WRITER, the Apostle Paul.

MAIN THEME. This is somewhat hidden, but it is quite apparent that Paul had prominently in mind, the vindication of his apostleship when he was writing this book. Both epistles to the Corinthians indicate that there was an element in this church which tended to discredit his ministry and authority. This tendency is shown in the texts of the Key Chain below.

CONTENTS. This is one of the most personal of all of Paul’s epistles. He dwells largely upon his own ministry. He opens his heart and discloses his motives, his spiritual passion, and his tender love for the church.

KEY CHAIN.
# 2Co 3:1 5:12 7:2 10:2,3 11:5,6 12:11 13:3

SYNOPSIS: There are no definite divisions of thought in the epistle, but the subject matter may be arranged under three headings.

I. The Characteristics of the Apostle’s Ministry.
(1) Comforting # 2Co 1:4-7 7:7,13

(2) Suffering # 2Co 1:5-9 4:8-12 5:4 6:4-10 7:5 11:24-28 12:7-10

(3) Sincere # 2Co 1:12 2:17 4:2 7:2

(4) Steadfast # 2Co 1:17-19 4:1,16

(5) Solicitous # 2Co 2:3,4 7:7,8 11:2,3 12:20,21

(6) Triumphant # 2Co 2:14 4:8,9 12:10

(7) Self-sacrificing  # 2Co 4:5,11,15 5:13 11:7,9

(8) Love of Christ the controlling motive # 2Co 4:11 5:14

(9) Spiritual # 2Co 4:18 5:16 10:4

(10) Persuasive # 2Co 5:11,20 6:1 10:1,2

(11) Reconciling # 2Co 5:19-21

(12) Demonstrated by earnestness, afflictions and good works # 2Co 5:13 6:4-10 12:12

(13) Authoritative # 2Co 10:1-11

(14) Self-supporting # 2Co 11:9

II. Exhortations and Instructions concerning Benevolence chs 8,9  # 2Co 8:1 – 9:1

III. The Apostleship of Paul.
(1) Discredited by one element in the church # 2Co 10:7-10 12:11 13:3

(2) The authority of # 2Co 2:9 13:2

(3) Authenticated:
(a) By the Lord # 2Co 1:1,21,22 3:5,6 4:6
(b) By unparalleled sufferings for the cause # 2Co 6:4-10 11:23-27
(c) By wonderful revelations received # 2Co 12:1-5
(d) By mighty deeds performed # 2Co 12:12

CHOICE SELECTIONS
(1) The ideal ministry # 2Co 4:1-18

(2) The triumph over death # 2Co 5:1-9

(3) The call to separation from the world # 2Co 6:14-18

(4) The list of sufferings endured by Paul # 2Co 11:24-33