Who wrote 2 Corinthians, and when?
Paul, with Timothy. About AD 55–56, from Macedonia.
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians, with Timothy named alongside him as co-sender. Its authorship is not seriously disputed. Paul wrote from Macedonia, in northern Greece, after leaving Ephesus and meeting Titus on the road (see chapters 2 and 7), and most scholars date it to about AD 55 or 56, within a year or so of 1 Corinthians. Some scholars think the letter as we have it combines two or more of Paul's letters to Corinth, because the tone shifts sharply at chapter 10. Others think it was always one letter, written in stages or to two groups in the church. Either way, the words are Paul's, and the church has always received the letter as a whole.
Who was 2 Corinthians written to?
The church in Corinth, after a painful visit and a severe letter, with some still questioning Paul’s authority.
The readers were again the Christians of Corinth, but the relationship had been through a storm. After 1 Corinthians, Paul made a visit that went badly and left him hurt. He then wrote a severe letter, now lost, and waited anxiously for news. Titus brought word that most of the church had repented and still cared for Paul. That is the relief behind the letter's first seven chapters. Yet a minority remained unconvinced. Impressive newcomers, whom Paul mockingly calls super-apostles, were saying he was weak in person, poor at public speaking and not a real apostle. So the readers were a church largely reconciled to Paul, with a stubborn group still questioning him.
What was happening at the time?
Relations with Corinth had soured. Paul made a painful visit, wrote a tearful letter, and then heard from Titus that most had repented. Yet “super-apostles” were undermining him as weak and unimpressive. Paul answers by boasting of his sufferings, his thorn in the flesh and the treasure in jars of clay, and urges the church to complete its collection for Jerusalem.
Why was 2 Corinthians written?
To defend Paul’s ministry, restore the relationship, and show that true apostleship looks like the cross.
Paul wrote to heal the relationship, to defend his ministry and to finish a practical task. He wanted the Corinthians to know his joy at their repentance and to receive him warmly. He also had to answer the charge that a suffering, unimpressive man could not be a true apostle. His answer turns the charge upside down: real gospel ministry looks like the cross. God's power shows up in weakness, and treasure is carried in clay jars. Along the way he urges the church to complete the collection for poor believers in Jerusalem (see chapters 8 and 9). In the wider story of the Bible, 2 Corinthians is the clearest picture of the new covenant promised by Jeremiah being lived out by an ordinary, suffering messenger.
How to read 2 Corinthians today
Read chapters 1 to 7 first, and notice how much of Paul's heart is on show. Chapter 4 and chapter 12:7-10 are good places to pause if suffering is part of your life right now. Chapters 8 and 9 are the fullest teaching on giving in the New Testament. Chapters 10 to 13 change tone; Paul is defending himself and uses sarcasm, so read them knowing that. Do not try to identify the thorn in the flesh, since Paul never says what it was and guesses are only guesses. Watch for the words comfort, weakness and glory, which run through the whole letter. As you read, pray for the honesty to admit weakness and the faith to expect God's strength in it.
The key verse in 2 Corinthians
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Passages worth knowing in 2 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
The God of all comfort
Comforted so that we may comfort others.
- 2 Corinthians 3
Ministers of a new covenant
Transformed from glory to glory.
- 2 Corinthians 4
Treasure in earthen vessels
Struck down but not destroyed.
- 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
The ministry of reconciliation
He made him who knew no sin to be sin for us.
- 2 Corinthians 8–9
Generous giving
God loves a cheerful giver.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
The thorn in the flesh
My grace is sufficient for you.
The main themes of 2 Corinthians
- Strength in weakness
- Comfort in suffering
- New covenant ministry
- Reconciliation
- Generosity
- Apostolic authority
An outline of 2 Corinthians
| Section | Chapters |
|---|---|
| Paul’s ministry explained | 1–7 |
| The collection for Jerusalem | 8–9 |
| Paul defends his apostleship | 10–13 |