Read the Passage: 2 Corinthians 1

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 2 Corinthians 1

Greeting (1:1–7)

The book of 2 Corinthians is the most autobiographical of Paul’s thirteen epistles. This letter was likely written in AD 56, about a year after Paul penned the book of 1 Corinthians. It is probable that 2 Corinthians was written from Philippi (cf. 2 Cor. 11:9; Phil. 4:15). This epistle, which is part of a series of letters between Paul and the Corinthian church, is best viewed as a follow-up to a recent visit that Paul had made to the city of Corinth (cf. 2 Cor. 2:1; 13:1). While Paul touches upon many theological and practical issues in this book, his main themes are: a defense of his apostleship (chapters 1–7), an exhortation regarding a planned collection (chapters 8–9), and a confrontation with false teachers (chapters 10–13). It seems that these false teachers were behind many of the problems in the church, as they were questioning Paul’s credentials, his character, and his teachings.

Paul’s customary greeting to the church is recorded in 2 Cor. 1:1–3. In this greeting Paul mentions Timothy, who was with Paul when he had founded the church in Corinth some five years earlier (cf. Acts 18:1–17). Furthermore, Timothy had delivered the letter of 1 Corinthians to the church (cf. 1 Cor. 4:17; 16:10–11). In 2 Cor. 1:3–7 Paul addresses the suffering the church was experiencing. Here Paul describes God as both “the Father of mercies and [the] God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). Next, in 2 Cor. 1:4, Paul teaches that God comforts believers in order that they might comfort others—which he then applies to his own situation (cf. 2 Cor. 1:5). Indeed, oftentimes suffering makes us self-focused, but in this passage, Paul teaches that one of the reasons why we experience suffering is so that we might be comforted by Christ, and then in turn encourage and comfort others who are suffering.

Suffering (1:8–14)

In 2 Cor. 1:8–11 Paul continues to write about the suffering he had experienced in Asia, which likely occurred in or near Ephesus. Specific details about this persecution are not given in Scripture; however, this suffering may have been related to the Ephesian riot recorded in Acts 19:23–41. Additionally, at 1 Cor. 15:32 Paul wrote, “I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus,” which may be a reference to the Roman gladiatorial games. In any event, Paul comments on the extent of his suffering, writing that “we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life” (2 Cor. 1:8). Yet, the result of such great persecution was that Paul was forced to abandon self-reliance, to look to Jesus, and to be delivered. This divine rescue plan is encouraging, as is Paul’s teaching that it was the prayers of the church that led to his being delivered from overwhelming trials (cf. 2 Cor. 1:11).

In 2 Cor. 1:12–14 Paul pivots his discussion slightly, as he declares that his personal conduct was characterized by simplicity, godly sincerity, and grace. Such godly conduct, writes Paul, was clear when he was in Corinth (cf. 2 Cor. 1:12). Ironically, it was likely his godly lifestyle and teachings that led to Paul being persecuted in Asia, as he had just described (cf. 2 Cor. 1:8–11). In this passage Paul reminds the Corinthian church of his conduct because it was his conduct—including his credentials, his character, and his teachings—that was being questioned by the false teachers. Yet, writes Paul, “We are not writing any other things to you than what you [already] read or understand” (2 Cor. 1:13). Said differently, in this letter Paul was only writing about things which the Corinthians had already heard, accepted, and agreed to when they were with Paul (cf. 2 Cor. 1:14).

Traveling (1:15–24)

In 2 Cor. 1:15–24 Paul briefly comments on his travel plans. Apparently, Paul had originally intended to visit the believers in Corinth both on his way to Macedonia and upon his return. Yet, Paul’s travel plans had changed so that now he would only visit the Corinthian church once during his Macedonian travels. The false teachers had apparently seized upon this change in Paul’s itinerary, claiming that Paul was dishonest, deceptive, or both. By way of response, Paul again appeals to his past fruitful ministry in Corinth as well as to the the content gospel itself. Here Paul teaches the Corinthian church that “the promises of God in Jesus are Yes, and in Him Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20). Furthermore, Paul reminds the believers in Corinth that the gospel entails the four-fold work of God establishing us, anointing us, sealing us, and giving us the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 1:21–22).

Application Questions:

1. What passages from the book of 2 Corinthians have you found to be the most helpful in the past as you’ve followed Christ?
2. How can believers best respond to false teachers, as well as personal attacks against their own character?
3. Have you ever been encouraged or comforted by seeing how other Christians have handled their own suffering?
4. Can you testify that you’ve been delivered from suffering on account of the prayers of the saints?
5. Why do churches sometimes turn their backs on godly leaders in spite of a healthy, godly, and growing ministry?