Hey everybody this is Steve and this is a brief introduction to Paul's 2nd letter
to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians is one of the 13 epistles attributed to St Paul, and one of the 27 books and letters
that make up the New Testament canon.
The Apostle Paul is, of course, the author.
And he addresses this letter to the Church in Corinth, which he founded.
2nd Corinthians actually seems to be the 4th letter that Paul wrote them.
The majority of contemporary scholars date the letter to around 57AD.
How do we know there were at least 4 letters in all?
Well, both 1st and 2nd Corinthians reference previous letters that Paul sent that community
both of which are now presumed lost.
Which means 1st Corinthians is actually the second letter he wrote and 2nd Corinthians
is actually the fourth letter he wrote.
Well, that's not confusing...
Paul wrote so many letters to the Corinthians because of a series of pastoral issues and
challenges.
It all started when he heard about immoral practices and scandals in Corinth, in the
community he founded, which led him to write that first lost letter and 1st Corinthians.
Later, when he heard more bad reports of a crisis of authority, that the Corinthians
had begun following different teachers with a skewed understanding of the Gospel, Paul
returned to his flock.
This visit didn't go very well, to say the least.
Paul was apparently too timid for the Corinthians; they apparently went so far as to call his
speech contemptible.
So they rejected him, pretty harshly.
After a lot of prayer and careful thought, Paul decided to respond in writing rather
than visit in person.
He realized that his written words could be bolder than his spoken words, and he needed
to communicate a convicting truth that cut to the heart of the Corinthians, cause them
to repent collectively, and to finally turn away from their unhealthy and immoral ways.
So Paul wrote what he refers to as a letter of tears, "out of much distress and anguish
of heart."
And it seems to have worked.
The Corinthians responded through Titus, whom Paul sent to deliver that letter of tears.
When Paul heard that the Corinthians had repented of their unhealthy and immoral ways, he rejoiced
and said that his mind was set at rest.
Paul wrote 2nd Corinthians after receiving this good news.
Though things weren't fully resolved.
As you read the letter, especially towards the end, you'll see that Paul's authority
in the community (and the status of the misguided teachers that the people were following) was
still an issue.
As we wrap it up, here are 4 things to keep in mind when you read to help give you a bit
of context and better understand Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.
First, Paul is very up front about the grief he experienced because of his interactions
with the Corinthians, which were really difficult.
Yet he draws an important distinction between what he calls worldly grief, which leads to
death; and what he calls godly grief, which produces repentance, leads to salvation, and
brings no regret.
In the midst of even the greatest and most demoralizing of difficulties, we need to be
careful avoid the pitfalls of negative emotions and downward spirals; we need to learn to
treat challenges as reminders that steer us back to God.
Second, Paul offers beautiful reflections on generosity and how true philanthropy brings
us closer to Christ.
One of Paul's constant projects was gathering money to Christians in the Holy Land.
He needed to rely on wealthier communities, like Corinth, to help the support the Church
in Jerusalem.
He framed this, not merely as a duty or obligation, but a blessing.
Because, as Paul says, God loves a cheerful giver.
And our generosity to our brothers and sisters is a way to offer thanksgiving to God and
to glorify Him.
Third, Paul spends a lot of time focusing on questions of authority, and the kinds of
people that Christians should follow.
The Corinthians were being led astray by false apostles, by people who proclaimed a different
Christ.
People that Paul says were taking advantage of the people.
Yet they seemed to come to the Corinthians with credentials and letters of recommendation;
with beautiful speech and ways of attracting people.
In contrast to these "super-apostles," Paul insists that his authority as a true apostle
comes from God himself and that it is manifest, not in his strength, but in God's strength.
And God's strength is manifested in Paul's weakness and suffering.
So he speaks of the times he was whipped and beaten, of the times he was arrested, or all
the suffering and persecution he has endured for Christ and Christ alone.
And fourth, Paul wrestles with the sacrifices that a pastor must make for his flock.
Paul didn't want to boast.
Yet he was forced to, in order to help win back the Corinthians from other misguided
teachers that were boasting and leading the people astray.
So Paul boasts of his suffering.
He also boasts of deep spiritual experiences, of being caught up into the 3rd heaven and
hearing things so holy that he could not repeat them.
Yet he did it for the sake of the Corinthians, who he loved so much.
He worked to become all things for all people, to be whatever his people needed him to be
so he could point them back to Christ.
As you are reading along with us, keep these 4 points in mind: 1.
The importance of godly grief.
2.
The need for philanthropy in the Christian life.
3.
How to identify true teachers in the Church.
And 4.
The sacrifices that pastors make for their flocks.
Tell us in the comments how you notice these four things as you begin to engage with the
Scripture; and then join us in our weekly video series, Live the Word.
Most importantly, I hope you'll celebrate with us this Sunday and every Sunday, to hear
the beautiful Scripture readings proclaimed during the Divine Liturgy and to learn how
you can Live the Word.
Thanks for watching.
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