The Second Epistle to the Corinthians

Surely there will be someone else writing about this book, so I'm going try to help you in another way. When you start reading biblical commentaries you will need to be aware that the thoughts expressed by the author deal with facts and speculations that should of happened. You can NEVER rely on only one commentary to affirm something about the Bible. You need at least three good commentaries. Try to read biblical commentaries from different confessions of faith (e.g., Calvinism vs. Arminianism; Pentecostal vs. non-Pentecostal; Catholic vs. Protestant; Egalitarian vs. Complementarian; Amillennialism vs. Premillennialism vs. Postmillennialism; etc). Look for their arguments: What do they agree or disagree on? Which of them is closest to the biblical text? It's not a sin to read commentaries written from other points of view. You will notice that what is fact or solid argument will be seen over and over on different commentaries, so you will start learning what is speculation and what is not. As Haddon W. Robinson said in his book, Biblical Preaching, (second edition, page 22), "In approaching a passage, we must be willing to reexamine our doctrinal convictions and to reject the judgments of our most respected teachers." Remember, a commentary is not the biblical text. Do not replace the authority of the Bible with a commentary. The same apply for Study Bibles. The study notes there are not written by "apostles and prophets," so never confuse the "gospel" with the teacher or preacher. Learn to separate it. Commentaries are important because nobody can get a poem from one language and translate it with the same structure to another language. This simply does not exist. Words, phrases, and sentences are rooted in a specific time, culture and custom. About Bibles, the best way is to check different translations, but be cautious about a very loose translation. For you to appreciate any biblical commentary you need to know what level of reading you are. I'm going call them beginner, intermediate and advanced. I recommend the following biblical commentaries that you can start from. All of them have both Old Testament and New Testament. (If you're thinking of buying the whole set, look for the CD edition; it's cheaper and you can take it with you where you go.) Beginner - NIV Application Commentary (NIVAC) by Zondervan. (or) The Bible Speaks Today Series (BST) by IVP (This is a growing series and not yet complete.) Intermediate - New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT) and New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT) by Eerdmans Advanced - Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) by Thomas Nelson These are basic commentaries on their own level, but there are a lot of commentaries today, so don't forget to look for more information. Maybe you can get information from one of these: (1) Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources by John Glynn, (2) New Tes

'The 'peddlers', by their counter-mission against Paul, are actively attempting to bring the people under a covenant whose members historically had been veiled from the glory of God that was to be revealed.' p 194 - Paul, to the contrary, made the claim of his ministry that 'by the open statement of the truth' he refused 'to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word'. Barnett brings much needed clarity to the repercussions of incomprehension: 'Nonetheless, his words 'and even if our gospel is veiled', concede that not all discern a revelation in Paul's ministry.' p 215 The great appeal of the NICNT series is the fact that their commentaries are based on the original Greek text, and so need a minimum of Greek references. Technical aspects, such as grammatical, textual and historical problems - are dealt with in footnotes, special notes and appendixes. The Scripture index is an invaluable aid, as it is not a standard feature in some series. Paul Barnett is a compelling expositor as the heart of his scholarship repeatedly displays a healthy orthodoxy. Added to which, this immense undertaking satisfies the curiosity level of the majority of Christians who come only as seekers of truth. Barnett's soundness restores balance to the melee of indigestible commentaries that have found fertile soil in a biblically illiterate age. Citing Barnett, Sinclair B Ferguson attaches great importance to preserving the integrity of all ministers called by God: 'No more poignant or instructive description of the work of the minister of the gospel exists than Paul's 'defensive excursus' in 2 Cor 2:14-7:4.' Feed My Sheep, ed. Don Kistler p 101 An interesting chapter in the history of the nascent church in Corinth, which I was not aware of, was the hype surrounding the enigmatic man in the church of Corinth who had somehow 'wronged' Paul. 'While the man was not actively supported by a majority of the Corinthians, nonetheless, he was not directly opposed to them nor subject to any expression of displeasure on their part, nor, least of all, the congregational discipline appropriate to the circumstances.' p 381 Through this man's opposition, Paul's position was rendered impossible, adds Barnett, and the apostle had to withdraw from Corinth to write the 'severe letter' which most likely was directed at the Corinthian's infatuation with this mysterious figure. Barnett thinks that their reaction to the 'severe letter' may have left Paul feeling 'chastened'. When Titus brought him news to the opposite effect, this brought Paul much joy and much needed relief. This, then, was the occasion for writing the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, or at least chapters 1-9. FF Bruce added: 'He explains that his one reason for sending Titus instead of coming back himself was his desire not to cause them further pain. He urges them to forgive the offender because his desire for disciplinary action against him was due to no personal resentment, but to resolve to test the church's lo

Paul Barnett has soaked himself in 2 Corinthians for more than 30 years. The commentary is not only the result of his keen mind and scholarly ability, it comes from his love for this great epistle.2 Corinthians is a NT book that has many purple (oft-quoted) passages but is rarely studied as a whole. A lengthy defence of Paul's apostleship (marked not so much by success as by suffering, which Paul considers the true mark of apostleship), the letter and commentary make for essential reading for pastors, who often find their pastorships often under attack for the same reasons Paul had his apostleship under attack.Barnett is a true and wise guide into this must debated letter.