To let them know about the trouble he went through in the province of Asia (1:8-11).
To explain why he had changed his travel plans (1:12 -- 2:4).
To ask them to forgive the offending party (2:5-11).
To warn them not to be 'yoked together with unbelievers' (6:14 -- 7:1).
To explain to them the true nature (its joys, sufferings and rewards) and high calling of Christian ministry. This is the so-called great digression, but it turns out to be in some ways the most important section of the letter (2:14 -- 7:4; see note on 2:14).
To teach the Corinthians about the grace of giving and to make sure that they complete the collection for the poor Christians at Jerusalem (chs. 8-9).
To deal with the minority opposition in the church (chs. 10-13).
To prepare the Corinthians for his upcoming visit (12:14; 13:1-3,10).
The structure of the letter relates primarily to Paul's impending third visit to Corinth. The letter falls naturally into three sections:
Paul explains the reason for the changes in his itinerary (chs. 1-7).
Paul encourages the Corinthians to complete their collection in preparation for his arrival (chs. 8-9).
Paul stresses the certainty of his coming, his authenticity as an apostle and his readiness to exercise discipline if necessary (chs. 10-13).
Some have questioned the unity of this letter (see above), but it forms a coherent whole, as the structure above shows. Tradition has been unanimous in affirming its unity (the early church fathers, e.g., knew the letter only in its present form). Furthermore, none of the early Greek manuscripts breaks up the book.
Apologetic: Paul's Explanation of His Conduct and Apostolic Ministry (chs. 1-7)
Greetings (1:1-2)
Thanksgiving for Divine Comfort in Affliction (1:3-11)
The Integrity of Paul's Motives and Conduct (1:12 -- 2:4)
Forgiving the Offending Party at Corinth (2:5-11)
God's Direction in Ministry (2:12-17)
The Corinthian Believers -- a Letter from Christ (3:1-11)
Seeing the Glory of God with Unveiled Faces (3:12 -- 4:6)
Treasure in Clay Jars (4:7-16a)
The Prospect of Death and What It Means for the Christian (4:16b -- 5:10)
The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:11 -- 6:10)
A Spiritual Father's Appeal to His Children (6:11 -- 7:4)
The Meeting with Titus (7:5-16)
Hortatory: The Collection for the Christians at Jerusalem (chs. 8-9)
Generosity Encouraged (8:1-15)
Titus and His Companions Sent to Corinth (8:16 -- 9:5)
Results of Generous Giving (9:6-15)
Polemical: Paul's Vindication of His Apostolic Authority (chs. 10-13)
Paul's Defense of His Apostolic Authority and the Area of His Mission (ch. 10)
Paul Forced into Foolish Boasting (chs. 11-12)
Final Warnings (13:1-10)
Conclusion, Final Greetings and Benediction (13:11-14)
2Cor1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2Cor1:2 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Cor1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
2Cor1:4 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.
2Cor1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
2Cor1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2Cor1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
2Cor1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2Cor1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
2Cor1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
2Cor1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
2Cor1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2Cor1:13 For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end;
2Cor1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2Cor1:15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit;
2Cor1:16 And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.
2Cor1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
2Cor1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
2Cor1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
2Cor1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2Cor1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2Cor1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2Cor1:23 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
2Cor1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2Cor2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
2Cor2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
2Cor2:3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
2Cor2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
