General Comments on 2 Corinthians The letter comprising 1 Corinthians brought about a polarization in the Corinthian ecclesia. Some of the ecclesia, apparently the majority (cf. 2:6), observed Paul's admonitions. But, a faction hostile to Paul emerged. This group slandered Paul in his absence and appears to have sought to take control of the Corinthian Church. What motivated the antagonists is unclear. Perhaps some were offended at Paul's censures in the first letter and therefore sought to rid themselves of him. Or, maybe they took advantage of Paul's prolonged absence to promote themselves at his expense. Regardless, this group attacked Paul's character and put themselves up as faithful Christians commended by the Jerusalem Church (cf. 3:1). The result is this letter is loaded with polemical arguments intended to defend Paul's character and attack his antagonists (e.g., 1:15-17, 2:17, 3:1, 11:3-4, 11:18-33, 12:1-5, 12:12-18). Failing to read this letter in that light leaves the reader wondering what Paul is talking about. This letter appears to have followed fairly soon after the delivery of the 1 Cor. letter, given the comment on the excommunication of the individual cited in 1 Cor. 5, cf. 2:5-11. How soon after is unclear, but I would assume it was a matter of only months. Comments on 2 Corinthians 1 v8 is probably referring to the events of Acts 19. v17-20 The KJV on v. 17 is a more literal translation. The New American Standard paraphrases it and makes it more comprehensible: Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or that which I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes, yes and no, no at the same time? Paul's intent in v. 17-20 is to respond to accusations of vacillating regarding his visit to Corinth. His enemies appear to be using this particular point to say that it is typical for him. His reply is that on worldly matters, according to the flesh (v. 17), he is not vacillating because he fully intended on visiting them (v. 15) but did not do so because of his desire to not afflict the Corinthians with his harsh punishment (v. 23). He is therefore not acting in a contradictory manner (v. 18). He then goes on to address his spiritual consistency in preaching Christ to them, and their spiritual unity in Christ. In doing so Paul's intention is to draw a line and exclude those who are his enemies by insinuating they are the ones vacillating in more important spiritual things by rejecting the Lord's anointed (v. 20-21). v23-24 are best grouped with 2:1-5. Paul is saying he wanted to spare them his presence (v. 23) and the grief it would cause when he censured the ecclesia and excommunicated people (cf. 2:1-5). That is why he wrote the letter instead of coming in person (cf. 2:3). Comments on 2 Corinthians 2 v6-11 are referring to the person cited in 1 Cor. 5:1 and encouraging the ecclesia to fellowship the individual and encourage him to repent, so that all of them might be obedient in all things. Comments on 2 Corinthians 4 v18 This parallelism of seen and not seen with temporal and eternal things is a common theme for Paul, cp. Rom. 8:24, Col. 1:16, 1 Tim. 1:17. Heavenly things are eternal and they go unseen by mortals unless the Spirit reveals them. Comments on 2 Corinthians 12 v2 "third heaven", there are three "heavens" spoken of in the Scriptures: the firmament, the stars (i. e., outer space), and where God dwells. LDS people see Paul as referring to the third glory in heaven, or the Celestial Kingdom by cross reference with 1 Cor. 15:41. However, most, if not all, other non-LDS commentators see this as referring to the heaven in which God dwells. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.