Second Corinthians is a personal, emotional, and at times painful letter that was written by Paul to the church at Corinth. The church in Corinth was established by Paul, and yet there are many who doubted his authority and his words. His first letter and visits proved to be mostly unsuccessful, and he was criticized for what they perceived as weakness. He was poor (2 Cor 6:10) and did not appear in person as powerful as he sounded in his letters (2 Cor 10:10).
It is difficult to believe that the Apostle Paul had trouble convincing people of his qualifications. Yet that is exactly what he had to do in this letter. Paul remarks on his own apparent weakness but also proclaims that Christ is his strength. It is confidence in the power of Jesus’ Resurrection that produces glory for the Gospel message and Corinth’s recognition of the Apostle’s authority in the church.
Paul gives one of the most concise discussions of Christian giving in chapters 8 and 9. Contained in this passage are the principles for giving, the purpose of giving, how one is to give, and the promises to be realized in giving. Paul encourages them (and us) to give sacrificially, just as Christ gave sacrificially for us (2 Cor 8:9).
The principal divisions of the Second Letter to the Corinthians are the following:
I. Address (1:1–11)
II. The Crisis between Paul and the Corinthians (1:12–7:16)
A. Past Relationships (1:12–2:13)
B. Paul’s Ministry (2:14–7:4)
C. Resolution of the Crisis (7:5–16)
III. The Collection for Jerusalem (8:1–9:15)
IV. Paul’s Defense of His Ministry (10:1–13:10)
V. Conclusion (13:11–13)
Notable verses from 2 Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses- in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.”
From: Christianity.com and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
