Reading 2 Corinthians: A Literary and Theological Commentary

Second Corinthians offers us an account of Paul’s ongoing relationship with a church that was especially troubled. Before writing any of 2 Corinthians, Paul had already written three letters to this church to try to deal with questions and problems as they struggled to understand and live out the life of faith. When Paul writes the material in 2 Corinthians, he has to defend his claim to be an apostle in light of questions raised by some Corinthians and by rival teachers who have come to the city.

To try to win this church back, Paul will use every persuasive technique he can muster. He will cajole, plead, and scold; he will use irony and sarcasm; he will show compassion. He is willing to do whatever it takes to convince them that he is the authentic apostle because he sees the issues that are being debated as so central that, if the Corinthians do not return to recognizing him as their apostle, they may lose their relationship with God.