Chapter Jump: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13
2 Corinthians Chapter 1
In the first chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul, along with Timothy, greets the church at Corinth and praises God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts believers in all their tribulation so that they may comfort others with the same comfort they have received from Him. He transparently shares his severe trials and near death experiences in Asia, where the pressure was so intense that he despaired even of life, teaching him and his companions to rely not on themselves but on God who raises the dead. Paul also defends the sincerity of his changed travel plans against criticism, affirming that his word is reliable because it is rooted in the unchanging faithfulness of Christ, and he expresses confident hope that both he and the Corinthians are united in suffering and consolation.
2 Corinthians Chapter 2
In chapter 2, Paul explains why he postponed his planned visit to Corinth: he did not want to come again in sorrow or cause them grief, especially after the pain caused by his previous severe letter written out of deep love and anguish. He urges the church to forgive and restore the repentant offender who had caused trouble, noting that the punishment inflicted by the majority was sufficient, and warns that excessive sorrow could overwhelm the person and give Satan an advantage. Paul then shifts to the triumphant nature of gospel ministry, describing how God always leads believers in triumph in Christ and makes them a sweet savor of the knowledge of Christ life to those being saved and death to those perishing, while contrasting this sincere preaching with those who corrupt the word of God for gain.
2 Corinthians Chapter 3
In chapter 3, Paul defends his ministry by declaring that the Corinthians themselves are his living letter of recommendation, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God on the tables of the heart, making any external letters of commendation unnecessary. He contrasts the old covenant, the ministration of death engraved on stone tablets, which had a temporary glory that faded and required a veil over Moses’ face with the far superior new covenant of the Spirit, which brings lasting glory, liberty, and life. Paul explains that the veil remains over the minds of those reading the old testament until they turn to Christ, but when the veil is removed, believers with open faces behold the glory of the Lord and are transformed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians Chapter 4
In chapter 4, Paul explains that he and his companions do not lose heart in their ministry because they preach Christ Jesus the Lord, not themselves, and carry the treasure of the knowledge of God’s glory in fragile earthen vessels so that the surpassing power may be seen as God’s, not their own. They endure many hardships troubled yet not distressed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed, making the dying and life of Jesus visible in their bodies. Paul encourages believers not to faint, for though the outward man perishes, the inward man is renewed daily, and their light, momentary affliction works an eternal weight of glory as they look to the unseen and eternal rather than the seen and temporary.
2 Corinthians Chapter 5
In chapter 5, Paul contrasts our temporary earthly body with the eternal heavenly dwelling God has prepared, noting that believers groan in this life while confidently hoping to be with the Lord. He reminds us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ and declares the core of the gospel: God reconciled the world to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, making every believer a new creation.
2 Corinthians Chapter 6
In chapter 6, Paul appeals to the Corinthians not to receive God’s grace in vain and lists the many hardships and virtues that prove true ministers of God, including patience in afflictions, purity, kindness, and the power of God, while showing the paradox of appearing poor yet making many rich. He urges them to open their hearts fully and warns them not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, declaring that believers are the temple of the living God and must separate themselves to enjoy His promises as His sons and daughters.
2 Corinthians Chapter 7
In chapter 7, Paul expresses great joy and comfort because the Corinthians responded to his painful letter with godly sorrow that led to genuine repentance, zeal, and clearing of themselves, refreshing both him and Titus. He explains that godly sorrow produces repentance unto salvation, while the sorrow of the world leads to death, and rejoices that his letter ultimately strengthened their relationship and restored his full confidence in them.
2 Corinthians Chapter 8
In chapter 8, Paul holds up the churches of Macedonia as an example of generous giving, noting that despite their deep poverty and severe trials, they gave joyfully and sacrificially beyond their power after first giving themselves to the Lord. He urges the Corinthians to complete the collection they began a year earlier, presenting it as a proof of their love and an expression of the grace of Christ, who though rich became poor for our sake so that we through His poverty might become rich.
2 Corinthians Chapter 9
In chapter 9, Paul encourages the Corinthians to complete their promised generous gift cheerfully and bountifully, reminding them that he has boasted of their readiness to the Macedonians and that sowing sparingly leads to reaping sparingly while sowing bountifully leads to bountiful reaping. God is able to make all grace abound toward them so they will always have sufficiency for every good work, and this ministry of giving will not only supply the needs of the saints but will also produce many thanksgivings to God and prove the obedience of their confession of the gospel.
2 Corinthians Chapter 10
In chapter 10, Paul defends his apostolic authority against critics who say he is bold in letters but weak in person, declaring that though he walks in the flesh, he does not war after the flesh because the weapons of his warfare are mighty through God to pull down strongholds and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. He refuses to compare himself with those who commend themselves and boasts only in the Lord and within the sphere of ministry God has assigned him, which includes the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians Chapter 11
In chapter 11, Paul sarcastically boasts as a fool to expose the false “super apostles,” listing his far greater sufferings, labors, imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and daily care for the churches as proof of his genuine apostleship. He expresses deep concern that the Corinthians’ minds might be corrupted from the simplicity of devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent, while defending his decision to preach the gospel to them free of charge.
2 Corinthians Chapter 12
n chapter 12, Paul continues his foolish boasting by describing a man (himself) caught up to the third heaven and paradise, hearing unspeakable words, yet he chooses not to boast in these revelations but instead in his weaknesses. To keep him humble, God gave him a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan; after pleading three times for its removal, Paul received God’s answer: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness,” leading him to gladly boast in infirmities so Christ’s power may rest upon him. He reminds the Corinthians of the signs, wonders, and mighty deeds he performed among them as authentic marks of an apostle, and warns of coming discipline on his third visit if they have not repented of their sins.
2 Corinthians Chapter 13
In the final chapter, Paul warns the Corinthians of his upcoming third visit and calls them to examine and prove themselves whether they are truly in the faith, declaring that he will not spare those who persist in sin because Christ is mighty in him. He writes these things while absent so he will not need to use sharpness when present, and concludes with a tender appeal for them to be perfect, of good comfort, of one mind, and to live in peace, ending with the beautiful Trinitarian benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
1 Corinthians: Overall Summary
Paul opens 2 Corinthians by praising God as the Father of all comfort who sustains believers through affliction and equips them to comfort others, while transparently sharing his own severe trials in Asia and defending the sincerity of his ministry and travel plans.
He contrasts the temporary, veiled glory of the old covenant with the surpassing, transformative glory of the new covenant of the Spirit, which writes God’s law on the heart and changes believers into Christ’s image from glory to glory.
Paul describes the gospel treasure as carried in fragile earthen vessels through many hardships so that God’s power, not human strength, is clearly seen, and he emphasizes living with an eternal perspective, longing for the heavenly body and fixing eyes on the unseen. At the heart of the letter, he proclaims the ministry of reconciliation: God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself and has made believers ambassadors of this message, for Christ was made sin for us so we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Paul lists the authentic marks of true ministry, enduring trials with patience and purity, while urging the Corinthians not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers and rejoicing over their godly sorrow that produced genuine repentance.
He organizes a generous collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem, using the joyful sacrifice of the Macedonian churches and the example of Christ’s grace as motivation for cheerful, proportional giving. In a strong defense of his apostleship, Paul refuses to boast like the false “super apostles,” instead glorying in his weaknesses and sufferings, famously declaring that God’s grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in weakness.
Finally, Paul warns the Corinthians of his third visit, calls them to examine themselves whether they are in the faith, and closes with an appeal for unity, perfection, and peace along with the classic Trinitarian benediction.