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2 Corinthians
Introduction
A. The Author
In general, the external and internal evidence for Pauline authorship of 2 Corinthians is the same as for 1 Corinthians. The arguments and evidence discussed there do not need to be repeated in full. But, I will make three brief comments.
#1. The external evidence is quite strong for 2 Corinthians, though not as strong as for 1 Corinthians. It is not quoted by Clement, but it is quoted by Polycarp, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian. Further, it is listed in Marcion’s Apostolicon and the Muratorian Canon.
#2. Internally, using 1 Corinthians as a benchmark of authenticity, this letter easily passes the test. The literary style and form of argumentation are the same.
(3) There is another significant piece of internal evidence which, though present in traces in 1 Corinthians, is found in spades here: “a pious imitator would be unlikely to portray Paul as an apostle in danger of losing his authority at Corinth or an apostle struggling to preserve the Corinthians from apostasy.”
B. Date, Occasion, and Place of Origin
It may be helpful here to rehearse the contacts and correspondence between Paul and the Corinthians in toto.
(1) Paul arrived in Corinth in the spring of 50 CE and stayed there one and one-half years. Acts 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (KJV)
(2) In the fall of 51 CE he sailed for Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila. Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus while Paul returned to Antioch Acts 18:18-22 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. (KJV) While in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla met and trained Apollos, sending him back to Corinth to minister in Paul’s absence. Acts 18:24-28 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Paul in Ephesus
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (KJV)
(3) A year later, in the summer/fall of 52 CE, Paul returned to Ephesus (after passing through the Phrygian-Galatian region) on his third missionary journey, and ministered there almost three years Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (KJV) Probably in the first year of his ministry in Ephesus, Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians . . . a letter which is now lost. 1 Cor. 5:9-10
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. (KJV)
(4) When Paul learned of other problems from Chloe, 1 Cor. 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat. (KJV)
1 Cor. 16:17-18 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such. and the delegation of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus. He wrote 1 Corinthians. This was probably in the second year of his ministry at Ephesus, in the spring of 54 CE (for reasons which will become evident below).
(5) He then visited the Corinthians in the summer/fall of 54, as he had indicated he would. 1 Cor. 16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. (KJV) . . . But he was not able to spend the winter with them. Most likely, he was forewarned by Timothy that the Corinthians had not fully appreciated even his second letter.
1 Cor. 16:10-11 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.(KJV) Hence, what was originally planned as a positive time ended up being Paul’s “painful visit”. 2 Cor. 2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. (KJV) It was painful because of a particular man who was acting immorally (2:5-11; 7:12) and was, indeed, creating doubts among the congregation about Paul’s apostolic authority. It was also painful because it was done in haste. He went directly to Corinth, bypassing Macedonia, and was much shorter than planned.
(6) After the painful visit, Paul returned to Ephesus (fall, 54). Because of his humiliation at Corinth, Paul wrote a “severe letter”. (2 Cor.2:3-4;7:8), which was most likely carried by Titus (2 Cor.7:5-8).
(7) Paul left Ephesus in the spring of 55 CE for Macedonia, probably Philippi. Acts 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (KJV). On the way he stopped at Troas, intending to meet Titus there on his way back from Corinth. But he could not find Titus and sailed for Macedonia without him (2 Cor.2:12-13), hoping to meet him there.
(8) Paul met Titus in Macedonia, learned from him that the Corinthians are getting straightened out (2 Cor.7:6-16), and while in Macedonia he writes 2 Corinthians. Most likely, it was written in the fall of 55 CE.
(9) Finally, in the winter of 55-56 CE Paul again visits the Corinthians; 2 Cor.12:14).Acts 20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (KJV).
If this renovation is correct, Paul visited Corinth three times and wrote four letters to the Corinthians, the second and fourth of which have been preserved.
C. Special Problem: The Unity of the Epistle and the “Sorrowful Letter”
There are three possibilities for the identification of the “sorrowful/severe letter” (2 Cor.2:3-4; 7:8). (1), it could be 1 Corinthians. (2) it might have become united into 2 Corinthians (maybe early in the second century). (3), it may be lost.
1. The “Sorrowful Letter” is 1 Corinthians
The evidence for this view is as follows: (1) No other interpretation existed in church history until comparatively recent times; (2) it is quite possible that the offenders of 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 2 are the same person, which would successfully connect the letter in 2 Cor.2:3-4 with 1 Corinthians.
(3) some argue that no letter the apostle ever wrote could have been lost or else inspiration/preservation is no longer true.
In response, it should be noted that in many respects the third argument has driven the other two. That is to say, once the possibility is accepted that Paul could have written letters which are now lost, there is no necessary reason for supposing that the severe letter is 1 Corinthians. That inspiration does not at all guarantee that everything an apostle writes, nor everything that Jesus said, would be preserved. For example, in 2 Thes 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. Paul implies that he had written several letters, though the only canonical Pauline letters which antedate this are Galatians and 1 Thessalonians. So, we need to examine afresh whether there is internal evidence for a letter between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians . . . and if so, then the connection between 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Corinthians 2 should be abandoned.
Maybe the greatest evidence that the sorrowful letter was not 1 Corinthians is the high improbability that “the terms ‘great distress,’ ‘anguish of heart’ and ‘many tears’ could have described Paul’s state of mind when writing 1 Corinthians. The language suggests a time of intense emotional strain which does not appear very evident in that epistle.” Not only this, but 2 Cor.7:8 makes it clear that the letter under review not only made the readers sorry but made the apostle regret ever sending it. It is difficult to believe that he had any such regrets over the sending of 1 Corinthians.
Because of this, the offender in 1 Corinthians 5 is most likely is most likely not the same as the offender in 2 Corinthians 2. This is verified by a careful exegesis of the two passages: the first offender sinned against the church (1 Corinthians 5:2); the second, against Paul (2 Corinthians 2:5, 10); the first was to suffer extreme discipline—resulting in his death (“deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh” 1CoR. 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (KJV), while the second who was apparently reprimanded by the church was now to be accepted back into the fold (2 Cor.2:6-7).
2. The “Sorrowful Letter” is (partially) preserved in 2 Corinthians 10-13.
(1) The tone changes dramatically between Chapters 1–9 and 10–13. In the first half of the letter, Paul expresses relief over the changed attitude of the Corinthians, while in Chapters 10–13 his attitude seems to change dramatically. He is defensive and scolding.
(2) The references to Paul’s visits between the two portions suggest a patchwork effort. Three couplets suggest that events described in Chapters 10–13 as yet future are now referred to in the past in Chapters 1-9.
(A) 10:6 with 2:9 (“once your obedience is complete”; “I wrote you to see if you would be obedient in everything”);
(B) 13:2 with 1:23 (“on my return I will not spare them”; “it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth”);
(C) 13:10 with 2:3 (“This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh”; “I wrote as I did so that when I came I should not be distressed”).
(D) The attitude towards self-commendation between the two halves is different. In Chapters 1–9 Paul squelches any thought of self-commendation (3:1; 5:12) . . . and each time he does so with the implication that he had commended himself in writing before; while in chs. 10–13 the main thrust of these four chapters is Paul’s self-commendation. This is a most compelling argument for the patchwork view.
In response, however, are a number of considerations.
(1) The change in tone is not as drastic as is often assumed. In the first nine chapters there are still hints of opposition to Paul (1:17-24; 2:17; 4:2-5; 5:12, 13). If these texts were laid side-by-side with even some of the strongest statements in chs. 10–13, one would be hard-pressed to see a difference in tone.
(2) The second argument can be dismissed because not only is it overly subtle, but the same themes of encouraging obedience and scolding in absence are found throughout Paul’s letters. In essence, all these references simply articulate Paul’s general principles of pastoral care as applied to his writing and personal ministries.
(3) The third argument is quite strong and cannot easily be overturned. However, there may be an indication that the self-commendation which Paul condemns in 3:1 and 5:12 is a self-condemnation via letters of commendation only. In 3:2-4 Paul explicitly states, “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation . . .” If 5:12 is picking up the same motif (though not explicitly), then what Paul is doing in Chapters 10–13 is not automatically the kind of self-commendation he refutes in 3:1 and 5:12. Nevertheless, the problem with this view is that self-commendation is the same as commendation by others (but can a person write his own letter of commendation?). In 3:1 Paul seems to make a distinction between the two.
There is another thing to consider. Nowhere does Paul promise that he would not engage in self-commendation, just that in Chapters 3 and 5 he is not doing it there. A number of circumstances could have led him to alter his course by the time he got to the end of the epistle (not the least of which is the possibility of more information coming from Corinth that the believers were waffling on Paul’s authority once again).
(4) In 2 Cor.12:18 Paul refers to a visit by Titus to Corinth. But this visit could not be the same one in which he brought the severe letter, unless Chapters 10–13 are not that letter. It has been suggested that the aorists here are epistolary, but as one rightly points out, “the question, ‘Titus did not exploit you, did he?’ cannot very intelligently be understood in this way.” This one piece of evidence, in fact, is so strong that by itself it virtually overturns all arguments on behalf of the patchwork theory.
(5) In 2 Cor.12:14, Paul says that he is about to make a third visit. In our reconstruction of the relationship between Paul and Corinth, this would be the visit mentioned in: Acts 20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. (KJV)
But IF the patchwork theory were correct, this reference is wrong: Paul is about to make his second visit (viz., the “painful visit”).
(6) The patchwork view falls shipwreck on the rocks of textual criticism. No patristical writers, of any kind ever hint at two separate documents.
(7) Finally, related to the text-critical argument above: On the analogy of the “previous letter” mentioned in: 1 Cor 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: (KJV) . . . being lost because of the embarrassment it caused both Paul and the Corinthians, why would his more severe letter be preserved? It is quite possible that the Corinthians did not circulate that previous letter to other churches. Instead, they probably filed it somewhere inaccessible. Would they somehow reverse their policy, or become clumsier, with Paul’s stronger, more severe letter? And if so, who would have pieced it together with the canonical 2 Corinthians? And why? Unless some probable hypotheses surface, we must regard the patchwork view as highly suspect.
In conclusion, although the arguments for the patchwork view on the surface seem quite compelling, when all the data are taken into consideration this view has more problems than it solves.
3. The “Sorrowful Letter” is Lost
If these other views are unsatisfactory, then the only alternative is that 2 Corinthians is a unity as it stands and the severe letter is now lost. Even though 2 Corinthians is digressive, this can be no more an argument against its unity than the digressive nature of 1 Corinthians is against that epistle’s unity.
D. Theme
In contrast with the self-interest of the false apostles is the humility of Paul. As he both answers his critics and affirms his own apostleship, we see God’s glory shine through Paul’s sufferings. If there is in fact a theme verse it is 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
II. Argument
Paul begins his second (canonical) letter to the Corinthians with a customary greeting (1:1-2), followed by a customary thanksgiving (1:3-11). But the thanksgiving this time is not for the church’s progress in the faith (as is usual in Paul’s salutations), but for God’s comfort of him in the midst of great hardships (1:3-11).
This note on God’s comfort in affliction is a natural bridge to the body of the letter, because 2 Corinthians is completely about God’s glory in the midst of suffering. There are three main sections to this epistle: (1) defense of Paul’s apostleship in the light of his critics’ charges (1:12–7:16), (2) exhortation of the Corinthians to give to the collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem (8:1–9:15), and (3) final affirmation of Paul’s apostolic authority (10:1–13:10). It will be seen that the first and third major sections are dealing with the same issue, though with a different tone (causing some scholars to argue that chapters 10–13 comprised a different letter, the “severe letter” [cf. 2:3-4; 7:8]).
There are further differences: (1) in the first section Paul defends his altered plans to visit, while in the third section he again mentions his desire to visit; (2) the first section boasts of the Lord, while the third section boasts of Paul. In many ways this letter heats up toward the end, with the second section (dealing with the collection) functioning as a calm before the final storm!
First, Paul defends his apostleship in the light of his critics’ charges (1:12–7:16). In his defense, Paul uses two basic arguments: he defends his own conduct and character (1:12–2:13), then he discusses the nature of what a true apostleship really involves (2:14–7:16).
His critics were apparently charging that Paul was inconsistent, for he had altered his plans to visit the Corinthians (1:12–2:4). But Paul’s conscience is clear before God (1:12-14), for although he had planned a positive visit, one which would be a blessing to the Corinthians (1:15-22), he canceled his plans when it became obvious that such a visit would be another painful one (1:23–2:4, especially 2:1).
Paul’s critics may also have misunderstood (as the church certainly did) the apostle’s intentions, communicated in his “severe” letter (2:3-4, 9) regarding an offending brother (2:5-11). Paul now clears the air about him: forgiveness and restoration are in order (2:7-8). If the issue of the offending brother was not raised by his critics, at least there is a link with Paul’s non-visit, for both have caused grief (2:4-5).
Finally, the apostle mentions that he did not make contact with Titus in Troas (2:12-13) who would have informed Paul at the time about the Corinthian church. Although this seems an insignificant point, Titus plays a role in all three of the major sections of this epistle, serving as sort of a literary hinge.
For the rest of Paul’s defense, he focuses on the nature of a true apostleship (2:14–7:16). He begins by pointing out the grandeur of a genuine apostolic ministry (2:14–4:6), displaying evidence for it in the successful leading of the apostles by Christ (2:14-17) and the successful result of this ministry found in the lives of believers (who are a living letter of commendation) (3:1-3). The success of a true apostleship is due to the superiority of the new covenant (3:4-18) which far surpasses the glory of the old, giving light to those who believe (4:1-6), while the rest of the world still lives in darkness (4:4).
As glorious as this ministry is, the ministers of the new covenant themselves are equally frail (4:7–5:10). Paul thus skillfully contrasts the glory of the truth of grace with his own weakness, while his opponents no doubt held to a defective gospel though they themselves were strong. True ministers are mere clay vessels who have myriad trials (4:8-15), though they carry in their bodies the treasures of the gospel (4:7). They press on, knowing that their present afflictions do not compare to the eternal weight of glory which awaits them (4:6-18) . . . a fact which gives them a great deal of confidence in the face of death (5:1-10).
After outlining both the glory of the new covenant ministry, and the weakness of its ministers, Paul now is in a position to articulate more clearly what his message is (5:11–6:10), in essence: “Be reconciled to God” (5:16–6:2, especially 5:20). Such an appeal is truly based on the love of Christ (5:11-15), and its purity is seen by the hardships which Paul himself has suffered for the sake of the gospel (6:3-10).
The Corinthians not only should be reconciled to God; they also should be reconciled to Paul (6:11–7:4), by returning his affection (6:11-13; 7:2-4). And they should be reconciled to each other . . . that is, they should only be equally yoked with believers, for an unequal yoke can never produce a mutual response (6:14–7:1).
Paul concludes this second line of his defense with a positive note about meeting Titus in Macedonia (7:5-16), just as he concluded his first line about missing him in Troas (2:12-13).
The second major section of the epistle is an appeal to give to the collection for poor believers in Jerusalem (8:1–9:15). This appeal seems to be wedged in here for one (or more) of three reasons: (1) it serves as a literary buffer zone between the two halves on Paul’s defense of his apostleship; (2) the defense of his apostleship is a necessary preface to his request for money (since otherwise he would be perceived by his critics as a peddler for profit); (3) regardless of how the Corinthians feel about him at the moment, there is still the business at hand which must be attended.
Although Paul does not wish to command the Corinthians to give (8:8), he does show how important such an act is (8:1-15, especially 8:13). In his argument he uses both the example of the Macedonians . . . presumably especially the Philippians (8:1-5) . . . coupled with a reminder of how the Corinthians had performed in this duty in the past (8:6-15).
In the middle of this second major section is, once again, a statement about Titus (8:16–9:1-5). Titus’ character and desire are first commended (8:16-24)—perhaps as a preemptive strike against the critics’ attacks. Since Titus is coming, the Corinthians should be ready to give (9:1-5).
Having established the need to give, and the imminence of Titus’ coming to collect, Paul now can address the benefits of such giving (9:6-15)—benefits which are both for the giver himself (9:6-11) and are an offering of praise to God (9:12-15).
In the last major section Paul returns to the issue of his own apostolic authority (10:1–13:10)
. . . this time, with a vengeance. Once again, he points out how God’s glory is displayed through his weakness (10:1-11; cf. 4:7-15)—a weakness which his opponents had been exploiting. The Corinthians had had a history of confusing true greatness with oratorical and physical power (10:3-4, 7 and 1 Cor.1:18 to 4:5). He then not-so-politely tells these super apostles to get out of his territory, for Corinth is his domain, assigned to him by God (10:12-18, especially v. 13). They have bragged about their accomplishments in Corinth, when they have really trespassed on Paul’s territory.
This leads to a counter-point in which the apostle finds himself fighting fire with fire . . . that is, foolish boasting with foolish boasting (11:1–12:13). He does this to vindicate his apostleship for the Corinthians who had apparently come to accept the self-commendation of Paul’s opponents as a good thing (11:18). It is evident that had the Corinthians been more mature, Paul would never have had to stoop to the level of his opponents in order to win back the church (11:5; 12:11). He first calls for their discernment as his labors vs. those of the “super apostles” (11:1-15). What is at stake is their pure devotion to Christ (11:3), since these “super apostles” are no apostles at all, but ministers of Satan (11:13-15; cf. 4-5).
Then he boasts (11:16–12:10). He boasts of his sufferings (11:16-33), which functions as a reminder that a true apostle suffers hardship (4:7-15). He also boasts about his own revelations (12:1-6), and the glory of God which shines through his own weaknesses (12:7-10), “for when I am weak, then I am strong” (12:10). Finally, as a coup de grâce, he reminds the Corinthians of the signs of a true apostle: authenticating miracles (12:12-13).
Paul concludes this polemical defense by speaking of his plans for a third visit (12:14–13:10). Although he promises not to be a burden financially (12:14-18), he does expect the church to shape up spiritually (12:19–13:10). His fears about unrepentant sinners (12:19-21) lead him to warn of his own severe discipline of such people (13:1-4). Having established that he is truly an apostle . . . and can therefore exercise the most extreme discipline as a minister of a holy God (12:13; 1 Cor.5:5; and 11:30), the Corinthians should take this matter to heart and examine themselves before Paul ever arrives (13:5-10). Although they are professing believers, such profession is not, in every case, genuine (13:5). On this ominous note, the body of the epistle ends.
Paul concludes his letter with final exhortations and greetings (13:11-14).
III. Outline
I.. Salutation (1:1-11)
A. Greeting (1:1-2)
B. Thanksgiving for the Comfort of God in Affliction (1:3-11)
1. The Comfort of God (1:3-7)
2. Deliverance from Death (1:8-11)
II. Apologetic/Defense of Apostleship: Answering the Critics’ Charges (1:12–7:16)
A. The Defense of Paul’s Conduct (1:12–2:13)
1. Explanation of Altered Plans (1:12–2:4)
a. A Clear Conscience Claimed (1:12-14)
b. A Planned Profitable Visit (1:15-22)
c. A Canceled Painful Visit (1:23–2:4)
2. The Forgiveness of the Offending Brother (2:5-11)
3. Missing Titus in Troas (2:12-13)
B. The Nature of a True Apostleship (2:14–7:16)
1. The Glory of the Ministry (2:14–4:6)
a. The Triumph of Christ (2:14-17)
b. The Product of the Ministry (3:1-3)
c. The Superiority of the New Covenant (3:4-18)
d. The Light of the Gospel (4:1-6)
2. The Frailty of the Ministers (4:7–5:10)
a. Vessels of Clay: The Trials of the Ministers (4:7-15)
b. Unseen Glory: The Hope of the Ministers (4:16-18)
c. Earthly Tent: Confidence in the Face of Death (5:1-10)
3. The Message of Reconciliation (5:11–6:10)
a. Motivation: The Love of Christ (5:11-15)
b. Message: Be Reconciled to God (5:16–6:2)
c. Commendation: The Hardship of the Apostleship (6:3-10)
4. Paul’s Appeal to the Corinthians (6:11–7:4)
a. Mutual Affection Requested (6:11-13)
b. Equal Yoke (6:14–7:1)
c. Mutual Affection Repeated (7:2-4)
5. Meeting Titus in Macedonia (7:5-16)
III. Exhortation to Give: Collection for the Believers in Jerusalem (8:1–9:15)
A. The Necessity for Generosity (8:1-15)
1. The Example of the Macedonians (8:1-5)
2. The Exhortation to the Corinthians (8:6-15)
B. The Mission of Titus to Corinth (8:16–9:5)
1. The Commendation of Titus (8:16-24)
2. The Need for Readiness (9:1-5)
C. The Results of Generosity (9:6-15)
1. The Benefit to the Giver (9:6-11)
2. The Praise to God (9:12-15)
IV. Polemics: Affirmation of Apostolic Authority (10:1–13:10)
A. In Spite of an Unimpressive Appearance (10:1-11)
B. Invasion of False Apostles into Paul’s Territory (10:12-18)
C. Vindication of Authenticity of Paul’s Apostleship (11:1–12:13)
1. Justification of Paul’s Labors in Corinth (11:1-15)
2. The Bragging Rights of a True Apostle (11:16–12:10)
a. Boasting about Paul’s Sufferings (11:16-33)
b. Boasting about Paul’s Revelations (12:1-6)
c. Boasting about Paul’s Weaknesses (12:7-10)
d. Summary: The Proof of a True Apostle (12:11-13)
D. The Planned Third Visit (12:14–13:10)
1. Promise not to be a Burden (12:14-18)
2. Fears about the Unrepentant (12:19-21)
3. Warning of Discipline from Paul (13:1-4)
4. Expectation of Self-Examination (13:5-10)
V. Final Exhortation and Greetings (13:11-14)
2 Corinthians
Ch.1 . . ch.2 . . ch. 3 . . ch.4 . . ch.5 . . ch.6 . . ch.7 . . ch.8 . . ch. 9 . . ch.10 . . ch.11 . . ch.12 . . ch.13 . . Special Comments
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