Introduction to II Corinthians

Dr. Gail E. Terrell
Pastor, Grace Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ohio

1. Author.   Paul wrote II Corinthians (1:1) late in 57 A.D. shortly after I Corinthians, probably from Philippi, Macedonia, during his third missionary journey (8:1).
    
2. Recipients.   II Corinthians is written to the church at Corinth, and also to all believers who read this book (1:1).
    
3. Theme.   The true gospel ministry and principles for action.
    
4. Key verses.   4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.   5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.   5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
    
5. Key words used in II Corinthians:   glory – 27 times; minister and cognate forms including ministers, ministered, ministereth, ministering, ministration, ministry – 18 times; boast – 13 times.
    
6. References to the Lord’s church in II Corinthians:   the word church appears 9 times in II Corinthians.
   1. The word church appears once in reference to the specific church at Corinth.
      1. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia.
   2. The word churchappears eight times as the plural, churches.   This plural use of churchindicates that Paul is encouraging fellowship to exist among the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.
      1. 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia.
      2. 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches.
      3. 8:19 And not that only, but who was chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind.
      4. 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner, and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
      5. 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
      6. 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them, to do you service.
      7. 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
      8. 12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?   forgive me this wrong.
7. II Corinthians has 13 chapters, 257 verses, and about 6,092 words.