Why read 2 Corinthians?¹

It is probably one of Paul’s most difficult letters to decipher. For one thing, its tone oscillates widely -- from expressing deep love to angry rebuke. For another, it does not seem to proceed in a logical fashion, at least to contemporary readers. Indeed, many modern interpreters have thought it to be a composite of several letters. Yet the letter also expresses profound ideas that have had a tremendous influence not only on the history of theology but on much of western thought.²

More importantly, the letter has much to say about apostolic ministry: what it is about, how the gospel gets communicated, and what constitutes authentic Christian community. Paul deals with these themes while addressing some very practical tasks, such as defending his ministry while seeking reconciliation, raising funds for the poor, and countering competitors who are challenging his ministry and, in his view, abusing the Corinthians and leading them astray. Throughout Paul depicts how his own life experience, ...