2 Corinthians

About 2 Corinthians

Second Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter, written after a painful stretch in his relationship with the church at Corinth. He defends his ministry against critics who thought he was weak and unimpressive, and he turns that charge upside down: God's power shows up best in human weakness. The letter opens a window into what Christian leadership shaped by the cross really looks like, and it calls the church to reconciliation and generous giving.

Written by

Paul wrote 2 Corinthians; his authorship is broadly accepted, though some scholars think the letter may combine more than one of his messages to Corinth.

When

It was written around AD 55-56 from Macedonia, roughly a year after 1 Corinthians.

Themes

• Strength in weakness
• Comfort in suffering
• Ministry of the new covenant
• Reconciliation
• Cheerful generosity

Key verses

• 2 Corinthians 4:7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
• 2 Corinthians 12:9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.