The book of 2 Corinthians, explained simply

Who wrote it

The letter names Paul, an early follower of Jesus who traveled starting churches, along with his co-worker Timothy. Almost all scholars agree Paul wrote it. What they debate is whether it was always one letter. The tone shifts sharply at chapter 10, and chapters 8 and 9 read like two separate notes about the same collection of money, so many scholars think a later editor joined two or more of Paul's letters together. Others think it was written as one letter and that the changes reflect new news or a change in Paul's mood. There is no agreement.

When

Around AD 55 or 56, probably written from Macedonia in northern Greece, about a year after 1 Corinthians. Paul had founded the church in Corinth, a busy port city in southern Greece, a few years earlier. Since then he had made a painful visit there and sent a tearful, severe letter. If the book combines several letters, its parts may have been written over a period of months.

Who it was written to

The community of Jesus followers in Corinth, and other believers across Achaia, the Roman province of southern Greece. Most were not Jewish, and they lived in a wealthy, status-conscious city where impressive speakers were admired.

Why it was written

Paul had heard from his co-worker Titus that the church had responded well to his severe letter, and he writes with relief to explain his changed travel plans, forgive a man who had wronged him, and encourage the church to finish collecting money for poor believers in Jerusalem. He also answers rival teachers who mocked him as weak and unimpressive, and he argues that God's power shows up most clearly through human weakness, as it did in Jesus' death. A common view is that the severe letter he mentions has been lost, but a significant number of scholars think it survives as chapters 10 to 13 of this book, and a few identify it with 1 Corinthians.

Big themes

Strength found in weakness · Comfort in the middle of suffering · Reconciliation with God and with each other · Cheerful, generous giving

How it is laid out

Comfort, changed plans and a painful letter (1-2)

What real ministry looks like (3-5)

Paul opens his heart and hears good news (6-7)

Giving to the poor in Jerusalem (8-9)

Paul answers his critics (10-12)

Final warnings and greetings (13)

A tip for reading it

Expect the tone to change at chapter 10, from warm relief to sharp self defense, and notice that when Paul 'boasts like a fool' or mocks the 'super apostles' he is often using irony to turn his critics' standards upside down. Reading 1 Corinthians first helps, and some details, such as what Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' was, are simply unknown, so it is fine to leave them open.