2Corinthians,Paul's Epistle To The

Corinth had a reputation for its depravity, and the temple prostitutes of Aphrodite did not help in saving the city’s bad name. There was even a Greek word, korinthiazomai (Corinthianize), which meant “to practice fornication.”

Courtesy of James Earl Jones(Bible Audio)2Corinthians


Chapter 1-6

Chapter 7-10

Chapter 11-13

3^rd(severe letter),2Co2:4;7:8,9 This letter is actually the fourth

While there is little doubt among scholars that Paul is the author, there is discussion over whether the Epistle was originally one letter or composed from two or more of Paul's letters.
Although the New Testament only contains two letters to the Corinthians, the evidence from the letters themselves is that he wrote at least four:

1. 1 Cor 5:9 ("I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people", NIV) refers to an early letter, sometimes called the "warning letter".
2. 1 Corinthians
3. The Severe Letter. Paul refers to an earlier "letter of tears" in 2 Corinthians 2:3-4 and 7:8. 1 Corinthians does not match that description; so this "letter of tears" may have been written between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians.
4. 2 Corinthians

The abrupt change of tone from being previously harmonious to bitterly reproachful in 2 Corinthians 10-13 has led many to speculate that chapters 10-13 form part of the "letter of tears" which were in some way tagged on to Paul's main letter.^[1] Those who disagree with this assessment usually say that the "letter of tears" is no longer extant.^[2]
Some scholars also find fragments of the "warning letter", or of other letters, in chapters 1-9,^[3] for instance that part of the "warning letter" is preserved in 2 Cor 6:14-7:1,^[1] but these hypotheses are less popular.^[4]

Background:Between this and the previous letter Paul visited the church. There have been a lot of criticism and even hostility shown to him,and his authority as a leader had been called into question.Relationships had improved but Paul fonds it necessary to stress the genuineness of his authority as an apostle(2,3,10-13).The letter shows how deeply Paul felt(7)Ch5 contains further teaching on life after death, and ch8,9 give about an appeal for financial help for a group of church facing hardship.

Author:Paul(1:1;10:1),see Romans

Date:AD56,about 6months after 1Corinthians

Location:Paul left Ephesus in the spring of 56(after writing 1Cor)and was bound for Troas ,where he hope to meet Titus there, and get a report from Corinth(2:12,13)failing to find Titus there, hecontinued on to Macedonia(Ac20:1),where he did meet Titus and he heard the situation in Corinth,where upon he wrote this letter.

Recipients:See 1Corinthians

Purpose:

-explain why his plans for another visit to Corinth had changed(1:12-2:4)

-Instruct concerning the restoration of an offending brother(2:5-110)

-express joy for the revival of the church as a result of harsh letter(2:12,13;7:15,16)

-discuss his motivation for ministry and to defend himself against his opponents(2:12-6:10;10-13)

-encourage holiness(6:11-7:16)

-encourage generous giving(8,9)

Unique Features:

-most autobiographical of Paul's letters(his personal life and his ministry)

-least doctrinal, with the possible exception of Philemon but contains deep doctrinal truths(3-8,especially 5)

-gives insights in to the character and tactics of false teachers and Satan

Comparison:

*Rom.,primarily doctrinal and secondary practical;2Cor.,primarily practical ,secondary doctrinal

*Rom.,Systematic;2Cor.,least systematic of Paul's letters

*2Cor.,Gal. and Heb.,emphasizes the New Covenant

Abbreviations:2Cor./2Co./2Cr

MV:Jn7:24

Bib1Yr: Gal.5Spirit and Spirit