At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Paul and Timothy |
| Date | ~55-56 AD (from Macedonia) |
| Audience | Corinthian church (after 1 Corinthians and "severe letter") |
| Genre | Epistle, most personal of Paul's letters |
| Purpose | Defend apostolic ministry and reconcile and collection for Jerusalem |
| Chapters | 13 |
Outline
| Section | Chapters | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Reconciliation and ministry | 1-7 | Paul's heart and new covenant ministry |
| Collection for Jerusalem | 8-9 | Generous giving |
| Apostolic authority | 10-13 | Defense against false apostles |
Main themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Comfort in affliction | 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 |
| New Covenant ministry | 2 Corinthians 3, Spirit over letter |
| Treasure in jars of clay | 2 Corinthians 4, weakness and glory |
| Reconciliation | 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, ministry of reconciliation |
| Generous giving | 2 Corinthians 8-9 |
| Power in weakness | 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul's thorn |
Key passages
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, God of all comfort
- 2 Corinthians 3-4, new covenant ministry; transformation
- 2 Corinthians 5:17, new creation in Christ
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, ministry of reconciliation
- 2 Corinthians 8-9, generous giving
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul's thorn and sufficient grace