Overview
Second Corinthians, written against the background of conflict and reconciliation between Paul and the Corinthian ekklesia, defends Paul's apostleship and explains the ministry of the new covenant. It encourages the collection for the saints in Jerusalem and emphasizes the power of God revealed in weakness.
Theme Power made perfect in weakness and the ministry of the new covenant
Historical background
After First Corinthians, Paul appears to have made a painful visit to Corinth and sent a tearful letter (2 Corinthians 2:1–4). He wrote this letter from Macedonia after Titus reported that the Corinthians had turned back. Because of the change of tone in chapters 10–13, some scholars hold that several letters have been combined.