2 Corinthians

• DatesAbout AD 55–56, from Macedonia (debated)
• GenrePaul’s Letters
• AuthorshipPaul; accepted by nearly all scholars, with debate over the letter’s unity
• TimelineEarly Church
• Key texts2 Corinthians 1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:11–21; 2 Corinthians 8–9; 2 Corinthians 10–13
• Read the text2 Corinthians in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 4

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  Paul describes a painful visit and a tearful letter, and writes from Macedonia after meeting Titus. He urges the Corinthians to complete their gift for the believers in Jerusalem.2 Cor 2:1–4; 2 Cor 7:5–7; 2 Cor 8–9

• Debated

  Many scholars think 2 Corinthians combines more than one letter, for example chapters 10–13 as a separate and harsher letter, because the tone changes sharply. Others read it as one letter written in stages.2 Cor 10–13

• Debated

  Scholars also disagree about which letter the “tearful letter” was: 1 Corinthians, a lost letter, or part of 2 Corinthians.2 Cor 2:3–4