At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Paul + Timothy |
| Date | ~55-56 AD (from Macedonia) |
| Audience | Corinthian church (after 1 Corinthians + "severe letter") |
| Genre | Epistle, most personal of Paul's letters |
| Purpose | Defend apostolic ministry + reconcile + collection for Jerusalem |
| Chapters | 13 |
Outline
| Section | Chapters | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Reconciliation + ministry | 1-7 | Paul's heart + 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 | 2Co.1.3-7 |
| New Covenant ministry | 2Co.3, Spirit over letter |
| Treasure in jars of clay | 2Co.4, weakness + glory |
| Reconciliation | 2Co.5.18-21, ministry of reconciliation |
| Generous giving | 2Co.8-9 |
| Power in weakness | 2Co.12.7-10, Paul's thorn |
Key passages
- 2Co.1.3-7, God of all comfort
- 2Co.3-4, new covenant ministry; transformation
- 2Co.5.17, new creation in Christ
- 2Co.5.18-21, ministry of reconciliation
- 2Co.8-9, generous giving
- 2Co.12.7-10, Paul's thorn + sufficient grace