2 Corinthians (Understanding the Bible Commentary | UBC)
Overview
The apostle Paul writes a letter to the church in Corinth that defends his calling and exhorts unity through love as the church collects gifts for believers in Jerusalem. He also helps us understand and act on the truth that Christianity does not renounce and forsake the world but, in love, renews it. This commentary offers an in-depth look at this letter full of reconciliation and harmony.
Top Highlights
“Therefore, in the third section of the letter (chs. 10–13), Paul prepares for his imminent third visit to Corinth by handling the problem of the opponents in a more frontal way than he has in the previous sections of the letter. In the process, Paul reinforces the defense of his apostleship from 2:14–7:4, particularly in view of the opponents’ attack against its legitimacy. He also warns that any unrepentant Corinthians will encounter the full power of his apostolic authority when he comes. Paul is determined that this third visit to Corinth will not be another debacle.” (Pages 5–6)
“The condemnation of the law that sent Israel into exile under the ‘old covenant’ (and expelled Adam from Eden) is being reversed.” (Page 136)
“In Isaiah, the expectation of Israel’s restoration as a second exodus redemption included the idea that God would make ‘new heavens’ and a ‘new earth’ (Isa. 65:17–19; 66:22–23; cf. 1 En. 45:4–5; 72:1), and that there would be a return to the ideal conditions in Eden (Isa. 51:3; cf. Jub. 4:26 [no sin]). Within this new creation, ‘all flesh’ would come to Zion in order to worship God (Isa. 66:22–23). Obviously, we are dealing here with much more than individual transformation (cf. 2 Cor. 5:18 [‘the world’]). Paul calls believers a ‘new creation’ (cf. also Gal. 6:15) because they, with the rest of creation (cf. Rom. 8:19–22), undergo a physical and spiritual transformation (see on 4:7–5:15), which is an act of creation on a personal level (see the allusion to Gen. 1:3–4 in 2 Cor. 4:6).” (Page 136)
“Paul encourages the Corinthians to dissociate themselves fully from his opponents in Corinth (e.g., 2:17; 5:12; 6:8; 6:14–7:1) and to evaluate his apostleship in light of a valid criterion (‘the heart’) rather than the criterion of the opponents (‘the face’).” (Page 5)
Don’t be fooled by its size! Scott’s commentary is to the point, clearly written, and filled with provocative proposals for reading this complex letter. From the centrality of Paul’s self-understanding and the unity of the letter to merkabah mysticism, Korah’s rebellion, and the Jewish concept of the nations, Scott’s reading rightly reminds us of just how Jewish the Apostle to the Gentiles was and of how much we must know his milieu to understand his message! Here is an insightful introduction to both the influences and intent of 2 Corinthians.
—Scott J. Hafemann, St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews
- Title: 2 Corinthians
- Author: James M. Scott
- Series: Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
- Publisher: Baker
- Print Publication Date: 2012
- Logos Release Date: 2011
- Pages: 304
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. 2 Corinthians › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781441252036, 9780801047640, 1441252037, 0801047641
- Resource ID: LLS:NIBCNT68CO2
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T17:22:44Z