Overview
In this addition to the well-received Paideia series, a respected senior New Testament scholar examines cultural context and theological meaning in Second Corinthians. Paideia commentaries explore how New Testament texts form Christian readers by
∙ attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs
∙ showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits
∙ commenting on the final, canonical form of each New Testament book
∙ focusing on the cultural, literary, and theological settings of the text
∙ making judicious use of maps, photos, and sidebars in a reader-friendly format
Students, pastors, and other readers will appreciate the historical, literary, and theological insight offered in this practical commentary.
∙ attending to the ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies the text employs
∙ showing how the text shapes theological convictions and moral habits
∙ commenting on the final, canonical form of each New Testament book
∙ focusing on the cultural, literary, and theological settings of the text
∙ making judicious use of maps, photos, and sidebars in a reader-friendly format
Students, pastors, and other readers will appreciate the historical, literary, and theological insight offered in this practical commentary.
Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction
2 Corinthians 1:1-2--The Letter Opening
2 Corinthians 1:3-2:13--Part 1: Ministerial Crises
2 Corinthians 1:3-11--A Prayer of Praise and the Asian Experience
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4--Paul's Defense of His Integrity
2 Corinthians 2:5-11--A Disciplinary Matter
2 Corinthians 2:12-13--Frustration in Troas
2 Corinthians 2:14-7:4--Part 2: Paul Explains and Defends His Apostolic Ministry
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6--Anxiety and Confidence
2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6--A Glorious Ministry
2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10--The Present and the Future
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10--A Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4--A Plea for Personal Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 7:5-16--Part 3: The Arrival and Report of Titus
2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15--Part 4: Service to God's Holy People
2 Corinthians 8:1-24--The Collection
2 Corinthians 9:1-15--A Further Appeal
2 Corinthians 10:1-13:10--Part 5: An Aggressive Taskmaster
2 Corinthians 10:1-18--Paul's Missionary Task
2 Corinthians 11:1-15--On the Attack
2 Corinthians 11:1-12:13--Boasting Like a Fool
2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10--Paul's Third Visit to Corinth
2 Corinthians 13:11-13--The Letter Closing
Indexes
Introduction
2 Corinthians 1:1-2--The Letter Opening
2 Corinthians 1:3-2:13--Part 1: Ministerial Crises
2 Corinthians 1:3-11--A Prayer of Praise and the Asian Experience
2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4--Paul's Defense of His Integrity
2 Corinthians 2:5-11--A Disciplinary Matter
2 Corinthians 2:12-13--Frustration in Troas
2 Corinthians 2:14-7:4--Part 2: Paul Explains and Defends His Apostolic Ministry
2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6--Anxiety and Confidence
2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6--A Glorious Ministry
2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10--The Present and the Future
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10--A Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 6:11-7:4--A Plea for Personal Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 7:5-16--Part 3: The Arrival and Report of Titus
2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15--Part 4: Service to God's Holy People
2 Corinthians 8:1-24--The Collection
2 Corinthians 9:1-15--A Further Appeal
2 Corinthians 10:1-13:10--Part 5: An Aggressive Taskmaster
2 Corinthians 10:1-18--Paul's Missionary Task
2 Corinthians 11:1-15--On the Attack
2 Corinthians 11:1-12:13--Boasting Like a Fool
2 Corinthians 12:14-13:10--Paul's Third Visit to Corinth
2 Corinthians 13:11-13--The Letter Closing
Indexes
Endorsements
"Collins's impressive scholarly achievements and vast teaching experience are evident in his commentary on 2 Corinthians. He deftly leads his readers through Paul's most challenging text. In addition to highlighting Paul's rhetorical strategies, Collins offers a lucid exposition of the apostle's defense of his ministry and his determination to help the Corinthians to embrace God's mysterious way of exhibiting power through weakness. I will strongly recommend that my students read this commentary, which continues the level of excellence set by its predecessors in the Paideia series."
Thomas D. Stegman, SJ, associate professor of New Testament and Professor Ordinarius in the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
"Collins writes in a beautiful and fluent style that is really reader-centered. He provides the necessary background information, cultural as well as literary. Yet most attention is given to Paul's sometimes tricky reasoning and ideas. Collins's theological reflection on specific topics is profound. He provides helpful sidebars that clarify the divisions of Paul's text or deal with specific textual difficulties and concepts. All this makes his work even more attractive. I very much recommend this commentary as a safe guide to those who want to get a first responsible acquaintance with this part of Paul's Corinthian correspondence as well as to those who are driven to serious study of this notably complex and intriguing Pauline text."
Jan Lambrecht, SJ, professor emeritus, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
Author
Raymond F. Collins
Raymond F. Collins (STD, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) is a Roman Catholic priest of the Diocese of Providence and the author of numerous books and commentaries. His books include New Testament Christology, New Testament Theology: Exploring Unity and Diversity, and God's Saving Grace: A Pauline Theology. Prior to his retirement, Collins was professor of New Testament at Catholic University of America. He lives in Saunderstown, Rhode Island.