Revised by Lois Malcolm (09/25)
1. Opening (2 Corinthians 1:1-1:14)
PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More opens the letter with a blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God’s favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More that introduces the three things he hopes will take place as his recipients read his letter: that they will be reconciled with God and with him; that they will fulfill their promise regarding the collection for Jerusalem; and that they will not only defend him against his detractors, but also change their own idolatrous and quarrelsome patterns of behavior.
2. An Appeal for Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 1:15-7:16)
Paul makes an appeal to be reconciled with the Corinthians, who have begun to doubt his sincerity and competence as an apostleDerived from a Greek word meaning “one who is sent,” an apostle is a person who embraces and advocates another person’s idea or beliefs. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus called twelve apostles to follow and serve him. Paul became an apostle of Jesus… More. Bookended by narrative accounts that introduce and then conclude with the situation Paul hopes to address, this appeal consists of three parts. First, it describes the ministry of the Spirit that creates the church and funds Paul’s own ministry. Second, it depicts how that ministry takes place through our bodily participation, as individuals and as communities, in Christ’s death and resurrection. Finally, it grounds that ministry in the cosmic reconciliation God was—and is—accomplishing in Christ and through the ministry and message of reconciliation entrusted to us.Â
3. An Appeal for Generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15)
Paul collected funds from the relatively wealthier churches of Asia Minor for the relatively poorer church in Jerusalem. In this section, Paul continues his appeal that the Corinthians join him in ministry by urging them to continue their preparations for the collection and to welcome Titus and two unnamed fellow workers who will assist them in gathering the funds.
4. An Appeal to Address Mutual Concerns (2 Corinthians 10:1-13:10)
Paul explicitly takes on Corinthian criticisms of his ministry—that in person, he has a weak physical presence and poor public speaking skills, but in his letters, has (what they think is) an overbearing tone; in addition, the Corinthians felt slighted by his refusing to accept support from them. In addressing these concerns, Paul seeks not only to counter the abusive behavior of his rival apostles, but also to encourage the Corinthians to examine and to stand firm in their own conscience so that they can address with clarity ongoing dysfunction within themselves and their relationships with one another.
5. Conclusion (2 Corinthians 13:11-13)
Paul closes the letter with exhortations to be at peace with one another and a blessing.