Introduction to 2 Corinthians
SCRIPTURE: Introduction to 2 Corinthians 
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BACKGROUND: 2 Corinthians, like 1 Corinthians, was written to the church in Corinth, which the apostle Paul had established through the Holy Spirit on his second missionary journey. The story of the beginnings of this church is recorded in Acts 18:1-7. Paul had traveled to Corinth after difficult experiences in Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:1-15) and a less than warm reception in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) Paul stayed in Corinth for almost two years, and a strong, though young church was founded of both Jews and Gentiles who were converted to faith in Jesus through Paul’s faithful ministry.
The church was located in a city where being Christian was not an easy matter and where knowing what it meant to be a Christian was very difficult. The population of Corinth was very racially diverse, with people moving there from all over the then known world. The people of the city developed an unapologetic love of things and a love of pleasure…full of people that were infatuated with making money (materialism) and having loose living (hedonism). Another important thing to note that permeated the Corinthian culture was its love of the sensual and erotic. For on top of the hill overlooking the city was the temple of the goddess Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, lust, beauty, prostitution and sexual reproduction.
AUTHOR AND DATE: It is uncontested among most Biblical scholars that the Apostle Paul was the one who penned this letter to the Corinthian church in either late AD 55 or early AD 56
DISTINCTIVES OF 2 CORINTHIANS: This is an intensely personal letter to a church that was attacking Pauls’ credibility as an apostle and much of the first 7 chapters are written to defend his apostleship. Additionally, 2 Corinthians contains several important theological themes. It portrays God as a merciful comforter (1:3, 7:6), the Creator (4:6), the One who raised Jesus form the dead (4:14) and who will raise believers as well (1:9). He points to Jesus as the One who suffered (1:5), who fulfilled God’s promises (1:20), who was proclaimed Lord (4:5), who manifested God’s glory (4:6), and the One who in His incarnation became poor for believers (8:9). The letter portrays the Holy Spirit as God (3:17, 18) and the guarantee of believers salvation (1:22, 5:5). The glorious truth of God’s sovereignty in salvation is the theme of 5:14-21, while 7:9,10 sets forth man’s response to God’s offer of salvation- genuine repentance.2 Corinthians also containsthe most concise summary of the substitutionary atonement of Christ to be found anywhere in Scripture (5:21) and defines the mission of the church to proclaim reconciliation (5:18-20). Finally, the nature of the New Covenant receives its fullest explanation (3:6-16) outside of Hebrews.
We will enjoy the reading and reflection of this marvelously personal and impactful letter for the next month. Mine its depths and enjoy the things you learn about God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!!
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