2 CORINTHIANS 1

PAUL TRUSTS GOD TO ESTABLISH THE CHURCH IN CORINTH 

After receiving Paul’s first letter, Paul continues his correspondence with the Corinthians. Because Christians are facing great persecution, Paul offers God’s comfort to the believers in Corinth. Paul thanks God for mercy, comfort, and peace in times of trouble, expressing that God’s comfort allows believers to comfort others. As followers of Jesus, the Corinthians were experiencing the suffering of Christ. Because of God’s comfort, believers can remain unshaken and patient while enduring oppression.

Paul recalls the trouble he faced sharing the news of Jesus in Asia and states that God saved him from an inevitable death sentence. He is hopeful that God will continue to deliver the messengers of the gospel and asks the people of Corinth to pray for continued provision from God.

Paul explains his desire to visit the people of Corinth, but explained that the timing was not God’s plan. Paul trusts that even when God says “no” to his plans, God is giving him a “yes” that is even better. Paul believes that God has established the church in Corinth and given them the Holy Spirit through their faith in Jesus. Showing his care for the Corinthians, Paul considers strengthening their faith to be a joy.

2 Corinthians 1:20 - All the promises of God find their Yes in him.

2 CORINTHIANS 2

GOD LEADS PAUL TO TRIUMPH IN SHARING THE GOSPEL

Paul shares that his previous travels to Corinth were a painful experience. Out of his love for the Corinthians, Paul wants to correct them and guide them in their faith, but their response was hurtful. Because Paul values the believers in Corinth, they have made Paul rejoice, but now he writes with a grieved heart and many tears.

Regarding Paul’s earlier letter (1 Corinthians), some of the Corinthians repented and followed Paul’s teaching, but others continued to be rebellious. Paul desires for them to have understanding and boast in Jesus alone. Regardless, Paul is forgiving towards the Corinthians and continues to show them grace. After stating his forgiveness for the Corinthians, Paul encourages them to forgive one another.

Explaining his success in sharing the message of Jesus, Paul attributes his triumph to Jesus, giving glory and thanks to God. Paul described the news of Christ as a pleasing aroma that draws people in and gives life.

2 CORINTHIANS 3

GOD PROVIDES ACCESS + TRANSFORMATION TO BELIEVERS

Paul responds to the Corinthians who ask for letters of recommendations from the messengers of the Gospel. Paul does not have a need to prove his credibility and credentials. Because Paul founded the church in Corinth, he tells the people that they themselves are his letter of recommendation, written by the Holy Spirit.

Paul shares that the believers are ministers of the New Covenant and called to share the news of Jesus. Comparing the Old Covenant (The Old Testament Law or Law of Moses) with the New Covenant (The Gospel or Message of Jesus), Paul explains that all confidence should be placed in Jesus, not in one’s ability to keep the law.

Paul explains that the Holy Spirit has even more glory than the Ten Commandments given to Moses. The new way that Jesus introduced was greater than any law or ritual. Instead of following a law written on a stone tablet, the believers of Jesus had a new commandment written in their heart—to love God and love others (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26).

When the Israelites worshiped in the Tabernacle and the temple, there was a veil that separated the people from the innermost section that contained God’s presence (Exodus 36). After the crucifixion of Jesus, the temple veil miraculously ripped, symbolizing humanity’s access to God through the sacrifice of Christ (Mark 15:37-38). Paul explains that a veil covers the hearts of non-believers, but for those who turn towards God, the veil is removed.

Paul writes that God’s Spirit brings freedom and allows believers to behold the glory of God. Knowing the life-changing power of Christ, Paul states that his followers are being transformed from one degree of glory to another.

2 CORINTHIANS 4

BELIEVERS ARE GIVEN RESURRECTION POWER + ETERNAL HOPE

Paul encourages the Christians in Corinth not to lose heart or become discouraged. Warning the people of Corinth to cling to truth, Paul refutes cunning practices that distort God’s Word. He refers to Satan as the “god of this world,” not because Satan has authority over the world, but because humanity falls into the evil ways of sin. Satan, or the Enemy, aims to blind people from the light of God’s Word, not wanting them to know the truth of Jesus. Because of this opposition believers are called to act as lights by sharing God’s glory.

Paul compares the messengers of Jesus to clay jars containing a treasure. God has trusted His greatest gift, Jesus, to fragile, temporary people. Paul treats this calling with great caution and great honor. Acknowledging both their oppression and God’s protection, Paul states that the believers are persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed.

Paul explains that believers are given the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, allowing Christians to experience resurrection power. Although physical bodies will eventually waste away, believers will be restored and redeemed in God’s presence. Although believers will face temporary affliction, they are being prepared for eternal glory beyond all comparison. Because of this hope, Paul encourages believers to focus on eternal unseen things over physical, transient persecution.

2 CORINTHIANS 5

GOD PROVIDED JESUS AS THE PAYMENT FOR SIN 

Paul tells of the permanent dwelling of believers in eternity, which he describes as a mansion. The temporary dwelling places of Earth are like tents by comparison! God prepares believers for heaven and gives them the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of eternal life. Christians can have courage, knowing that the spirit will find its home with God after the body has perished. Believers are called to walk by faith, not by sight, meaning they put their belief in God despite being unseen. Because of their hope for eternity, followers of Jesus can have courage in knowing they have a heavenly dwelling place.

Paul emphasizes living in a way that models Christ, trusting in His death and resurrection as the source of new life for believers. Whoever has put their faith in Jesus is a new creation—the old has gone and the new has come! Using the phrase “Ministry of Reconciliation,” Paul explains how the death of Jesus paid the price for sin and allowed humanity to be reconciled with God. Because God demands holiness, He sent Jesus as a perfect sacrifice to bridge the gap between a sinful humanity and a perfect God. In response to God’s goodness, believers respond as ambassadors of Christ, telling others about the good news of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 CORINTHIANS 6

BELIEVERS ARE SET APART AS GOD’S SONS + DAUGHTERS

Quoting Isaiah 49:8, Paul recalls God’s promise to restore His people, saying that at a favorable time he will provide help and salvation. Paul states that, because of Jesus, the favorable time is here and the day of salvation has arrived! Paul sees God’s fulfilled promises through Christ and wants to share the good news with the Corinthians.

Paul wants to remove barriers and obstacles for people experiencing God; he wants to grow the kingdom by all means necessary. He shares some of the afflictions faced by himself and other believers, including hardships, imprisonment, sleepless nights, and calamities. Despite these circumstances, the Holy Spirit helps followers of Jesus be marked by genuine love, truthful speech, and God’s power. Although they are sorrowful, they rejoice. Because of Christ, they possess all that they need, even when they have nothing else.

Paul gives instructions for believers not to marry those who are not believers, calling them unequally yoked. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul teaches that those who are already married to an unbeliever should remain married, but Paul encourages followers of Jesus not to knowingly enter into this type of marriage. Believers are set apart as God’s children and dwelling places of His presence.

2 CORINTHIANS 7

PAUL ENCOURAGES THE CORINTHIANS TO CONTINUE PURSUING GOD

In response to God’s fulfilled promises, Paul encourages believers to cleanse themselves of anything that defiles their body or spirit. Paul speaks of his sustained joy from God despite facing many trials. God has provided Paul with comfort and rejoicing.

Paul recalls that his previous letter to the Corinthians caused them grief. His intention was not to upset the people in Corinth, but correct their wrongdoing and encourage them to follow God. Because they were grieved by the reality of their sinfulness, many repented. Paul describes this as godly grief and says that it produces rejoicing and salvation. Sometimes the process of sanctification, or becoming more like Jesus, can be painful and refining, but Paul encourages the Corinthians to persevere in faith.

Titus, a fellow church leader and missionary with Paul, visited Corinth and returned with a positive report. Paul is encouraged by the Corinthians response to the first letter and expresses confidence in and affection for the believers in Corinth.

2 CORINTHIANS 8

PAUL ENCOURAGES ABUNDANT GENEROSITY 

Paul tells the church in Corinth about the generosity of the churches in Macedonia. Encouraging them to follow their lead, Paul urges the people of Corinth to participate in giving. Previously, Paul asked the Corinthians to collect money for the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. The church in Corinth was excelling in many ways and Paul hoped they would also excel in giving generously beyond their means.

Paul explains that this is not a command, but an opportunity to express genuine love. Because God offers abundant gifts, believers are encouraged to live from a mindset of abundance. Paul explains that whoever gathers much has nothing left over, but whoever gathered little has no lack. TItus, Paul’s partner and fellow worker, is appointed to handle the collection of the money and distribute it in a way that honors both God and man.

2 CORINTHIANS 9

GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER 

Continuing his encouragement of giving, Paul instructs the Corinthians to prepare their generosity in advance. Titus will soon visit the church in Corinth to collect money for the believers in Jerusalem and he urges them to be prepared. Paul knows the benefits of giving, saying that whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Paul instructs the believers to give according to what they have decided in their hearts, not out of compulsion or obligation. God loves a cheerful giver and wants the followers of Jesus to find joy in willingly being generous.

God provides believers with hearts of grace, allowing them to abound in good works. God will increase the harvest of righteousness, bringing glory and thanksgiving to God. Not only do good works help others in need; they honor the God who created them.

2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 CORINTHIANS 10

TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO BE OBEDIENT TO CHRIST 

Although Paul is meek and gentle in person, he is able to speak with boldness and confidence in his letters to the Corinthians. Paul speaks of spiritual warfare, the unseen battle between righteousness and sin. Paul says that the battle for believers is not a physical battle, but a spiritual war. Paul encourages believers to take their thoughts captive and reject ideas that oppose the teaching of Jesus.

Paul defends his right to speak into the issues faced by the Corinthians. Although there may be other teachers who have a stronger presence or more eloquent teaching, Paul remains confident in God’s calling for his life. Boasting in God’s goodness, Paul reminds the Corinthians that he was the one who God used to bring the gospel to Corinth. Wanting to increase the influence of the message of Jesus, Paul continues to preach and fulfill the role in which God called him.

2 CORINTHIANS 11

PAUL’S ENDURANCE + CREDIBILITY AS A GOSPEL MESSENGER

Paul addresses the Corinthians about other messengers who have attempted to influence the church. Calling them “super-apostles,” Paul warns against the arrogance of false teachers. With a righteous jealousy for the people of Corinth, Paul wants them to trust in Jesus and not false gods or idols. He does not want the believers to be deceived and reminds the Christians that even Satan disguises himself as a source of light.

Paul accepted support from other churches in order to bring God’s Word to the people of Corinth for free. He asks the believers to support the work of God’s people financially so that the news of Jesus could continue to spread.

Paul compares his credibility with the false teachers, arguing that they are from the same heritage as descendants of Abraham. Not only is Paul a more devoted follower of Christ, Jesus appeared to Paul personally! (Acts 9) Expressing the suffering he has faced as a missionary, Paul says he has faced lashings, beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, robberies, dangers, and anxieties. Highlighting the great affliction he has endured, Paul boasts in his own weakness for the advancement of the gospel.

2 CORINTHIANS 12

PAUL’S HUMILITY + STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS

Sharing a vision, most likely of himself, Paul shares his revelations of God. Although Paul has obtained great wisdom and spiritual maturity, he remains humble and boasts only in God’s goodness. Paul says that a “thorn in his side” keeps him from becoming conceited. Although it is not specifically mentioned, there are many theories as to what afflicted Paul as the thorn in his side. Some believe that it was a physical ailment, mental affliction, or recurring challenge that affected Paul throughout his ministry.

Paul states his power is made perfect through weakness and that God’s power rests upon him. Because Christ makes the weak strong, Paul is content in his weakness and hardships.

Paul reminds the people of Corinth that he provided signs and wonders and mighty works. He is not inferior to the false apostles and shares his confidence with the Church in Corinth.

Loving the Corinthians as if they are his own children, Paul is willing to serve them at his own expense. Paul is concerned that he will not find the Corinthians living in righteousness whenever he visits next. He encourages them to repent of their sins and avoid the sexual immoral acts they previously practiced.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 CORINTHIANS 13

PAUL'S FINAL APPEAL FOR PEACE + UNITY

Paul offers a final warning to the Corinthians and desires for his next visit to Corinth to reflect more repentance and reliance on God. Paul warns that although Christ was crucified in weakness, God still reigns in strength and power among the Corinthians. Paul calls for the believers to examine themselves and evaluate their faith in Jesus. He prays for the Corinthians, wanting them to live for truth and restore their lives. Although he writes with authority, Paul does not want to act with severity when he visits Corinth. He desperately wants the Corinthians to live a life that honors God, fueled by faith in Jesus.

Paul ends this letter by telling the Corinthians to rejoice, aim for restoration, and comfort one another. Desiring for them to live in peace and embrace God’s love, he prays the Holy Spirit will be among them.