Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 2 Corinthians
Second Corinthians is Paul's most personal and emotional letter, written out of deep affliction as he defends his ministry and reveals that God's power is made perfect in weakness. It moves from comfort in suffering to the glory of the new covenant to the grace of giving. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul, likely from Macedonia around AD 56, after a season of severe affliction and a painful exchange with the Corinthian church. It is his most personal letter, in which he bares his heart, defends his apostolic ministry against those who questioned it, and reveals the paradox at the center of the Christian life: that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
This commentary covers 2 Corinthians verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. The letter opens with the God of all comfort who meets us in affliction, unfolds the surpassing glory of the new covenant ministry, and calls believers to cheerful, generous giving. Its treasure is carried in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
All thirteen chapters of 2 Corinthians are now complete, verse by verse, from the God of all comfort to the benediction of grace, love, and communion.
Author
The apostle Paul, in his most personal letter.
Setting
Written likely from Macedonia, around AD 56.
Key Themes
Comfort in affliction, the new covenant, and strength in weakness.
Famous Truth
'My grace is sufficient for you... strength made perfect in weakness' (12:9).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
2 Corinthians Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
2 Corinthians 1:1-24
The God of All Comfort
Paul opens his most personal letter with comfort in affliction, blessing the God of all comfort who meets us in trouble, teaches us to trust the God who raises the dead, and whose promises are all Yes and Amen in Christ.
Read Chapter 1 →2 Corinthians 2:1-17
Triumph in Christ
Paul's painful letter came from love, 'with many tears'; now he urges the church to forgive and restore the repentant offender, 'lest Satan should get an advantage of us.' Then he gives thanks to God, 'which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,' spreading 'a sweet savour of Christ,' life to some and death to others, preached in sincerity 'in the sight of God.'
Read Chapter 2 →2 Corinthians 3:1-18
The Lord Is That Spirit
Changed lives are 'the epistle of Christ... written... with the Spirit of the living God.' Paul exalts the new covenant, 'the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life,' whose glory surpasses and outlasts the old. The veil 'is done away in Christ,' and 'Now the Lord is that Spirit,' the Lord Jesus who is the Spirit, one God; beholding His glory we 'are changed into the same image from glory to glory.'
Read Chapter 3 →2 Corinthians 4:1-18
Treasure in Earthen Vessels
The gospel is 'the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,' and God shines in our hearts 'the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' But 'we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God.' So 'we faint not,' for 'our light affliction... worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.'
Read Chapter 4 →2 Corinthians 5:1-21
The Ministry of Reconciliation
Beyond the earthly tent is 'a building of God... eternal in the heavens'; to be 'absent from the body' is to be 'present with the Lord,' and we all appear 'before the judgment seat of Christ.' 'The love of Christ constraineth us,' for 'if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.' 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself'; so 'be ye reconciled to God,' for 'he hath made him to be sin for us.'
Read Chapter 5 →2 Corinthians 6:1-18
Be Ye Separate
'Now is the day of salvation'; do not receive God's grace in vain. Paul commends his ministry by patient endurance, 'as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.' Then he calls the church to holiness: 'be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,' for 'ye are the temple of the living God.' 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate... and I will be a Father unto you.'
Read Chapter 6 →2 Corinthians 7:1-16
Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance
God's promises move us to 'cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' Comforted by Titus's news of the church's repentance, Paul rejoices, 'not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance,' for 'godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.'
Read Chapter 7 →2 Corinthians 8:1-24
The Grace of Giving
The Macedonians, in 'deep poverty,' gave 'beyond their power,' for they 'first gave their own selves to the Lord.' Paul urges the Corinthians to 'abound in this grace also,' grounded in 'the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.' God accepts the gift by 'a willing mind,' and Paul handles the offering with honesty 'in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.'
Read Chapter 8 →2 Corinthians 9:1-15
God Loveth a Cheerful Giver
The gift is to be prepared 'as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.' 'He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully,' and giving is from the heart, 'not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.' 'God is able to make all grace abound toward you,' so giving supplies the saints and overflows in thanksgiving. 'Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.'
Read Chapter 9 →2 Corinthians 10:1-18
Weapons Mighty Through God
Paul defends his ministry: though he walks in the flesh, 'we do not war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds,' 'bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.' He refuses self-commendation and comparison, for 'he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord... not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.'
Read Chapter 10 →2 Corinthians 11:1-33
An Angel of Light
With 'godly jealousy' Paul guards the church as a pure bride for Christ against those who preach 'another Jesus... another gospel.' He unmasks the intruders: 'false apostles, deceitful workers... for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.' Forced to boast, he glories not in credentials but in his sufferings for Christ, 'in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure,' for 'I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.'
Read Chapter 11 →2 Corinthians 12:1-21
My Grace Is Sufficient for Thee
Caught up into paradise yet given 'a thorn in the flesh' to keep him humble, Paul begged the Lord thrice to remove it and heard, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' So he glories in weakness, 'that the power of Christ may rest upon me,' and 'when I am weak, then am I strong.' As a father he will 'very gladly spend and be spent for you,' seeking 'not yours, but you.'
Read Chapter 12 →2 Corinthians 13:1-14
Examine Yourselves
Paul warns that coming a third time 'I will not spare,' and turns the church to a searching test: 'examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith... how that Jesus Christ is in you.' His authority is 'to edification, and not to destruction.' He closes, 'be perfect... live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you,' and with the benediction of the one God, 'the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.'
Read Chapter 13 →