Commentary on the Book of 2 Corinthians

By Claudius Brown

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, often abbreviated as 2 Corinthians, is a book in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Christian community in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece. 2 Corinthians primarily deals with several main themes:
Comfort and encouragement: Paul seeks to comfort and encourage the Corinthians in the midst of challenges and difficulties they were facing, including persecution and opposition. He offers words of reassurance, hope, and consolation, urging them to rely on God's strength and grace.
Apostolic authority and ministry: Paul defends his apostolic authority against false teachers who had criticized his leadership and ministry. He asserts his legitimacy as an apostle appointed by God and defends his actions and motivations in serving the Corinthians.
Reconciliation and forgiveness: Paul addresses issues of reconciliation and forgiveness within the Christian community. He discusses the need for forgiveness, both from God and towards one another, and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and restoration in relationships among believers.
Giving and generosity: Paul encourages the Corinthians to be generous in their giving and to support the needs of fellow believers. He highlights the principles of cheerful giving, generosity, and stewardship, and uses the example of the Macedonian churches as models of giving.
The new covenant and Christian living: Paul contrasts the new covenant in Christ with the old covenant of the Mosaic law. He discusses the transformation that takes place in the lives of believers through faith in Christ, emphasizing the need for holiness, obedience, and living according to the teachings of Jesus.
Christian ministry and mission: Paul discusses various aspects of Christian ministry and mission, including the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of serving as ambassadors of Christ. He encourages the Corinthians to live out their faith and be a testimony to others, spreading the Gospel and making disciples.
Overall, 2 Corinthians deals with a range of theological, ethical, and practical issues that were relevant to the Corinthian church, and it continues to provide guidance and inspiration for Christians today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claudius Brown
• Release date: Apr 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223465072

Claudius Brown

This book is about me and the struggles I go through to survive in this world. I hope that those who read my book will be encouraged to not quit on life due to the struggles they are going through.

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Introduction

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, often abbreviated as 2 Corinthians, is a book in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Christian community in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece. 2 Corinthians primarily deals with several main themes:

Comfort and encouragement: Paul seeks to comfort and encourage the Corinthians in the midst of challenges and difficulties they were facing, including persecution and opposition. He offers words of reassurance, hope, and consolation, urging them to rely on God's strength and grace.

Apostolic authority and ministry: Paul defends his apostolic authority against false teachers who had criticized his leadership and ministry. He asserts his legitimacy as an apostle appointed by God and defends his actions and motivations in serving the Corinthians.

Reconciliation and forgiveness: Paul addresses issues of reconciliation and forgiveness within the Christian community. He discusses the need for forgiveness, both from God and towards one another, and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and restoration in relationships among believers.

Giving and generosity: Paul encourages the Corinthians to be generous in their giving and to support the needs of fellow believers. He highlights the principles of cheerful giving, generosity, and stewardship, and uses the example of the Macedonian churches as models of giving.

The new covenant and Christian living: Paul contrasts the new covenant in Christ with the old covenant of the Mosaic law. He discusses the transformation that takes place in the lives of believers through faith in Christ, emphasizing the need for holiness, obedience, and living according to the teachings of Jesus.

Christian ministry and mission: Paul discusses various aspects of Christian ministry and mission, including the responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of serving as ambassadors of Christ. He encourages the Corinthians to live out their faith and be a testimony to others, spreading the Gospel and making disciples.

Overall, 2 Corinthians deals with a range of theological, ethical, and practical issues that were relevant to the Corinthian church, and it continues to provide guidance and inspiration for Christians today.

Chapter 1

God's Comfort for Believers

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The passage above is an excerpt from the beginning of a letter written by the apostle Paul and his fellow laborer Timothy to the church in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece. Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, meaning that he has been called and commissioned by God to preach and teach about Jesus Christ. Timothy is referred to as their brother, indicating their close relationship as fellow believers in Christ.

The letter is addressed to the church of God in Corinth, as well as to all the saints (believers) in Achaia, which was the region where Corinth was located. Paul is writing to the entire community of believers in that area, offering them grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, which are traditional greetings in his letters.

Paul goes on to bless God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, describing Him as the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. This emphasizes God's compassionate and comforting nature. Paul then acknowledges that God comforts them in all their afflictions, implying that he and Timothy have experienced hardships, but have found comfort in God's presence and support.

Paul further explains that the comfort they have received from God enables them to comfort others who are also experiencing affliction. In other words, the comfort they have received is not meant to be hoarded, but rather shared with others who are going through similar struggles. This highlights the principle of empathy and compassion within the Christian community, where believers are encouraged to support and comfort one another in difficult times, drawing on the comfort they have received from God.

Church, The word ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) is a Greek term that has been used in various contexts throughout history, and it carries different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here's an expanded definition of ἐκκλησία with additional information and elaboration:

Etymology: The word ἐκκλησία is derived from the Greek roots ἐκ (ek), meaning out of or from, and κλησία (klēsia), meaning a gathering or an assembly. In ancient Greece, ἐκκλησία was used to refer to a group of citizens who were called together for a particular purpose, such as to discuss and make decisions on civic matters.

Historical Context: In ancient Greek society, ἐκκλησία was a fundamental institution of the democratic system, where citizens had the right to participate in the decision-making process of their city-state (polis). It was a gathering of citizens who had the right to vote, discuss and deliberate on various issues, including laws, policies, and the election of officials.

Ecclesiastical Usage: In Christian theology, ἐκκλησία is often translated as church in English. It refers to a community or assembly of believers who gather for worship, fellowship, and mutual support. It can also refer to the global body of believers across different denominations and traditions, who are united by their faith in Jesus Christ.

New Testament Usage: In the New Testament of the Christian Bible, ἐκκλησία is used in reference to the community of believers, both in a local and universal sense. It is used to describe the assembly of Christians who come together for worship, teaching, and fellowship, as well as the broader concept of the universal church, which includes all believers from different places and times.

Ecclesiastical History: Throughout the history of Christianity, ἐκκλησία has been used to refer to various Christian denominations, traditions, and organizational structures, such as the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the Protestant Church, and other Christian groups. It has also been used in the context of church hierarchy, leadership, and governance.

Ecclesiology: ἐκκλησία is an important concept in Christian ecclesiology, which is the theological study of the nature, purpose, and structure of the church. Ecclesiology explores the biblical, historical, and theological aspects of the church, including its relationship with God, its mission in the world, and its practices and sacraments.

Ecclesiastical Polity: ἐκκλησία has also been used to refer to the governance and polity of the church. Different Christian traditions have different ecclesiastical structures and forms of church government, such as episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational, which reflect their understanding of the nature and authority of the ἐκκλησία.

Ecclesiastical Practices: ἐκκλησία encompasses a wide range of practices and rituals that are associated with Christian worship and community life. These may include liturgy, sacraments, prayer, preaching, singing, baptism,

Comfort Shared in Christianity.

The concept of comfort in Christianity goes beyond just receiving solace from God during times of affliction. Paul, in his explanation, emphasizes that the comfort believers receive from God is not meant to be kept to themselves, but rather it is meant to be shared with others who are going through similar struggles. This underscores the importance of empathy and compassion within the Christian community.

Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is a fundamental aspect of Christianity. As believers experience God's comfort in their own lives, they are encouraged to extend that same comfort to others who are facing challenges. This principle of empathy aligns with Jesus' teaching to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31), which emphasizes the importance of caring for others and showing compassion.

Compassion, which is the action of showing empathy towards others and providing practical help, is another key aspect of the Christian faith. As believers receive comfort from God, they are called to demonstrate compassion towards those who are suffering. This can be done through acts of kindness, encouragement, and support, as well as through prayer and offering a listening ear to those in need.

Paul's message also highlights the concept of community within Christianity. Believers are not meant to go through difficult times alone, but rather they are encouraged to lean on one another and support each other. This can be done through small groups, churches, or other Christian communities where believers can come together to share their experiences, provide comfort, and offer practical help to those in need.

Furthermore, Paul's words emphasize the cyclical nature of comfort in Christianity. As believers receive comfort from God during their own afflictions, they are then able to extend that same comfort to others who are going through similar struggles. This creates a ripple effect where comfort is multiplied and shared within the Christian community, fostering a culture of support and care for one another.

In addition, the principle of sharing comfort with others also reflects the belief that Christians are called to be ambassadors of God's love and grace in the world. By showing empathy and compassion towards others, believers are able to demonstrate the transformative power of God's comfort in their own lives and in the lives of those around them. This can serve as a powerful witness to non-believers, showcasing the heart of Christianity as a faith that values love, compassion, and community.

It's important to note that the concept of sharing comfort with others does not imply that believers should disregard their own well-being or neglect their own needs. Rather, it highlights the importance of balancing self-care with caring for others, recognizing that God's comfort is abundant and can be shared without running