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xii. 17, 18) if not by stealing (viii. 20, 21). They ridiculed his personal presence (x. 10) and his speech (xi. 6). In the first epistle Paul’s apostleship had been ques tioned and criticized, but in the second epis tle he is openly defied, insulted, and laughed at. Naturally, Paul is hurt, cut to the quick, and speedily springs to the defense o f his personal character and apostleship (iii. 5; iv. 5; x. 8; xi. 16-18; xii. 1, 11). How severely the apostle rebukes these false charges/and false teachers! How strong the language he uses àgainst them (x. 7| ixi, 3, 4, S, 13, 22, 23 ; xii. 11, 12) ! Such false teachers are corrupters o f the gospel (ii. 17; iv. 2; xi. 3, 13), but not of Paul’s gospel (iii. 5-10; xi. 4; 14) ; .they had brought down the standard o f spiritual life to meet their own low. level o f living (x 12); instead o f trying to break new ground to win souls, they had entered upon the field and labors o f the apostle, and sought to undo his work (x. 15, 16) ; they exacted maintenance by force (xi. 15-20) ; they were no less than ministers o f Satan (xi. 15), although they carried with them let ters o f recommendation (iii. 1 )/ , Time and Place of Writing. This epistle, was written, probably, from the Macedonian city o f Philippi (or Thes- salonica); (ii. 13; yii. 5; viii. 1; ix. 2, 4), some few months after the first epistle was written—about 57 A. D. Titus was probably the bearer o f the epistle (viii. 23; ix. 3, 5). The Occasion and Purpose o f Writing. 1. The return o f Titus with good news regarding thé reception by the Corinthian Christians o f Paul’s former epistle to them (i. 8; ii. 13; vii. 6-13). 2. To defend his character and apos tolic authority against the insinuations of false teachers. 3. To encourage benevolence in behalf o f the poor saints at Jerusalem. 4. To put the Corinthians in a proper state o f mind for his intended visit.
SYNOPSIS OF II CORINTHIANS I ntroductory . I. T he I ntroduction to the B ook (i. 1-14). 1. The address arid greeting (i. 1, 2). 2. The thanksgiving and hope for the Corinthian believers (i. 3-14). II. M atters C oncerning the A postle ' s V isit to the C hurch at C orinth (i. 15-vii. 16). 1. The deferred visit and its purpose (i. 15-ii. 17). (a) The matter discussed in general (i. 15-22). (b ) The real reason for the post ponement o f the visit (i. 23- ii. 4). (c ) The need for such discipline and severity has now been removed by the penitence and restoration o f the offending party (ii. 5-11). (d ) The news from Titus comforts the apostle and makes possible a visit characterized by joyful ness (ii. 12-17). 2. The dignity and superiority o f the apostolic office (iii. i-vi. 10). (a) Apostolic credentials (iii. 1-3). (b ) . Such credentials give no ground for apostolic boasting, for they are the work o f God (iii. 4-11). (c ) The possession o f so glorious a gospel gives boldness o f speech (iii. 12-18). 3. The office o f the ministry exercised in all sincerity by the apostle (iv. 1 - 6 ) ; (a) The sincerity o f the apostle’s ministry (iv. 1-6). 4. The divine provision supports arid encourages the apostle in his labors for God (iv. 7-v. 10). (a) The simplicity o f the instrument (iv. 7). , (b) The support o f the ministry (iv. 8-v. 10). 5. The apostle’s vindication (v. 11-vi. 10 ). (a) The apostle’s experience (v. 11- 19). ,
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