‏ 2 Corinthians 1

Book of 2 Corinthians — Quick facts:

Purpose: To defend Paul’s apostolic authority and to squelch the influence of false teachers

Author: Paul

Date: Around AD 56

Setting: Written after Paul received a positive report from Titus about the Corinthian church’s repentance, which had followed from a previous letter (now lost) that Paul had sent to them (see 2 Cor 7:5-9  ^a)



Book of 2 Corinthians — Overview:

Setting
The apostle Paul first came to Corinth in the course of his second missionary journey (see Acts 18:1-20  ^b). The city was ancient even in Paul’s day. It had developed into a strong, well-populated economic and urban center from the 500s BC. Under Roman occupation and influence since Julius Caesar reestablished it in 44 BC, it became a city of fine buildings, shops, theaters, and houses. Its trade brought much wealth, and the city prospered. Artisans crafted bronze artifacts, pottery, and especially the terra cotta lamps that were well-known throughout the ancient world (see 2 Cor 4:7  ^c). Agriculture was also key to Corinth’s prosperity (see 9:6-10  ^d; 1 Cor 3:6-9  ^e; 9:7  ^f, 10  ^g). Beginning in 27 BC, Achaia (southern Greece) came under the control of the Roman senate because of Corinth’s economic importance and geographical advantage.
The religious life of Corinth is well attested in contemporary writings. The Greek goddess Aphrodite (whom the Romans called Venus)—the goddess of life, beauty, and passion—was a popular deity. Strabo speaks of her vast temple on a hill above the city as a center of prostitution, and the moral climate of Corinth was infamously degraded. Scholars are now cautious about this opinion, since the political rivalry between Corinth and nearby Athens might have motivated Strabo’s denigrating remarks about Corinth. However, we know that Paul wrote Rom 1:18-32  ^h while he was at Corinth (see Romans Book Introduction, “Date, Place, and Occasion of Writing”; cp. Acts 20:2-3  ⁱ), and 2 Corinthians undeniably reflects his awareness of serious moral problems there (see 2 Cor 6:14-17  ^j; 12:19-21  ^k).
Into this city Paul brought the message of Christ. By God’s grace and the ministry of his servant, a company of believers was established, and the nascent church grew. Paul’s converts, whom he regarded as his children (6:13  ^l; 12:14  ^m; 1 Cor 4:15  ⁿ), were a mixed lot, a cross-section of cosmopolitan society in this city that was famous for its pretensions to wisdom and rhetoric, its popular culture, its trade, its two harbors, and its love of life. At the climax of his list of trials in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28  ^o, Paul writes: “Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.” No congregation seemed to bring Paul more concern than the church at Corinth.


Summary
This letter arises out of challenges to Paul’s apostolic authority and the infiltration of false teachers. So, in the first half of 2 Corinthians (chs 1–6  ^p), Paul outlines his understanding of Christian service. Suffering for Christ’s sake is a necessary part of service (1:1-24  ^q), though it is hard to endure when we are offended by fellow Christians (2:1-17  ^r). The message of Good News gives life in the Spirit and God’s salvation, replacing the religion of the old covenant, though it has continuity with it (3:1-18  ^s). The power of the message shows through the weakness of God’s servants (4:1-18  ^t) and centers in the death of God’s Son, by which we are restored to God’s favor (5:1-21  ^u). Christian living is marked by devotion and dedication that distinguish believers from the evils of the world (6:1-18  ^v).
In the second half of the letter (chs 7–13  ^w), Paul explains how he came to write his letters to Corinth (7:1-16  ^x), reveals principles of giving and stewardship in discussing the collection for the Jerusalem church (8:1–9:15  ^y), and makes a spirited defense of his apostolic work against those who denigrated his status because of his weaknesses (chs 10–13  ^z).


Author
No one has seriously challenged Paul’s authorship of 2 Corinthians. The sole exception is that 6:14–7:1  ^aa is sometimes regarded as a non-Pauline insertion, perhaps from a sect, since it is similar in terminology to the Dead Sea Scrolls. More likely it is simply a digression, or perhaps it has been taken from another of Paul’s letters to Corinth and inserted here. Either way, the material in it was most likely written by Paul himself to deal with the moral and spiritual situation in the church at Corinth.


Date and Occasion of Writing
During his two- to three-year stay in Ephesus (AD 53~56), Paul wrote 1 Corinthians and sent it to the church in Corinth by the hand of Timothy (see 1 Cor 16:10-11  ^ab; 1 Corinthians Book Introduction, “Date and Occasion of Writing”). Apparently 1 Corinthians was not well-received, and some of the Corinthians were now questioning Paul’s apostolic authority. This crisis was anticipated in 1 Cor 4:18-21  ^ac, but the challenge became more vocal and aggressive. So Paul made a personal visit from Ephesus (2 Cor 2:1  ^ad). This visit apparently failed to achieve its purpose, as Paul’s opponents apparently withstood him. Humiliated before the church and insulted by a prominent member, Paul returned to Ephesus in great distress. He then wrote a “severe letter” and sent it with Titus to Corinth (2:3-13  ^ae). This severe letter, which has been lost, was successful in finally bringing the Corinthians to repentance (7:8-10  ^af).
Meanwhile, Paul left Ephesus after severe trials (Acts 19:23-41  ^ag; cp. 1:8-11  ^ah; 4:8-15  ^ai; 6:4-10  ^aj) and traveled to Macedonia (Acts 20:1  ^ak). In Macedonia Paul found Titus, who had arrived from Corinth, and Titus gave Paul a very encouraging report about the situation there (2 Cor 7:5-7  ^al). In response to that report, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians (around AD 56) and sent it back to Corinth with Titus (8:6  ^am, 16-19  ^an). Paul then traveled on to Corinth himself, where he spent three months (see Acts 20:1-3  ^ao).


The Unity of 2 Corinthians as a Letter
Although there is no question that Paul himself wrote 2 Corinthians, there are questions about whether it was all written and sent as one letter.
2 Cor 6:14–7:1  ^ap. In 1 Corinthians 5:9  ^aq, Paul mentions a letter that he had previously sent to Corinth dealing with the issue of associating with immoral people. Although this letter has been lost, some scholars believe that at least part of it is preserved as 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1  ^ar, which addresses the same subject. If 6:14–7:1  ^as is a fragment of that previous letter, it might explain why this section seems to be inserted in the discussion, which would otherwise flow naturally from 6:13  ^at directly to 7:2  ^au. On the other hand, Paul often digressed while writing his letters, so it is also possible that 6:14–7:1  ^av is simply a digression.
2 Cor 10:1–13:14  ^aw. The last four chapters of 2 Corinthians are a puzzle. The tone of these chapters is indignant and ironic. Some see them as part of Paul’s “severe letter” (see 7:8  ^ax); but that is not likely, since the Corinthians responded to his severe letter with repentance (7:9  ^ay). It makes more sense to regard chapters 10–13  ^az as being written later than chapters 1–9  ^ba in response to a new situation that arose following the coming of false teachers to Corinth (cp. 11:4  ^bb, 12-15  ^bc). The Corinthians had warmly received these teachers, who quickly reopened old wounds and insinuated that Paul was not a true apostle nor even a Christian at all (see 10:7  ^bd, 10  ^be; 11:5  ^bf; 12:11  ^bg). When Paul sensed the danger, he wrote a blistering note full of irony, invective, ridicule, and self-defense. At the heart of chapters 10–13  ^bh is Paul’s “Fool’s Speech” (11:16–12:10  ^bi), in which he resorts to boasting because the need compels him (11:1  ^bj, 16-17  ^bk).
We cannot tell whether the words preserved in chapters 10–13  ^bl succeeded in warding off these threats and defending once more Paul’s apostolic standing in Corinth. Paul followed up this letter with a visit (Acts 20:2  ^bm) as he came to Greece, presumably Corinth. He eventually sailed to Jerusalem with the money donated by the churches, including Corinth. So it is possible that Paul’s last letter was the most effective of all, and the Corinthians were finally won over. Forty years after the Corinthian correspondence, a letter known as 1 Clement, written by a leader at Rome to the Corinthians, speaks warmly of Paul’s ministry.


Meaning and Message
Second Corinthians is a very human document that opens a window onto the inner life of the apostle Paul. For that reason, it has been called Paul’s most personal letter.
The Minister’s Job Description. The first half of the letter (1:1–7:16  ^bn) explains and describes the responsibilities and privileges of a leader. The message of Good News is new (3:1-18  ^bo) and must be validated by the lifestyle of those who proclaim it. And the Good News brings reconciliation (5:1-21  ^bp).
The Heart of the Good News. Chapter 5  ^bq contains one of the fullest accounts of Paul’s central message (5:18-21  ^br). Paul had already told the Corinthians that he came preaching Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:18–2:2  ^bs). Now he explains how this message is to be applied in light of the current situation: People are out of harmony with God because of sin, so God has acted in response to human need. God in Christ has dealt with the problem of sin and alienation by becoming human and taking our sin upon himself at the cross. Through Christ, we are restored to a relationship of peace and acceptance with God. We are urged to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20  ^bt) and to maintain our reconciliation with God. This relationship needs to be maintained throughout our lives, which implies loyalty to the Good News as Paul proclaimed it and separation from moral evils such as those that plagued the city of Corinth.
The Call to Holy Living. Running through this letter is a summons to holy life. The two governing images are of the church as a temple (6:14–7:1  ^bu) and as a bride (11:2  ^bv). Both images speak of purity and dedication. The Temple is the holy place where God is worshiped, so his people should be consecrated to this task. The bride of Christ should be faithful to her husband.
The Need for Generous Giving. Two lengthy chapters (8:1–9:15  ^bw) are devoted to this single theme. Those who are at strife in Corinth need to consider the needs of others, especially the poverty-stricken Jewish believers in Jerusalem. The incarnate Lord Jesus Christ is our supreme model for sacrificial giving (8:9  ^bx).
What was at stake at Corinth was the essence of the Good News as expressed in the way of the cross. Paul’s experience of suffering and weakness as an apostle was, to the believers in Corinth, a seeming contradiction to his authority. In fact, however, the essence of the Good News is for people to accept another person’s (Christ’s) suffering on their behalf. This is still relevant to leadership and daily living among Christians today.


Summary for 2Cor 1:1-2: 1:1-2  ^by Letters in the first century usually began by mentioning the writer’s name and that of the person(s) addressed, followed by a greeting (see Acts 15:23  ^bz; 23:25-26  ^ca). Paul follows this pattern.

• Paul highlights his calling as an apostle; his status as God’s appointed agent for establishing the church had been challenged at Corinth.
1:2  ^cb Paul turns the usual, colorless “greetings” (Greek chairein) into a rich salutation by praying for God’s grace (Greek charis) and peace on his readers.
Summary for 2Cor 1:3-11: 1:3-11  ^cc Paul now breaks into a jubilant thanksgiving. He is glad that, in spite of many troubles that have weighed upon him, he has had special comfort from God (1:4-7  ^cd) and has been rescued from death in the province of Asia (1:8-11  ^ce). 1:3  ^cf our merciful Father: God delights in showing favor to his people and in hearing his children’s cry (Ps 145:18-19  ^cg).
Summary for 2Cor 1:4-6: 1:4-6  ^ch One purpose of suffering is to qualify Christ’s servants to enter sympathetically into the experience of others. Paul is not an aloof pastor, remote from the people to whom he ministers.
1:6  ^ci it is for your comfort and salvation! Paul’s sharing in their troubles and offering of encouragement promotes their spiritual well-being.
Summary for 2Cor 1:8-11: 1:8-11  ^cj dear brothers and sisters: Greek adelphoi. This traditional term of affection is used to address members of the same family, both male and female.

• The trouble we went through in the province of Asia is not easy to identify. One suggestion is the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41  ^ck). Another is that Paul was tried in a civil court and faced the prospect of execution in Ephesus (2 Cor 1:9  ^cl; see 1 Cor 15:32  ^cm). Less likely is that he suffered an acute life-threatening illness. Paul was no stranger to mortal danger (2 Cor 1:10  ^cn; see also 4:10-12  ^co; 6:9  ^cp; 11:23  ^cq), but he was marvelously rescued by divine assistance (1:11  ^cr).
Summary for 2Cor 1:12-14: 1:12-14  ^cs Paul’s travel plans and his unfulfilled promise of a visit to Corinth were criticized; he was charged with being fickle like persons of the world “who say ‘Yes’ when they really mean ‘No’” (1:17  ^ct). Before responding to that charge, he clarifies his motives in his ministry and in his letters. 1:12  ^cu holiness: Some manuscripts read honesty. The difference is only two letters in Greek (hagiotēti, “holiness”; haplotēti, “honesty”).
Summary for 2Cor 1:15-2:2: 1:15–2:2  ^cv Paul had changed his travel plan. In 1 Cor 16:5  ^cw, he expressed the hope of visiting Corinth after passing through Macedonia. Then he evidently promised to visit Corinth earlier (perhaps in his “severe letter,” 2 Cor 7:8  ^cx)—on his way north. Now he would have to go back to the original plan, and that earlier visit, bringing a double blessing, would not be happening after all.
1:17  ^cy Paul’s apparent indecisiveness and failure to keep his promise were being criticized. Paul’s protest is indignant.
Summary for 2Cor 1:18-22: 1:18-22  ^cz It was bad enough that Paul’s enemies at Corinth had attacked his character as unreliable and shifty (1:17  ^da). It was worse when they charged that his entire message was just as uncertain. In these verses Paul answers that allegation.
Summary for 2Cor 1:18-20: 1:18-20  ^db As surely as God is faithful: God can be trusted, as can his promises in Christ and his ministry through the apostles.
1:19  ^dc Silas was a well-known Christian leader from the church in Antioch (see Acts 15:22  ^dd, 27  ^de, 32  ^df; 1 Thes 1:1  ^dg; 2 Thes 1:1  ^dh; 1 Pet 5:12  ^di).
1:20  ^dj God has put a seal of approval, with a resounding “Yes!” on the Old Testament prophecies as they are fulfilled in Christ. Believers respond with “Amen,” meaning “confirmed and agreed.”
Summary for 2Cor 1:21-22: 1:21-22  ^dk Paul’s ministry was enabled, commissioned (literally anointed), and endorsed by God, who equipped him for his work.

• along with you: All believers are identified ... as his own (literally sealed) by the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to his people (see Rom 8:1-27  ^dl; Gal 3:2-7  ^dm; 5:5-6  ^dn, 16-26  ^do; Eph 1:13-14  ^dp).

• First installment is a commercial term for a deposit or down payment, guaranteeing full possession (see 2 Cor 5:5  ^dq; Eph 1:14  ^dr).
Summary for 2Cor 1:23-2:2: 1:23–2:2  ^ds God as my witness: This mild oath indicates that he is telling the truth (see 1 Sam 12:5  ^dt; 20:12  ^du; Job 16:19  ^dv; cp. Ruth 1:17  ^dw; 1 Sam 14:44  ^dx; 2 Sam 3:35  ^dy; 1 Kgs 2:23  ^dz; Jer 42:5  ^ea). The real reason for Paul’s change of travel plans was to spare them from a severe rebuke (2 Cor 1:23  ^eb) and not inflict another painful visit on them (2:1  ^ec).

‏ 2 Corinthians 2

2:1  ^ed Paul’s previous visit had been very painful and had caused him great distress. This visit is not recorded in Acts; it apparently took place during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8-22  ^ee). During that visit, Paul severely rebuked the church (2 Cor 1:23  ^ef) and was insulted by an unnamed man (2:5-11  ^eg).
Summary for 2Cor 2:3-4: 2:3-4  ^eh After his painful visit (2:1  ^ei), Paul then wrote a letter with great anguish ... and many tears that was intended for the Corinthians’ good. That letter (see also 7:8-10  ^ej) has evidently been lost. But it was effective in bringing about the needed repentance and change.
Summary for 2Cor 2:5-11: 2:5-11  ^ek These verses are the outcome of Paul’s earlier visit and the insult he received. Following Paul’s severe but tearful letter, the church condemned the behavior of the man who caused all the trouble and disciplined him (2:6  ^el). He repented, so now it was time to forgive and comfort him, as Paul had already done.
2:11  ^em If we exercise forgiveness, as Paul did, Satan will not outsmart us by making us either too lax over sin or too rigorous in punishing offenders.

• familiar with his evil schemes: Cp. 11:3  ^en, 14  ^eo; Eph 6:11  ^ep.
Summary for 2Cor 2:12-13: 2:12-13  ^eq After the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20:1  ^er), Paul went to the seaport of Troas (Acts 20:5  ^es). He was impatient to get news from Titus about the result of the severe but tearful letter (2 Cor 2:4  ^et), and he crossed over to Macedonia in northern Greece to find him.
Summary for 2Cor 2:14: 2:14–7:4  ^eu At this point, the story about finding Titus breaks off and will not be resumed until 7:5  ^ev. Paul digresses to discuss his ministry as an apostle proclaiming the Good News. 2:14  ^ew Like captives in a Roman general’s celebration march, Paul was in Christ’s triumphal procession (cp. 1 Cor 4:9  ^ex; Eph 4:7-11  ^ey), carrying the marks of willing servitude (see Rom 1:1  ^ez; Gal 6:17  ^fa).
Summary for 2Cor 2:15-16: 2:15-16  ^fb Incense was scattered along the parade route of a victorious Roman general, and it was received in one of two ways. For the captives, who were on their way to the arena and death, it was a dreadful smell of death and doom. For the victors, it was a life-giving perfume. So it is with the lives of those who proclaim the Good News, which either leads to eternal life or seals the fate of the person who rejects it (cp. 1 Cor 1:18  ^fc).
2:17  ^fd Paul contrasts his service with that of his opponents.

• They preach for personal profit and adulterate the truth, like merchants in Paul’s day who offered shoddy goods, or innkeepers who watered down the wine. By contrast, Paul preached with sincerity and with Christ’s authority (cp. 1:12  ^fe; 4:2  ^ff). Paul’s denial of mercenary motives reemerges in 11:1–12:21  ^fg.

‏ 2 Corinthians 3

Summary for 2Cor 3:1-3: 3:1-3  ^fh Paul’s ministry was validated by the lives of those who were changed by the Good News rather than by a letter of recommendation (cp. Acts 18:27  ^fi). Christ, the author of this transformation, used Paul to lead believers to him. The marks of genuineness are not in letters written ... with pen and ink on parchment, but in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23  ^fj) in human lives and carved . . . on human hearts.
Summary for 2Cor 3:4-18: 3:4-18  ^fk The contrast between Paul’s ministry and the others’ ministries leads Paul to contrast the old covenant of written laws (Exod 31:18  ^fl) with the new covenant written on human hearts (Jer 31:33  ^fm).
Summary for 2Cor 3:4-6: 3:4-6  ^fn The old written covenant is the Mosaic law as interpreted by the Jewish rabbis. It ends in death for adherents who see it as a way of salvation. The law is good (Rom 7:12-14  ^fo), but those who use it to gain merit fail. It leads either to transgression or to pride; either way, the law brings condemnation (2 Cor 3:9  ^fp).
Summary for 2Cor 3:7-11: 3:7-11  ^fq The old covenant had its moments of glory, such as when Moses’ face . . . shone from his communion with the Lord (Exod 34:29-35  ^fr).

• The old way has been replaced by the new way, which is eternal (Heb 8:8-13  ^fs).
Summary for 2Cor 3:12-15: 3:12-15  ^ft The old covenant, represented by Moses’ veil, led to fear and did not remove spiritual blindness.
Summary for 2Cor 3:16-18: 3:16-18  ^fu The believer who turns to the Lord has freedom in the Spirit. We receive something Moses never knew as we become more and more like Christ (4:4  ^fv; John 1:1-14  ^fw; Col 1:15  ^fx; Heb 1:1-4  ^fy) and reflect the glory of the Lord. Divine glory in this present life leads to our being like Christ in the next life (Rom 8:29  ^fz; Gal 4:19  ^ga; Phil 3:21  ^gb; 1 Jn 3:2  ^gc).

‏ 2 Corinthians 4

4:1  ^gd This new way (or This new ministry) shows us God’s mercy. Paul felt privileged to have the ministry of sharing the message of good news (1 Cor 15:9-11  ^ge; 1 Tim 1:12-17  ^gf).
4:2  ^gg Paul’s ministry was marked by honesty, unlike some other preachers (2:17  ^gh).
Summary for 2Cor 4:3-4: 4:3-4  ^gi The Good News divides people into two categories: those who remain in darkness and those who are enlightened by God (see Acts 26:18  ^gj, cp. John 3:19-21  ^gk). God’s action in bringing people to himself is a movement from a realm governed by darkness to the light of God’s presence (Col 1:12-14  ^gl; 1 Pet 2:9  ^gm). The god of this world fights against the change that the Good News brings to people’s hearts and minds.
4:5  ^gn We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord: See also Rom 10:9-10  ^go; 1 Cor 12:3  ^gp; Col 2:6  ^gq.
4:7  ^gr The message of good news is like great treasure, but it is housed in fragile clay jars—our weak bodies. This insight gives purpose to suffering (4:8–5:10  ^gs).
4:11  ^gt Believers often share the humiliation of the Lord with confidence that they will also share in his triumphant risen life (4:14  ^gu).
4:12  ^gv Through his life of danger and exposure to mortal peril (see 1 Cor 15:30  ^gw), Paul was reinforcing the faith of the Christians in the churches that he founded (cp. Col 1:24  ^gx; 2 Tim 2:10  ^gy).
Summary for 2Cor 4:13-14: 4:13-14  ^gz The secret of Paul’s resilience was in the same kind of faith the psalmist had, (see Ps 116:10  ^ha), which is centered in the living Lord.
Summary for 2Cor 4:16-17: 4:16-17  ^hb we never give up: This call to endurance is given with a reminder of what is in store in the future (5:1-10  ^hc). The human body is in the process of dying in the normal course of growing old, and Paul was particularly worn away physically and emotionally (4:8-12  ^hd). Yet he was being renewed every day—his spirit’s life was being rejuvenated and revitalized by the power of God.
4:18  ^he If we look at the troubles we can see now, we grow faint; but when we see our lives in the light of eternal reality, we know that our troubles will soon be gone.

‏ 2 Corinthians 5

Summary for 2Cor 5:1-10: 5:1-10  ^hf The prospect of eternal hope is bright, with heavenly bodies replacing the dying bodies of this present life. The God of resurrection will also raise us and present us to himself with all believers (4:14  ^hg). The immediate stimulus for this statement of resurrection hope was what Paul had to face in Ephesus (1:8-11  ^hh). The frailty of his body reminded him of what lies beyond death, when this earthly tent we live in—that is, our body—will be taken down in death and dissolution (see 1 Cor 15:42-57  ^hi; Phil 3:20-21  ^hj).
5:2  ^hk we long to put on our heavenly bodies: This is no death wish; Paul was yearning for the Lord’s return when he would give new bodies to his people (1 Cor 15:51-58  ^hl; Phil 3:20-21  ^hm; 1 Thes 4:16-17  ^hn).
5:7  ^ho Our hope for future resurrection can only be known by faith (see Heb 11:1  ^hp, 3  ^hq, 27  ^hr), yet we do have Jesus’ own resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit as evidence of what is to come (1 Cor 15:1-9  ^hs; Eph 1:14  ^ht).
Summary for 2Cor 5:9-10: 5:9-10  ^hu The goal of the present life is to please him (see also Rom 12:1-2  ^hv; 14:18  ^hw; Col 1:10  ^hx; 1 Thes 4:1  ^hy). This ambition will be tested when we stand before Christ to be judged. The judge is also our advocate, so we are confident of acquittal (Rom 8:1  ^hz, 33-34  ^ia). Yet actions done in this earthly body will be assessed and called to account (Acts 17:31  ^ib).
Summary for 2Cor 5:11-21: 5:11–7:4  ^ic Paul now explains the main theme of his message, which is reconciliation—the turning of enemies into friends and the restoration of relationships. Paul’s thinking is rooted in what God has done through Christ to reconcile sinners to himself (5:18-21  ^id). This exposition is framed by a defense of his own ministry (5:11-17  ^ie) and an application of his message to the situation in Corinth (6:1–7:4  ^if). 5:11  ^ig One motive for Paul’s ministry is fearful responsibility to the Lord—not a cringing dread, but a healthy reverence (see Prov 1:7  ^ih).
5:12  ⁱⁱ Paul’s opponents bragged about having a spectacular ministry outwardly, but they did not have a sincere heart (cp. 1 Sam 16:7  ^ij; Rom 2:28-29  ^ik).
5:13  ^il If ... we are crazy: This statement might imply a charge on Paul’s previous visit to Corinth (2:1-2  ^im) that he was out of his mind when he proclaimed the simple Good News there (1 Cor 2:2  ⁱⁿ).
Summary for 2Cor 5:14-17: 5:14-17  ^io Paul’s doctrine of reconciliation arises from his conviction that (1) Christ died for all believers; (2) in Christ, believers also die to sin and self; and (3) now all believers should live for Christ. The new life in Christ thus leads to a fresh evaluation of other people and of Christ. 5:14  ^ip Christ’s love controls us: This could refer either to believers’ love for Christ or (more likely) to Christ’s love for us, which urges believers on in making Christ known through their service (see 1 Cor 9:16  ^iq).
Summary for 2Cor 5:16-17: 5:16-17  ^ir merely from a human point of view: Paul might be reflecting on his belief at one time as a Pharisee that the Messiah would come to set the Jews free from political oppression.

• How differently we know him now! Christ rose from the dead, ushered in the new creation (5:17  ^is), and was established as the redeemer from sin and Lord of the universe (Rom 1:3-4  ^it; Phil 2:6-11  ^iu; Col 1:15-20  ^iv).
Summary for 2Cor 5:18-21: 5:18-21  ^iw God entrusts to his servants the message and ministry of reconciliation through Christ.

• God has given us this task of reconciling people: Paul is speaking of his own ministry, but sharing this wonderful message is the responsibility of all believers. Christ’s ambassadors call people to accept what God has done so they can be made right with God through Christ.

• Christ paid the penalty for people’s sins—to take away all that stood between God and humans and to make us right with God.
5:20  ^ix The great privilege of believers is to be Christ’s ambassadors (cp. Eph 6:20  ^iy).

• God is making his appeal through us: Paul doesn’t say that he speaks for God; rather, God speaks his word through us.

• Christ’s redeeming work for sinners opens the way for them to “Come back to God!” and be reconciled with him (see Rom 5:1-11  ^iz; Eph 2:11-22  ^ja; Col 1:15-23  ^jb). Christian witness has this appeal at its heart. Paul was also appealing to the rebellious Corinthians to come over to his side (see 2 Cor 6:1  ^jc).
5:21  ^jd Christ became the offering for our sin on the cross when he took sin’s penalty on himself and died a criminal’s death. He did this, though he himself never sinned (John 8:46  ^je; 1 Pet 2:22  ^jf; 1 Jn 3:5  ^jg), so that we might be made right with God—i.e., set in right relationship with God and accepted by him (see Gal 3:13  ^jh).

‏ 2 Corinthians 6

Summary for 2Cor 6:1-2: 6:1-2  ^ji To win over the disaffected believers at Corinth, Paul appeals to them to listen to him and Timothy as God’s servants and messengers.

• As God’s partners: Literally As we work together, which leaves open the question whether Paul meant that they were working together in a team effort, or that they were working together with God.
6:2  ^jj This quotation from Isa 49:8  ^jk clinches the point that God’s offer of salvation could secure reconciliation between Paul and the Corinthians; their reconciliation with Paul would follow naturally from their true acceptance of the Good News.
Summary for 2Cor 6:3-10: 6:3-10  ^jl Paul gives a revealing picture of the hardships of his ministry (cp. 4:7-18  ^jm). Nine trials are listed; many of these experiences from Paul’s life are recorded in Acts (e.g., Acts 14:5-6  ^jn, 19-20  ^jo; 16:19-24  ^jp; 21:30-36  ^jq). Through their steadfast suffering for the Good News, Paul and Timothy (2 Cor 1:1  ^jr) showed that they were true ministers of God.
Summary for 2Cor 6:6-7: 6:6-7  ^js Paul describes the spirit with which he faced suffering, attributing his strength to the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.
Summary for 2Cor 6:8-10: 6:8-10  ^jt Paul’s character as an apostle was often attacked; he and his colleagues were even called imposters. Yet he was honest in spite of people’s attitudes. They must have thought that Paul was a nobody who could be safely ignored, a foolhardy person who ran unnecessary risks that made him as good as dead already. Paul rebuts each of their allegations with insight into spiritual reality.
Summary for 2Cor 6:11-13: 6:11-13  ^ju Paul’s impassioned plea reveals his inner feelings.

• our hearts are open to you ... Open your hearts to us! These sentiments are continued in 7:2  ^jv (see study notes on 6:14–7:1; 7:2-4).
Summary for 2Cor 6:14-7:1: 6:14–7:1  ^jw The connection between 6:13  ^jx and 7:2  ^jy has led many scholars to conclude that 6:14–7:1  ^jz is an inserted fragment from another letter (perhaps the one mentioned in 1 Cor 5:9  ^ka). However, this section might just as well be a digression in Paul’s writing, a suitable challenge to the Corinthians to forsake their opposition to Paul and his message. Paul was anxious to see relationships restored; here, Paul draws a picture of believers in Christ forming a holy temple. Believers’ identity as the temple of God motivates the need for harmony among them as well as separation from the impurity of unbelieving attitudes and behaviors. Paul therefore draws the contrast between Christian and pagan morality with quotations from the Old Testament. 6:14  ^kb Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers: This instruction alludes to the Jewish prohibition of certain mixtures (Lev 19:19  ^kc; Deut 22:10  ^kd). Paul was probably referring to how the Corinthians had been involving themselves in idolatrous practices (see 1 Cor 8–10  ^ke; cp. 1 Cor 10:14-22  ^kf).
6:15  ^kg the devil: Greek Beliar. This Hebrew word means “worthless, good-for-nothing”; in the intertestamental period it came to be used as a name for Satan.
6:16  ^kh Believers together are the temple of the living God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus holy (1 Cor 3:16  ^ki; 1 Pet 2:1-10  ^kj).
6:18  ^kk This quotation is from 2 Sam 7:14  ^kl, though Paul adds and daughters (cp. Isa 43:6  ^km).