THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS--NT SURVEY

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians

Introduction:

This epistle, according to the subscription at the end of it, was written from Philippi of Macedonia... for the apostle not finding Titus at Troas, as he expected, went into Macedonia, where he met with him, and had an account from him of the success of his first epistle; of the state and condition of the church, and of the temper and disposition of mind in which the members of it were, and which gave him great satisfaction; upon which he immediately wrote this second epistle, and sent it by the same person to them; see 2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Corinthians 7:5-7; 8:6, 16-18.

The occasion of this epistle was partly to excuse his not coming to them according to promise, and to vindicate himself from the charge of unfaithfulness, levity, and inconstancy on that account; and partly, since what he had wrote about the incestuous person, had had a good effect both upon him and them, to direct them to take off the censure that had been laid upon him, and restore him to their communion, and comfort him; likewise to stir them up to finish the collection for the poor saints they had begun. --- John Gill’s Expositor.

The theme of the book is somewhat hidden, but it is quite apparent that Paul had prominently in mind, the vindication of his apostleship when he was writing this book. Both epistles to the Corinthians indicate that there was an element in this church which tended to discredit his ministry and authority. This tendency is shown in the texts of this Chain of Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1; 5:12; 7:2; 10:2-3; 11:5-6 ; 12:11; 13:3.

This is one of the most personal of all of Paul’s epistles. He dwells largely upon his own ministry. He opens his heart and discloses his motives, his spiritual passion, and his tender love for the church.

Writer: the Apostle Paul.

Synopsis: There are no definite divisions of thought in the epistle, but the subject matter may be arranged under three headings.

I. The Characteristics of the Apostle’s Ministry.

A. Comforting, 2 Corinthians 1:4-7; 7:7, 13.

NOTE: The apostle in this verse gives a reason of the former thanksgiving, and at the same time confirms the above character of God, as "the God of all comfort," by his own experience, and that of his fellow ministers; who, though they had been in great tribulation and affliction for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, yet were not left destitute of divine help and support under their trials. --- John Gill’s Expositor.

B. Suffering, 2 Corinthians 1:5-9; 4:8-12; 5:4; 6:4-10; 7:5; 11:24-28; 12:7-10.

C. Sincerity as in the presence of God, 1 Corinthians 5:8, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” See also 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17; 4:2; 7:2.

D. Steadfast in the inward man, 2 Corinthians 1:17-19; 4:1, 16.

E. Solicitous, 2 Corinthians 2:3-4; 7:7-8; 11:2-3; 12:20-21.

NOTE: Instead of going in person to correct the evils which existed in the church of Corinth, he wrote to them that those evils might be corrected before he came, and thus his coming would be a source of joy to both parties. --- Charles Hodge.

F. Triumphant, 2 Corinthians 2:14; 4:8-9; 12:10.

G. Self-sacrificing, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 11, 15; 5:13; 11:7, 9.

NOTE: The connection indicated by the particle for is with the main idea of the preceding verse. ‘Our gospel,’ says Paul, ‘is the gospel of the glory of Christ, for we do not preach ourselves, but him.’ To preach one’s self is to make self the end of preaching; that is, preaching with the design to attract to ourselves the admiration, the confidence or homage of men. This Paul declares he did not do, but he preached Christ Jesus the Lord. --- Charles Hodge.

H. Love of Christ was the controlling motive, 2 Corinthians 4:11; 5:14.

I. Looking at the Unseen Spiritual things, 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:16; 10:4.

J. Persuasive, 2 Corinthians 5:11, 20; 6:1; 10:1-2.

NOTE: “They endeavour to persuade them by the best arguments they are masters of, taken from the word of God, and their own experience, that they are in a dangerous state and condition, walking in a way that leads to destruction; that they are liable to the curses of the law, the wrath of God, and everlasting ruin.” – John Gill’s Expositor.

K. Reconciling, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21.

NOTE: “This expresses and explains the subject matter of the ministration of the Gospel, especially that part of it which concerns our reconciliation with God; and declares the scheme, the author, the subjects, the way, and means, and consequence of it.” --- John Gill’s Expositor.

L. Demonstrated by earnestness, afflictions and good works, 2 Corinthians 5:13; 6:4-10; 12:12.

M. Authoritative, 2 Corinthians 10:1-11.

NOTE: “In this chapter the apostle has chiefly to do with the false teachers, and it is taken up in refuting their calumnies of him, and in exposing their boasting of themselves; and as he goes along, he takes notice of the efficacy of the Gospel, and of the success and extent of it, as it was preached by him, and other Gospel ministers, and points at the proper manner and ground of glorying.” --- John Gill’s Expositor.

N. Self-supporting, 2 Corinthians 11:9.

II. Exhortations and Instructions Concerning the Collection for the Saints in Jerusalem and Judea, 2 Corinthians 8:1---9:15

NOTE: These two chapters are “concerned exclusively with the collection which the Apostle was raising in all the Gentile Christian communities for the poor of the Mother Church at Jerusalem. This collection had great importance in his eyes, for various reasons: it was the fulfillment of his undertaking, to the original Apostles, to remember the poor, Galatians 2:10, and it was a testimony to the saints in Palestine of the love of the Gentile brethren in Christ.” – Expositor’s Bible Commentary.

III. The Apostleship of Paul.

A. Paul was discredited by one element in the church, 2 Corinthians 10:7-10; 12:11; 13:3.

B. The Authority of Paul’s Apostleship, 2 Corinthians 2:9; 13:2.

C. Paul’s Apostleship Authenticated:

1. By the Lord, 2 Corinthians 1:1, 21-22; 3:5-6; 4:6.

2. By Unparalleled Sufferings for the Cause of Christ, 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 11:23-27.

3. By Wonderful Revelations Received, 2 Corinthians 12:1-5.

4. By Mighty Deeds Performed, 2 Corinthians 12:12.

Choice Selections:

A. The ideal ministry, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18.

B. The triumph over death, 2 Corinthians 5:1-9.

C. The call to separation from the world, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

D. The list of sufferings endured by Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:24-33.