Hourglass Bible Study
Curious about the Bible but unable to commit to study on your own? If so, the Hourglass Bible study may be just right for you. No reading is required before the class; instead, we read the scripture together one week and share our reflections on that passage the next week. It’s an opportunity to work scripture into your everyday life and to benefit from the varied and honest reactions of others in the class.
Current Topic
Introduction to 2 Corinthians
Prepared by Mary Barnard Ray*
Author and Date
Scholars generally agree that this letter was written by Paul in 55 or 56 CE, probably while he was in Macedonia, and was delivered by Titus to the church in Corinth. Scholars debate, however, whether it was written as one letter (the fourth letter he wrote to Corinth) or is a combination of several letters written by Paul, with chapters 10-13 possibly being from another letter referred to as the “letter of tears.” Scholars argue that 2 Corinthians is a combination of Paul’s third, fourth and fifth letters, with different views on the particular combination. Chapters 8-9 may also be from a different letter. Robin Scroggs, in Christology of Paul and John, says that 2 Corinthians was written at a low point in Paul’s ministry, when he was being criticized by various people, including those in Corinth, and his authority as an apostle was being questioned. Harper-Collins Study Bible, however, also notes that this was written during “the most theologically productive period of Paul’s life, between 1 Thessalonians and Romans” (p. 2166). Both statements may well be accurate.
Paul was a lawyer and was bi-cultural, being raised in both Greek and Jewish cultures. He uses traditions, outlooks, and images from both cultures in his writing. For example, when he uses the term we translate as “justification” he means something closer to our term of “acquittal” as used in court cases. Paul is not focused on Jesus’ life, but rather on his death and resurrection as the source of grace that provides that acquittal. While the gospels focus more on Jesus’ actions and teaching, Paul does not have the experience of knowing Jesus while he was on earth, but rather his own experience of salvation.
Structure and Focus
Unlike 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians includes more abrupt transitions, which is why some scholars think it is a combination of several letters. This letter is probably the most difficult letter to interpret of all of Paul’s letters. The letter is usually divided as follows:
- 1:1–11 – Greeting
- 1:12 – 7:16 – Paul defends his actions and apostleship, affirming his affection for the Corinthians.
- 8:1 – 9:15 – Instructions for the collection for the poor in the Jerusalem church.
- 10:1 – 13:10 – A polemic defense of his apostleship
- 13:11–13 – Closing greetings
In Corinth, some challenged his authority as an apostle, and he compares the level of difficulty to other cities he has visited who had embraced it, like the Galatians. He is criticized for the way he speaks and writes and so he defends himself. “He states the importance of forgiving others, and God's new agreement that comes from the Spirit of the living God (2 Cor. 3:3), and the importance of being a person of Christ and giving generously to God's people in Jerusalem, and ends with his own experience of how God changed his life.” (Wikipedia, “2 Corinthians.”)
Apparently when Paul visited Corinth previously, some church member “wronged” him and the church did not support him—the member may have struck Paul. Christians who believed that people should follow the Jewish traditions circulated through Corinth and other areas where Paul had preached, causing Paul to have to defend his position not only in this letter, but also in Galatians and Romans. According to Michael Goulder, “All three [letters] betray a shaken confidence and a tendency to anger and despair, which alternate with the fatherly tone which is Paul’s natural self.” (p.488) Second Corinthians displays Paul’s passionate feelings perhaps more than any other of his letters. This letter includes many images, which he uses to convey his strong feelings and message. Interestingly, almost all of 2 Corinthians 5 is restated in Romans chapters 5-8.
*Primary sources include Wikipedia entries on “2 Corinthians,” and “Paul,”; Christology in Paul and John by Robin Scroggs; The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version, and Literary Guide to the Bible, chapter on “The Pauline Epistles” by Michale Goulder.
Reading Schedule
To prepare for the class, you may read the scripture from the previous Sunday. We will read the new scripture together on the date listed.
January 4 2 Corinthians 1
January 11 2 Corinthians 2
January 18 2 Corinthians 3
January 25 2 Corinthians 4
February 1 2 Corinthians 5
February 8 2 Corinthians 6-7
February 15 2 Corinthians 8
February 22 2 Corinthians 9
March 1 2 Corinthians 10
March 8 2 Corinthians 11
March 15 2 Corinthians 12
March 22 2 Corinthians 13
March 29 reflections on 1 and 2 Corinthians