2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians is the forty-seventh book of the Bible. It is traditionally attributed to Paul and is generally dated to around AD 56, written from Macedonia probably about a year after 1 Corinthians. The relationship between Paul and the Corinthian church had grown difficult in the meantime. There had been a painful visit, a sharp letter (now lost), and ongoing challenges from rival teachers who were criticizing Paul.

The letter is the most personal of Paul's writings. He defends his ministry, explains his recent travels and the reasons behind them, and works to restore his relationship with the church.

The opening chapters describe Paul's hardships, including afflictions, sleepless nights, hunger, beatings, and shipwrecks, and how God's strength has been made perfect in his weakness. He describes a thorn in his flesh that he has prayed three times to have removed, and God's answer that grace is sufficient. He defends his apostleship against rivals he calls "super-apostles" who have been undermining him in Corinth.

Two long chapters in the middle, 8 and 9, are devoted to a collection Paul is organizing among the Gentile churches to support the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He gives detailed practical instructions about giving and what motivates it.

The closing chapters return to defending his ministry and warn that he is preparing to visit Corinth again, and that he will not spare them if the problems have not been addressed.