Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians: Hey, It's Paul Again!, 1:1-2

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today I begin a new reading plan that covers 2 Corinthians. This will be the longest post because I am giving some background to this letter. It was written by Paul about three years after 1 Corinthians in late 55 or early 56. It appears the Corinthians have not learned their lesson since Paul’s previous letter, and now they are questioning Paul’s legitimacy as an apostle. In it Paul focuses considerable attention to specific obstacles in the way of full reconciliation. He writes to restore their trust in him as an apostle of God and to restore their relationship. He argues that if they are alienated from him as Christ’s agent, then they are alienated from Christ himself. He not only defends himself and his ministry, he also wants to keep them from falling into apostasy.

Throughout 2 Corinthians Paul references his travel plans. He had planned to come see the Corinthian Christians, but has not yet done so. Another issue is patronage. One of the things the Corinthians held against Paul is that he will not accept their patronage. The gospel of free grace should be offered free of charge, and Paul will not be put in a place of owing anyone anything. Some of the more well-to-do Corinthians were disturbed at Paul’s refusal to place himself in their debt and subordinate himself to them because of their generosity. Paul wants them to understand that they are his spiritual children and he their patron.

By the end of 2 Corinthians, Paul believes he has dealt with all the major obstacles to his returning to Corinth as one reconciled with his people. Thus, he speaks of coming to see them. If Romans 15:25-26 and 16:1, 23-24 provide a clue, Paul did return to Corinth, stayed with one of the believers, and there wrote his letter to the Romans, sending greetings from leading Corinthian Christians. Therefore, 2 Corinthians is a shining example of how message, method, and ministry come together to accomplish reconciliation.

If Paul cannot establish his good character at the start, then his arguments and his appeal for reconciliation that follow will be for nothing. He needs to show how the Corinthians have misunderstood him as one commissioned through the will of God. God’s hand on him is more than enough to authorize his ministry and actions. But he will also say that the Corinthians’ faith is also validation of his apostleship. That this epistle is also addressed to the saints of Achaia shows that it is to be a circular letter and not for Corinth only. That the church is “of God” strongly suggests a church of Jews and Gentiles who are the people called by God and not a human construct.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy division. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Church of England, Accession Service 1714