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2 Corinthians Intro

The book is usually divided as follows:

  • 1:1–11 – Greeting
  • 1:12 – 7:16 – Paul defends his actions and apostleship, affirming his affection for the Corinthians.
  • 8:1 – 9:15 – Instructions for the collection for the poor in the Jerusalem church.
  • 10:1 – 13:10 – A polemic defense of his apostleship
  • 13:11–13 – Closing greetings
Introduction

AUTHOR:  Paul, the apostle, along with Timothy (1:1)

PLACE OF WRITING:  Somewhere in MACEDONIA, while Paul was on his way
to make another visit to Corinth.  This would be during his third 
missionary journey, in a part of which Luke says very little (cf. Ac 20:1-2).

TIME OF WRITING:  Possibly in the fall of 57 A.D., making it but a few
months after writing First Corinthians (likely written in the spring of
57 A.D.).

MESSENGER:  Titus, who was accompanied by two others on his journey
(8:16-24)

BACKGROUND OF THE EPISTLE:  The church in Corinth began in 52 A.D., 
when Paul visited there on his second missionary journey.  It was then
that he stayed one and a half years, the first time he was allowed to
stay in one place as long as he wished.  A record of this visit and the
establishment of the church is found in Ac 18:1-18.

This second letter of Paul to the Corinthian church was occasioned by
the report brought back by Titus, who informed Paul of their reception 
of the first letter, and how they received the rebuke that letter 
contained (2:12-13; 7:5-9).

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE: Titus' report was encouraging, but evidently
it also brought troubling news that some at Corinth were questioning 
Paul's authority as an apostle.  This doubt may have planted by 
"Judaizing teachers" who seemed to follow Paul and attempted to 
undermine his teaching concerning the Law.  They appear to have 
questioned his veracity (1:15-17), his speaking ability (10:10; 11:6), 
and his unwillingness to accept support from the church at Corinth 
(11:7-9; 12:13).  There were also some people who had not repented of 
their licentious behavior (12:20-21).  Paul's primary purpose, then, in
this epistle is:

            TO VINDICATE HIS APOSTLESHIP AND MANNER OF LIFE

He hopes that by writing in advance of his visit he can get all of the
necessary rebuke out of the way (1:23-2:3; 13:10).  He also uses the 
opportunity to encourage them to have the collection for the needy 
saints in Jerusalem ready when he comes (9:1-5; cf. 1Co 16:1-2).

This letter is the most biographical and least doctrinal of Paul's
epistles.  It tells us more about Paul as a person and as a minister
than any of the others.  Those who would be ministers of the gospel
would do well to carefully study it (along with Paul's epistles to
Timothy and Titus).

KEY VERSE:  2 Corinthians 7:2

"Open your heart to us.  We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no 
one, we have defrauded no one."

BRIEF OUTLINE:

SALUTATION AND THANKSGIVING (1:1-11)

I. PAUL EXPLAINS HIS MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (1:12-7:16)

   A. HE DEFENDS HIS INTEGRITY
      1. The Changed Plan (1:12-22)
      2. The Delayed Visit (1:23-2:4)
      3. The Penitent Offender (2:5-11)

   B. HE DESCRIBES HIS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY
      1. Triumphant (2:12-17)
      2. Accredited (3:1-3)
      3. Glorious (3:4-18)
      4. Honest (4:1-6)
      5. Suffering (4:7-18)
      6. Hopeful (5:1-10)
      7. Devoted (5:11-17)
      8. Reconciling (5:18-21)
      9. Approved (6:1-10)

   C. HE MAKES HIS APPEAL TO THEM
      1. To Open Their Hearts (6:11-13)
      2. To Be Separate From The World (6:14-7:1)
      3. The Comfort And Confidence They Have Given Him (7:2-16)

II. THE COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS IN JERUSALEM (8:1-9:15)

   A. THE EXAMPLE OF MACEDONIA (8:1-5)

   B. THE BASIS FOR HIS EXHORTATION (8:6-15)

   C. THE MESSENGERS FOR THIS MINISTRY (8:16-9:5)

   D. THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO GIVE LIBERALLY (9:6-15)

III. PAUL DEFENDS HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY (10:1-13:10)

   A. EXPLANATION CONCERNING HIS CONDUCT
      1. He Uses Weapons Mighty In God (10:1-11)
      2. The Contrast Between Him And His Opponents (10:7-18)

   B. SOME FOOLISH BOASTING
      1. The Necessity For Boasting (11:1-21)
      2. The Grounds For His Boasting (11:22-12:10)
      3. His Rebuke For Compelling Him To Boast (12:11-13)

   C. HIS FINAL WARNINGS
      1. Motivated By Love, He Seeks Their Edification (12:14-19)
      2. His Fear Of What He Will Find (12:20-21)
      3. His Coming Will Be In Judgment If Necessary (13:1-6)
      4. But He Hopes To Avoid Sharp Words By Writing In Advance 
         (13:7-10)

CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS AND BENEDICTION (13:11-14)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) On which journey did the apostle Paul establish the church in 
   Corinth?
   - His second journey

2) Where does one read about the establishment of the church in 
   Corinth?
   - Ac 18:1-18

3) On which journey did Paul write both of his epistles to the 
   Corinthians?
   - His third journey

4) From where did Paul write his FIRST epistle to the Corinthians? (cf.
   1Co 16:8)
   - Ephesus

5) From where did Paul write his SECOND epistle to the Corinthians?
   (cf. 7:5; 8:1; 9:2-4)
   - Somewhere in Macedonia (perhaps Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea?)

6) What is the approximate date of writing?
   - The fall of 57 A.D.

7) Whose arrival likely prompted Paul's writing of this epistle? 
   (7:5-7)
   - Titus

8) What sorts of things about Paul were questioned by those challenging
   his apostolic authority? (cf. 1:15-17; 10:10; 11:6; 11:7-9; 12:13)
   - His veracity
   - His speaking ability
   - His refusal to accept financial support

9) What is the purpose of this epistle?
   - To vindicate Paul's apostleship and manner of life

10) What other topic does Paul discuss in this epistle? (9:1)
   - The collection for the saints

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