The Book of 2 Corinthians
Second Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter, written with tears and relief to a church that had wounded him and then turned back in repentance. In it he defends his apostolic ministry against rival teachers, but the defense becomes a window into the gospel itself: the God of all comfort who meets us in affliction, the surpassing glory of the new covenant, the treasure of Christ carried in fragile jars of clay, the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to ambassadors, and the strange grace by which God's power is made perfect in human weakness. From a heart broken and healed, Paul shows that the cross-shaped life of dying and rising is the true mark of those who belong to Jesus.
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Whole-Book Overview
See the whole sweep of 2 Corinthians, from comfort in affliction and the glory of the new covenant to the ministry of reconciliation, generous giving, and power perfected in weakness.
Open overview → Chapter 1The God of All Comfort
Paul blesses the God who comforts us in affliction so we can comfort others, and grounds his integrity in the faithfulness of God.
Open study → Chapter 2Sorrow, Forgiveness, and Aroma
Paul explains his painful letter, urges the church to forgive the offender, and rejoices to be the aroma of Christ everywhere God leads.
Open study → Chapter 3The Surpassing New Covenant
Paul shows that the ministry of the Spirit far outshines the fading glory of the law, transforming us into Christ's image from glory to glory.
Open study → Chapter 4Treasure in Clay Jars
Paul carries the gospel light in fragile vessels, afflicted but not crushed, so that the surpassing power is seen to belong to God.
Open study → Chapter 5Ambassadors of Reconciliation
Longing for our heavenly home and compelled by Christ's love, Paul proclaims the new creation and pleads with all to be reconciled to God.
Open study → Chapter 6Now Is the Day
Paul commends his ministry through every hardship, opens his heart wide, and calls the church to wholehearted devotion to God.
Open study → Chapter 7Comforted by Godly Sorrow
Titus brings good news, and Paul rejoices that his painful letter produced not mere regret but a godly sorrow leading to repentance.
Open study → Chapter 8The Grace of Giving
Pointing to the Macedonians' overflowing generosity and to Christ who became poor, Paul urges the church to complete their gift for the saints.
Open study → Chapter 9God Loves a Cheerful Giver
Paul encourages joyful, willing generosity, promising that the God who supplies the sower enriches givers and overflows in thanksgiving.
Open study → Chapter 10Weapons Not of the Flesh
Answering critics who scorn his presence, Paul wages spiritual war with divine power and refuses to boast beyond the work God gave him.
Open study → Chapter 11Boasting in Weakness
Provoked by false apostles, Paul reluctantly boasts—not of triumphs but of sufferings—to guard the church's devotion to Christ.
Open study → Chapter 12Strength Made Perfect
Caught up to paradise yet given a thorn, Paul learns that Christ's grace is sufficient and his power is perfected in weakness.
Open study → Chapter 13Examine Yourselves
Before his third visit, Paul warns the unrepentant, calls the church to self-examination, and prays for their restoration and peace.
Open study →Study together
Gather a group, work through a chapter at a time, and journey through 2 Corinthians together. Invite a friend to join you.