The Strand Study Bible

II CORINTHIANS

Author: Paul Theme: The Christian’s Life is an Open Letter (II Cor 3:2)

About the Author: Paul, whose name means “little,” was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5), and a native of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia (Acts 21:39 & 22:3). Also called Saul, Paul inherited the rights of Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28) because his father was a Pharisee (Acts 23:6). At the age of perhaps thirteen (Acts 26:4-5), Paul was sent to Jerusalem and there became a student of orthodox Judaism under Gamaliel, a teacher of the law (Acts 22:3). Paul is first mentioned in Acts 7:58 where we find him consenting to the death of Stephen. His fanatical devotion to Judaism and his extreme hatred for Christianity made him the acknowledged leader of the Christian persecution. The spread of Christianity forced Paul to travel far and wide for his victims. Armed with authority from the High Priest, Paul journeyed toward Damascus where he had heard there were many Christians. It was while he was approaching that city that his wonderful conversion took place (c. AD 37 - Acts 9:3-6). For the next thirty years (from c. AD 37 to 67), until his death, Paul would go on three missionary journeys and face two Roman imprisonments. He would write thirteen epistles (fourteen, if you count Hebrews) and become known as the preacher to the Gentiles. About the Book: Paul reminded the Corinthians that they represented the only Bible most people would ever read (II Cor 3:2). He then recorded for them his sincerity in serving God (II Cor 10-12). II Corinthians was written from Philippi in AD 57 during Paul’s Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20:1). It was written just months after the writing of I Corinthians (II Cor 2:12-13 & 7:5-16 & 9:4 and I Cor 16:5). Helpful Background: Paul first visited Corinth while on his Second Missionary Journey in AD 52 (Acts 18:1-18). Having left Silas and Timothy in Berea (Acts 17:14), Paul journeyed alone to Athens and then on to Corinth (Acts 18:1). Upon arrival, he met two Christians (Aquila and Priscilla), who helped him to establish a church there (Acts 18:2-11). For the next eighteen months, Paul (and the returning Silas and Timothy) built a thriving, soul winning church (from 52-53 AD). Then, Paul returned to Antioch. Approximately one year later (AD 54), while on his Third Missionary Journey, Paul entered Ephesus for the second time (Acts 19:1). He spent three years there (Acts 19:8-10 & 20:31). During that three-year stay, he wrote two epistles: Galatians (AD 54) and I Corinthians (AD 57). Timothy and Erastus delivered the Corinthian epistle (Acts 19:22 and I Cor 4:17 & 16:10), along with Titus (II Cor 7:6-16 & 8:6,16-18). Three months after that Paul left Ephesus and entered Philippi for the second time (AD 57) (Acts 20:1). There he met Titus, who was returning from Corinth, with the news that Paul’s first letter ( I Corinthians ) had done much good. Relieved that the Corinthian church had accepted his harsh but helpful letter, Paul wrote II Corinthians commending them on their attitude and desire to want to do right. Titus and Timothy delivered II Corinthians (II Cor 8:16-18 & 12:17-18). Notes of Interest: 1. II Corinthians quotes the OT 8 times. Note - 3 of the 8 OT quotations refer directly to the Pentateuch. Note - Psalms and Isaiah are the OT books most often quoted in the book of II Corinthians ( 2 quotes each). 2. Prophecies are referred to 7 times in II Corinthians . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 2 of those 7 times. 4. There are 3 different OT characters referred to in II Corinthians : Eve, Abraham, and Moses Note - Moses is the OT character most often referred to in the book of II Corinthians ( 3 times). 5. There is 1 inset map used in the book of II Corinthians . It is numbered chronologically (#55). Outline of II Corinthians : 1. Greetings from Paul to the church at Corinth (II Cor 1-2) 2. Paul explains his ministry (II Cor 3-7) 3. Giving (II Cor 8-9) 4. Paul defends his ministry (II Cor 10-13) II Corinthians 1 Greetings from Paul to the church at Corinth Date Written - Fall of AD 57 1. I Cor 16:10 2. Acts 18:1-18 3. Gal 1:3 & I Cor Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the 4 God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same

1:3 & I Thess 1:1 & II Thess 1:2 & Joel 2:13 4. Isa 51:12

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and 1 Timothy our brother, 2 unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: 2 3 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our

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