The Bible Says Commentary on 2 Corinthians 1

In 2 Corinthians 11:1-6, Paul builds up to the direct defense of his apostleship. He declares that the need to compare himself to the false apostles is “foolishness.” He wishes the Corinthians would be centered on simply following Christ, not the boastings of teachers. Paul compares the Corinthians to Eve, that they have been tricked, and are tolerating false teaching. Although Paul’s enemies have slandered him as a poor public speaker, Paul asserts that he is not inferior to them. He reminds his readers that he is knowledgeable and that they have seen it through his teaching.

Paul writes his second letter to the church at Corinth. He greets the believers there with blessings of grace and peace. He shares some of his own sufferings for the sake of the gospel, but declares that we have a God of mercies who will comfort us in the measure of our sufferings. We will be delivered in these sufferings by a God who raises the dead.

Paul specifies that he and Timothy suffered persecution in the province of Asia, to the point where they thought they were going to die. But God delivered them from death. God will ultimately deliver all believers from death by resurrecting us. Paul thanks the Corinthians for praying for him.

Paul declares that his confidence comes through a clear conscience. He defends his actions to the Corinthians, that he was not acting by the wisdom of man, but by the grace of God.

Paul gives reason for his change of travel plans to return to Corinth. He defends his integrity and character as his basis for what he does to follow Christ. His foundation is Christ, Who is the Amen and the Yes of God. All believers can share in this by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Paul affirms his integrity by calling upon God as his witness and naming the Corinthians as his ministry partners.