King James Version
2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of 2 Corinthians: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Paul, with Timothy named in the greeting. Scholars accept Paul as the author. Many debate whether the letter joins more than one letter. |
|---|---|
| Date | About AD 55–56 in one survey, from Macedonia. |
| Place written | Macedonia, the Roman province in northern Greece. The letter does not name a city of writing. |
| Genre | A personal, defensive pastoral letter. |
| Chapters | 13 |
| Verses | 257 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | 2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17 · King James VersionTherefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
2 Corinthians 1:12 Corinthians 1:1 · King James VersionPaul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2 Corinthians 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) names Paul, an apostle by the will of God, and Timothy our brother. The letter is the most personal of Paul’s writings, full of his sufferings, his travel plans, and his defense against rivals he calls the very chiefest apostles in 2 Corinthians 11:52 Corinthians 11:5 · King James VersionFor I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:5 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Eusebius lists Paul’s fourteen letters as undisputed in Church History 3.3.5. (2) The Muratorian fragment names letters to the Corinthians. (3) Athanasius lists two. (4) Paul’s authorship is accepted across scholarship. The open question is unity. Many scholars think 2 Corinthians 10–13, with its sharp tone, was once a separate letter, perhaps the severe letter mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:42 Corinthians 2:4 · King James VersionFor out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
2 Corinthians 2:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Others see one letter written in stages. No manuscript divides the book, which is the main point on the side of unity.
Who It Is Not
Timothy is a co-sender, not the author. The tearful letter of 2 Corinthians 2:42 Corinthians 2:4 · King James VersionFor out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
2 Corinthians 2:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source may be lost or may be part of this book, and this page does not choose.
When and Where
2 Corinthians 2:132 Corinthians 2:13 · King James VersionI had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
2 Corinthians 2:13 · King James VersionOpen the Source and 2 Corinthians 7:5–72 Corinthians 7:5–7 · King James Version7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
2 Corinthians 7:5–7 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) place Paul in Macedonia, where Titus brings news from Corinth. Bible Gateway’s survey gives AD 55–56. (5) That follows 1 Corinthians by about a year in the Acts chronology, before Paul’s three months in Greece in Acts 20:2–3Acts 20:2–3 · King James Version20:2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
20:3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
Acts 20:2–3 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Audience and Setting
The church at Corinth, with all the saints in Achaia, per 2 Corinthians 1:12 Corinthians 1:1 · King James VersionPaul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2 Corinthians 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Paul writes to repair his relationship with the church, to urge completion of the collection for Jerusalem in 2 Corinthians 8–9, and to answer rivals who questioned his apostleship.
Rulers at the Time
2 Corinthians 11:322 Corinthians 11:32 · King James VersionIn Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
2 Corinthians 11:32 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) says the governor under Aretas the king guarded Damascus to catch Paul. That is Paul’s escape after his conversion, not the date of the letter. This page does not print Aretas’s reign dates, because a chronology was not checked for this essay.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| The painful visit and tearful letter | Paul refers to both. 2 Corinthians 2:1–42 Corinthians 2:1–4 · King James Version2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?2:3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.2 Corinthians 2:1–4 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Titus brings news | Paul in Macedonia is comforted. 2 Corinthians 7:62 Corinthians 7:6 · King James VersionNevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;2 Corinthians 7:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| The letter | About AD 55–56. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Corinth | Ancient Corinth, near modern Corinth, Peloponnese, Greece. | 2 Corinthians 1:12 Corinthians 1:1 · King James VersionPaul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:2 Corinthians 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Troas | Ruins of Alexandria Troas, Çanakkale Province, Turkey. | 2 Corinthians 2:122 Corinthians 2:12 · King James VersionFurthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,2 Corinthians 2:12 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Damascus | Damascus, Syria. | 2 Corinthians 11:322 Corinthians 11:32 · King James VersionIn Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:2 Corinthians 11:32 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
2 Corinthians 1–7 explain Paul’s change of travel plans and describe the ministry of the new covenant, treasure in earthen vessels, and reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 8–9 urge generous giving for the saints in Jerusalem. 2 Corinthians 10–13 defend Paul’s apostleship against false apostles, list his sufferings, and describe his thorn in the flesh.
Key Themes
Strength in weakness is the thread, stated in 2 Corinthians 12:92 Corinthians 12:9 · King James VersionAnd he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Reconciliation is the ministry in 2 Corinthians 5:18–202 Corinthians 5:18–20 · King James Version5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:18–20 · King James VersionOpen the Source. The new creation is in 2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17 · King James VersionTherefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Generous giving rests on Christ’s self-giving in 2 Corinthians 8:92 Corinthians 8:9 · King James VersionFor ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
The unity question is a fair literary debate, and either answer leaves Paul as author. Paul’s list of sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11:23–282 Corinthians 11:23–28 · King James Version11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:23–28 · King James VersionOpen the Source is often compared with Acts, which does not narrate every event Paul lists. That is a difference of coverage, not a contradiction.
How the Book Points to Christ
2 Corinthians 8:92 Corinthians 8:9 · King James VersionFor ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
2 Corinthians 8:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source says Christ was rich and became poor. 2 Corinthians 4:42 Corinthians 4:4 · King James VersionIn whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source calls him the image of God. 2 Corinthians 13:142 Corinthians 13:14 · King James VersionThe grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14 · King James VersionOpen the Source closes with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, a threefold blessing Christians read as Trinitarian. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
Codex Sinaiticus contains the letter. (6) No major variant changes its argument. The verse pages show this site’s Greek beside the King James.
Canon Reception
2 Corinthians was received among Paul’s undisputed letters. (2) (3) (4)
Further Reading
Who Wrote the Bible? covers the human authors. There is no separate authorship article for 2 Corinthians on this site yet.
References
- Second Letter to the Corinthians, 1:1; 2:13; 7:5–7; 11:322 Corinthians 1:1 · King James Version
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
2 Corinthians 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Church History, Book 3, 3.3.5; 3.25Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New Advent
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed him, but afterward, as I said, he followed Peter, who adapted his teaching to the needs of his hearers, but with no intention of giving a connected account of the Lord's discourses, so that Mark committed no error while he thus wrote some things as he remembered them. For he was careful of one thing, not to omit any of the things which he had heard, and not to state any of them falsely.
Papias, in Eusebius, Church History 3.39.15 · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, New AdventOpen the Source (Eusebius, Church History 3.3, 3.24–25, and 3.39, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 1, on New Advent. Chapter 25 sorts books into acknowledged, disputed, and rejected. Chapter 39 reports Papias on Mark and Matthew.) - Muratorian fragment, 2 CorinthiansMuratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5
Moreover, the Acts of all the Apostles are comprised by Luke in one book, and addressed to the most excellent Theophilus, because these different events took place when he was present himself; and he shows this clearly-i.e., that the principle on which he wrote was, to give only what fell under his own notice-by the omission of the passion of Peter, and also of the journey of Paul, when he went from the city-Rome-to Spain.
Muratorian fragment, on Acts · Roberts-Donaldson, Ante-Nicene Fathers 5Open the Source (Roberts-Donaldson translation, Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5. The Latin is damaged and the English follows restorations. The fragment lists the books read in the church and those rejected.) - Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, 2 Corinthians (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives 2 Corinthians as AD 55–56. It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Codex Sinaiticus, About the manuscriptCodex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus Project
Codex Sinaiticus, a manuscript of the Christian Bible written in the middle of the fourth century, contains the earliest complete copy of the Christian New Testament.
Codex Sinaiticus: content · Codex Sinaiticus ProjectOpen the Source (The Codex Sinaiticus project’s description of the manuscript, a fourth-century Greek Bible with the earliest complete copy of the New Testament.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.