After the uproar at Ephesus Paul departed to go into Macedonia (Acts 20:1); but stopped at Troas, where he expected to meet Titus with news as to the result of the first Epistle. (2 Cor. 2:13.)
This presents a little difficulty: for 1 Cor. 4:17 says, “for this cause have I sent unto you Timothy”, and nothing is said of Titus also being sent. When the second epistle was written Timothy was with Paul (2 Cor. 1:1): did he bring no tidings of the effect of the first epistle? Or, though sent by Paul, did anything prevent his reaching Corinth? It is not recorded.
While Paul waited at Troas, his anxiety was such that he had no rest in his spirit, and though a door was opened unto him for the gospel, he left and went into Macedonia. It was a critical moment, for a whole assembly might have refused the messenger of Christ and made shipwreck of faith. He had written to them with “many tears”. (2 Cor. 2:4.)
Titus met Paul in Macedonia and brought the good tidings that the assembly at Corinth was humbled, and had dealt with the wicked person. The guilty one was also repentant and broken down.
Paul's heart was now enlarged towards them, and he was led by the Holy Spirit to give them higher truth than was in the first epistle. You get the superiority and power of life in circumstances of death. "Bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus" is the practice of the truth contained in Rom. 6; and "If one died for all, then were all dead" is the truth as to man's condition taught in Eph. 2 We have also, "If any one be in Christ, there is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new."
Paul naturally rejoiced at the effect of the first Epistle; but other parts of this epistle prove that there was still unjudged evil among them, and there were some who despised the apostle and spoke against him.
This epistle is addressed to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia, being a smaller circle than that of the first epistle.
Written about A.D. 57, from Macedonia, but from what city is unknown.
2 Cor. 1.-After the salutation, Paul begins by speaking of comfort and consolation, which was a great relief to his own soul, after having been in doubt as to the Corinthians.
2 Cor. 1:8-11. It is thought by many that Paul alludes to some sore tribulation beyond what is related in Acts 19, because of the strong language here employed: he despaired even of life, and had the sentence of death in himself, held himself as a child of Adam under sentence of death. (The “gift” that was bestowed, in verse 11, was that his life had been spared.)
2 Cor. 1:17-19 declare that Jesus Christ the Son of God was preached, and was the same whether proclaimed by Paul, Silvanus, or Timotheus: it was verity and realization.
2 Cor. 1:20-24. The establishment of all the truth of God is in the Person of Christ: He embodies the fulfillment of all promises.
We are established (or rather bound together with Christ); anointed (1 John 2:20-27); sealed (Eph. 1:13); and have the pledge of the Holy Spirit.
Paul asserts his authority, but with tenderness.
2 Cor. 2.
Paul was sorry that he had been compelled to cause them sorrow; but it had wrought repentance. The discipline had been exercised by the many (2 Cor. 2:6).
Seeing the guilty brother was repentant, he was to be forgiven administratively: he had been bound and was now to be loosed. (Matt. 18:18; John 20:23.) He was to be forgiven 'in the person of Christ,' as before Him. (2 Cor. 2:10.)
Paul rehearses how anxious he had been on their behalf: and though he had left an open door for the gospel, he thanked God who “always leads us in triumph in Christ”. He was led about as in the triumphal procession of a conqueror, and the perfume to God of the gospel message was a token of death to those who refused it, and of life to the believers. He had not dealt deceitfully with (adulterated or 'made a trade of') the word of God.
2 Cor. 3:1-6.
The Corinthians were living proofs that Paul and his companions had been true new-covenant ministers of Christ: for the saints were epistles of Christ, written by the Spirit of God, in contrast to the covenant of Sinai. The letter (as the law) kills; but the Spirit giveth life.
2 Cor. 3:7-16 contrast the glory attached to the giving of the law, with the abiding glory attached to the ministration of the Spirit. The Israelites could not look at the glory that shone on the face of Moses (contrast with this 2 Cor. 3:18), nor could they see the end of the old covenant annulled (God's purpose in it, even Christ). The veil is now on their minds and hearts, but it shall be taken away when Israel turns to the Lord.
2 Cor. 3:7 to end of 16 may be read as a parenthesis: this would connect verse 17 with verse 6. "The Spirit giveth life....Now the Lord is that [or, the] Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," in contrast with the bondage of the law.
2 Cor. 3:18 is in contrast with a veiled face: we all with unveiled face behold the glory of the Lord, and thereby are now being transformed into the same image from glory to glory (that is, making progress therein), even as by the Lord the Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 3:6, 17).
2 Cor. 4.
The ministry of Paul and his companions was honest: they preached Christ Jesus the Lord. God had shone into them, for the shining forth from them of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ: and this was in earthen vessels, in order that the power might be all of God.
They endured much persecution and distress. They were always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that is, the cross applied to the flesh's life, and realizing Christ's own dying, in order that the life of Jesus might shine out of those earthen vessels.
As to the Corinthians, life worked in them. The faithful and self-denying service to Christ of the apostle resulted to them in blessing and progress in divine life: they were benefited by his labors. (This was the present result of his affliction; 2 Cor. 4:17 speaks of the eternal results.)
In 2 Cor. 4:1 Paul had received mercy, and says, “we faint not”. In 2 Cor. 4:15, 16 all was to redound to the glory of God, therefore he adds, “we faint not”. All resources must come from God. The body might perish, but the inner man is constantly renewed. The light afflictions, though so trying to the flesh, work out an eternal weight of glory; we look at the things not seen, which are eternal.
2 Cor. 5.
The present state of things is contrasted with the future. The tabernacle, in which we groan, may be destroyed; but we have an eternal house in the heavens ready for us, that is, the glorified body.
We have the pledge of the Spirit, and are confident that to be absent from the body is to be at once present with the Lord. If Paul had any choice he preferred to depart.
Till then we labor that we may be (not accepted, but) acceptable, or well-pleasing to God.
We must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of Christ (cf. John 5:24, reading “shall not come into judgment”, and Rom. 14:11, 12), that each may receive the things done in the body, whether it be good or bad. Paul was already manifested to God, and trusted he was in their consciences. Knowing the terror of the Lord, he persuaded men, and preached the gospel to them. (Cf. 2 Cor. 5:20.)
2 Cor. 5:12, 13. Paul honestly sought their welfare, notwithstanding those who despised him, and who were not true men.
2 Cor. 5:14-17. Paul proves that all were dead, because Christ had died for all. Some of those for whom Christ died now lived: they should not therefore live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and rose again.
Then if Christ died for dead sinners, and has been raised, there is an end of the state of things that existed when He was here in the flesh. Christ having been raised into a new place, and the days of His flesh ended, we know Him no more after the flesh but as the glorified Man. His death has separated us from men in the flesh. And if any one be in Christ, it is a new creation; old things have passed away and all things are become new.
2 Cor. 5:18-21. God had reconciled the apostles to Himself and sent them forth with the gospel of reconciliation. When Christ was here, God was in Christ reconciling the world-was in that attitude, ready to do it, and not reckoning their sins to them. Alas! but few received Him: the world would not be reconciled. But the apostles were ambassadors for Christ, arid the gospel still goes forth, " Be ye reconciled to God." Reconciliation was effected by Christ being made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Cor. 6:1-10.
Paul again refers to the ministry of the apostles: they were ministers of God, and were fellow-workers; and he then gives a list of their afflictions and exercises of soul in their labors and their trials.
2 Cor. 6:11-13. The Corinthians were now in a better state, and Paul could in some measure open out his heart to them; he exhorts them to be expanded.
2 Cor. 6:14-18. Separation from unbelievers is enforced; and then relationship with God as a Father would be realized: they should be to Him for sons and daughters.
2 Cor. 7.
Suited individual holiness is called for, as collective holiness had been in 2 Cor. 6.
Paul refers to his love for the Corinthians, and to the great anxiety he had had for their spiritual welfare. He had regretted that he had made them sorry, but could now rejoice that the sorrow had wrought repentance. In verse II he gives them credit for the zeal they had shown to clear themselves of the defilement.
Paul did not write in view of the one that injured, nor of the one that was injured; but in view of the assembly, that they might witness his apostolic care for them in the sight of God. 2 Cor. 7:12.
Paul was comforted in the result, and Titus also rejoiced at their obedience.
2 Cor. 8.
This chapter treats of the collection for the poor saints in Judæa. They were reminded how the Lord, who was rich, had become poor for them, that they might be rich. Titus and trustworthy brethren would be sent for this service.
2 Cor. 9.
The subject of the collection for the saints continued. Paul was anxious that his boasting of them should not be to their shame. "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver."
2 Cor. 10.
The apostleship of Paul enforced. He speaks of his authority. (2 Cor. 10:8.) He was ready to avenge all disobedience when their obedience was fulfilled, that is, he desired to have the assembly with him in any action. (2 Cor. 10:6.) Yet he besought them by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. He had their welfare really at heart.
2 Cor. 11.
Paul had espoused them individually, as a chaste virgin, to Christ. But there was danger from false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ, after the manner of Satan, who transformed himself into an angel of light.
Because the false teachers pleased them they allowed them to bring them into bondage, exact from them, and even to strike them! (2 Cor. 11:20.)
All that the false teachers claimed for themselves was also true of Paul: yea, he exceeded them in his labors, and in his sufferings and trials. Added to these things he cared for all the churches. He could appeal to God that what he said was true. His ministry began with persecution, but the Lord delivered him: cf. Acts 9:24.
2 Cor. 12.
Paul had had wonderful revelations: he had been caught up to the third heaven-to Paradise-and heard things he was not permitted to repeat. The visions were so real that he knew not whether his spirit was carried out of his body or not. He could glory of such things, but of himself he would not glory.
When the revelations were over, lest he should be exalted, a thorn for the flesh was given him-a messenger of Satan to buffet him (cf. Job 1; Heb. 12:1-11. It shows that the flesh in the most advanced saint is never improved, and has to be judged as long as he is in the body.)
The sufficiency of God's grace enabled him to bear the thorn, and he could glory in infirmities that the power of Christ might rest upon him.
He was ready to come to them, but he would receive nothing from them for himself. His love was such that their want of love to him would make no difference.
Paul feared that when he arrived at Corinth he should find ' many' who had sinned and had not repented. Their great pretensions might be associated with the allowance of evil.
2 Cor. 13.-It was the third time he was ready to come, though his visit would he but the second time. (Cf. 2 Cor. 1:15.) If he found evil he would not spare.
Christ had been crucified in weakness, but lived again in the power of God: so Paul, though weak also, would be found to live towards them by the power of God.
If they sought for a proof of Paul's being a minister of Christ, let them examine themselves. If they were Christians, were they not such through his ministry? unless indeed they were not Christians at all.
Paul hoped to use his authority for edification, and not for casting down: he sought their perfection.
The salutation is from all the saints; but none at Corinth are greeted by name.