(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: 2 Corinthians – the second extant letter from the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth
• Definition: A deeply personal and pastoral epistle in which Paul defends his apostleship, expresses his suffering and hope, and urges reconciliation, generosity, and steadfast faith amid hardship

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Paul the apostle, with Timothy mentioned as co-sender (2 Corinthians 1:1)
• When: Likely written around AD 55–56, after a painful visit and a severe letter (now lost) between 1 and 2 Corinthians
• Audience: The Christian community in Corinth and throughout Achaia, a diverse group facing internal tension, external opposition, and wavering loyalty
• Purpose: To restore Paul’s relationship with the church, reaffirm his apostolic authority, explain the nature of Gospel ministry, and promote generosity for the Jerusalem collection

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Combines autobiographical narrative, emotional appeals, theological reflection, and strong polemic; marked by shifts in tone from consolation to confrontation
• Key Themes: Suffering and comfort, authentic ministry, reconciliation, generous giving, apostolic authority, and spiritual transformation
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Christ’s sufferings overflow into the lives of His followers (2 Corinthians 1:5)
○ His death and resurrection are the basis of new creation and reconciliation (5:17–21)
○ His power is perfected in weakness (12:9), redefining leadership and grace
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ Fragrance of Christ (2:15) symbolises Gospel influence
○ Treasure in jars of clay (4:7) illustrates divine power in human weakness
○ Earthly tent and heavenly dwelling (5:1–4) reflect the hope of resurrection

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Introduction (1:1–11), defence of ministry (1:12–7:16), appeal for the collection (8–9), and confrontation with opponents (10–13)
• Canonical Significance: A rich theological and pastoral text that complements 1 Corinthians by revealing the emotional and spiritual depth of Paul’s relationship with the church and his vision of Gospel ministry
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Continues themes from 1 Corinthians, aligns with Galatians and Philippians in addressing opposition, and shares language with Romans and Ephesians
○ Connections to the Old Testament: References to Moses’ veiled face (3:13), covenantal imagery, and temple language affirm continuity with Israel’s Scriptures
○ Connections to the New Testament: Deepens Pauline theology of suffering, resurrection, stewardship, and Spirit-led ministry
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Christ as the fulfilment of covenant promises and as the suffering servant whose life shapes Christian leadership
○ Connections with Judaism: Addresses Jewish-Christian debates over law and glory (chapter 3); contrasts old and new covenants
○ Connections with Islam: Shared reverence for suffering prophets and integrity in leadership, though differing in Christological content
• Key Passages or Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 – “The God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles”
2 Corinthians 4:7 – “We have this treasure in jars of clay”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come”
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “God loves a cheerful giver”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Paul presents himself as a vulnerable yet authoritative apostle, drawing from personal experience to model Gospel-centred leadership
• Who are the Main Characters: Paul, the Corinthian believers, Titus, Timothy, unnamed opponents (often called ‘super-apostles’), and references to the wider Christian community involved in the collection

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Source of all comfort, reconciler through Christ, and sustainer amid weakness
○ The Son – Embodiment of divine grace, reconciler, sufferer, and risen Lord through whom all things are made new
○ The Holy Spirit – Gives life and liberty (3:6, 17), transforms believers into the image of Christ (3:18), and guarantees future glory
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Paul functions as a prophetic and priestly figure, bearing the message of reconciliation and interceding for the church
• Role of the Church: The living letter of Christ (3:3), called to reflect His glory, persevere in hardship, and participate in global generosity
• Role of Men and Women: Both men and women are assumed to be recipients of comfort, spiritual gifts, and ethical exhortations; Phoebe and others mentioned in Romans likely also part of the wider context

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Written from Macedonia to Corinth, a Roman colony and commercial hub known for its cultural diversity and philosophical pluralism
• Historical Context: Follows a painful visit and an earlier letter; Paul seeks to rebuild trust and correct slander from opponents who question his legitimacy
• Cultural Context: Honour and shame values dominated leadership expectations; Paul’s humility and suffering contradicted cultural ideals of strength and eloquence

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Corinth’s cosmopolitan ethos and Roman prestige shaped the church’s view of authority and success
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: The Greco-Roman worldview prized external power, while Paul preached cruciform authenticity
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Patronage, oratory, and rivalry influenced Corinthian life and expectations of church leadership
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Travel letters, financial patronage, and public boasting were reinterpreted through Gospel humility
   ○ Generosity was redefined as Spirit-led participation, not obligation

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Links resurrection hope with present affliction; models Gospel-shaped leadership for Christian communities
2. Theological Significance: Develops theology of suffering, reconciliation, glory, generosity, and transformation by the Spirit
3. Spiritual Themes: Comfort, grace, weakness, endurance, renewal, generosity, and spiritual authenticity
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: God’s power is revealed in weakness. Christian leaders must reflect Christ, not culture. Generosity flows from grace. Reconciliation is central to the Gospel
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Key source for pastoral theology, missionary principles, spiritual formation, and leadership ethics
6. Historical Reception: Used by early Church Fathers to discuss apostleship and suffering; influential in monastic spirituality and reform movements

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Reflects on Mosaic covenant and glory; offers a new covenant theology fulfilled in Christ
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Engages Jewish identity and Scripture, especially in contrasting the old covenant with new life in the Spirit
3. Connections with Islam: Emphasises integrity, suffering, and divine mercy, but departs from Islamic views on prophethood and divine mediation
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Shaped views on humility in leadership, philanthropy, authenticity, and consolation in suffering
5. Scientific Perspectives: Studied in psychology of grief, anthropology of honour-shame dynamics, and rhetorical analysis of ancient communication
6. Global Perspective: Offers a powerful message of hope to persecuted churches and suffering individuals; vital for contexts dealing with leadership crises and reconciliation

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: The transformation from glory to glory (3:18) and the heavenly dwelling motif (5:1–4) are explored in mystical theology
2. Comparative Mythology: Distinct in portraying divine glory through suffering rather than heroic conquest; rooted in historical suffering and resurrection
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Redefines strength, confronts pride, encourages sacrificial giving, and dignifies vulnerability
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Reconcile broken relationships
   ○ Embrace integrity and truth
   ○ Give sacrificially and joyfully
   ○ Find strength in Christ through weakness
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Essential for discussions on trauma, leadership failure, cross-cultural ministry, and church unity in adversity

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Sudden tone shift in chapters 10–13 suggests possible letter fragmentation; interpreting thorn in the flesh and heavenly vision invites speculation
2. Theological Debates: Nature of apostolic authority, continuity of miraculous signs, and new covenant interpretation of the Mosaic law
3. Key Questions Addressed: What is true Christian leadership? How do we minister through suffering? What does reconciliation demand? How does divine power work through human limitation?