presents the clearest, most concise summary of the substitutionary atonement of Christ to be found anywhere in Scripture (5:21; cf. Is. 53) and defines the mission of the church to proclaim reconciliation (5:18–20). Finally, the nature of the New Covenant receives its fullest exposition outside the book of Hebrews (3:6–16).
Interpretive Challenges
The main challenge confronting the interpreter is the relationship of chaps. 10-13 to chaps. 1-9 (see note on 10:1-13:14). The identity of Paul’s opponents at Corinth has produced various interpretations, as has the identity of the brother who accompanied Titus to Corinth (8:18, 22). Whether the offender mentioned in 2:5-8 is the incestuous man of 1 Cor. 5 is also uncertain. It is difficult to explain Paul’s vision (12:1-5) and to identify specifically his “thorn in the flesh,” the “messenger of Satan [sent] to buffet [him]” (12:7). These and other interpretive problems will be dealt with in the notes on the appropriate passages.
Outline
I. Paul’s Greeting (1:1-11)
II. Paul’s Ministry (1:12-7:16)
A. Paul’s Plans (1:12-2:4)
B. The Offender’s Punishment (2:5-11)
C. Titus’ Absence (2:12, 13)
D. The Ministry’s Nature (2:14-6:10)
1. The triumph of the ministry (2:14–17)
2. The commendation of the ministry (3:1–6)
3. The basis of the ministry (3:7–18)
4. The theme of the ministry (4:1–7)
5. The trials of the ministry (4:8–18)
6. The motivation of the ministry (5:1–10)
7. The message of the ministry (5:11–21)
8. The conduct of the ministry (6:1–10)
E. The Corinthians Exhorted (6:11-7:16)
1. To open their hearts to Paul (6:11–13)
2. To separate themselves from unbelievers (6:14—7:1)
3. To be assured of Paul’s love (7:2–16)
III. Paul’s Collection (8:1-9:15)
A. The Patterns of Giving (8:1-9)
1. The Macedonians (8:1–7)
2. Jesus Christ (8:8, 9)
B. The Purpose of Giving (8:10-15)
C. The Procedures of Giving (8:16-9:5)
D. The Promise of Giving (9:6-15)
IV. Paul’s Apostleship (10:1-12:13)
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A. Apostolic Authority (10:1-18)
B. Apostolic Conduct (11:1-15)
C. Apostolic Suffering (11:16-33)
D. Apostolic Credentials (12:1-13)
V. Paul’s Visit (12:14-13:14)
A. Paul’s Unselfishness (12:14-18)
B. Paul’s Warnings (12:19-13:10)
C. Paul’s Benediction (13:11-14)
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the
CORINTHIANS
2 Corinthians 1
Greeting
1Paul, aan apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and bTimothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth, cwith all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2dGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Comfort in Suffering
3eBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4who fcomforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any 1trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5For as gthe sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our 2consolation also abounds through Christ.
6Now if we are afflicted, hit is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that ias you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
Delivered from Suffering
8For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of jour 3trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
9Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should knot trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
10lwho delivered us from so great a death, and 4does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
11you also mhelping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on 5our behalf nfor the gift granted to us through many.
Paul’s Sincerity
12For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in 6simplicity and ogodly sincerity, pnot with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
13For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end
14(as also you have understood us in part), qthat we are your boast as ryou also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Sparing the Church
15And in this confidence sI intended to come to you before, that you might have ta second benefit—
16to pass by way of you to Macedonia, uto come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.
17Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan vaccording to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?
18But as God is wfaithful, our 7word to you was not Yes and No.
19For xthe Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, ySilvanus, and zTimothy—was not Yes and No, abut in Him was Yes.
20bFor all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
21Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and chas anointed us is God,
22who dalso has sealed us and egiven us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23Moreover fI call God as witness against my soul, gthat to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
24Not hthat we 8have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for iby faith you stand.
2 Corinthians 2
Paul Urges Forgiveness
1But I determined this within myself, athat I would not come again to you in sorrow.
2For if I make you bsorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Forgive the Offender
3And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, cI should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, dhaving confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
4For out of much 1affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, enot that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
5But fif anyone has caused grief, he has not ggrieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.
6This punishment which was inflicted hby the majority is sufficient for such a man,
7iso that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
9For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are jobedient in all things.
10Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For 2if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Triumph in Christ
12Furthermore, kwhen I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and la 3door was opened to me by the Lord,
13mI had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
14Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us 4diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
15For we are to God the fragrance of Christ namong those who are being saved and oamong those who are perishing.
16pTo the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And qwho is sufficient for these things?
17For we are not, as 5so many, rpeddling6 the word of God; but as sof sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.
2 Corinthians 3
Christ’s Epistle
(cf. Jer. 31:31–34)
1Do awe begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, bepistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?
2cYou are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3clearly you are an epistle of Christ, dministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not eon tablets of stone but fon tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
The Spirit, Not the Letter
4And we have such trust through Christ toward God.
5gNot that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but hour sufficiency is from God,
6who also made us sufficient as iministers of jthe new covenant, not kof the letter but of the 1Spirit; for lthe letter kills, mbut the Spirit gives life.
Glory of the New Covenant
7But if nthe ministry of death, owritten and engraved on stones, was glorious, pso that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,
8how will qthe ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
9For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry rof righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
10For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.
11For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
12Therefore, since we have such hope, swe use great boldness of speech—
13unlike Moses, twho put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at uthe end of what was passing away.
14But vtheir minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
15But even to this day, when
Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
16Nevertheless wwhen one turns to the Lord, xthe veil is taken away.
17Now ythe Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is zliberty.
18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding aas in a mirror bthe glory of the Lord, care being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as 2by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
1Therefore, since we have this ministry, aas we have received mercy, we bdo not lose heart.
2But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor 1handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth ccommending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3But even if our gospel is veiled, dit is veiled to those who are perishing,
4whose minds ethe god of this age fhas blinded, who do not believe, lest gthe light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, hwho is the image of God, should shine on them.
5iFor we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and jourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
6For it is the God kwho commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has lshone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, mthat the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
8We are nhard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9persecuted, but not oforsaken; pstruck down, but not destroyed—
10qalways carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, rthat the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11For we who live sare always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12So then death is working in us, but life in you.
13And since we have tthe same spirit of faith, according to what is written, u“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 587