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

Not yes and no 1:12–2:4

His conscience is clear and his word true, as all God's promises are Yes in Christ; he stayed away to spare them and wrote in tears.

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   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.

   To the church of God in Corinth 1:1–2 · The God of all comfort 1:3–7 · God, who raises the dead 1:8–11 · This is our boast 1:12–14 · In Him it has always been Yes 1:15–22 · To spare you 1:23–24

Forgive and comfort him 2:5–11

The majority's punishment of the offender is enough; now they must forgive, comfort and love him, lest Satan gain an advantage.

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   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.

   Through many tears I wrote you 2:1–4 · Reaffirm your love for him 2:5–11 · I had no peace in my spirit 2:12–13 · The aroma of Christ 2:14–17

No rest at Troas 2:12–13

With an open door at Troas but no Titus, Paul went on to Macedonia; the story pauses here until 7:5.

Led in triumph; sufficient from God 2:14–3:6

God spreads the aroma of Christ through His servants; their letter is the church, and God made them ministers of a new covenant.

The surpassing glory 3:7–18

Sinai's ministry of death had a fading glory; the Spirit's ministry of righteousness surpasses it, and in Christ the veil is lifted.

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   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.

   You yourselves are our letter 3:1–3 · The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life 3:4–6 · The glory that surpasses it 3:7–11 · With unveiled faces 3:12–18

Treasure in jars of clay 4:1–18

God shines Christ's glory into hearts; the treasure is kept in fragile jars so the power is plainly God's, and affliction prepares glory.

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   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.

   The light of the knowledge of the glory of God 4:1–6 · Treasure in jars of clay 4:7–12 · I believed, therefore I have spoken 4:13–15 · An eternal weight of glory 4:16–18

The tent and the house from God 5:1–10

The earthly tent will give way to a house from God; away from the body is at home with the Lord; all appear before Christ.

The ministry of reconciliation 5:11–6:2

Christ's love compels; in Him is new creation; God made Him sin for us; so His ambassadors plead: be reconciled, now is the day.

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   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.

   A building from God 5:1–5 · At home with the Lord 5:6–10 · Christ's love compels us 5:11–15 · A new creation 5:16–17 · Be reconciled to God 5:18–21

Open your hearts 6:3–7:4

Paul's hardships commend him; he asks them to open their hearts to him and to separate from idols, for they are God's temple.

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   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.

   Now is the day of salvation 6:1–2 · As servants of God 6:3–10 · Open wide your hearts also 6:11–13 · We are the temple of the living God 6:14–18

The grace of giving 8:1–15

The poor Macedonians gave beyond their means; Christ became poor for them; let them finish their gift, so that need and plenty are shared.

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   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.

   The grace given to the churches of Macedonia 8:1–6 · For your sake He became poor 8:7–9 · That there may be equality 8:10–15 · Titus and the brothers 8:16–24

Titus and the brothers 8:16–9:5

Titus and two trusted brothers go ahead so the gift is handled honorably and ready when Paul comes with Macedonians.

God loves a cheerful giver 9:6–15

Sow generously and give cheerfully, for God supplies every need; the gift overflows in thanks to God for His indescribable gift.

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   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.

   Prepared, just as I said 9:1–5 · God loves a cheerful giver 9:6–11 · Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift 9:12–15

The weapons of our warfare 10:1–18

Paul's weapons are not fleshly but divinely powerful; he will be in person what he is in letters, and boasts only in the Lord.

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   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.

   Divine power to demolish strongholds 10:1–6 · What we are in our letters 10:7–11 · Let him who boasts boast in the Lord 10:12–18

Betrothed to Christ; false apostles 11:1–15

Jealous for the church betrothed to Christ, Paul exposes intruders who preach another Jesus: false apostles disguised as servants.

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   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.

   A pure virgin to Christ 11:1–6 · The gospel free of charge 11:7–11 · Masquerading as apostles of Christ 11:12–15 · Receive me as a fool 11:16–21 · Are they servants of Christ? I am so much more 11:22–29 · Lowered in a basket 11:30–33

The fool's boast: weakness 11:16–12:10

Paul boasts of beatings, dangers, a basket at Damascus, a vision of Paradise and a thorn: Christ's power is perfected in weakness.

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   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.

   Caught up to Paradise 12:1–6 · My grace is sufficient for you 12:7–10 · The marks of a true apostle 12:11–13 · I am ready to come to you a third time 12:14–18 · All of this is to build you up 12:19–21

Ready to come a third time 12:11–13:10

The signs of an apostle were done among them; he comes a third time, not to burden but to build up; examine yourselves.

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   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.

   Crucified in weakness, yet He lives 13:1–4 · Examine yourselves 13:5–10 · The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 13:11–14