Pauline Epistles · New Testament
2 Corinthians
c. AD 56
- Section
- Pauline Epistles · New Testament
- Events span
- c. AD 56
- Written
- c. AD 56, from Macedonia
- Author
- Paul the Apostle
In his most personal letter, Paul defends his apostleship against rivals in Corinth. He speaks of the comfort God gives in affliction, the glory of the new-covenant ministry, generous giving, and God's power made perfect in weakness — “my grace is sufficient for thee.”
Key themes
- Comfort in affliction
- The new-covenant ministry
- Generous giving
- Strength in weakness
- Defending true apostleship
The letter's message
- God comforts us in all our affliction so that we can comfort others
- The surpassing glory of the new-covenant ministry of the Spirit
- "Be ye reconciled to God" — the ministry of reconciliation
- Paul appeals for generous, cheerful giving to the poor believers in Jerusalem
- Paul defends his apostleship and recounts his many sufferings for Christ
- God's power is made perfect in weakness; Paul's thorn in the flesh
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”