Exegesis Synthesis Analysis

Overview of 2 Corinthians Exhortations from Church Age Ministers (Servants) Dr Christopher Cone

Background and Context Paul had founded the Corinthian church, and spent time there teaching “and he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them” (Acts 18:11). 1 Corinthians was very personal, and addressed error and immaturity; from Ephesus, 54 AD, during 3rd Missionary Journey (1 Cor 16:8, Acts 19) 2 Corinthians was written by Paul from Macedonia, 55 AD, after leaving Ephesus during the 3rd Missionary Journey (2 Cor 2:12, Acts 20)

Background and Context

Background and Context 2 Corinthians was a “missionary letter” that served several major purposes Paul seeks to comfort, encourage the church (note “comfort,” various forms of παρακαλέω 10 times in chapter one, alone) Paul commends the church, for receiving the previous letter and responding well, and recommends forgiveness and restoration to repentant offenders (2:1-11) Paul defends his apostleship against those who would discredit him (11:22, chs. 10-13)

Structural Keys As is common in Paul’s epistles, the words therefore, but, and for are structural keys that move the argument from one thought to the next.

Structural Keys / Outline From structural keys, the letter can be outlined: 1-7 Success in Ministry 1:1-11 Comfort in Affliction 1:12-24 Co-workers in Christ 2:1-17 Restoration 3:1-4:15 Ministry of the Gospel 4:16-5:19 Eternal Significance 5:20-6:18 Reconciliation 7:1-16 Ministry of Comfort 8-9 Glory and Generosity in Ministry 10-13 Answering Opposition in Ministry 10:1-17 Authority of the ministers 11:1-12:13 Authority of Paul 12:14-13:14 Preparation for Paul’s Visit

Grammatical and Syntactical Keys Note the “we” “you” distinction. “we” = usually, Paul and Timothy, or Paul and the other apostles “you” = usually, the Corinthians

Grammatical and Syntactical Keys 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε, καταρτίζεσθε, παρακαλεῖσθε, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε, καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθʼ ὑμῶν.

Lexical Keys διακονία (service,ministry) used 10 times in chapters 3-9 3:7-9 (x4), 4:1, 5:18, 6:3, 9:1, 9:12-13 (x2) διακονos (ous) (servant[s]) used 6 times in chapters 3-11 3:6, 4:5, 6:4, 11:15 (x2), 11:23 Forms of παρακαλέω (comfort, encourage) appear 10 times in chapter 1, and 19 times in the letter 1:3-7 (x10), 2:7, 7:4-13 (x7), 13:11

Biblical and Theological Context A Few Key Issues/Highlights: The ministry of the New Covenant (3:6) The eternal state vs. the temporal, simply stated (5:6-10) Church age giving, different from the tithe (9:6-8) Spiritual warfare (10:3-5) Paul’s unique relationship with God, and lessons we learn about God’s character (12:1-10)