According to Paul, true apostles have been given a “ministry of reconciliation,” which is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ (5:11-6:2). Paul now wraps up his description of true apostleship by speaking about his integrity in ministry and the various afflictions he endured (6:3-10). He uses the recounting of his suffering as a bridge…
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 (The Ministry of Reconciliation)
Paul has been implicitly defending his ministry by demonstrating how true apostles conduct themselves (2:14-5:10). They speak with sincerity, confidence and boldness (2:14-3:18). They do not lose heart but persevere despite suffering (4:1-5:10). Now, Paul brings this section to its theological high point explaining that he has received the ministry of reconciliation from God (5:11-6:2).…
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10 (Courage & Confidence)
After explaining the glory of the new covenant, Paul speaks to why he can endure in ministry despite suffering (4:1-5:10). He had two matching sections that begin with “we do not lose heart” followed by a theological reflection: 4:1-6 “we do not lose heart” 4:7-15 Reflection on how God uses frail ministers 4:16-18 “we do…
2 Corinthians 4:7-15 (Jars of Clay)
Paul defends his ministry by pointing out how real apostles live and speak (2:14-7:4). True apostles speak God’s word with sincerity (2:14-17), with confidence (3:1-6), and with boldness (3:7-18). Because of the power of God’s word, Paul is able to persevere in the midst of suffering (4:1-5:10). He does not lose heart even if some…
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (Blinded Minds and Shining Light)
Before directly confronting the “super-apostles” who infiltrated the Corinthian church (11:5), Paul shows how real apostles live and conduct their ministry (2:14-7:4). Part of his ministry consists of refusing to be enamored with the old covenant, but instead, preaching the superior new covenant (3:1-18). Because the new covenant is so much better than the old,…
2 Corinthians 3:7-18 (Unveiled Glory: The Superiority of the New Covenant)
In the face of criticism from the Corinthians, Paul first sought to defend his integrity (1:12-2:13). Now Paul begins a long section defending his ministry, particularly his status as a minister of the new covenant (2:14-7:1). To begin the defense of his ministry, Paul points out that true ministry is carried out by speaking God’s…
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6 (Paul’s Picture of True Apostleship)
In 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:13, Paul had been defending himself against the charge that he didn’t care about the Corinthians because he changed his travel plans. In fact, the opposite was true: he loved them! But he didn’t want to cause them unnecessary grief, because, if he had visited, it would have not gone well. Instead…
2 Corinthians 1:23-2:13 (Reasons for Paul’s Absence)
The body of Paul’s letter begins with a defense of his change of plans (1:12-17). Despite the charge of being fickle and duplicitous, Paul’s behavior stemmed from God’s faithfulness (1:18-22). He continues a defense of his changed travel plans by arguing that it was actually a good thing he changed his mind about visiting (1:23-2:4).…
2 Corinthians 1:12-22 (Paul Defends Himself)
Paul now begins the body of his letter as a defense of his personal behavior (1:12-22). He first explains that his conscience is clear in how he treated the Corinthians, especially concerning his travel plans (1:12-17). He moves onto a theological aside, explaining that his word to the Corinthians can be trusted because it is…
2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (Paul’s Greeting & Meditation on Suffering)
Paul opens 2 Corinthians by greeting the church he is writing to (1:1-2) and then moves into a meditation on suffering that serves as the theological foundation for the rest of the book (1:3-11). Paul demonstrates that true power is manifested in weakness, not in the glory of human ingenuity espoused by the "super-apostles" (cf.…
Raising Lazarus 