Reading 2 Corinthians: A Literary and Theological Commentary (Reading the New Testament, 2nd Series)

by Jerry L. Sumney

Publisher:

Smyth & Helwys

, 2023

Overview

Second Corinthians offers us an account of Paul’s ongoing relationship with a church that was especially troubled. Before writing any of 2 Corinthians, Paul had already written three letters to this church to try to deal with questions and problems as they struggled to understand and live out the life of faith. When Paul writes the material in 2 Corinthians, he has to defend his claim to be an apostle in light of questions raised by some Corinthians and by rival teachers who have come to the city.

To try to win this church back, Paul will use every persuasive technique he can muster. He will cajole, plead, and scold; he will use irony and sarcasm; he will show compassion. He is willing to do whatever it takes to convince them that he is the authentic apostle because he sees the issues that are being debated as so central that, if the Corinthians do not return to recognizing him as their apostle, they may lose their relationship with God.

Key Features

• Offers us an account of Paul’s ongoing relationship with the church.
• Incorporates a wide knowledge of ancient philosophy.
• Offers careful, judicious commentary on the complex compositional issues in 2 Corinthians.

Praise for the Print Edition

For more than three decades, Jerry Sumney has been recognized as a savvy interpreter of 2 Corinthians, and especially of St. Paul’s vigorous confrontation with his opponents in that complex document. With this perceptive new commentary, Sumney has placed all students of St. Paul even more firmly in his debt.

—John T. Fitzgerald. Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity. University of Notre Dame

Jerry Sumney’s career of living with 2 Corinthians is evident in this excellent book. He incorporates a wide knowledge of ancient philosophy and rhetoric with attention to the flow of the argument of 2 Corinthians in a style that is accessible to a wide audience. He consistently exercises sound exegetical judgment as he examines the text and engages the opinions of other scholars. The book will be a useful resource for scholars, university students, and other study groups.

—James W. Thompson. Abilene Christian University

Jerry Sumney’s Reading 2nd Corinthians is a welcome addition to the vast literature on Paul’s Corinthian Correspondence. Offering careful, judicious commentary on the complex compositional issues in 2 Corinthians, Professor Sumney shows the rhetorical nuances of Paul’s approach to the conflicts he faces with the Corinthians, including the challenges to his apostolic leadership. Sumney recognizes that central to 2 Corinthians—those sections describing at length the nature of Paul’s ministry—are in many ways unparalleled in all of Paul.

—Efrain Agosto. Williams College

Product Details

• Title: Reading 2 Corinthians: A Literary and Theological Commentary
• Author: Jerry L. Sumney
• Series: Reading the New Testament, 2nd Series
• Publisher: Smyth & Helwys
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 280
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible. N.T. Corinthians, 2nd › Criticism and interpretation; Apostolate (Christian theology) › Biblical teaching; Bible. N.T. 2 Corinthians › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781641734097, 1641734094
• Resource ID: LLS:READ2ND72COLSPNCR
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-07T15:38:58Z

About Jerry L. Sumney

Jerry L. Sumney was born in Indiana and grew up in central Florida. He taught in the religion department at Ferrum College from 1986-1997. Mr. Sumney is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and is past president for the Southeastern Region of the Society. At the national level, he also served as the chair of the steering committee for the Theology of the Disputed Paulines Group from 1996-2001 and currently serves as the chair of the steering committee for the Disputed Paulines Consultation. He is also currently chair for the Pauline Epistles and Literature Section of the international meeting of the SBL. He has written four books: Identifying Paul’s Opponents; Servants of Satan, False Brothers, and Other Pauline Opponents; Preaching Apocalyptic Texts (co-authored with Larry Paul Jones) and Philippians, A Handbook for Second-Year Greek Students (forthcoming, Hendickson, 2004). He is co-editor of Theology and Ethics in Paul and His Interpreters and Paul and Pathos. He also has written several articles in journals and books. He is currently working on a commentary on Colossians for the New Testament Library series. Mr. Sumney and his wife, Diane, have three daughters: Elizabeth, Victoria, and Margaret.