Introduction to II Corinthians

Author: Paul
Date: 55-56 A.D.
Theme: A powerful ministry through weak instruments
Key Words: Consolation, suffering, ministry, glory, power, weakness

Background and Date: In several ways, II Corinthians reflects Paul's relations with the church of Corinth during the period after its foundation in 55-56 A.D. The several episodes that took place during this interchange between Paul and the Corinthians can be summed up as follows:

The visit when the church was founded was extended for around 18 months (see Acts 18).

Paul wrote a prior letter to the Corinthians (see I Cor. 5:9).

Paul wrote I Corinthians from Ephesus, around 55 A.D.

A brief but sad visit to Corinth caused "grief" to Paul and the church (see I Cor. 2:1-13:2).
After the sad visit to Corinth, Paul wrote a harsh letter, carried by Titus (see II Cor. 2:4; 7:6-8).

Paul wrote II Corinthians from Macedonia, on the way to return to Corinth, in 55-56 A.D.

Paul's final visit to Corinth (Acts 20) probably took place when he wrote Romans, just after returning to Jerusalem. The sad visit, that Acts doesn't record, and the harsh letter that followed it, make up the immediate background to II Corinthians.

We don't have the harsh letter, although some experts have suggested that II Corinthians 10-13 could have formed part of this epistle. However, no documentary evidence exists that supports this viewpoint.

Occasion and Purpose: First Corinthians wasn't as effective as Paul hoped for repairing the Corinth crisis. The faction that opposed Paul gained force, and its leader was particularly offensive with him (2:5-11; 10:7-12). Paul traveled hurriedly to Corinth from Ephesus in an attempt to control the situation. Although this visit isn't mentioned in Acts, it's implied in II Corinthians 12:14. Paul failed in the attempt to achieve the desired objective (2:1; 12:14,21; 13:1,2), and suffered the open hostility of the opposition leaders (2:5-8; 7:12). Then Paul returned to Ephesus where he wrote a severe letter to the Corinthians, putting all the weight of his apostolic authority in it. He put Titus in charge of the letter, and left for Macedonia, where he delivered an encouraging report to Paul (2:12,13; 7:6-16). The majority had been won over by Paul and had taken disciplinary action against the transgressor (2:5-11). Nevertheless, a rebellious minority still existed. Paul wrote a letter through which he sent a message of reconciliation to the faithful majority and condemned the rebellious minority. He also gave instructions about the offering that was collected for the impoverished church of Jerusalem.

Characteristics: II Corinthians is the most autobiographical of Paul's letters; it contains numerous references to the difficulties he confronted in the course of his ministry (see 11:23-33). Paul mentions this to establish the legitimacy of his ministry and illustrate the nature of true spirituality.

By arguing in favor of his ministry, Paul opens his heart, demonstrating his profound emotion. He confesses his great love for the Corinthians, his ardent zeal for the glory of GOD, his loyalty toward the truth of the gospel, and his ardent indignation on confronting those who destroy the brotherhood between members of the Church. His life was tied to the lives of his converts, and he wasn't merely a cold professional in the fulfillment of his ministry (see 1:6; 5:13; 7:3-7; 11:2; 12:14,15).

Content: II Corinthians should be divided into three fundamental parts. The first seven chapters contain Paul's self-defense in relation to his conduct and ministry. He explains the change in his plans to visit Corinth and responds to the charges of lack of severity. By discussing the theme of the Christian ministry, he exposes his nature, his problems, his motivations and his responsibilities.

The second part, chapters eight and nine, deals with the offering collected for Paul to give to the poor saints of Judea. Paul urges the Corinthians to be generous and to give joyfully so that GOD can bless them in each moment.

Chapters ten to thirteen form the third segment of the letter and contain a message of condemnation to the detractors who remain in the church. Paul responds to his critics' excesses and calumnies and completely claims his apostolic authority.

Theological Significance: (HBH) In this letter we learn the importance of restoring relationships in ministry. An important lesson on dealing with opponents and appealing to GOD for confirmation of one's ministry is contained herein. The most important aspect of this letter is Paul's inspired insights regarding the nature of ministry. Ministry involves suffering, joy, comfort, and hard work. Primarily ministry is the power of GOD working in and through us to accomplish GOD's purposes.

We learn of the importance of sacrificial and spontaneous giving. These important principles regarding Christian stewardship need to be expounded in every congregation. Believers are to follow Christ in giving freely with joy and love.

Finally, we learn of the significance of Christ's reconciling work in restoring our broken relationship with GOD. Because of what He has done for us, we are a new creation, participants in the new covenant, and His ambassadors to proclaim the message of reconciliation. Because we have been reconciled to GOD, we should be reconciled to other believers. The importance of the unity of the church cannot be neglected.

Theological Contribution: (IBD) Second Corinthians is probably best known for its teaching on Christian ministry. Chapters 4 and 5 are unrivaled for their beauty of expression and grandeur of thought. Paul marvels at the treasure of the gospel which GOD entrusts to human servants. Indeed, the weakness of the servant only highlights the message of salvation (4:1-15). This message finds it most famous expression in II Corinthians 5:17, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new". The voltage of this truth transforms Christian messengers into ambassadors for Christ.

Personal Application: II Corinthians is a valuable guide to examine our own motives in serving the LORD, whether we are laity or ordained pastors and evangelists. As an instrument of the Holy Spirit, this letter can refine out motives until we reflect the kind of selflessness that Christ exemplified better than anyone, but that we also encounter in his servant Paul. The instructions concerning the offering to Jerusalem (chapters 8 and 9) emphasize the generous management of finances, like Paul does throughout this epistle.

Christ Revealed: Jesus Christ is the center of our relationship with GOD. All GOD's promises find their affirmation in Jesus, and we say "amen" to those promises (1:19,20). Jesus is GOD's "Yes" to us and our yes toward GOD. Only in Christ do we see GOD's glory, and only in Him are we transformed by this glory (3:14,18), because Christ is the true image of GOD (4:4-6). GOD comes to us in Christ, reconciling the world with himself (5:19). Thus, it's "in Christ" that we have become new creatures (5:17). This transformation was realized through the marvelous act of GOD's grace through which Christ, "who knew no sin", was made sin for us "so that we could be made the righteousness of GOD in him" (5:21).

Jesus is also the center of our service to GOD. We proclaim Jesus as LORD and ourselves as servants for love of Him (4:5). We voluntarily share in, not only the life and glory of Christ, but his death also (4:10-12), his decision to show himself weak so that others can experience the strength of GOD (13:3,4,9) and his willingness to make himself poor so that others can be enriched (8:9). We experience his weakness, but also his strength, by leading "captive every thought to the obedience of Christ" (10:5).

Again, Jesus is the center of our present life, when we simultaneously experience in our mortal bodies "the death of Jesus" and his life (4:10,11).

Finally, Jesus is the center of our future life, because we are raised with Him (4:14), who is the "bridegroom" of the Church (11:2) and the judge of all men (5:10).

The Holy Spirit in Action: The Holy Spirit is the power of the new covenant (3:6), because He makes the present and future provisions of our salvation in Christ real for us. For the gift "of the Spirit in our hearts", we are assured that the promises of GOD are "Yes" in Christ, and that we are anointed and "sealed" as his belonging (1:20-22). The presence of the Spirit is a guarantee of the glorified bodies that we will receive someday (5:1-5).

We don't merely read about the will of GOD in the letter of the Scripture, because "the letter [only] kills". The Spirit that gives life (3:6) changes our way of life, opening our eyes to the living reality of what we read. Thus, we experience and progressively incorporate the will of GOD, and transform ourselves into epistles of Christ, "known and read by all men" (3:2).

When we submit to the influence of the Spirit, we experience a miracle. We find that "where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty" (3:17). There is liberty to contemplate the open glory of the LORD, and to be transformed more and more into the likeness of what we contemplate. The Holy Spirit gives us liberty to see and liberty to be what GOD wants us to be (3:16-18).

The work of the Holy Spirit is made evident in daily inner renewal (4:16), spiritual battle (10:3,4) and the "signs, miracles and wonders" of Paul's ministry in Corinth (12:12). Paul ends his letter with a blessing, that includes "the communion of the Holy Spirit" (13:14). This could refer to a certain sense of the presence of the Spirit or, more likely, to the rejoicing that the Spirit gives us in communion with Christ and with all the people who love Christ.