2 Corinthians Flashcards
Historical Context of 2 Corinthians
Author: Paul and Timothy
Date: Mid-50s CE
Place of Composition: The “severe letter” was probably sent from Ephesus, and the letter of reconciliation from Macedonia
Audience: The congregation at Corinth, Greece
Unity: Apparent incoherencies (an “unsmooth flow”) lead us to believe that 2 Corinthians is actually a collection of (2?) letters combined in one, and the division lies between Ch. 9 and the beginning of Ch. 10
Integrity: maintained
Purpose: To address the so-called “Super Apostles” who are trying to “correct” Paul’s Gospel
Redaction Criticism
- Focuses on the editor (redactor) of the source material or the final editing of the biblical book
- Focuses on how and why this redactor shaped and moulded a text in the form in which it has been received by us
- It’s usually part of the “world in the text” (world 1)
Structure of 2 Corinthians
We have in 2 Corinthians a work in which one can notice apparent incoherencies
Example: immediate change in tone and/or emotion
In short, the “flow” of the message in the letter is not “smooth” (e.g. 2 Corinthians Chapter 9 and Chapter 10 beginning)
This has lead scholars to wonder why the final form was redacted in such an “unsmooth” form?
There are two letters within 2 Corinthians, and the dividing line is between Chapter 9 and the beginning of Chapter 10
Not all scholars agree, but many do.
2 Corinthians and Paul’s concern for his communities
We will adopt this hypothesis that 2 Corinthians is actually a collection of letters…
1 and 2 Corinthians give us a glimpse into how deeply concerned Paul was with the communities he founded, welfare of the community
- There was a serious issue in the Corinthian community that caused Paul a lot of sadness and pain
- 2 Corinthians is a response to the upset community who does not trust Paul anymore because Paul said he would visit them but he did not
- Paul writes to them that he does not need their trust, they only need to trust in God and Christ
- He also explains why he did not visit
- Some say that 2 Corinthians solved the issue in Corinth
The Warning Letter
The “Warning Letter”: in 1 Corinthians, Paul references a letter that he had written earlier to warn Corinthians
The Letter of Tears
“Letter of Tears”: In 2 Corinthians 2:3-4 and 7:8, Paul references a sad letter that he wrote to the Corinthians, we are not sure if this is included in 2 Corinthians, but it likely is not
2 Corinthians: A Collection of Letters?
Paul wrote 4 letters to the Corinthians, but only 2 are in the New Testament
Literary Evidence:
- “Warning Letter”
- 1 Corinthians
- “Letter of Tears” “Painful Letter”
- 2 Corinthians
What could have happened at Corinth?
Based on Bornkamm and Georgi’s proposals:
Stage 1
Paul sends Titus and two unnamed collaborators to Corinth with a letter to discuss the “collection” (Rom 15). This letter is in 2 Corinthians 8.
Stage 2
Those Paul sent come back informing Paul that “super apostles” have come to Corinth attacking Paul (badmouthing, discrediting).
In response, Paul writes a letter in defense of his apostleship 2 Cor 2.
Stage 3
Paul visits Corinth as a result of this. The visit is a painful one as attested in 2 Cor. (2:2) (12:14)
Stage 4
As a result of the “painful visit,” Paul writes a “tearful letter” to defend himself.
This letter is embedded in 2 Cor. 10-13. The letter is a catalyst for reconciliation between Paul and the Corinthians.
Stage 5
The reconciliation is confirmed by Timothy who has just visited Corinth.
Overjoyed, Paul writes a warm letter to reestablish a good rapport with the church. This letter is embedded in 2 Cor. 1:1-2:13 / 7:5-16.
Stage 6
Paul writes another letter concerning the collection which could have been part of the letter of reconciliation or could have been sent at a later time. The letter is found in 2 Corinthians 9
Interpolation in 2 Corinthians
Some scholars say through that 2 Cor 6:14-7:1 is a later interpolation. It doesn’t “fit” well. It is harsh section and interruption in Paul’s line of thought, and when it finishes, Paul goes back to his calm tone.
Narrative Criticism
take the book as it stands now, not concerned with reconstructing what happened, rather analyzing the literary piece as it stands now (more popular and practiced)
The So-Called Super Apostles
Huberlian Apostolon (“Super Apostles”)
In 2 Corinthians, paul speaks of “Super-Apostles”
According to the letter they were of Jewish origin (Hebrews? Ethnically Jewish?)
Who are they, exactly?
Historical Proposal
- Two rival-missionary groups at this time:
1. Lead by Paul (Barnabas, Titus, Silvanus)
2. Lead by James in Jerusalem (must become Jewish before Christian, James’ was) - Paul did not even know Jesus, James’ followers discredited him
- James’ gospel was superior, since Paul was only a later convert
- Whenever Paul started a community, James’ followers went to that community and rectified Christianity
- Some of James’ followers were “super apostles” who thought there was a different way to be Christian, a more Jewish way
- They tried to “correct” Paul’s version of the gospel
“Thorn in the Flesh”
2 Corinthians 12
Paul reveals things about himself:
Paul writes of “a thorn in the flesh” that was given to him and, also, an “angel of Satan” that beat him so that he would not be “too elated” from the “abundance of revelations” he receives.
- Here, we know clearly, that Paul claimed to have visions (revelations; mystical experiences)
- Scholars have not reached a consensus on what exactly Paul refers to by the thorn that afflicted him and the satanic angel that beat him.
- Theories range from a physical disability - for example, a speech impediment or an eye disease - to more mental or psychological problems such as Paul’s “daily pressures” and “anxiety” for his churches or his “despair” from his afflictions.
- Paul turns this negative point against his apostolic authority into a positive one: through this thorn.
- Paul has enjoyed closer fellowship with Christ, whose “grace is sufficient” in all the apostle’s afflictions.
Paul, the Indefatigable Apostle
Sufferings and Character
A person’s “character” is often proven in the “crucible of suffering.” Trials, challenges, obstacles, setbacks, etc. can bring out either the best in us or the worst in us. Paul speaks of his sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, Paul talks about his sufferings on his missions.
- Difficulties on the Road
- Dangers at Sea
- Sufferings Encountered on his Mission
- Paul’s Difficulties on the Road
- The Roman road network - providential for Paul
- However, compared to our day, travelling in Paul’s time was “not a joke”
- On land, walking, one could make about 32 km a day in the best condition
- Remember: Paul was not rich. He often had to support himself by tent making
- If he stopped by any place with “proper lodging” (inn) he must have stayed there
- This meant sleeping in a courtyard with a fireplace in some corner to keep one warm
- He could have stayed with friends at times
- One could also imagine him sleeping out in the open
- Don’t forget: different dangers and inconveniences - heat, cold, rain, snow, brigands, etc.
