There is some controversy, as small as it is, the debates persist about the authorship of 2 Corinthians. One research material I read sums it up in this manner. “The inspiration and infallibility of Scripture are not in question here, but it seems more reasonable to view 2 Corinthians as a cohesive unit.” ( Got Questions ) Therefor we are confident that the Apostle Paul wrote 2 Corinthians. This is a personal one for Paul, all pastors want to see their church grow, they yearn for its growth. We see in this book that Paul constantly strives for the development and unity of the church at Corinth. Paul speaks of his own adversity and his solid trust in God to take him forward. This book was written approximately A.D. 55-57. The Corinth church began in AD 52 during Paul’s second missionary journey. He was there about a year and a half. Paul had written an earlier letter that was quite severe and was pleased that it had been received in a positive manner. One of the most serious problem it addressed was the false and self styled apostles who were sowing discord among the believers and if that were not enough they were assaulting Paul’s character. They made light of his speaking ability and his refusal to accept support from the church at Corinth. The other little thorn was that there were others that had not laid aside their sinful nature and practices.Titus shared some good news with Paul…the majority of Corinthians had repented of their rebellion against Paul. There is still the business of finishing collecting of the offering for the poor, we read in chapters 8-9. Finally, Paul’s speaks to those who had questioned his apostleship and his authority 2 Corinthians 13:3 …

I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you.

 This is as good a letter as any to go beyond the words…

(vv 1:3-2:2)

 -Paul greets the believers Corinth…Explains why he had not visited them as planed. He then explains the state of his ministry. Paul lets it be known that the word, preached through Christ and the sincerity of it in the sight of God… these are the hallmarks of his ministry.

 (2:14-17). He notes the differences of the glorious ministry of the righteousness of Christ to the “ministry of condemnation” which is the Law (v. 3:9) …If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

Paul continues on in chapter 4:8-18 some of the things they have faced in this ministry. I am going to include those verses here because I believe it is important to show the determination and resilience of such a faith and because they clearly go beyond the word in showing us the strength and courage of these people of “The Way”.

(4:8-18)  

 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal

Chapter 5 outlines the basis of the Christian faith—the new nature (v. 17) and the exchange of our sin for the righteousness of Christ (v. 21). 

Chapters 6 and 7 finds Paul defending himself and his ministry.

Even in this time of defending both the ministry and himself he makes sure to to once more write to the Corinthians of his sincere love for them and exhorting them to repentance and holy living. In chapters 8 and 9, I have included a portion from research material  to be sure the point of Christian generosity is made clear.

 “Paul pushes the believers at Corinth to follow the examples of the brothers in Macedonia and extend generosity to the saints in need. He teaches them the principles and rewards of gracious giving.”  ( Got Questions ) 

Paul ends his letter by reiterating his authority among them (chapter 10) and concern for their faithfulness to him in the face of fierce opposition from false apostles. He calls himself a “fool” for having to reluctantly boast of his qualifications and his suffering for Christ (chapter 11). He ends his epistle by describing the vision of heaven he was allowed to experience and the “thorn in the flesh” he was given by God to ensure his humility (chapter 12). The last chapter contains his exhortation to the Corinthians to examine themselves to see whether what they profess is reality, and ends with a benediction of love and peace.

There is much more…there always is when you go beyond the word. It is the policy of “The Pew” to share with you the sources of what we present to you. I like to remind you that I am nothing more than a layman who loves the Lord and the Word. In this age of digital wealth, all of these things are available to you also. I encourage you to pursue them, pray and seek God’s wisdom as you discern His will and direction in your life. That being said the bulk of the information in this blog is from an article in the following publication. Please use this url to go there and read it in its entirety.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-2-Corinthians.html 

Life is Good 

jk