2 Corinthians: Strength in weakness: the new-covenant ministry

Where 2 Corinthians sits

In the story

Act VI, Church · The Journeys, c. AD 48–57

In the Bible

New Testament · Letters · book 47 of 66

Before it in the story

1 Corinthians

After it in the story

Romans

Written from Macedonia between Paul's leaving Ephesus and his last visit to Corinth (Acts 20:1–3), after 1 Corinthians and before Romans; it shows the apostle of the new covenant suffering, comforted and defending the gospel against false apostles.

2 Corinthians summary

After 1 Corinthians, Paul's relations with Corinth broke down. He made a painful visit, then wrote a letter with many tears instead of coming again (2:1–4). Waiting for Titus' report, he left Ephesus, found no rest at Troas and crossed to Macedonia, where Titus brought the news that the church had repented (2:12–13; 7:5–16). Second Corinthians, written from Macedonia, is his fullest defense of his ministry. Blessing the God of all comfort, he explains his changed plans and urges them to forgive the man they had disciplined (1–2). Then, breaking off his travel story with thanks, he sets out what true ministry is: a ministry of the new covenant and the Spirit whose glory surpasses that of Sinai (3), treasure carried in jars of clay so that the power is God's (4), lived in hope of the house from God and before Christ's judgment seat (5:1–10), and centered on the message of reconciliation: God made the sinless One sin for us so that in Him we might become His righteousness (5:11–21). He appeals for open hearts and separation from idols (6:1–7:4) and rejoices at their godly sorrow (7:5–16). He urges them to complete the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, for Christ became poor to make them rich (8–9). Finally, in a sharper tone, he confronts the false apostles who boasted in credentials and eloquence, and, speaking “as a fool,” boasts of his sufferings, his escape in a basket and a thorn in the flesh, through which the Lord taught him that His power is perfected in weakness (10–13).

2 Corinthians in context

Written by

Paul, with Timothy as co-sender (1:1); the letter is undisputed as Paul's and was known to Polycarp, Irenaeus and others

Written to

The church of God in Corinth with all the saints in Achaia (1:1): a majority now reconciled to Paul (2:6; 7:7–16), and some still swayed by intruding teachers (10:2, 10; 11:4; 12:21)

Setting

Written from Macedonia (2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2–4), probably Philippi, on the third journey, after Paul left Ephesus (Acts 20:1) and before his third visit to Corinth, when he spent three months in Greece (Acts 20:2–3; 2 Cor 12:14; 13:1)

When

c. AD 55–56, some months to a year after 1 Corinthians and about a year before Romans; proposals range from 55 to 57.

Why

To express joy at the church's repentance and complete the reconciliation (2:5–11; 6:11–13; 7:2–16); to explain and defend Paul's conduct and the nature of his new-covenant ministry against charges of fickleness and weakness (1:12–2:4; 3:1–6:10); to see the collection for Jerusalem completed (8–9); and to warn the remaining rebels and expose the false apostles before his third visit (10–13).

Themes of 2 Corinthians

• The God of all comfort
• The new-covenant ministry
• Power in weakness
• Reconciliation and the great exchange
• The hope of glory
• Grace that gives
• True and false apostles
• All God's promises are Yes in Christ

Key verses in 2 Corinthians

• 2 Corinthians 1:20

  For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.

• 2 Corinthians 3:6

  And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

• 2 Corinthians 3:18

  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

• 2 Corinthians 4:6

  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

• 2 Corinthians 4:7

  Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17

  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

• 2 Corinthians 5:21

  God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

• 2 Corinthians 6:2

  For He says: “In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation!

• 2 Corinthians 8:9

  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

• 2 Corinthians 12:9

  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14

  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

2 Corinthians chapter by chapter

Part 1 · Greeting and the God of all comfort 1:1–11

Part 2 · Paul's changed plans and the tearful letter 1:12–2:13

1. 1
   2 Corinthians 1: All the promises of God are Yes in Christ

   The God of all comfort rescued Paul; his changed plans were not fickle, for all God's promises are Yes in Christ.

2. 2
   2 Corinthians 2: Forgive and comfort him

   Paul wrote in tears instead of a painful visit; forgive the punished man; thanks be to God, who leads us in triumph.

Part 3 · The ministry of the new covenant 2:14–7:4

1. 3
   2 Corinthians 3: Ministers of a new covenant

   The Spirit's new-covenant ministry surpasses Sinai's ministry of death; in Christ the veil is lifted and we are changed.

2. 4
   2 Corinthians 4: Treasure in jars of clay

   God shines the light of Christ's glory into hearts, and keeps this treasure in clay jars so the power is plainly His.

3. 5
   2 Corinthians 5: The ministry of reconciliation

   Our tent will give way to a house from God; compelled by Christ's love, His ambassadors plead: be reconciled to God.

4. 6
   2 Corinthians 6: Now is the day of salvation

   Now is the day of salvation: open your hearts to Paul, and come out from idols, for you are God's temple.

Part 4 · Titus' news: godly sorrow 7:5–16

1. 7
   2 Corinthians 7: Godly sorrow brings repentance

   Titus brought news that Paul's letter led them to godly sorrow and repentance; Paul rejoices in complete confidence.

Part 5 · The collection for the saints 8:1–9:15

1. 8
   2 Corinthians 8: Though He was rich, He became poor

   Macedonia's poor gave richly by grace; Christ became poor to make us rich; so finish your gift for the saints.

2. 9
   2 Corinthians 9: God loves a cheerful giver

   Be ready as Paul boasted; sow generously and give cheerfully, for God supplies, and the gift overflows in thanks to God.

Part 6 · Paul's defense against the false apostles 10:1–13:10

1. 10
   2 Corinthians 10: Not the weapons of the flesh

   Paul's weapons are not fleshly but divinely powerful; he will act as he writes, and boasts only in the Lord.

2. 11
   2 Corinthians 11: Speaking as a fool

   Jealous for a church betrothed to Christ, Paul exposes false apostles and, as a fool, boasts of his weakness.

3. 12
   2 Corinthians 12: My power is perfected in weakness

   Caught up to Paradise, Paul was given a thorn so that Christ's power would rest on his weakness.

4. 13
   2 Corinthians 13: Examine yourselves

   Paul comes a third time in Christ's power: examine yourselves; the grace of Father, Son and Spirit be with you.

Part 7 · Farewell and the triune blessing 13:11–14

See the outline of 2 Corinthians