Overview of 2 Corinthians
A. INTRODUCTION (1:1-11)
B. PAUL CONFIRMS HIS LOVE FOR THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIANS AND DESCRIBES HIS MINISTRY (1:12–7:16)
1. Change in Paul’s travel plans (1:12-24)
2. Paul’s concern for the welfare of the Christians in Corinth (2:1-13)
3. The glorious ministry of Paul and his associates (2:14–4:6)
The ministry likened to a triumphal procession (2:14-17)
Letters of recommendation (3:1-3)
God qualifies Christians to be ministers of the new covenant (3:4-6)
The superior glory of the ministry of the new covenant (3:7-18)
The ministry that brings light through the glorious knowledge of God (4:1-6)
4. As earthen vessels, Paul and his associates endure much (4:7-18)
5. Paul’s longing for his heavenly reward (5:1-10)
6. The ministry of the reconciliation (5:11–6:2)
7. Paul describes his ministry (6:3-13)
8. Warning against spiritual uncleanness and idolatry (6:14–7:1)
9. Paul’s joy over the Corinthians (7:2-16)
C. A COLLECTION TO HELP POOR FELLOW BELIEVERS IN JUDEA (8:1–9:15)
The generosity of the Macedonian Christians is an example for the Corinthians (8:1-7)
Paul encourages “an equalizing” of assets (8:8-15)
Titus sent to Corinth to assist with the collection (8:16-24)
The need for readiness (9:1-5)
Paul encourages generosity: “God loves a cheerful giver” (9:6-14)
God’s “indescribable free gift” (9:15)
D. ARGUMENTS TO OFFSET THE INFLUENCE OF FALSE APOSTLES (10:1–12:21)
E. PAUL’S CONCLUDING WORDS TO THE CORINTHIANS (13:1-14)