Paul's writings to the Christians at Corinth appear as only two epistles in the Bible. But within these two, some scholars feel there is evidence of four letters.
I Cor. 5: 9 most likely refers to a previous letter, the first of Paul's communications, which urged the church at Corinth to disassociate itself from immorality. The message evidently had little effect, or I Corinthians (the second letter from Paul), with its discussion of this same subject, would not have been necessary. Yet this second letter also met with listless inactivity and even active opposition. While the Corinthians admitted Paul's letters were weighty and strong, some were inclined to sneer at his unimpressive physical appearance and to call his speech contemptible (a fact mentioned in the later message of II Cor. 10-13). Nor had the second letter been effective in correcting moral laxity.
At this stage, Paul may have visited Corinth, hoping to put the matter straight. At the writing of I Corinthians, he had visited Corinth only once (when he founded the church) while II Cor. 13:1 records his hope to visit a "third time." A second visit, then, probably occurred between the writing of I Corinthians and II Cor. 10-13.
The visit itself proved to be a sorrowful occasion, made "in heaviness" as (II Cor. 2: 1) would recall. Paul returned to Ephesus perhaps with the memory still weighing heavily upon his mind, and there he composed the stern remarks found in II Cor. 10-13:10.
A careful study of II Corinthians suggests that the sternness and grave misgivings as to the strife at Corinth in Chapters 10-13 do not align with the same theme of joy and gratitude over the allegiance of the Corinthians in Chapters 1-9. Most scholars thus believe these are two separate letters. The so-called "stern letter" of II Cor. 10-13 apparently reflects difficulties surrounding Paul's second visit to Corinth and was probably written before chapters 1-9, which seem to reflect Paul's later joy concerning the responsiveness that finally surfaced in the Corinthian church.
In II Cor. 10—13 Paul rejects the accusation that he walked "according to the flesh" (10:2); challenges the rivalry of factions and false apostles at Corinth, conditions that would undermine the church he had founded (see w. 8-14; 11:13-15); and he defends the purity of the gospel he preaches (see 11:3). He claims full authority for his own apostleship, appending the famous list of trials and afflictions he had undergone in his ministry: imprisonment and scourging, shipwreck and stoning, labor and travail, cold and hunger (see vv. 5, 23-33).
Paul also writes of that remarkable experience of which he might well have been tempted to boast—revelation too sacred to utter (see 12:1-4). Yet he adds that lest he be "exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations," he had been given "a thorn in the flesh" (v. 7). Whatever Paul's affliction was, he accepted the divine assurance (v. 9), "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." The great missionary work of the apostle—wonders and signs—confirms that gracious dispensation (see v. 12).
Paul hoped to make a third visit to Corinth, but before leaving Ephesus he was to face stiff trials (see Acts 19:21-41). To understand the situation there, it helps to recall the chief "glory" of this metropolis: its elaborate temple of Artemis, or Diana, whose size and spectacular construction made it one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Luke's account in Acts suggests that silversmiths of Ephesus made models of the temple and sold them to worshipers.
The ministry of Paul had an adverse effect upon this trade, turning people away from charms and superstitions. This was evident to Demetrius, whose speech incited a mob to seize two disciples, Gaius and Aristarchus, crying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." Paul, eager to go to their defense, was dissuaded by friends. After some two hours the town clerk quieted the crowd, declaring that such civil issues be settled at court. In II Cor. 1:8-10 Paul recalls the seriousness of the afflictions that befell him in Asia; yet he was to thank God for deliverance from "so great a death."
Following the incident the apostle set out for Macedonia, taking with him Gaius and Aristarchus as well as Timothy. He went by way of Troas, where he preached the gospel and also hoped to find Titus with news from Corinth. But Titus was not at Troas when he arrived (see II Cor. 2:12, 13). Pushing on into Macedonia, Paul encountered some bitter opposition and even doubts among his friends, although he also found generosity, for which he was grateful (see II Cor. 7:5; 8:1-4).
To Paul's great comfort Titus did finally return (probably in the latter part of a.d. 55) along with encouraging news. The Christians of Corinth were conscience-stricken recognizing their faults and seeking to make amends. It was a chastened and repentant church to which the apostle would now write of his new joy and gratitude—quite probably the kind of letter we find in II Cor. 1-9 and its ending, II Cor. 13:11-14. This was Paul's fourth message to Corinth, composed (according to tradition) at Philippi.
Paul's letter pours forth comfort for the Corinthians, reassuring those who share the trials of the gospel that they will have part in its comforts. In proof he recounts the great dangers (such as those at Ephesus) he had been enabled to escape through divine deliverance. While his previous letter seemed severe, he says it was written in love, not anger, adding that it had cost him "affliction and anguish . . . with many tears" (2:4). The Corinthians in their repentance may have decided to punish the chief offender in their church. But Paul would have them forgive and comfort even him, "lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow" (v. 7).
There follows in Chapter 3 the great exposition of the ministry for which Paul had been qualified. It was spiritual, not literal; a new covenant, not written on stone (as with the Hebrew law) but in the hearts of Christians. Receiving the law at Horeb, Moses' face shone with glory, it is true; but that radiance was only temporary. The light of the gospel was to be even more glorious, as well as permanent. This reflection of the glory of the Lord was to transform the Christian into that very image, rising from glory to glory.
Indeed, perplexity, persecution, and even being (as Paul was) face-to-face with death were as nothing when compared to the reward to come. The promise of eternal life awaited the Christian, with mortality being "swallowed up of life" (5:4).
There seems to be a break in the letter from II Cor. 6:14 to 7:1 (which many scholars consider a fragment from Paul's original message to the Corinthians). However 7: 2 seems to pick up again the argument from 6:13, and Paul goes on to discuss his deep gratitude that his letter brought not just sorrow and repentance to the church but also reform.
In his closing, Paul offers the Corinthians the gracious words of II Cor. 13:11, "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."
