S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Author: 2 Corinthians 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of 2 Corinthians as the apostle Paul, possibly along with Timothy.Date of Writing: The Book of 2 Corinthians was very likely written appr...

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November 15 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the book of 2 Corinthians?

The book of 2 Corinthians is an epistle (letter) in the New Testament written by Paul the Apostle to the early church in Corinth, Greece. Written around 55–57 AD, it is deeply personal and focuses on themes of reconciliation, the strength found in human weakness, and the defence of Paul's apostolic authority.

Themes and Purpose

Defence of Ministry: Paul addresses critics who challenged his legitimacy as an apostle. He contrasts worldly success with the "paradox of Jesus death", emphasising that God's power is made perfect in weakness.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness: The letter expresses relief that the Corinthian church repented of their past divisions and urges them to forgive and fully reconcile with one another.

Generosity: Chapters 8 and 9 serve as a major biblical teaching on the principles of generous, cheerful giving to help those in need.

The apostle Paul was concerned about the Christians in Corinth. How would they view the counsel given in his first letter to them? He was in Macedonia when Titus arrived with the favourable report that the letter had saddened the Corinthians into repenting, how that made Paul rejoice!​—2 Corinthians 7:8-13.

Paul wrote Second Corinthians from Macedonia, probably after midyear in 55 C.E. In this letter, he discussed steps taken to keep the congregation clean, built desire to contribute to needy believers in Judea, and defended his apostleship. 

Paul's second letter to Corinthian Christians thus suggests various ways to keep testing whether we are in the faith. His words certainly should move us to comfort others, even as God comforts us in all our tribulation. What the apostle said about the Christian ministry should motivate us to carry it out faithfully while we perfect holiness in the fear of Jehovah.

Applying Paul's counsel may well make us more generous and helpful. Yet, his words should prompt us to boast in God, not ourselves. They should heighten our loving concern for fellow believers. And surely these and other points in Second Corinthians can help us to 'keep testing whether we are in the faith.

"WEAPONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS": 

One way that Paul and his associates recommended themselves as God's ministers was "through the weapons of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." (2 Corinthians 6:3-7) The right hand was used to wield the sword, and the left to hold the shield. Though assaulted from all sides, Paul and his fellow workers were armed to wage spiritual warfare. It was waged against false teachers and "superfine apostles" so that the Corinth congregation would not be led away from devotion to Christ. Paul did not resort to weapons of the sinful flesh​—cunning, deceit, or trickery. (2 Corinthians 10:8-10; 11:3, 12-14; 12:11, 16) 

"The weapons" used were righteous, or just, means for furthering the cause of true worship against all assaults. 

When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians in about 55 C.E., only some 15 years remained for the Jewish system of things. The apostle earnestly wanted Jews and Gentiles to become reconciled to God. That was a day of salvation, and there was no time to waste.

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