Second Corinthians

Second Corinthians

If I Corinthians is like a list of guidance for life and a light spanking of children, II Corinthians is like what parents would say after the reluctant spanking and the desired repentance: Warm comforts, lavish gifts, guilt and justification, and deep sharing of heart.

Introduction to the Book of Second Corinthians

Paul visited Corinth for three times: (1) founding the church of Corinth during his 2nd Missionary Journey (A.D.50-51); (2) a “short and painful visit” during his 3rd Missionary Journey (A.D.52-54); and (3) the visit in the winter of 53/54. He wrote four letter to Corinth: (1) the “former letter” in c.52; (2) I Corinthians in early 53; (3) the “severe letter” in middle 53; and (4) II Corinthians in later 53. The first three letters are from Ephesus; I Corinthians was from Macedonian (perhaps Philippi).

In Defense of a Character of Faithfulness (II Cor 1:1 –2:17)

Paul spent two chapters defending his character; especially that he was not fickle in changing his travel plans. He planned to visit Corinth twice. One visit turned “short and painful,” and the other was delayed. The changes were due to necessity; the “super apostles” humiliated Paul in his short visit, and Ephesus need more work. God works everything out for His faithful. Paul’s “severe letter” led to repentance of the Corinthians, even the sinning brother they excommunicated. Paul forgives and encourages forgiveness; as they restored the collection project for Jerusalem. Ministers of God should be honest, sincere, trustable and faithful, both in being and in name.

The New Covenant Revels Christ’s Glory to the Saints (3:1-18)

Paul does the ministry of the New Covenant, which is by the spirit, not the letter. The glory of the Old Covenant is eclipses by that of the New. The veil of Moses was removed by the Spirit of the Lord. For Christ is the spirit of the Law, and all who receive the Holy Spirit from Christ have liberty from the letters of the Law. They are forgiven once for all.

The Glory of Christ Is Presents Hidden in Vessels of Pottery (4:1-18)

The glory of Christ is now hidden in the body of believers, which are like the vessels of pottery, opaque and brittle. The servant of God (and all faithful believers) share the suffering of Christ, thus they can manifest the glory of Christ. They “die daily” so that other might live eternally. They give up the “outer life” and grow “inner life.” They are bold in speaking because of knowing the future glorification with Christ.

The Glory of Christ in the Saints Will Be Revealed in Heaven (5:1-21)

The body is a changeable tent for the soul (5:1-5). The desire is to please Christ by faith (5:6-9). The motivation is gratitude to grace (5:11-15). The ministry is reconciliation with God (5:1-16).

The Saints Are Expected to Respond to the Wonderful Grace (6:1–7:1)

Paul relays God’s call to accept the salvific grace (6:1-2). He sacrifices to tell of God’s grace (6:3-10). He asked the Corinthians to respond to grace (6:11-13) and to leave the false teachers (6:14 –7:1).

Thank God for the Severe Letter (7:2-16)

Paul plead for the Corinthians to reconcile with him (7:2-4), as he was comforted by the good news brought by Titus (7:5-7). He was thankful that the “Severe Letter” brought repentance (7:8-12), and he rejoiced that the Corinthians responded to truth (7:13-16).

The Theology of Giving (Part 1), and the Way to Handle Money (8:1-15)

Paul praised the Macedonian church for their graceful giving (8:1-5). He asked the Corinthians to do better, while he taught them a theology of giving (8:6-15): Giving is a positive response to grace (8:6-9); Giving is beneficial to the givers (8:10-12); and Giving is practicing the biblical Principle of Equity (8:13-15). Paul taught the Corinthians the way of handling money: to find a trustable team (8:16-24).

The Theology of Giving (Part 2) (9:1-15)

Paul told the Corinthians to be an example of willingly and bountiful giving (9:1-5). They are reminded of the benefits of giving: Givers are rewarded by the Law of Retribution (9:6-15); and Giving leads people to love God and others (9:12-15).

Paul’s “Nuclear Option” (10:1-11)

Paul declared that he would not exclude his “nuclear option” in the spiritual warfare against the false apostles. He is gentle to believers but bold to enemies (10:1-2). He fights the spiritual warfare with spiritual weapons (10:3-5), and he let people chose which side of him to face (10:6-11).

The True Nature of the “Super Apostles” (10:15 –11:15)

The false apostles rob the fruits of other people’s work (10:15 –11:1); they rob the purity of new believers (11:2-6); and they rob the funds from the churches (11:7-12). They are actually undercover agents of Satan (11-13-15).

Defending Apostleship by Boasting as a “Fool” (11:16 –12:13)

Paul boasted only because the false apostles did (11:16-20). He claimed to be no less Israelite than the “super apostles” (11:21-22), he suffered a lot more as a Servant of Christ (11:23-33), and he received deeper spiritual revelations (12:1-10). He never took monetary advantages (12:11-13).

Paul’s Plan for the Third Visit (12:14 –13:14)

Paul and his team never served for money (12:14-18). He hoped that the Corinthians would repent from rebellion (12:19-21). He was ready to demonstrate the power of God in him (13:1-4); but he wished that he does not have to use his “nuclear option” (13:5-10). The book ends with one of the greatest of benedictions in the New Testament (13:11-14).