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2 Corinthians Commentaries & Sermons

Updated: Sat, 12/01/2018 - 13:21 By admin

1 Corinthians Galatians

2 CORINTHIANS RESOURCES
Commentaries, Sermons, Illustrations, Devotionals


2 CORINTHIANS - PAUL'S MINISTRY IN THE LIGHT OF THE INDESCRIBABLE GIFT
Click chart to enlarge
Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission
Another Overview Chart - Second Corinthians - Charles Swindoll
Another Overview Chart

Overview of
Second Corinthians
2Co 1:1-7:16
Character
of Paul		 2Co 8:1-9:15
Collection
for the Saints		 2Co 10:1-12:21
Credentials
of Paul
Testimonial & Didactic Practical Apologetic
Past:
Misunderstanding & Explanation		 Present:
Practical Project		 Future:
Anxieties
Apostle's Conciliation, Ministry & Exhortations Apostle's Solicitation for Judean Saints Apostle's Vindication
of Himself
Forgiveness, Reconciliation
Gratitude		 Confidence Vindication

Ephesus to Macedonia:
Change of Itinerary
Explained

Macedonia: Preparation for Visit to Corinth

To Corinth:
Certainty and Imminence
of the Visit

2Co 1:1-7:16

2Co 8:1-9:15

2Co 10:1-12:21

2Corinthians written ~ 56-57AD - see Chronological Table of Paul's Life and Ministry

Adapted & modified from Jensen's Survey of the New Testament (Highly Recommended Resource) & Wilkinson's Talk Thru the Bible

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS
2 CORINTHIANS

CITY OF CORINTH - Corinth was the capital of Achaia and located 40 miles west of Athens on the narrow isthmus connecting Peloponnese (on the south) with northern mainland of Greece (all uses of "Corinth" - Acts 18:1; 19:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1, 23; 2 Tim. 4:20). Corinth was located between the Aegean and Adriatic Seas (see map below) and was a port city about five miles in circumference just south of the sharply rising 2000 foot Acrocorinth (see picture and see map "G") from which Athens could be seen on a clear day.  The Temple of Aphrodite (Roman = Venus) was located on the Acrocorinth and housed the 1000 "priestesses" employed as hierodouloi (from hieros = consecrated to deity +  doulos = bondservants) who served as temple prostitutes to facilitate idolatrous "worship" (cf "sacred prostitution"). As an aside it is notable that Scripture often associates sexual immorality (porneia) with idolatry (eidololatreia) (cf 1 Cor 5:11, 6:9, Eph 5:5-note, Rev 2:20-note, Rev 21:8-note). And remember that Paul also associated idolatry with covetousness writing that "greed...amounts to idolatry." (Col 3:5-note, Eph 5:5-note) Worship at the temple involved sexual encounters with these "priestesses" and this attracted "worshipers" from all across the Roman world. It is even recorded that the sandals of these notorious priestesses of Aphrodite were studded with an imprint that spelled our "Follow me" in the dust of the street (What a contrast with Jesus' call to "Follow Me" - Mt 4:19)! One cannot help but think of similar seductive pictures found on the internet even on seemingly innocent sites such as news pages! Clearly this illicit "worship" was a great temptation to the Christians at Corinth (just as is the internet to Christian's today!) as evidenced by Paul's exhortations and warnings in this first letter (1 Cor 5:1, 9,10, 11, 1 Cor 6:9-11, 12-17, 18, 19, 20). The immoral condition of Corinth is vividly seen in the fact that the Greek term (coined by Aristophanes) Korinthiazomai (lit., to act the Corinthian) came to mean "to practice fornication." Aleiphro wrote "I did not enter Corinth after all, for I learned in a short time the sordidness of the rich there and the misery of the poor." 

"Ships wanting to avoid the dangerous trip around the southern tip of Greece were dragged across that isthmus. The city boasted an outdoor theater that accommodated 20,000 people (See reconstruction of Corinth circa A D 100), athletic games second only to the Olympics, a Greek, Roman, and Oriental population....There were taverns on the south side of the marketplace, and many drinking vessels have been dug up from those liquor lockers. Corinth was noted for everything sinful." (Charles Ryrie) Every shop in the city had a deep, spring-fed well in which to cool containers of wine. Strabo wrote that "All the people of Corinth gorge themselves." It was even customary in stage plays for actors to come on stage drunk.

In the picture below note the agora which was the city's marketplace and the Bema which was the judgment seat. Corinth had an extensive commerce, like all the large towns on the Mediterranean Sea, and became celebrated for its wealth, magnificence, and learning. Corinth's pottery, brass and marble for building columns were famous throughout the world. The city is now desolate with just a little village near the ancient Corinth. There is, however, a modern city of Corinth, a few miles away, with about twenty thousand inhabitants. Archaeologists have also discovered a broken lintel (part of a door) bearing the Greek description "synagogue of Hebrews."

Paul preached at Corinth about A.D. 53 for eighteen months (Acts 18:11). He paid Corinth a short second visit during the period A.D. 54–57, not mentioned specifically in Acts but implied in 1 Cor. 16:7; 2 Cor. 12:14; 13:1, where he speaks of an intended third journey to Corinth which coincides with that in Acts 20:2. He spent three winter months in Corinth (A.D. 57 and 58), during which he wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Acts 20:2, 3 [cf. 1 Cor. 16:6]; Rom. 16:1).


Click to Enlarge
From Cryptotheology

Kay Arthur adds that "Sin abounded in the cosmopolitan city of Corinth...The Corinthians were intrigued by Greek philosophy and captivated by the disciplined training and athletic events (see events) held at the Isthmus (see Isthmian Games). At one time the city was home to at least 12 pagan temples. The people desperately needed to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, the One crucified for sinners. The worship ceremonies carried out by a thousand temple prostitutes connected with the temple of Aphrodite (the goddess of love) bred blatant immorality throughout Corinth....Prostitutes openly plied their "wares," and meat markets thrived on sales from the sacrifices offered in the temples. The Corinthians ate well, satisfied their sexual urges without condemnation, flirted with the wisdom of men, and did all they could to keep their bodies as beautiful as those of the Greek gods. They loved to listen to great orators. For the 250,000 citizens (not slaves) there were almost two slaves per person (Ed: Therefore the total population was about 700,000). What more did Corinth need? Freedom! Freedom from sin and death. God met that need by blocking Paul at every hand on his second missionary journey (cf Acts 16:6, 7, 8) until he received the Macedonian call "Come and help us." (Acts 16:9) After establishing the Corinthian church, Paul eventually went to Ephesus, where he stayed for three years. From there he wrote his first epistle to the Corinthian believers, who so desperately needed help and correction. It was sometime between A.D. 52 and A. D. 56." (Discover the Bible for Yourself) 

In summary, Corinth was a city with a prevalent pagan influence and a plethora of perversions (1 Cor 6:9,10) but despite these apparent obstacles to the Gospel, the Spirit enabled Paul to plant a church in the center of vice and idolatry on his Second Missionary journey (1 Cor 3:6, 10; 4:15; Acts 18:1–7). 


Click to enlarge
Middletown Bible

Dictionary Articles on Corinth:

COMPARISON OF
1ST AND 2ND CORINTHIANS
1 CORINTHIANS 2 CORINTHIANS
Objective
and practical		 Subjective
and Personal
Insight into the Character
of an Early Church		 Insight into the Character
and Ministry of Paul
Deliberate
Instruction		 Impassioned
Testimony
Warns Against 
Pagan Influences		 Warns Against
Judaistic Influences
From Irving Jensen

HENRY ALFORD
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY
The New Testament for English Readers

Read his fascinating brief biography - Henry Alford and Phil Johnson's related comments

James Rosscup writes that Alford's series on the New Testament "contains much that is valuable in the Greek New Testament...though all of the Greek New Testament words have been changed to English throughout." (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works or Logos)

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (see his comments in following entry on Alford).

Editorial Note: If you are not proficient in Greek, you will find this work considerably more useful than the following work by Alford, because in this volume he translates the Greek and Latin into English. While the "The Greek New Testament" is longer (e.g., English version of 1John = 66 pages compared to Greek version = 94 pages in part because the latter includes comments of more technical nature), the substance of the commentary is otherwise similar to that found in the "NT for English Readers".

HENRY ALFORD
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY
The Greek New Testament

James Rosscup writes that "This was the great work in the life of the versatile Dean of Canterbury. An outcome of this production was the New Testament for English Readers (4 vols.). Alford was a Calvinist, conservative and premillennial, though not dispensational. He takes a literal interpretation of the thousand years in Rev. 20 and has a famous quote there, is strong on sovereign election as in Ro 8:29, 30 and 1Pe 1:2, but, unfortunately, holds to baptismal regeneration in such texts as Titus 3:5 and John 3:5. He shows a great knowledge of the Greek text and faces problems of both a doctrinal and textual nature." (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works or Logos)

John Piper writes ""When I’m stumped with a...grammatical or syntactical or logical [question] in Paul, I go to Henry Alford. Henry Alford...comes closer more consistently than any other human commentator to asking my kinds of questions."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon writes that this text "is an invaluable aid to the critical study of the text of the New Testament. You will find in it the ripened results of a matured scholarship, the harvesting of a judgment, generally highly impartial, always worthy of respect, which has gleaned from the most important fields of Biblical research, both modern and ancient, at home and abroad. You will not look here for any spirituality of thought or tenderness of feeling; you will find the learned Dean does not forget to do full justice to his own views, and is quite able to express himself vigorously against his opponents; but for what it professes to be, it is an exceedingly able and successful work. The later issues are by far the most desirable, as the author has considerably revised the work in the fourth edition. What I have said of his Greek Testament applies equally to Alford’s New Testament for English Readers,* which is also a standard work." (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to my Students, Vol. 4: Commenting and Commentaries; Lectures Addressed to the students of the Pastors' College, Metropolitan Tabernacle)

MIKE ANDRUS
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

About 180 pages of sermons on 2 Corinthians - recommended.

WILLIAM BARCLAY
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY
Daily Study Bible

D Edmond Hiebert - Uses author's own translation. Especially valuable for the historical background material presented. Good word studies and various illustrations. (from Hiebert's critique of Barclay on Peter's epistles - "Barclay holds that Christ's descent into Hades gave those who there heard Him a second chance.")

Comment: I appreciate Barclay's unique insights on Greek words, but clearly his teaching about a "second chance" is NOT sound doctrine! Be an Acts 17:11 Berean with Barclay. See discussion of his orthodoxy especially the article "The Enigmatic William Barclay".

ALBERT BARNES
2 CORINTHIANS
COMMENTARY

James Rosscup writes that Barnes "includes 16 volumes on the Old Testament, 11 on the New Testament. The New Testament part of this old work was first published in 1832–1851. Various authors contributed. It is evangelical and amillennial...Often the explanations of verses are very worthwhile." (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works or Logos)

C H Spurgeon "Albert Barnes is a learned and able divine, but his productions are unequal in value, the gospels are of comparatively little worth, but his other comments are extremely useful for Sunday-school teachers and persons with a narrow range of reading, endowed with enough good sense to discriminate between good and evil....Placed by the side of the great masters, Barnes is a lesser light, but taking his work for what it is and professes to be, no minister can afford to be without it, and this is no small praise for works which were only intended for Sunday-school teachers." (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to my Students, Vol. 4: Commenting and Commentaries; Lectures Addressed to the students of the Pastors' College, Metropolitan Tabernacle)

BRIAN BELL
2 CORINTHIANS
 SERMON NOTES

JOHANN A BENGEL
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY
Gnomon of the New Testament

James Rosscup writes "This work (Gnomon), originally issued in 1742, has considerable comment on the Greek, flavoring the effort with judicious details about the spiritual life. It has much that helps, but has been surpassed by many other commentaries since its day." (Commentaries for Biblical Expositors: An Annotated Bibliography of Selected Works or Logos)

JOHANN BENGEL
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY
The Critical English Testament

Similar to above but less Greek. 

C H Spurgeon -- "'A Critical New Testament, so compiled as to enable a reader, unacquainted with Greek, to ascertain the exact English force and meaning of the language of the New Testament, and to appreciate the latest results of modern criticism.' Such is the professed aim of this commentary, and the compilers have very fairly carried out their intentions. The whole of Bengel’s Gnomon is bodily transferred into the work, and as one hundred and twenty years have elapsed since the first issue of that book, it may be supposed that much has since been added to the wealth of Scripture exposition; the substance of this has been incorporated in brackets, so as to bring it down to the present advanced state of knowledge. We strongly advise the purchase of this book, as it is multum in parvo, and will well repay an attentive perusal. Tischendorf and Alford have contributed largely, with other German and English critics, to make this one of the most lucid and concise commentaries on the text and teachings of the New Testament" (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to my Students, Vol. 4: Commenting and Commentaries; Lectures Addressed to the students of the Pastors' College, Metropolitan Tabernacle)

J H BERNARD
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY
Expositor's Greek Testament

JOSEPH BEET
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

D Edmond Hiebert - A clear and full interpretation by a British Methodist scholar of the past century. Its doctrinal summaries are intended as a contribution to systematic theology.

BIBLE.ORG RESOURCES
Resources that Reference 2 Corinthians

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR
2 CORINTHIANS
Joseph Exell, Editor

JOHN CALVIN
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

CAMBRIDGE BIBLE FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
2 CORINTHIANS

RICH CATHERS
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMON NOTES

ADAM CLARKE
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

Click brief critique of Clarke

RON DANIEL
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

BOB DEFFINBAUGH
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

JAMES DENNEY
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

The Expositor's Bible (1906)

CHARLES ELLICOTT, EDITOR
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

E H Plumptre author of this commentary

DOUG GOINS
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

GOT QUESTIONS
"The Bible Has Answers"

GOT QUESTIONS  A very informative website which answers questions from a strictly Biblical perspective.

JOE GUGLIELMO
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

DAVE GUZIK
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

MATTHEW HENRY
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

CHARLES HODGE
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

Cyril Barber - First published in 1859. This doctrinal commentary demonstrates the importance of exegesis in proper, biblical exposition. Also reveals the many facets of the apostle Paul's ministry. (The Minister's Library - Volume 2)

INTERVARSITY PRESS
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

Cyril Barber - Belleville, Linda L. Second Corinthians. IVP New Testament Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995. A careful study of 2 Corinthians that contains many new insights. The author aims at elucidating the meaning of the text, and in this she succeeds. A popular resource. (The Minister's Library Volume 2)

2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 5

2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 7

2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 13

JAMIESON, FAUSSET, BROWN
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

 Below are links to the unabridged version of JFB:

LANGE'S COMMENTARY
2 CORINTHIANS 
C F Kling

D Edmond Hiebert - A voluminous conservative Lutheran exposition. The epistles are divided into convenient paragraphs, with the material under each section appearing in three parts, exegetical and critical, doctrinal and ethical, homiletical and practical. Contains much rich ore to be mined by those willing to dig into its closely printed pages.

S LEWIS JOHNSON
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

JOHN MACARTHUR
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

Questions and Answers - John MacArthur

MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
2 CORINTHIANS 
Conservative, Evangelical

SERMONS AND STUDIES
ON 2 CORINTHIANS

BEST COMMENTARIES

Some older works are difficult to find, but are nevertheless very useful. These include:

H. A. W. Meyer (Bannerman, 1884);

A. Plummer (T. & T. Clark, 1915);

C. Hodge (1857)

J. H. Bernard, in vol. 3 of the Expositor's Greek Testament (1903).

J. Denney's (1894) older and out-of-print work is most reliable and helpful throughout.

CYRIL BARBER - Recommendations for your library - The Minister's Library 3 and The Minister's Library 2 . See also 850 books for Biblical Expositors.

  • Barnett, Paul William. The Message of 2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988. With remarkable brevity Barnett gets to the heart of Paul's second letter to the believers in Corinth. He cuts through extraneous material and presents his readers with a clear exposition of the meaning of the text.
  • *Barrett, Charles Kingsley. A Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Harper's New Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, 1973. †An exegetical study that will be of help to the expository preacher. Barrett is always worth consulting.
  • Barnett, Paul William. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997. Replaces the famous volume by the late Philip E. Hughes. Assumes the unity of the letter, for which extensive argument is offered. Combines careful exegesis with a vindication of Paul’s person, mission and message. Exposes the teaching of “false apostles,” and discusses the resurrection and the hope of a new body. Not as good as Hughes, so if you have the former NICNT work, hold on to it.
  • Baughen, Michael. Strengthened by Struggle: The Stress Factor in 2 Corinthians. Wheaton, Ill.: Harold Shaw Publishers, 1984. "Baughen has effectively mixed his scholarship and pastoral gifts to bring us fresh insight into St. Paul's remarkable second letter to the Corinthian congregation. What he has demonstrated ... is that the doctrinal and moral issues that tore at the soul of Corinth are still with us today" (Gordon MacDonald).
  • Baumann, J. Daniel. Confronted by Love. Ventura, Calif: Regal Books, 1985. A brief exposition of God's principles for daily living from 2 Corinthians. Designed for adult discussion groups. It is to be regretted that this book was published on newsprint. The appearance alone will militate against widespread acceptance.
  • Belleville, Linda L. Second Corinthians. IVP New Testament Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995. A careful study of 2 Corinthians that contains many new insights. The author aims at elucidating the meaning of the text, and in this she succeeds. A popular resource.
  • Bratcher, Robert Galveston. A Translator's Guide to Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians. New York: United Bible Societies, 1983. This work is not a full-length commentary but, rather, an exegetical work dealing with problems translators face as they seek to bridge the gap between the world of the first century A.D. and the different cultures in which Paul's "successors" minister today
  • Bultmann, Rudolf Karl. The Second Letter to the Corinthians. Translated by R. A. Harrisville. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1985. Rearranges the text. Deals extensively with Paul's behavior in Corinth and provides important discussions of the words used to describe key concepts in his theology. Valuable references to Greek literature are interspersed throughout the text. Well-produced. 7
  • Danker, Frederick W. Second Corinthians. Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1989. Danker is a careful expositor and a man of remarkable erudition and perception. Here is a brief exposition that many will find helpful.
  • Garland, David E. Second Corinthians. New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999. An excellent exposition that is fully abreast of the latest scholarship. Deals adequately with Greek nuances, and combines historical and cultural material with an explanation of the theme of Paul’s letter. Of great value to preachers.
  • Gromacki, Robert Glenn. Stand Firm in the Faith: An Exposition of II Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1979. A well-balanced exposition using the text of the KJV Provides an excellent treatment of Paul's theme. Gives evidence of Gromacki's exemplary use of the original Greek. Recommended. 
  • Hafemann, Scott J. Suffering and Ministry in the Spirit: Paul's Defense of His Ministry in II Corinthians 2:14--3:3. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990. Through careful and thorough exegesis
  • Hafemann shows how Paul portrays himself as "the Spirit-giver who suffers," whose importance as a God-sent revelatory agent of the Spirit is such that rejection of him is rejection of God. (He could as easily have developed the line of the theocracy and reached the same conclusion.) One pleasing feature of Hafemann's work is that, contrary to most modern biblical scholarship, he sees the unity and coherence of Paul's argument.
  • Hendricksen, William. New Testament Commentary. Vol. 14, II Corinthians by Simon J. Kistemacher. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997. A pedantic work that expounds the text but offers little help when it comes to applying the truth of the Word to the life of the believer.
  • Kent, Homer Austin, Jr. A Heart Opened Wide: Studies in II Corinthians. New Testament Studies. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1982. In his inimitable style, Kent expounds the theme of 2 Corinthians. His material is well researched and presented in a capable manner so that readers may draw maximum benefit from their study of this apostolic letter.
  • Laurin, Roy L. Second Corinthians: Where Life Endures. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1985. With genuine devotional warmth, Laurin explains how life endures and matures in accordance with the plan and purpose of God. Recommended.
  • Martin, Ralph Philip. Second Corinthians. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1986. A learned commentary, fully abreast of the latest literary scholarship. The bibliographies at the beginning of each section are most helpful. The exegesis is such as to bring out new thoughts with a minimum of repetition from other commentators. Scant attention is paid, however, to the theme of the epistle. The primary values of this scholarly volume, therefore, lie in Martin's handling of the Greek text and his bibliographic references.
  • Thrall, Margaret E. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. In process. Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1994- . Replaces the earlier work by Plummer. Gives evidence of the writer’s exacting scholarship. Makes plain the meaning of the original text. From the distinctions drawn by Miss Thrall the perceptive pastor should be able to enliven and sharpen the focus of each expository message that he bases on this very personal epistle.

CHRIS BENFIELD - sermons

CRAIG BLOMBERG

JIM BOMKAMP

W A CRISWELL - sermons

HENRY MORRIS

Paul's second canonical epistle to the church he founded at Corinth (there probably were at least two other letters he wrote to Corinth, but these have not been preserved—see 1 Corinthians 5:9 for a specific reference to one of them) was probably written less than a year after the first. It is uncertain whether it was written while he was still at Ephesus (Acts 19:10) or later at Philippi (Acts 20:1-6). In any case, there is almost complete unanimity among scholars that 2 Corinthians was indeed written by Paul. Like 1 Corinthians, it is cited by numerous church leaders in the second century (Clement, Irenaeus, Polycarp, etc.). After Paul's departure from Corinth, the church had been injured spiritually, not only by the divisions and immorality discussed by him in 1 Corinthians but also by certain of the "Christ party" (1 Corinthians 1:12), who were now falsely claiming to be apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:7; 11:13), and trying to undermine Paul's teachings. They were corrupting God's Word (2 Corinthians 2:17), and Paul was forced both to defend himself and to rebuke these false teachers with great severity (2 Corinthians 10:7-12:13). The epistle also notes with approval that the immorality condemned in the first epistle had been effectively disciplined (2 Corinthians 2:1-11). Paul's definition and defense of the ministry and true ministers of God in 2 Corinthians 3-6 is especially noteworthy, as is his discussion of the Christian grace of giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9. In summary, the two Corinthian epistles are filled with rich spiritual and doctrinal truths and also with stern rebuke against sin and heresy, and also as abundant instruction for practical Christian living.

DEVOTIONALS - All of the devotionals below are compiled by chapter and verse.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH JACKSON - J LIGON DUNCAN, DEREK THOMAS, et al

GOSPEL COALITION

JAMES GRAY

HOLMAN PUBLISHING

DAVID HOLWICK - frequent use of illustrations

DAVID LEGGE

LIFEWAY - sermons

LIGONIER MINISTRY - Devotionals

JOHN MACARTHUR

MARTIN MANSER - Dictionary of Bible Themes 

Enter chapter and verse at top of page to retrieve the topics on a given verse. Click topic for short definition and list of Scriptures related to that topic. Very interesting. See example below:

2 Corinthians 1:1

     1651   numbers, 1-2
     5109   Paul, apostle
     5391   letters
     5661   brothers
     7120   Christians
     7709   apostles, authority

2 Corinthians 1:1-2

     5328   greeting

ROD MATTOON - frequent illustrations

J VERNON MCGEE

MONERGISM 

PHIL NEWTON - Mp3 only for the sermons without a link. Click for audios of all sermons.

WILLIAM ORR

MEYER PEARLMAN

MATT POSTIFF

  • Introduction (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 The Obedience of Forgiveness (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Fragrant Christianity (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 3:1-3. Hearty Letters of Recommendation (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 3:4-6. God?s Sufficiency in Ministry (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 3:7-11. Much More Glory (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 3:12-18. Open Glory or A Modern-Day Moses (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 4:1. God-Given Mercy (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 4:7-9. Weak Minister, Powerful Message, Part 1 (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1. A Lasting Body (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Reconciliation! (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. Diplomatic Christianity (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 6:1-2. Present Grace: Operating in Life (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. Demonstrating a Genuine Ministry (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 6:11-13. Reciprocal Love (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1. Nothing in Common (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 7:2-7. Honest Care and Comfort (doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 7:8-16 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 8:6-15 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 9:1-7 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 9:8-15 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 10:7-18 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 12:1-6 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 12:11-18 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 12:19-13:4 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 (doc)
  • 2 Corinthians 13:7-14 (doc)

WIL POUNDS

REFORMATION STUDY BIBLE

RICK RENNER Sparkling Gems from the Greek

  • 2 Corinthians 11:27 -Excerpt - Is It Time for You To Make An Attitude Adjustment? In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.2 Corinthians 11:27 I remember an employee we once had in our ministry who got distressed because she was transferred to an area of the ministry that didn't have air control to suit her taste. Those in charge tried to adjust the thermostat to her liking, but they could never seem to please this indi­vidual. First it was too cold, and then it was too hot. And that was just the beginning. Next, this per­son complained because her office didn't have a window. Nothing we could do seemed to please this worker. Because I believed this employee had great potential, I personally went to her to discuss her impossible-to-please attitude. If that employee was going to reach the level God desired for her, it would require a serious attitude change on her part. I wanted this unreasonable complaining to stop. When we hired this person, we had never agreed that she would be provided with a window or that we would meet the ideal atmospheric conditions she demanded. I talked through these complaints one at a time with this employee. We had bent over back­wards to make this person happy; now it was time for this employee to quit complaining and make an attitude adjustment in order to make me happy. Her constant complaining was bringing a spirit of discord into our organization that I didn't like. I decided I would not tolerate it any longer. When I first spoke to this person, she showed thankfulness for the correction. But by the next week, she was back at it again - mumbling, murmuring, complaining, and sowing seeds of discord. The temperature wasn't right; the chair at the desk wasn't comfortable; the lunch hour wasn't the exact time she desired; there was no window in her office, and on and on and on. When I saw that this employee wasn't going to make the attitude adjustment I required, I decided to make an adjust­ment myself by removing her from our staff. That was that person's last week in our office. It is unacceptable for us as Spirit-filled believers to be complaining people. After all, we are the ones who claim to possess the power of Almighty God! (Click for entire devotional)
  • 2 Corinthians 13:4 - Excerpt -  The Holy Spirit — A Partner Who Wants To Take Responsibility For You in This Life! The 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 Most all of us would say we want to live a victorious Christian life. But without daily communion with the Holy Spirit, it's impossible to attain that goal. Communion with the Holy Spirit is the launching pad for a life of supernatural power and consistency. In Second Corinthians 13:14, Paul says, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." I want you to notice the word "communion" in this verse, because communion with the Spirit is what we are talking about today. The word "communion" is the Greek word koinonia, a word that has a whole flavor of meanings, but one primary meaning is that of partnership. An example of koinonia conveying the idea of partnership can be found in Luke 5:7 after Jesus supplied a miraculous catch of fish. After the fishermen had fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side. When they obeyed, they caught such a massive amount of fish that the nets began to break! (Click for entire devotional)

RAYMOND SAXE

  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ( doc, pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:8-11 (pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 5:14-16 (pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 (pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 8:5 (pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 8:9 (pdf)
  • 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (pdf)

SAM STORMS

JAMES VAN DINE

JOHN WHITCOMB

COMMENTARIES
ON 2 CORINTHIANS

HENRY ALFORD

PAUL APPLE

JOHANN BENGEL

J H BERNARD

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

GEORGE CLARK

THOMAS CONSTABLE - expository notes, well-done

JAMES DENNEY

CHARLES ELLICOTT

WILLIAM EVANS

A C GAEBELEIN

GENE GETZ - essential principles, short videos

  • 2 Corinthians 1:1-7; A Perspective on Suffering: With God's help, we should view our afflictions as opportunities to encourage and comfort others who are suffering. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 1:8-11;  Prayer and Protection: When comforting others who are suffering, we should combine our concern with corporate prayer. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4; Transparent Communication: When our motives and actions are misunderstood, we should be open and honest with God, ourselves, and those who are confused or even critical. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Spiritual Restoration: When we confront sin in the life of a fellow Christian, our primary goal should always be repentance and restoration. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Concern and Anxiety: As brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, we should expect periods of anxiety that relate to the impact of sin on our relationships. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Living Letters: We are to evaluate our ministry effectiveness by the Christlike changes that take place in people's lives. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; An Eternal Perspective: No matter what our circumstances in this life, we are to focus on God's grace and eternal values. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1-21; Modeling the Message: To expose false religious leaders, we must first and foremost live authentic lives that demonstrate our faithfulness to Jesus Christ and His message. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 6:3-13; A True Test: To evaluate the depth of our commitment to Christ, we should consider the degree we are willing to endure discomfort as ambassadors for Christ. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Proper Relationships: We should maintain spiritual fellowship with authentic spiritual leaders and avoid relationships with false prophets and deceptive teachers. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 7:2-16; Positive Feedback: We should look for opportunities to give positive feedback to those who serve as our spiritual leaders. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; Models of Generosity: All local communities of faith are to be models of generosity to other churches. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 8:8-15;  Motivated by Love: Though we have an obligation to be generous, our primary motivation for giving should be our love for God and for one another. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Financial Integrity: When receiving and distributing financial gifts, every local church and parachurch ministry should entrust this responsibility to several trustworthy individuals. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 9:1-5; Financial Accountability: All of us--individually and corporately--should have a system of accountability to help us maintain our financial commitments to God's work. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 9:6-15;  Guidelines for Generosity: To live in God's will, we are to follow biblical guidelines for using and sharing our material resources. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Self-Defense: When we are falsely accused, it is not wrong to defend ourselves, but when we do, we should always reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 11:1-15;  Defeating Satan: We should be alert to Satan's continual evil efforts to destroy local churches and other Christian ministries. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 11:16-33;  Servant-Leaders: Shepherds of God's people must become servant-leaders, following the example of Jesus Christ. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 12:1-10;  Encounters with God: Believers are to be cautious about anyone's claims to have received direct messages in God's holy presence. Video
  • 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:13; A Pastoral Passion: All spiritual leaders in God's churches should have one major goal--to help all believers become mature in Jesus Christ. Video 

JOHN GILL

F B HOLE

H A IRONSIDE

HEINRICH MEYER

CHARLES HODGE

WILLIAM KELLY

STEVE KRELOFF

JAMES LIAS -- Cambridge Greek Testament

ALFRED PLUMMER

PREACHER'S HOMILETICAL COMMENTARY

PULPIT COMMENTARY

PHILIP SMITH

BOB UTLEY

J VERNON MCGEE

2 CORINTHIANS 1

CHUCK SMITH

THOMAS WATSON

BRYAN MACPHAIL

JAMES HASTINGS

THOMAS BROOKS

F B MEYER

JOHN PIPER

DOUG GOINS

JOHN MACARTHUR

MATTHEW MEAD

C H SPURGEON

HAMPTON KEATHLEY

JONATHAN EDWARDS

JOHN PIPER

OCTAVIUS WINSLOW

JAMES SMITH

2 CORINTHIANS 2

DOUG GOINS

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

J C PHILPOT

JOHN PIPER

CHUCK SMITH

RON RITCHIE

JAMES HASTINGS

OSWALD CHAMBERS

WIL POUNDS

RICH CARLSON

HOMER A KENT, JR

F B MEYER

C H SPURGEON

J. C. RYLE

2 CORINTHIANS 3

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY - On Site

DOUG GOINS

RANDALL C GLEASON

RON RITCHIE

F B MEYER

CHUCK SMITH

ALAN CARR

JOHN PIPER

STEVE ZEISLER

C H SPURGEON

JAMES HASTINGS

J R MILLER

WILLIAM S PLUMER

OCTAVIUS WINSLOW

OSWALD CHAMBERS

F B MEYER

JOHN MACARTHUR

2 CORINTHIANS 4

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY On Site

JOHN PIPER

DOUG GOINS

DAVID ROPER

A W PINK

WIL POUNDS

RON RITCHIE

ALAN CARR

OSWALD CHAMBERS

HENRY MAHAN

JAMES SMITH

OCTAVIUS WINSLOW

J R MILLER

RON RITCHIE

BRYAN MACPHAIL

JAMES HASTINGS

DON FORTNER

THOMAS WATSON

F B MEYER

CHUCK SMITH

C H SPURGEON

THOMAS DOOLITTLE

J. C. RYLE

2 CORINTHIANS 5

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY On Site

2 CORINTHIANS 5 RESOURCES - Multiple Sermons on Commentaries 

ROY METTS

CHUCK SMITH

ALAN CARR

GREGG ALLEN

JOHN PIPER

DON FORTNER

JAMES SMITH

JAMES HASTINGS

OSWALD CHAMBERS

HENRY MAHAN

JONATHAN EDWARDS

F B MEYER

ALAN CARR

C H SPURGEON

JOHN MACDUFF

RAY PRITCHARD

DAVID L. TURNER

DOUG GOINS

RON RITCHIE

JAMES SMITH

JAMES HASTINGS

PHIL NEWTON

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

JAMES SMITH

THOMAS WATSON

J R MILLER

HORATIUS BONAR

HENRY MAHAN

JAMES HASTINGS

DOUG GOINS

DON FORTNER

GENE BROOKS

SAMUEL DAVIES

G CAMPBELL MORGAN

WIL POUNDS

STEPHEN CHARNOCK

JAMES SMITH

2 CORINTHIANS 6

OSWALD CHAMBERS

DAVID ROPER

CHUCK SMITH

DOUG GOINS

F B MEYER

J C PHILPOT

CHRISTIAN FRIEND

ALAN CARR

A W PINK

C H SPURGEON

THOMAS WATSON

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

J. C. RYLE

2 CORINTHIANS 7

BRUCE HURT - ON SITE

CHUCK SMITH

THOMAS WATSON

OSWALD CHAMBERS

C H SPURGEON

F B MEYER

DON FORTNER

BRYAN MACPHAIL

JOHN PIPER

THOMAS SHERMAN

JAMES HASTINGS

2 CORINTHIANS 8

RICHARD MELICK

GENE BROOKS

PHIL NEWTON

JOHN MACARTHUR

JOHN STEVENSON

DOUG GOINS

JOHN PIPER

WIL POUNDS

JOHN MACARTHUR

F B MEYER

CHUCK SMITH

JAMES HASTINGS

STEVEN COLE

C H SPURGEON

F B MEYER

2 CORINTHIANS 9

WIL POUNDS

JOHN PIPER

BRYAN MACPHAIL

DOUG GOINS

HENRY MAHAN

GEORGE DAVIS

GIL RUGH

JOHN MACDUFF

SCOTT PRYOR

F B MEYER

JAMES SMITH

F B MEYER

CHUCK SMITH

C H SPURGEON

2 CORINTHIANS 10

PHIL NEWTON

DOUG GOINS

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY ON SITE

F B MEYER

JAMES HASTINGS

DOUG GOINS

RICK RENNER

CHUCK SMITH

2 CORINTHIANS 11

DOUG GOINS

HENRY MAHAN

J. C. RYLE

CHUCK SMITH

RICK RENNER

F B MEYER

JOHN PIPER

2 CORINTHIANS 12

BRAD H YOUNG

PHIL NEWTON

JOHN PIPER

ALAN CARR

DANIEL AKIN

RONALD RUSSELL

JOHN MACARTHUR

WIL POUNDS

BRYAN MACPHAIL

JAMES HASTINGS

JOHN MACDUFF

J C PHILPOT

CHUCK SMITH

J R MILLER

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY - ON SITE

F B MEYER

C H SPURGEON

DON FORTNER

DOUG GOINS

JOHN PIPER

2 CORINTHIANS 13

BRUCE HURT COMMENTARY ON SITE

JOHN MACARTHUR

HENRY MAHAN

RICK RENNER

PHIL NEWTON

DOUG GOINS

THOMAS WATSON

C H SPURGEON

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

JAMES HASTINGS

F B MEYER

ALEXANDER MACLAREN
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

G CAMPBELL MORGAN
2 CORINTHIANS
COMMENTARY

D Edmond Hiebert (these are actually comments on Morgan's related work "The Corinthian Letters of Paul. An Exposition of I and II Corinthians") - Carefully outlined pulpit expositions by a noted expository preacher. Reflects the fervent devotional approach of the preacher in dealing with the problems that plague the Church.

ROBERT MORGAN
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

NET BIBLE NOTES
2 Corinthians

HERMANN OLSHAUSEN
A Commentary on Paul's
First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians.

Cyril Barber - First published in 1855. This highly esteemed exegetical and expository work enlivens the sacred page and enriches the spiritual life of the reader. "Pays careful attention to the theological exposition, entering into the marrow of religious ideas, and introducing the student to the spirit and inward unity of the divine revelation" (Philip Schaff). (Click here for links to First Corinthians comments).

OUR DAILY BREAD
2 CORINTHIANS
DEVOTIONALS

Excellent sermon illustrations - the first list represents devotionals onsite followed by the list of off site devotionals by chapter and verse.

JOSEPH PARKER
2 Corinthians
The People's Bible

PASTOR LIFE
2 CORINTHIANS SERMONS

JOHN PIPER
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

ALFRED PLUMMER
2 Corinthians
A Critical and Exegetical Commentary

1915 The International Critical Commentary Series - Robertson, Archibald, and Plummer, Alfred,

D Edmond Hiebert - Greek text Important introduction and a very thorough treatment of the Greek text, bringing out its finer shades of meaning. Essential for the careful student of the original text.

RICHARD PRATT
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

PULPIT COMMENTARY
2 CORINTHIANS
COMMENTARY

Hint: Click on expositions and scroll down for numerous additional homilies on individual passages.

A. T. ROBERTSON
Word Pictures
2 Corinthians

DON ROBINSON
Sermons on 2 Corinthians

ROB SALVATO
Sermons on 2 Corinthians
Calvary Chapel Vista

CHARLES SIMEON
Sermons on 2 Corinthians

NOTE: If you are not familiar with the great saint Charles Simeon see Dr John Piper's discussion of Simeon's life - you will want to read Simeon's sermons after meeting him! - click Brothers We Must Not Mind a Little Suffering (Mp3 even better)

Note: On some of the links you may need to scroll down the page for the sermon on that verse

C. H. SPURGEON
All Spurgeon's Sermons
on 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 5

2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 7

2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 13

C H SPURGEON
Expositional Notes on
2 Corinthians

C H SPURGEON
Devotionals
on 2 Corinthians

RAY STEDMAN
Commentary
Expository Studies on 2 Corinthians
Power Out of Weakness

Cyril Barber - Fully in keeping with all we have come to expect of this gifted expositor and wise pastor. Explains this epistle in easy-to understand terms. (The Minister's Library - Volume 2)

AUDIOS - MP3'S

LINKS BELOW BOOK "AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY: A FRESH GRIP ON LIFE"

SEE ALSO...

Spiritual Warfare: The Battle of Life

SEE ALSO...

2nd Corinthians: Authentic Christianity - — 30 Daily Devotionals for September

GEOFF THOMAS
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

TODAY IN THE WORD
MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE
2 CORINTHIANS

MARVIN VINCENT
New Testament Word Studies
on 2 Corinthians

STEVE ZEISLER
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

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DISCLAIMER: Before you "go to the commentaries" go to the Scriptures and study them inductively (Click 3 part overview of how to do Inductive Bible Study) in dependence on your Teacher, the Holy Spirit, Who Jesus promised would guide us into all the truth (John 16:13). Remember that Scripture is always the best commentary on Scripture. Any commentary, even those by the most conservative and orthodox teacher/preachers cannot help but have at least some bias of the expositor based upon his training and experience. Therefore the inclusion of specific links does not indicate that we agree with every comment. We have made a sincere effort to select only the most conservative, "bibliocentric" commentaries. Should you discover some commentary or sermon you feel may not be orthodox, please email your concern. I have removed several links in response to concerns by discerning readers. I recommend that your priority be a steady intake of solid Biblical food so that with practice you will have your spiritual senses trained to discern good from evil (Heb 5:14-note).