About 2 Corinthians

Second Corinthians is the forty-seventh book of the Bible, written by the apostle Paul around AD 55-56 and spanning 13 chapters. It is the most intensely personal and autobiographical of all Paul's letters, written after a painful visit and a severe letter that preceded it. Paul defends his apostolic ministry against false apostles who had infiltrated the Corinthian church, attacks his character, and undermined his authority -- choosing instead to boast in his weaknesses and sufferings, through which Christ's power is most clearly displayed. The letter weaves together passionate self-defense, deep theological reflection, urgent pastoral appeal, and a major collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Major themes include the glory of the new covenant ministry, strength through weakness and suffering, generosity as a response to Christ's grace, the nature of true apostolic authority, and the coming judgment seat of Christ. Key chapters include 2 Corinthians 4 (treasure in jars of clay), 2 Corinthians 5 (the ministry of reconciliation), 2 Corinthians 9 (cheerful generosity), and 2 Corinthians 12 (Paul's thorn in the flesh). Famous verses include 2 Corinthians 12:9 -- My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness -- and 2 Corinthians 5:17 -- If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! Second Corinthians KJV Bible reading is a window into Paul's most vulnerable pastoral heart. Read the Book of 2 Corinthians online here in full.

The famous "thorn in the flesh" passage in chapter 12 and the declaration that believers are a "new creation" in chapter 5 reveal a Paul at his most personal. It follows directly on the issues raised in 1 Corinthians and shares themes with Galatians.