UNROLL
A stony road winding down through the hills of Macedonia toward the sea at dawn, a small harbor town far below and one ship with a square sail heading south across calm water.

The Book of

2 Corinthians Intro

A pastor’s heart laid open, and God’s strength in weakness.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min13 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

A church that hurt him. A pastor who loves them.

Comfort in trouble. Treasure in clay jars.

In Christ, a new creation, reconciled to God.

Christ became poor, so give with joy.

And God’s power shows best in our weakness.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

Paul

Their founder, writing with an open heart

  • Paul names himself and “Timothy our brother” in the first line.2 Corinthians 1:1
  • Written to the church in Corinth and believers all over Achaia.2 Corinthians 1:1
  • Written from Macedonia, after Titus came with good news.2 Corinthians 7:6
  • Probably about AD 55–56, some months after 1 Corinthians.Most scholars

How it’s built

A journey and a pastor’s heart

Comfort1–2:13 · why hisplans changedTreasure inclay2:14–5:10 · glory inweak vesselsBe reconciled5:11–7 · openhearts, joy restoredGenerousgiving8–9 · the gift forJerusalemStrong inweakness10–13 · Paul defendshis ministry

Whiteboard

Paul’s travel story pauses at 2:13 and picks up again at 7:5. In between, he opens his heart about his ministry.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Where it was written

AsiaAegean SeaMacedoniaAchaiaEphesusTroasCorinth

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Asia to Macedonia

From Ephesus Paul travels to Troas, then over to Macedonia, where he writes. Corinth is his next stop.

Meet the cast

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Watch for

if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

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Question

Quick question

Paul could find no rest until he had news from Corinth.

Whose arrival in Macedonia brought Paul comfort?

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