Exposition on 2 Corinthians

Contents

Reading pages: 0–3.18 · 4.1–6.18 · 7.1–10.18 · 11.1–13.13

1. 0Argument: Paul consoles the Corinthians after the rebukes of the first letter.
2. 1.1Paul puts his name first by apostolic authority; the "saints" of Achaia may be its priests.
3. 1.2The greeting leads into thanks for comfort received in order to comfort others.
4. 1.3God is the source of all mercy and of comfort equal to every trial.
5. 1.4God comforts Paul so that he may comfort others.
6. 1.5Sufferings for Christ bring abundant comfort, as Peter and Paul found.
7. 1.6Paul's sufferings serve the Corinthians' encouragement and endurance.
8. 1.7Those who share Christ's sufferings will share the resurrection.
9. 1.8Paul's great sufferings in Asia put the Corinthians' trials in perspective.
10. 1.9Facing death taught Paul to trust only God, who raises the dead.
11. 1.10Hoping for further deliverance implies further suffering.
12. 1.11The church's prayer helps Paul, as it freed Peter, and many give thanks for him.
13. 1.12Paul's conscience witnesses that he taught freely, not for glory or gain.
14. 1.13Paul writes only what the Corinthians already know to be true.
15. 1.14Teacher and disciples are each other's glory at Christ's day.
16. 1.15Paul planned to visit the Corinthians again for their good.
17. 1.16The "second grace" is Paul's second visit.
18. 1.17Paul's change of plan was not fickleness or fleshly duplicity.
19. 1.18As God is faithful, Paul's word is not ambiguous.
20. 1.19Christ is the unchangeable "yes"; he kept his word to the centurion by spiritual presence.
21. 1.20All God's promises are true in Christ.
22. 1.21God confirms and anoints believers, with the Spirit or with chrism.
23. 1.22The Spirit is the pledge of a great inheritance.
24. 1.23Paul stayed away to spare the Corinthians a severe visit.
25. 1.24Paul does not dominate the Corinthians but works for their amendment and joy.
26. 2.1Paul resolved not to come again in sorrow.
27. 2.2Godly sorrow, like a patient's pain, leads to healing and the teacher's joy.
28. 2.3Paul wrote so that their amendment would spare him further sorrow.
29. 2.4Paul's tearful letter came from love.
30. 2.5The offender harmed himself; he must be received lest he despair.
31. 2.6Punishment is enough; the penitent must be forgiven and comforted lest he despair.
32. 2.8The church must show love so the penitent knows he is fully pardoned.
33. 2.9Paul tests whether the church obeys in forgiving as in punishing.
34. 2.10Paul forgives in Christ's person; refusing repentance, as Novatus did, is Satan's device.
35. 2.12A door for preaching opened at Troas.
36. 2.13Anxious for the Corinthians, Paul left Troas to meet Titus in Macedonia.
37. 2.14God's knowledge spreads like a fragrance through teaching and signs.
38. 2.15The apostles' work is a good fragrance in healing and in punishment alike.
39. 2.16The apostles were chosen to be a fragrance of life or death.
40. 2.17Unlike the false apostles, Paul does not dilute God's word with flattery.
41. 3.1Paul needs no letters of commendation; others do.
42. 3.2The Corinthians' faith is Paul's letter of commendation.
43. 3.3The law was written on stone for hard hearts; Christ's words were received in the heart, making sin less excusable.
44. 3.4Paul's confidence rests on the Corinthians' faith and on God's grace.
45. 3.5The apostles' sufficiency is from God's grace, not their own power.
46. 3.6The letter of the law kills sinners; Pelagius rejects reading the commandments allegorically.
47. 3.7The glory of the law gives way to the gospel's as seed to fruit, against the Manichaeans.
48. 3.8The Spirit's ministry has a lasting glory.
49. 3.9The law condemns; the gospel ministers righteousness by forgiveness.
50. 3.10The law's glory pales before the gospel's, as the moon before the sun and Moses and Elijah before Christ.
51. 3.12Hope of glory gives the apostles boldness.
52. 3.13Christians see God's glory unveiled; the law is understood only when Christ is believed.
53. 3.14The veil over the Jews' hearts is removed only in Christ.
54. 3.17The Spirit is free and reveals all things to those who have him.
55. 3.18Beholding Christ's glory, believers are transformed by the Spirit from glory to glory.
56. 4.1The apostles hold their ministry by mercy and do not lose heart.
57. 4.2Paul preaches without gain or flattery, so that even opponents' consciences bear him witness.
58. 4.3The gospel is veiled only to unbelievers.
59. 4.4God "blinds" unbelievers by permitting what their unbelief deserves; Christ is God's image.
60. 4.5Paul preaches Christ, not himself, serving others like Christ.
61. 4.6The creator of light, the Father of Christ, gave the Old Testament too, and shines in believers' hearts.
62. 4.7The apostles carry grace in frail bodies so that the power is seen to be God's.
63. 4.8Hope keeps the persecuted apostles from despair.
64. 4.9The apostles are afflicted but never forsaken by God.
65. 4.10Suffering for the church, the apostles share Christ's dying so as to share his life.
66. 4.12Paul asks whether death will always be theirs and life the Corinthians'.
67. 4.13Paul suffers because of his faith, against false apostles who avoided persecution.
68. 4.14God will raise those who die for Christ as he raised Jesus.
69. 4.15Paul's sufferings serve the spread of grace and thanksgiving.
70. 4.16The body wastes away but the soul is renewed by hope.
71. 4.17Present affliction is light compared with the weight of eternal glory.
72. 4.18Visible goods and ills pass away and should not move us.
73. 5.1The dissolved body will be raised incorruptible and spiritual.
74. 5.2Believers labor to be clothed with the heavenly dwelling.
75. 5.3One must not be found naked of faith and good works.
76. 5.4Mortality will be swallowed by life, as iron glows with fire.
77. 5.5God, who gave the Spirit as pledge, will not let his temple perish.
78. 5.6In the body we are away from the Lord.
79. 5.7As pilgrims, Christians should be content with necessities and long for their homeland.
80. 5.8Paul prefers to be away from the body and present with the Lord until the resurrection.
81. 5.9Christians strive now to be what they will be in the kingdom.
82. 5.10All will be judged by Christ for what they did in the body.
83. 5.11Fearing judgment, Paul persuades others and trusts the Corinthians' consciences.
84. 5.12Paul gives the Corinthians grounds to answer false apostles who boast in appearances.
85. 5.13Whatever the apostles' state, it is for God or for the church.
86. 5.14Christ's love compels the apostles to suffer for his body.
87. 5.15Christ, the spotless sacrifice, died for all so that they might live for him.
88. 5.16After the resurrection, Christians no longer follow carnal ceremonies or think of Christ carnally.
89. 5.17The believer is a new creation, living in a new way.
90. 5.18One God gave old and new precepts; he reconciled us through Christ's teaching and example.
91. 5.19God is present everywhere, in the saints by grace, and in Christ by the fullness of divinity; he forgives by faith alone.
92. 5.20The apostles speak for God in Christ's place.
93. 5.21Christ, offered for sin, was called "sin" like the sin offering; grace is received in vain without progress.
94. 6.2This life is the only time for salvation; after judgment no one can work or repent.
95. 6.3Ministers must give no offense, lest the fault be blamed on God's law.
96. 6.4God's ministers imitate his patience in every hardship.
97. 6.5Fasts are numbered among the virtues.
98. 6.6Chastity of mind, knowledge, patience, gentle speech, and real love mark God's ministers.
99. 6.7Ministers fight the devil with God's power, unmoved by prosperity or adversity.
100. 6.8Praise and blame alike are borne with equanimity; conscience is the judge.
101. 6.9Paul came near death at Lystra yet lived.
102. 6.10The apostles, poor and afflicted, are rich in God; the disciples' progress opens the teacher's heart.
103. 6.12The Corinthians' limited capacity, not Paul, restricts his teaching.
104. 6.13Paul urges the Corinthians, as children, to open their hearts to fuller teaching.
105. 6.14Believers must not be yoked with false apostles or idol-feasters; no one is both just and unjust.
106. 6.15Christ and Belial have nothing in common.
107. 6.16God dwells properly in those who receive his grace; he is God of all by nature, of few by will.
108. 6.17Separation from the wicked is in conduct, not in place.
109. 6.18God becomes Father to believers disowned by their families.
110. 7.1Believers must cleanse both flesh and thought to perfect holiness.
111. 7.2Paul harmed no one by teaching or greed.
112. 7.3Paul's words are not condemnation but love.
113. 7.4The Corinthians' obedience fills Paul with confidence and joy amid trials.
114. 7.5Paul faced fights without and fears within in Macedonia.
115. 7.6God comforted Paul by the arrival of Titus.
116. 7.7Titus brought news of the Corinthians' grief and godly zeal against sin.
117. 7.8Lemma of 2 Cor 7:8.
118. 7.9Paul rejoices that his letter's sting led to repentance, like a healing cautery.
119. 7.10Godly sorrow leads to repentance and zeal against sin; worldly sorrow to death.
120. 7.13Titus's joy over the Corinthians doubled Paul's comfort.
121. 7.14Paul's boast about the Corinthians proved true; Titus loves them for their obedience.
122. 7.16Paul rejoices in his confidence in the Corinthians.
123. 8.1Paul begins the collection, citing the generous Macedonian churches.
124. 8.2The poor Macedonians gave generously; God values the will more than the amount.
125. 8.3The Macedonians gave willingly beyond their means.
126. 8.4The Macedonians begged to take part in the collection.
127. 8.5The Macedonians gave themselves first to God.
128. 8.6Titus is sent to complete the collection at Corinth.
129. 8.7The Corinthians, rich in faith and knowledge, should excel in giving too.
130. 8.8Paul gives counsel, not command, trusting the Corinthians' generosity.
131. 8.9Lemma of 2 Cor 8:9.
132. 8.10Christ became poor for us, so giving to the poor is giving back to him; his prior riches refute Photinus.
133. 8.11Good will must be completed in action.
134. 8.12Each gives according to his means, and so all give equally.
135. 8.13Lemma of 2 Cor 8:13.
136. 8.14Material gifts free the saints to give spiritual goods in return.
137. 8.15The manna teaches that surplus breeds corruption and that goods should be shared in common.
138. 8.16Lemma of 2 Cor 8:16.
139. 8.17Titus came willingly, not as one compelled.
140. 8.18The praised brother is Luke, author of the Gospel and Acts.
141. 8.20Christian almsgiving must not fall short of the law's.
142. 8.21Paul avoids giving offense so that all may glorify God.
143. 8.22Paul commends another brother, perhaps Apollos.
144. 8.23The Corinthians must prove true the apostles' boasting about them.
145. 8.24The Corinthians' love should be shown before the churches.
146. 9.1Lemma of 2 Cor 9:1.
147. 9.2Two readings of 2 Cor 9: alms for the saints, or the ministry of the word.
148. 9.3Paul sent the brothers so that his boast would prove true.
149. 9.4Unpreparedness would shame both Paul and the Corinthians.
150. 9.5Gifts must be given cheerfully; greed in teaching is also to be avoided.
151. 9.6Sowing and reaping show degrees of merit, against Jovinian.
152. 9.7Giving and teaching must be done willingly and cheerfully.
153. 9.8God can supply all grace so that good works abound.
154. 9.9Mercy, material or spiritual, wins eternal righteousness.
155. 9.10Possessions are fruits of righteousness when used justly, of iniquity when hoarded.
156. 9.11Give simply to all in need without distinction.
157. 9.12The collection relieves the saints and produces thanksgiving.
158. 9.13Generosity proves the Corinthians' Christian confession by deeds.
159. 9.14The saints pray for and long for the generous Corinthians.
160. 9.15Thanks to God for his gift of grace.
161. 10.1Paul, humble when present, asks not to have to use his power when he comes.
162. 10.2Lemma of 2 Cor 10:3.
163. 10.4The apostles' spiritual weapons destroy the arguments of false teachers.
164. 10.6The false teachers falsely claim power to punish the disobedient.
165. 10.7No one may boast that he alone belongs to Christ.
166. 10.8Paul's authority is for building up, unlike the usurped power of false teachers.
167. 10.9Lemma of 2 Cor 10:9.
168. 10.10Paul's opponents mock his weak presence.
169. 10.11Paul will act as strongly as he writes, if needed.
170. 10.12Paul measures himself by God's gift, unlike self-commending rivals.
171. 10.13Lemma of 2 Cor 10:13.
172. 10.14Paul preached at Corinth by God's commission, not by usurpation.
173. 10.15The rivals boast in others' labors; Paul looks to God for his reward.
174. 10.16Paul will move on to new regions rather than boast in others' work.
175. 10.17All glorying belongs to the Lord.
176. 10.18God commends his servants by signs.
177. 11.1Paul's "foolish" boasting exposes those who praise themselves falsely.
178. 11.2Paul guards the church as a father keeps a virgin for her bridegroom, Christ.
179. 11.3As the serpent deceived Eve, false teachers deny the reality and eternity of hell.
180. 11.4Only a better gospel could justify preferring the rivals.
181. 11.5Paul is not inferior to the great apostles.
182. 11.6Paul lacks eloquence, not knowledge, and sought nothing for himself.
183. 11.7Paul preached free of charge, forgoing even his right to bread.
184. 11.8Macedonians supported Paul while he preached at Corinth.
185. 11.9Paul accepted nothing from the Corinthians for the sake of the weak.
186. 11.10Paul refuses support out of love, not coldness.
187. 11.12Paul accepts nothing so that greedy rivals have no pretext.
188. 11.13False apostles flatter for gain or honor; true teachers imitate the apostles' simplicity.
189. 11.14Visions and dreams must be tested, since Satan poses as an angel of light.
190. 11.15Satan's ministers pose as preachers of righteousness, but will be judged by their works.
191. 11.16Paul's "foolish" boasting is wise, meant to keep the Corinthians from false apostles.
192. 11.17Paul's boasting is forced; others boast from vanity.
193. 11.18Boasting in descent is carnal.
194. 11.19The Corinthians too readily listened to boasting fools.
195. 11.20The Corinthians tolerated domineering, greedy, proud teachers.
196. 11.21Sons of God dishonor themselves by boasting of earthly nobility.
197. 11.22Paul matches his rivals' Jewish descent.
198. 11.23Even boasting of ministry is unwise, but Paul's sufferings exceed all.
199. 11.24Paul was flogged five times as a supposed lawbreaker.
200. 11.25Paul lists beatings, stoning, and shipwrecks.
201. 11.26Paul faced dangers everywhere, even from false brothers.
202. 11.27Hunger is forced, fasting chosen.
203. 11.28Beyond outward trials Paul bears care for all the churches.
204. 11.29Paul shares the weakness and grief of every believer.
205. 11.30Paul boasts only in his weakness.
206. 11.31Lemma of 2 Cor 11:31.
207. 11.32Lemma of 2 Cor 11:32.
208. 11.33Paul calls God to witness that even kings conspired against him in vain.
209. 12.1Paul credits his visions to the Lord, his weaknesses to himself.
210. 12.2Paul, perhaps speaking of himself, reveals a vision hidden for fourteen years.
211. 12.3Lemma of 2 Cor 12:3.
212. 12.4Paul heard unspeakable words in a second vision.
213. 12.5The revelation is God's, so Paul boasts only of weakness.
214. 12.6Paul refrains from boasting so as to be judged by what is seen.
215. 12.7Paul's thorn kept him humble; some think it was headaches.
216. 12.8Lemma of 2 Cor 12:8.
217. 12.9Even saints may ask what cannot be granted; persistent prayer earns an answer.
218. 12.10Weakness and persecution for Christ are true strength.
219. 12.11The Corinthians forced Paul to commend himself, though he equals the great apostles.
220. 12.12Paul's apostleship was proved by patience and signs.
221. 12.13Corinth lacked nothing but the burden of supporting Paul.
222. 12.14Paul seeks the Corinthians' salvation, not their goods, as a parent provides for children.
223. 12.15Perfect love spends itself for others.
224. 12.16Paul defends his honesty and that of his envoys.
225. 12.18Titus and Paul acted in one honest spirit.
226. 12.19Paul writes to prevent the need for sharp punishment.
227. 12.20Paul threatens to punish strife and envy, sins that Pelagius's own age ignores.
228. 12.21Paul mourns the impenitent, which refutes the Novatians' denial of penance.
229. 13.1Paul cites the law's rule of witnesses, against the Manichaeans.
230. 13.2Paul will not spare those who sin after earlier warnings.
231. 13.3Christ speaks and acts powerfully through Paul.
232. 13.4Christ crucified in weakness lives by God's power, and his power is in the faithful.
233. 13.6Paul trusts the Corinthians will see he is approved.
234. 13.7Paul prefers to seem powerless rather than have to punish.
235. 13.8Apostolic judgment harms only the guilty.
236. 13.9Paul is glad not to need to use punitive power, as Peter did with Ananias.
237. 13.10Paul writes to avoid harshness and calls the whole church to be perfect and at peace.
238. 13.12The saints, not the great, send greetings.
239. 13.13The blessing names the Son first, against the Arian argument from order.