Precept Austin

2 Corinthians Commentaries & Sermons

Updated: Thu, 01/04/2024 - 12:51 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 Chart from Charles Swindoll
A Third 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

INTRODUCTIONS TO SECOND CORINTHIANS:


"From Philippi to Corinth with Love"

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+; Acts 19:1+; 1 Cor. 1:2+; 2 Cor. 1:1, 23+; 2 Ti 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+, 1 Cor 6:9+, Eph 5:5+, Rev 2:20+, Rev 21:8+). And remember that Paul also associated idolatry with covetousness writing that "greed...amounts to idolatry." (Col 3:5+, Eph 5:5+) 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 - map similar to one below but more place names), 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+; 2Cor 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]; Ro 16:1+).


Click to Enlarge
From Cryptotheology (no longer active website)


Ruins of City with Acrocorinth Location of Immoral Temple of Aphrodite

2 Corinthians  1:1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to th

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) 

George Herbert - “What an admirable Epistle is the second to the Corinthians! How full of affections! He joys and he is sorry, he grieves and he glories; never was there such care of a flock expressed, save in the great Shepherd of the fold, who first shed tears over Jerusalem and afterwards blood.”

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+; 1 Cor 4:15+; Acts 18:1–7+). 


Click to enlarge - from the Holman Bible Atlas (digital book; Hardcover) 
copyright © 1998 B&H Publishing Group,
Used by permission, all rights reserved.
This is one of the best resources for Bible maps. 
Please do not reproduce this map on any other webpage.


Middletown Bible

Maps from Bible-History.com - courtesy of Wednesdayintheword.

Maps from Holman Bible Atlas - courtesy of Wednesdayintheword.

ESV Study Bible - Map of Corinth, Timeline

OTHER MAPS

Corinth:

Letters to the Corinthians

Paul

  • Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Paul the Apostle
  • Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Paul
  • Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Paul
  • Fausset Bible Dictionary: Paul
  • Holman Bible Dictionary: Paul
  • Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Paul the Apostle
  • Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Paul
  • Morrish Bible Dictionary: Paul
  • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Paul, the Apostle
  • McClintock and Strong: Paul
  • The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Paul

Titus

  • Holman Bible Dictionary: Titus
  • Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Titus
  • International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Titus
  • McClintock and Strong: Titus
  • Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Titus
  • Titus in 2 Corinthians: 2:13; 7:6; 7:13-14; 8:6; 8:16; 8:23; 12:18
  • Titus in rest of New Testament: Galatians 2:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:10; Titus 1:4

Inductive Bible Study on 2 Corinthians from Precept Ministries - 10 week study of this great epistle

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    

2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY
VERSE BY VERSE
BRUCE HURT
2021

EXPLANATORY NOTE: Verse by verse exposition with many conservative sources quoted, subtitles for many of the passages, many Greek word studies, practical notes on many of verb tenses, frequent practical applications (Labeled "THOUGHT"), multiple translations (including Wuest's paraphrase Eerdmans Publishing), frequent allusion to common idioms (with hyperlinks), cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture knowledge, related resources from Gotquestions.org on topics covered in the passages, references to Bible dictionaries on some topics, illustrations from Our Daily Bread and other sources, outlines of some sections, hyperlinks to additional in depth comments on many of the Scriptures referenced (additional commentary designated by a "+" sign following the chapter/verse reference e.g., Eph 5:18+), list of literally hundreds of references (sermons, commentaries, study notes, journal articles, etc) which are archived by chapter (e.g., 2 Corinthians 1 Resources), occasional pictures to illustrate a particular verse. To God be all the glory. Amen.

2 CORINTHIANS 1

2 CORINTHIANS 2

2 CORINTHIANS 3

2 CORINTHIANS 4

2 CORINTHIANS 5

2 CORINTHIANS 5 - These notes are less in depth

2 CORINTHIANS 6

2 CORINTHIANS 7

2 CORINTHIANS 8

2 CORINTHIANS 9

2 CORINTHIANS 10

2 CORINTHIANS 11

2 CORINTHIANS 12

2 CORINTHIANS 13

MULTIPLE RESOURCES BY CHAPTER - sermons, commentaries, devotionals, etc

COMMENTARIES AND OTHER
RESOURCES THAT CAN BE BORROWED
ARCHIVE.ORG

Explanation - The following list includes not only commentaries but other Christian works by well known evangelical writers. Most of the resources below are newer works (written after 1970) which previously were available only for purchase in book form or in a Bible computer program. The resources are made freely available by archive.org but have several caveats - (1) they do not allow copy and paste, (2) they can only be checked out for one hour (but can be checked out immediately when your hour expires giving you time to read or take notes on a lengthy section) and (3) they require creating an account which allows you to check out the books free of charge. To set up an account click archive.org and then click the picture of the person in right upper corner and enter email and a password. That's all you have to do. Then you can read these more modern resources free of charge! I have read or used many of these resources but not all of them so ultimately you will need to be a Berean (Acts 17:11+) as you use them. I have also selected works that are conservative and Biblically sound. If you find one that you think does not meet those criteria please send an email at https://www.preceptaustin.org/contact. The resources are listed in alphabetical order by the author's last name and some include reviews of the particular resource. 

WARREN WIERSBE Be encouraged : God can turn your trials into triumphs : NT commentary, 2 Corinthians Wiersbe's commentaries are always worth consulting for preaching and teaching jewels. 

WARREN WIERSBE Be encouraged : God can turn your trials into triumphs : NT commentary, 2 Corinthians (ANOTHER COPY OF THIS BOOK)

With the Word - Devotional Commentary - Warren Wiersbe - 428 ratings

The Bible Exposition Commentary - Ephesians through Revelation  -  Warren Wiersbe

Bible Exposition Commentary - New Testament 

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament by Wiersbe, Warren W

Cyril Barber - This is a book of exceptional merit. Pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers will profit from its use. Wiersbe introduces each book of the NT, provides an outline, and then furnishes his readers with a chapter-by-chapter discussion of the contents. The homiletic style is a “plus.” Recommended.

The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible : New Testament, King James Version - Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians - This is a very useful resource which always includes numerous related cross-references. It will be of aid to you preaching and teaching. 

RANDY ALCORN The treasure principle by Alcorn, Randy (Or Here) (See also in depth commentary - 2 Corinthians 5:10)

“Supercharged with stunning, divine truth! Lightning struck over and over as I read it.”  -John Piper

“The Treasure Principle will change your life! This book is destined to become a classic.”  -Howard Dayton, Co-CEO, Crown Financial Ministries 

“The Scripture passages and illustrations really ring true. Just what I needed!”  -Hugh Maclellan, President, The Maclellan Foundation 

“I enthusiastically endorse The Treasure Principle. I hope millions will read it.” -Ronald W. Blue, Founder and CEO, Ronald Blue & Company 

PAUL BARNETT The message of 2 Corinthians : power in weakness The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.

Cyril Barber - 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.

James Rosscup - A flowing, competent, broad commentary on the message of sections and on Paul as a minister and human being with weaknesses facing problems and criticisms but experiencing God’s power in his weakness. Barnett often has good application to concerns today. He devotes more detail to chapters 1–6 (100 pp.), and is cursory on such problems as “thorn” (Chapter 12). The book is a refreshment for a series of devotional times and often a catalyst for grasping and ministering the Word.

C K BARRETT - A commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians

Cyril Barber - 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.

KENNETH CHAFIN The Communicator's Commentary. 1, 2 Corinthians by Chafin, Kenneth 9 ratings (Now published as The Preacher's Commentary)

James Rosscup says this is part of "A 12-vol. set done by 12 men selected for unusual ability to show the Bible is alive in biblical exposition, with spiritual refreshment and insight. The authors seek to combine scholarship on biblical meaning, illustrations to spark applications, and outlines."

F W DANKER II Corinthians - Augsburg Commentary. Augsburg Publishing House, 1989.

Cyril Barber - Danker is a careful expositor and a man of remarkable erudition and perception. Here is a brief exposition that many will find helpful.

CHARLES ERDMAN The Second epistle of Paul to the Corinthians; an exposition

PHILIP EDGCUMBER HUGHES Paul's Second epistle to the Corinthians (Another copy of this book)

James Rosscup - This is detailed (508 pages), uses the Greek carefully, discusses technical details in the footnotes, deals carefully and sometimes at length with problems, and shows acquaintance with a great number of other works. It is one of the finer earlier contributions to the NIC series.

Logos.com - Hughes is a GREAT commentator. Everything I've read by him is chock full of solid theology and interpreting Scripture with Scripture. VERY rich reading that stirs the heart. (Martin Stidham)

ROBERT B HUGHES Second Corinthians from Everyman's Bible Commentary series.

COLIN KRUSE The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians : an introduction and commentary - Tyndale NT Commentaries

James Rosscup - R. V. G. Tasker’s work served well for years, but Kruse’s replaces it with stronger exegesis. It is a fairly concise evangelical effort that brings together much that is of help in following the thought through and dealing with problems in a well written flow, using the NIV.

Tim Challies - Colin Kruse’s contribution to the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series is the place to begin for someone looking for a relatively short and general-level commentary. This one fits within the limitations of that series which makes it especially helpful for the person who is doing a quicker and less in-depth study. 

ROY L LAURIN Second Corinthians : where life endures (Another copy) Kregel Publications, 1985.

D A Carson - "The sermons in this book are lightly edited versions of the regular ministry at Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge. They will help all who take the Bible seriously not only to understand 2 Corinthians better but also to apply that letter from Paul's hand to us who live at the end of the twentieth century....Here is powerful exposition of the Gospel of God -- spiritual nourishment for believers everywhere, and a robust model for preachers who want to improve their own gifts." 

Cyril Barber - With genuine devotional warmth, Laurin explains how life endures and matures in accordance with the plan and purpose of God. Recommended.

KNOFEL STATON Second Corinthians : unlocking the Scriptures for you

Logos.com - This nontechnical commentary on Second Corinthians analyzes the continued problems the church in Corinth faced. It provides a look into the historical, cultural, and religious contexts surrounding the epistle, and illustrates how the message of First Corinthians is still contemporarily relevant in today’s churches.

RAY STEDMAN Expository studies in 2 Corinthians: power out of weakness

R PAUL STEVENS - 2 Corinthians - 12 Studies - Lifebuilder Bible Study (See also 2 Corinthians)

CHARLES SWINDOLL A minister everyone would respect : a study of 2 Corinthians 8-13 

R V G TASKER The Second epistle of Paul to the Corinthians : an introduction and commentary

James Rosscup - This is a good brief conservative work which, among other things, argues for the unity of the epistle. Kruse’s study has replaced it.

MARGARET THRALL - A critical and exegetical commentary on the second epistle to the Corinthians

Cyril Barber - Thrall, Margaret E. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians. 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.

GEOFFREY B WILSON 2 Corinthians; a digest of reformed comment

Banner of Truth - Geoffrey Wilson’s commentaries constitute a wonderful collection of quotes by a multitude of authors such as J. C. Ryle, A. W. Pink, B. B. Warfield, R. L. Dabney, Charles Hodges, John Calvin, Robert Haldane, Abraham Kyper to name a few in addition to Geoffrey Wilson’s own thoughtful and enlightening commentary. It would take most of us many years to study the sermons and works of so many reformed and Puritan authors and select and apply their very insightful comments to each verse, but praise be to God, Geoffrey Wilson has done that for us. I highly recommend these commentaries for sermon-and-lesson preparation, for individual Bible study, and as devotional reading for one’s personal edification. (Jon Butcher)

BEN WITHERINGTON III Conflict and community in Corinth : a socio-rhetorical commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians  7 ratings

Bruce W. Winter, Tyndale House, Cambridge - Ben Witherington has produced an innovative commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians, making use of both ancient and modern tools to highlight aspects of the Corinthian situation and of the argument of Paul’s letters that have not been unearthed by previous commentators.

STUDY BIBLES - ONE VOLUME COMMENTARIES OF ENTIRE BIBLE,
BIBLE DICTIONARIES, GENERAL REFERENCE WORKS

 

Note: The first 4 resources have no time restriction and allow copy and paste function: 

(1) KJV Bible Commentary - Hindson, Edward E; Kroll, Woodrow Michael. Over 3000 pages of the entire OT/NT. Well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective. Pre-millennial.  User reviews - it generally gets 4/5 stars from users. - 372 ratings

Very well done conservative commentary that interprets Scripture from a literal perspective   user reviews 

The King James Version Bible Commentary is a complete verse-by-verse commentary. It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. Its authors are leading evangelical theologians who provide practical truths and biblical principles. Any Bible student will gain new insights through this one-volume commentary based on the timeless King James Version of the Bible.

(2) The King James Study Bible Second Edition 2240 pages (2013) (Thomas Nelson) General Editor - Edward Hindson with multiple contributing editors. . 3,194 ratings. Pre-millennial. See introduction on How to Use this Study Bible.

(3) NKJV Study Bible: New King James Version Study Bible (formerly "The Nelson Study Bible - NKJV") by Earl D Radmacher; Ronald Barclay Allen; Wayne H House. 2345 pages. (1997, 2007). Very helpful notes. Conservative. Pre-millennial.  917 ratings

(4) The Wycliffe Bible Commentary - only the New Testament (for OT see below to borrow) - 1126 pages. (1971) Everett F Harrison - Editor of New Testament. Uses the KJV.  Strictly speaking not a study Bible, but short notes are similar. KJV text in left column, commentary notes in right column. The comments are generally verse by verse, short, conservative and to the point. Pre-millennial.

Rosscup - Conservative and premillennial scholars here have been experts in their fields. The work contains brief introductions and attempts to give a verse-by-verse exposition, though it does skip over some verses. The treatments vary with the authors, but as a whole it is a fine one-volume commentary for pastors and students to use or give to a layman. Outstanding sections include, for example: Whitcomb on Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther; Culver on Daniel; Ladd on Acts; Harrison on Galatians; Johnson on I Corinthians; and Ryrie on the Johannine Epistles.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible - (2011) 2570 pages  - Use this one if available as it has more notes than edition below. One hour limit

NIV Study Bible by Barker, Kenneth L; Burdick, Donald W (1995) 2250 pages. This is the first edition. This resource has been fully revised in 2020. One hour limit 

Believer's Bible Commentary - OT and NT - MacDonald, William (1995) 2480 pages. Conservative. Literal. Often has very insightful comments. John MacArthur, says "Concise yet comprehensive - the most complete single-volume commentary I have seen." Warren Wiersbe adds "For the student who is serious about seeing Christ in the Word." One hour limit.

Rosscup - This work, originally issued in 1983, is conservative and premillennial, written to help teachers, preachers and people in every walk of life with different views, explanation and application. The 2-column format runs verse by verse for the most part, usually in a helpfully knowledgeable manner, and there are several special sections such as “Prayer” in Acts and “Legalism” in Galatians. The premillennial view is evident on Acts 1:6, 3:20, Romans 11:26, Galatians 6:16, Revelation 20, etc.

HCSB Study Bible : Holman Christian Standard Bible - General Editor Jeremy Royal Howard (2010) 2360 pages. Conservative. Good notes. Include Holmans excellent maps. 

Life Application Study Bible: Old Testament and New Testament: New Living Translation.

Has some very helpful notes especially with application of texts. 4,445 ratings One hour limit

The MacArthur study Bible - John MacArthur. Brief but well done notes for conservative, literal perspective. 1,275 ratings

ESV study Bible - Excellent resource but not always literal in eschatology and the nation of Israel 6,004 ratings

The David Jeremiah Study Bible - (2013) 2208 pages. 2,272 ratings 

Logos.com - "Drawing on more than 40 years of study, Dr. David Jeremiah has compiled a legacy resource that will make an eternal impact on generations to come. 8,000 study notes. Hundreds of enriching word studies"50+ Essentials of the Christian Faith" articles."

The Defender's Study Bible : King James Version by Morris, Henry M. Excellent notes by well known creationist. 45 ratings 

The Ryrie Study Bible - Charles Ryrie (1978) 2142 pages. Conservative.

Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition (1994) 2232 pages

The Apologetics Study Bible Understand Why You Believe by Norman Geisler

NIV Archaeological Study Bible (2005) 2360 pages 950 ratings (See also Archaeology and the Bible - OT and NT)

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture Keener, Craig and Walton, John. Editors (2017)

New Bible Commentary - (1994) See user reviews

Compact Bible commentary by Radmacher, Earl D; Allen, Ronald Barclay; House, H Wayne, et al - 954 pages.  424 ratings Multiple contributors to the comments which are often verse by verse. The comments are brief but meaty and can really help your study through a given book. A sleeper in my opinion. 

The Experiencing God Study Bible: the Bible for knowing and doing the will of God - Blackaby, Henry (1996) 1968 pages - CHECK THIS ONE! Each chapter begins with several questions under the title "PREPARE TO MEET GOD." Then you will interesting symbols before many of the passages. The chapter ends with a "DID YOU NOTICE?" question. This might make a "dry chapter" jump off the page! Read some of the 48 ratings

Disciple's study Bible: New international version 54 ratings Not that helpful for verse by verse study. Focuses on application of Christian doctrines. 10,000 annotations; doctrinal summaries, "Life Helps" section relate doctrine to everyday discipleship. 

The Living Insights Study Bible : New International Version - Charles Swindoll. Notes are good but somewhat sparse and not verse by verse.

The Apologetics Study Bible Understand Why You Believe by Norman Geisler

NIV archaeological study Bible (2005) 2360 pages 950 ratings (See also Archaeology and the Bible - OT and NT)

NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture Keener, Craig and Walton, John. Editors (2017)

The Holman illustrated study Bible 120 ratings Includes the excellent Holman maps but otherwise of little help in serious study.

Zondervan King James Version commentary - New Testament

NIV Celebrate Recovery Study Bible

Daily Study Bible for Women : New Living Translation

The Woman's Study Bible : the New King James Version

The Study Bible for Women : Holman Christian Standard Bible

Daily Study Bible for Men : New Living Translation

NIV Topical Study Bible : New International Version

The Hebrew-Greek key study Bible : New American standard study by Strong, James, 1822-1894; Zodhiates, Spiros

The New Inductive Study Bible : updated New American Standard Bible - Introductions of each book give suggestions how to perform an inductive study on that specific book. Not strictly speaking a "study Bible" with notes but a Bible to help you study inductively. Has wide margins for making notes. This is one that works best in "paper," not digitally. 

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible - Judges by Andrew Boling (20 pages); editor Walter Elwell (1989) 1239 pages. User reviews. (See also Boling's 380 page commentary on Judges the Anchor Bible Series)

Halley's Bible Handbook Henry H. Halley - (2000) 2720 pages (much larger than original edition in 1965 and no time limit on use). (Halley's Bible handbook : an abbreviated Bible commentary - one hour limit 1965 872 pages)

Rosscup - A much-used older evangelical handbook bringing together a brief commentary on Bible books, some key archaeological findings, historical background, maps, quotes, etc. It is helpful to a lay Bible teacher, Sunday School leader, or pastor looking for quick, pertinent information on a Bible book. This is the 72nd printing somewhat revised. Halley packed in much information. Unger’s is better overall, but that is not to say that Halley’s will not provide much help on basic information.

The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook - Editor - Walter Elwell (1984) 408 pages.

"This hardback is small in size but packed full of content: Brief summaries of every book of the bible, cultural, archaeological and historical info, word definitions, pictures, maps and charts." Worth checking! 

The Lion handbook to the Bible - (1999) 822 pages. This resource is absolutely loaded with very nice color pictures and charts.

Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament by Wiersbe, Warren W

Cyril Barber - This is a book of exceptional merit. Pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers will profit from its use. Wiersbe introduces each book of the NT, provides an outline, and then furnishes his readers with a chapter-by-chapter discussion of the contents. The homiletic style is a “plus.” Recommended.

Wiersbe's expository outlines on the Old Testament by Wiersbe, Warren W 113 ratings

"Even the most difficult Scriptures come alive as Warren Wiersbe leads you book-by-book through the Old Testament and helps you to see the "big picture" of God's revelation. In this unique volume, you will find: • Introductions and/or outlines for every Old Testament book • Practical expositions of strategic chapters • Special studies on key topics, relating the Old Testament to the New Testament • Easy-to-understand expositions that are practical, preachable, and teachable If you have used Dr. Wiersbe's popular BE series, you know how simple and practical his Bible studies are, with outlines that almost teach themselves. If not, you can now discover a wonderful new resource. This work is a unique commentary on every book of the Old Testament. It contains new material not to be found in the BE series.

The Bible knowledge background commentary : Matthew-Luke by Evans, Craig A -  This resource will give you very interesting insights and is worth checking on individual passages. 

Harper study Bible : the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version

The Jewish Study Bible - Only OT - Interesting Jewish perspective.

The Student Bible : New International Version

Hebrew-Greek key word study Bible : New international version

Key word commentary : thoughts on every chapter of the Bible by Water, Mark

Eerdmans' Family Encyclopedia of the Bible (1978) 344 pages

Eerdmans' Handbook to the Bible (1983) 688 pages 

Tyndale Handbook of Bible charts & maps by Wilson, Neil  

Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament - G K Beale, D A Carson

Bible Handbook and A-Z bible encyclopedia

International Children's Bible field guide : answering kids' questions from Genesis to Revelation by Richards, Larry

The illustrated guide to Bible customs & curiosities by Knight, George W. (George William), 

Today's handbook of Bible times & customs by Coleman, William L

Unger's Commentary on the Old Testament (Volume 2 - Isaiah - Malachi) by  Unger, Merrill Frederick, 1909- (1981) 972 pages.

The new Unger's Bible dictionary by Unger, Merrill Frederick, 1909-

Nelson's illustrated encyclopedia of Bible facts by Packer, J. I. (James Innell); Tenney, Merrill C.

Survey of the Bible : introductory insights, background studies, book-by- book survey by Unger, Merrill Frederick

The parallel New Testament and Unger's Bible handbook : produced for Moody monthly by Unger, Merrill  (1975) 744 pages 4 ratings

The Hodder Bible handbook by Unger, Merrill 

Nelson's expository dictionary of the Old Testament by Unger, Merrill 

Kregel Bible handbook : a full-color guide to every book of the Bible by Kerr, William 3 ratings

The new encyclopedia of Christian quotations by Water, Mark

New Testament words - William Barclay - very interesting resource - covers about 70 NT Greek words in Barclay's unique style

Zondervan handbook to the Bible

Zondervan illustrated Bible backgrounds commentary - Matthew, Mark, Luke - 552 pages. (2002) See user reviews.

Zondervan illustrated Bible backgrounds commentary - John

Zondervan illustrated Bible backgrounds commentary - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel

Dictionary of Paul and his letters   180 ratings IVP Series

The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters is a one-of-a-kind reference work. Following the format of its highly successful companion volume, the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, this Dictionary is designed to bring students, teachers, ministers and laypeople abreast of the established conclusions and significant recent developments in Pauline scholarship. No other single reference work presents as much information focused exclusively on Pauline theology, literature, background and scholarship. In a field that recently has undergone significant shifts in perspective, the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters offers a summa of Paul and Pauline studies. In-depth articles focus on individual theological themes (such as law, resurrection and Son of God), broad theological topics (such as Christology, eschatology and the death of Christ), methods of interpretation (such as rhetorical criticism and social-scientific approaches), background topics (such as apocalypticism, Hellenism and Qumran) and various other subjects specifically related to the scholarly study of Pauline theology and literature (such as early catholicism, the center of Paul's theology, and Paul and his interpreters since F. C. Baur). Separate articles are also devoted to each of the Pauline letters to hermeneutics and to preaching Paul today.

Dictionary of the later New Testament & its developments 71 ratings IVP Series

The third of IVP's critically acclaimed series of dictionaries of the New Testament provides focused study on the often-neglected portions of the New Testament: Acts, Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation. Furthermore, its scope goes beyond the life of the New Testament church to include the work of the apostolic fathers and early Christianity up through the middle of the second century.

Dictionary of New Testament background 79 ratings IVP Series

 In a time when our knowledge of the ancient Mediterranean world has grown by leaps and bounds, this volume sets out for readers the wealth of Jewish and Greco-Roman background that should inform our reading and understanding of the New Testament and early Christianity. The Dictionary of New Testament Background takes full advantage of the flourishing study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and offers individual articles focused on the most important scrolls. In addition, the Dictionary encompasses the fullness of second-temple Jewish writings, whether pseudepigraphic, rabbinic, parables, proverbs, histories or inscriptions. Articles abound on aspects of Jewish life and thought, including family, purity, liturgy and messianism. The full scope of Greco-Roman culture is displayed in articles ranging across language and rhetoric, literacy and book culture, religion and cults, honor and shame, patronage and benefactors, travel and trade, intellectual movements and ideas, and ancient geographical perspectives. No other reference work presents so much in one place for students of the New Testament. Here an entire library of scholarship is made available in summary form. 

Dictionary of deities and demons in the Bible (DDD) - 950 pages (1995) Read some of the 65 ratings (4.8/5 Stars). A definitive in depth resource on this subject. Very expensive to purchase. 

WORD STUDY RESOURCES
GREEK AND HEBREW

NOTE - All of these resources can be borrowed from archive.org. This list also includes resources to help study the Bible. 

See also the list of Word Study Resources 

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament by Zodhiates, Spiros - This is my "go to" resource for Greek word studies. One on the best lexicons for laymen. Highly Recommended for Greek Word Studies to aid your interpretation of a passage. 

Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament by Friberg, Timothy. Shorter definitions than Zodhiates but does an excellent job in summarizing the various nuances of a specific Greek word. One of my favorites.

Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament by Gingrich, F. Wilbur. Similar to Friberg but shorter definitions. Gingrich however gives more Scriptures for each nuance, whereas Friberg generally gives only one representative Scripture. 

The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament by Rogers, Cleon - This book is a gold mine of little gems on individual Greek words in any NT passage you are studying. If you have time it is always worth checking out! I use it in my Greek word studies all the time. 

New Testament Words - William Barclay - 59 ratings very interesting resource - covers about 70 NT Greek words in Barclay's unique style. On page 289 there is a helpful index of English words with the corresponding Greek word, in turn followed by the places Barclay described them in New Testament Words and in his Daily Study Bible series (see list of DSB commentaries here). E.g., take the Greek word for "Covetousness" which is pleonexia and is found in New Testament Words on page 61 and pp 233-235 and is also described in the Daily Study Bible entries for : Mark 7:14-23; Ro 1:28-32; Eph. 4:17-24; Col. 3:5. So you can click the DSB commentary on Mark 7 and scroll down to Mark 7:14 to see Barclay's entry for pleonexia which concludes "Pleonexia ( G4124) is that lust for having which is in the heart of the man who sees happiness in things instead of in God." Interesting!

Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament : based on semantic domains - Louw Nida. Brief but nice definitions. Not easy to use - you need to know some Greek. Classifies Greek words into 93 "semantic domains" (see list on page XXV) and if you can categorize the word you are looking for in one of the domains, it can help find the specific word you are interested in. 

Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament : abridged in one volume (TDNT) - Classic ("Little Kittel") work summarizing the 10 volume set by Kittel. For most of us the abridged definition is "more than enough!" 

A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament, and other early Christian literature; by Bauer, Walter, More detailed definitions but need to know Greek. Zodhiates and Friberg much easier to use. 

Liddell and Scott's Greek-English lexicon, abridged : the little Liddell by Liddell, Henry George. The abridged version. You need to know Greek to use.

Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament (Volume 1 - A thru E);  Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament (Volume 3- P thru ...) Volume 2 not available. I do not find this adds much to the easier to use resources like Zodhiates and Friberg. 

A pocket lexicon to the Greek New Testament by Souter, Alexander. Brief definitions. Need to know some Greek. Not that helpful. 

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words - pdf. The old standby. You can also borrow Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words

Theological wordbook of the Old Testament by Harris, R. Laird - 229 ratings (5/5 Stars) One of the best OT lexicons for laymen.

Here is another link to the TWOT which has no time limit on use and does allow copy and paste. Can be downloaded as PDF. 

Hebrew honey : a simple and deep word study of the Old Testament by Novak, Alfons,  (332 pages) Indexed by English words. No Strong's numbers to help you determine if you are researching the correct Hebrew word. Here is a "work around" - go to page 289 and see if there is an annotation of the Scripture you are studying. E.g., say you want to see if there is anything for "heart" in Ezek 11:19. In the Scripture list find an entry for Ezek 11:19 with the English word "Heart." Now go look up "Heart" (on page 123). It does take some effort, but you might glean an insight not described in other Hebrew lexicons.

Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament by Unger, Merrill. Indexed by English word and then any related Hebrew nouns or verbs. Definitions are solid and geared to the lay person. 

Zondervan NASB exhaustive concordance - 1589 pages

Pocket dictionary for the study of New Testament Greek by DeMoss, Matthew S. If you want to dig a little deeper into Greek. 66 ratings

Analytical concordance to the Holy Bible : containing about 311,000 references, subdivided under the Hebrew and Greek original with the literal meaning and pronunciation of each by Young, Robert,

The Englishman's Greek concordance of the New Testament by Wigram, George

Synonyms of the New Testament by Trench, Richard Chenevix - or click here for list of 108 entries. 

Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old Testament - click for list of 127 entries

The Holman guide to interpreting the Bible by Dockery, David S

Foundations for biblical interpretation : a complete library of tools and resources

Expository Dictionary of Bible Words by Richards, Larry,  33 ratings It is does not go into great depth on the Greek or Hebrew words but does have some excellent insights. 

Basic Bible Interpretation : a Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth by Roy Zuck. Recommended.

How to Study Your Bible by Arthur, Kay (CLICK HERE for many other resources from Kay Arthur). The basics of inductive Bible study succinctly described. Recommended. This is the original edition not the new edition.

Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks - A classic. An entertaining and informative read that is guaranteed to invigorate your Bible study. Recommended.

Teaching to Change Lives by Howard Hendricks, Howard 561 ratings

The Christian Educator's Handbook on Teaching by Kenneth Gangel and Howard Hendricks 21 ratings

How can I understand the Bible? by DeHaan, Mart (52 page booklet)

The New How to Study Your Bible Workbook (2010) by Arthur, Kay, - Note that this workbook is the companion to the New How to Study Your Bible book (not the same as the one linked above).

Jensen's Survey of Bible (online) by Jensen, Irving  140 ratings (NT) 133 ratings (OT) This is a classic and in conjunction with the following three resources should give you an excellent background to the Bible book you are studying. Jensen has some of the best Book charts available and includes "key words." He also gives you some guidelines as to how to begin your inductive study of each book. 

Discover the Bible for Yourself by Arthur, Kay 93 ratings - Proven methods to read, mark, and study God's Word. Introductions to set the stage for each book of the Bible. Maps and charts to add historic and geographic dimension. Word studies for NASB and NIV translations. Definitions and explanations to simplify interpretation. "Things to Think About" for personal application. This resource will inspire and guide anyone interested in creating a personal study of God's Word.

What the Bible is all about by Mears, Henrietta. This is a classic and is filled with "pearls" from this godly teacher of God's Word. 

Talk thru the bible by Wilkinson, Bruce  The Wilkinson & Boa Bible handbook : the ultimate guide to help you get more out of the Bible

How to profit from Bible reading by Jensen, Irving 2 ratings

Simply understanding the Bible by Jensen, Irving 8 ratings

Enjoy your Bible by Jensen, Irving 5 ratings

Independent Bible study by Jensen, Irving 14 ratings

MacArthur Study Bible - Topic "How to Study the Bible" - John MacArthur 

MacArthur's Introductions to all 66 Books - includes a helpful discussion of "Interpretative Challenges" 

Swindoll's introductions to all 66 Books - Answers the following questions - Who wrote the book? Where are we? Why is this book so important? What's the big idea? How do I apply this? He also includes a helpful Book Overview chart (right upper corner of page). 

How to Get the Most from God's Word by John MacArthur 16 ratings

Journey of the Bible : the remarkable story of how the Bible came from God to you by Jensen, Irving

DANNY AKIN
2 CORINTHIANS - SERMONS

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)

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)

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. The links below will access both the Audio and the Notes. The notes are excellent. 

PAUL APPLE
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

WAYNE BARBER
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMON SERIES

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

SAME MATERIAL - some duplication but does not include the older sermons above

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

CHURCH PULPIT COMMENTARY
2 CORINTHIANS

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) - see titles below

2 Corinthians Intro

2 Corinthians 1:1-7 Suffering and Consolation

2 Corinthians 1:8-14 Faith Born of Despair

2 Corinthians 1:15-20 The Church's One Foundation

2 Corinthians 1:21, 22 Christian Mysteries

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4 A Pastor's Heart

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 Church Discipline

2 Corinthians 2:12-17 Christ's Captive

2 Corinthians 3:1-3 Living Epistles

2 Corinthians 3:4-11 The Two Covenants

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 The Transfiguring Spirit

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 The Gospel Defined

2 Corinthians 4:7-18 The Victory of Faith

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 The Christian's Hope

2 Corinthians 5:11-15 The Measure of Christ's Love

2 Corinthians 5:16, 17 The New World

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Reconciliation

2 Corinthians 6:1-13 The Signs of an Apostle

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 New Testament Puritanism

2 Corinthians 7:2-16 Repentance Unto Life

2 Corinthians 8:1-15 The Grace of Liberality

2 Corinthians 8:16-9:15 The Fruits of Liberality

2 Corinthians 10:1-6 War

2 Corinthians 10:7-18 Comparisons

2 Corinthians 11:1-6 Godly Jealousy

2 Corinthians 11:7-29 Foolish Boasting

2 Corinthians 11:30-12:10 Strength and Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:11-21 Not Yours, But You

2 Corinthians 13 Conclusion

CHARLES ELLICOTT, EDITOR
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

E H Plumptre author of this commentary

GARY EVERETT
2 CORINTHIANS 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.

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)

Note: Hodges entire 2 Corinthians Commentary on one Pdf

ICC NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY
2 CORINTHIANS

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 Commentary

2 Corinthians 2 Commentary

2 Corinthians 3 Commentary

2 Corinthians 4 Commentary

2 Corinthians 5 Commentary

2 Corinthians 6 Commentary

2 Corinthians 7 Commentary

2 Corinthians 8 Commentary

2 Corinthians 9 Commentary

2 Corinthians 10 Commentary

2 Corinthians 11 Commentary

2 Corinthians 12 Commentary

2 Corinthians 13 Commentary

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
COMMENTARY AND SERMONS

Dr S. Lewis Johnson wrote the section on “The First Epistle to the Corinthians” in The Wycliʃe Bible Commentary which is the first set of links below:

Dr Johnson's Sermons on 2 Corinthians:

JOHN MACARTHUR
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

Questions and Answers - John MacArthur

MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
2 CORINTHIANS 
Conservative, Evangelical

SERMONS AND STUDIES
ON 2 CORINTHIANS

BEST COMMENTARIES

"As we prepare to teach the 1990 Winter Bible study on 2 Corinthians, there are several important works worth noting. After several years of neglect by Pauline scholars, 2 Corinthians has now attracted the attention it deserves. With the forthcoming works by M. J. Harris in the New International Greek New Testament Commentary, and M. E. Thrall, in the new International Critical Commentary, the interest in this epistle will certainly continue to grow. This important epistle has numerous challenges for the interpreter. In many ways, it is simultaneously the most passionate and most difficult of the Pauline epistles. Emphasis on ministry, suffering, weakness, and genuine maturity will bring rewards for students, teachers, and hearers as well. For the evangelical student, the small work by M. J. Harris in vol. 10 of the Expositor's Bible Commentary (Zondervan, 1976), even though limited by space, is excellent and deserves careful reading and meditation. The top three full-length commentaries include C. K. Barrett (Harper, 1974), V. P. Furnish in the Anchor Bible (Doubleday, 1984), and R. P. Martin in the Word Bible Commentary (Word, 1985). Barrett's volume is outstanding, though his treatment of chaps. 10-13 will not satisfy everyone. Furnish has given us the most careful exegetical treatment and has not failed to tackle every major issue. If one disagrees with Furnish, it will require competent exegesis and theologizing to counter his conclusions. Martin's work is a bibliographical goldmine. It is worth consulting to trace out the important articles on the "problem passages" in 2 Corinthians 3, 5, and 10-13. Yet Martin evidences his growing tendency toward speculative interpretation, as well as E. Kasemann's influence upon him. 154 CRISWELL THEOLOGICAL REVIEW The second line of works on 2 Corinthians is headed by F. F. Bruce in the New Century Bible (Eerdmans, 1971). It is a brief work with great dependence on Barrett. P. Hughes, writing in the New International Commentary, has produced a solid and reliable theological work well worth consulting. Four other important works that need to be mentioned are: G. R. Beasley-Murray (Broadman, 1971); R. V. G. Tasker (Tyndale New Testament Commentary, 1958); C. Kruse (Eerdmans, 1987); P. Barnett, The Message of 2 Corinthians (InterVarsity, 1988). Some older works are difficult to find (ALL ARE AVAILABLE IN LINKS BELOW), but are nevertheless very useful. These include:

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

See also Commenting on Commentaries on 2 Corinthians by David Dockery - Southern Baptist Seminary - 6 pages, (1989)

  • 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

Click for links to studies below:

  • 2 Corinthians  1:1-11  "Introduction To 2 Corinthians"  
  • 2 Corinthians  1:12-2:3 "Paul Defends His Integrity"
  • 2 Corinthians  2:4-16   "Restore The Brother Disciplined"    
  • 2 Corinthians  2:17-3:6  "The Ministry Of Life Vs The Ministry Of Death"
  • 2 Corinthians  3:7-18  "Beholding The Image Of The Lord"  
  • 2 Corinthians  4:1-7  "We Have This Treasure In Earthen Vessels"
  • 2 Corinthians  4:8-18  "Momentary, Light Affliction Produces An Eternal Weight Of Glory Far Beyond Comparison"  
  • 2 Corinthians  5:1-10  "When Our Earthly Tent Is Torn Down We Have A House In The Heavens"
  • 2 Corinthians 5:11-17  "If Any Man Is In Christ He Is A New Creation" 
  • 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2  "Be Reconciled To God"
  • 2 Corinthians 6:3-10  "Endurance In Ministry Despite Difficulties, Hardships And A Lack Of Earthly Rewards"
  • 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1  "Open Wide Your Heart To Us"
  • 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 "Godly Sorrow Produces Repentance"  
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-9  "Giving From The Grace Of God"
  • 2 Corinthians 8:10-24  "It Would Be Best For You If You Gave"  
  • 2 Corinthians 9  "Sow Sparingly And You Will Reap Sparingly, Bountifully And You Will Reap Bountifully"
  • 2 Corinthians 10:1-6  "The Weapons Of Our Warfare Are Not Of The Flesh But Divinely Powerful"    
  • 2 Corinthians 10:7-18  "Do Not Compare Yourself With Those Who Measure Themselves By Themselves"
  • 2 Corinthians 11:1-15  "Paul Begins His Fool's Speech"  
  • 2 Corinthians 11:16-33  "Fool's Speech Part 2:  Paul Boasts About His Weakness"
  • 2 Corinthians 12:1-10  "Fool's Speech Part 3: Power Is Perfected Through Weakness"  
  • 2 Corinthians 12:11-21  "Fool's Speech Part 4:  The Fear Of Not Meeting Each Other's Expectations"
  • 2 Corinthians 13  "Wrap Up / Examine Yourselves Whether Or Not You Are In The Faith" 

F.F. BRUCE

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 2 Corinthians and verse.

EXPLORE THE BOOK

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

GOSPEL COALITION

JAMES GRAY

DAVID HOCKING - series of sermons

DAVID HOLWICK - frequent use of illustrations

IRVING JENSEN

JOURNAL ARTICLES RELATED TO 2 CORINTHIANS (from Biblical Studies)

EXCERPT - (From Conclusion) - This dunamis of God, which is such an important aspect of Paul's ministry and which is portrayed in 2 Corinthians, is .realised by the Holy Spirit. It is the glorious all-surpassing power of God through the Spirit in the midst of a broken earthly existence. Paul does not, however, say that power reveals itself as weakness (as maintained by Giittgemanns 1966: 168-169), but rather that it reveals itself in the midst of human weakness. Weakness (astheneia) is not identical with dunamis but it is the place where God's power through the Holy Spirit is revealed. Paul knew suffering and weakness, and yet the glorious power of the Spirit was a decisive reality in his life. This tension Paul interpreted in the light of the cross and resurrection of Jesus: 'He was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him. ' (2 Cor 13:4)

COLIN KRUSE - 2 Corinthians - Tyndale New Testament Commentary

DAVID LEGGE

LIFEWAY - sermons

LIGONIER MINISTRY - Devotionals

JOHN MACARTHUR

MARTIN MANSER - Dictionary of Bible Themes 

Enter 2 Corinthians 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

P G MATTHEW - sermons

ROD MATTOON - frequent illustrations

J VERNON MCGEE

BRYAN MACPHAIL - sermons

MONERGISM 

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

WILLIAM ORR

MEYER PEARLMAN

A W PINK 

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

MEDITATIONS ON 2 CORINTHIANS - Sam Storms

  • The Jealousy of God in the Heart of a Human (2 Cor. 11:1-2) Excerpt - Few people can maintain a godly balance between sarcasm and sincerity. The latter is all too often swallowed up and eclipsed by the former. The apostle Paul was a notable exception to that general rule. The sarcasm of the apostle is quite evident in the opening words of 2 Corinthians 11.
  • 10 Things You Should Know about the Jealousy of God 
  • Father of the Bride (2 Cor. 11:2)  - Excerpt - I’d like to conduct an experiment. I want you to think about your local church, regardless of its denominational affiliation or lack thereof. Do you have it in mind? Are you ready? OK. Now, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Take a moment. Don’t be in a rush. I wish it were possible to compile a list of the many answers to my question. I’m sure it would be quite instructive and enlightening, perhaps even alarming. Words such as healthy, sick, vibrant, languishing, growing, shrinking, exciting, boring, traditional, contemporary, evangelical, and emerging would all probably be mentioned. But let me come straight to the point. I seriously doubt if anyone instantly and instinctively said, “virginal.” Virginal? Yes, virginal.
  • A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ (1)  - Excerpt - I want to be a person known for one thing. Although I’m an author, it matters little if people buy my books. Although I’m a speaker, it matters little if they hear what I say. What ultimately matters, what is of preeminent importance, is that I be a person known for “a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3).
  • A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ (2) (2 Cor. 11:3)  - Excerpt - I fear the corruption of my sincere and pure devotion to Christ. So should you. To think that you are immune from the deceptive tactics of the enemy is both arrogant and dangerous. Paul feared that some of the Corinthians had been duped, or were on the verge of being so. That is why he speaks so energetically of his jealous concern for them and the state of their souls. 
  • The Horror of a Different Jesus (2 Cor 11:4) - Excerpt -  Our pluralistic, consumer driven society is all about choices, options, and diversity. If you don’t like what you see, be patient; another version, an updated edition, a new and improved alternative will soon appear. This is often the case in certain expressions of contemporary “Christianity” (so-called). Don’t like the Jesus of evangelical, orthodox biblical faith? No problem. There are plenty of other Jesuses to choose from. There’s the liberal Jesus, the liberation Jesus, the Christ of the cults, and the Christ of Islam. There’s the entirely human but not so divine Jesus or, if you prefer, the entirely divine and hardly human Christ. Or perhaps you relish a more homegrown Jesus, one that is fashioned after the desires of your own heart. Messianic pretender Philosophical sage? How about the Jesus of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code? Or the Jesus of The Gospel of Judas? If you’re into politics, cast your vote: the Democratic Jesus or the Republican version? Too political? That’s OK—he can be as revolutionary, politically incorrect, and nonconformist as you need him to be. After all, when it comes to Jesus, to each his own! 
  • Price-less Preaching (Don’t Ignore the Hyphen) (2 Cor. 11:5-12) Excerpt - When one first reads 2 Corinthians 11:7–12, it sounds outlandish, virtually incomprehensible. Paul preached the gospel of God in Corinth for free. He refused to accept payment for his ministry in that city. He labored tirelessly with his hands to support himself so that he need never take up an offering after proclaiming the truth. And they accused him of committing a sin in doing so! As I said, outlandish and incomprehensible! 
  • Knowing your Enemy (2 Cor. 11:13-15) Excerpt - One of the things I learned about my wife on our first date was that she didn’t believe in a real, personal devil. Having been raised in a liberal, mainline denominational church, she rarely if ever heard the gospel proclaimed, while numerous biblical truths were routinely mocked and denied, Satan’s existence being one. Whether or not one believes that a literal, personal, spiritual being called Satan actually exists depends on one’s view of the inspiration and authority of Scripture. If one affirms the latter, he or she will affirm the former (as is now the case with my wife!). The opposite almost always holds true as well. 
  • The Devil Disguised and the False Apostles who serve him (2 Corinthians 11:13–15)  Excerpt - Before departing from Ephesus, the apostle Paul gathered to himself the elders of the church and spoke words of encouragement, exhortation, and stern warning. The latter proved to be prophetic. “I know that after my departure,” Paul said, “fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29–30). It’s simply stunning to think that from within the body of Christ, indeed, from within that very group to whom has been given the sacred task of leading and teaching the people of God, “fierce wolves” will emerge. Such people have no regard for the spiritual health of God’s people. They have even less regard for the truth. They are utterly self-serving. In order to gain a following and increase their authority, they speak “twisted things” and undermine the confidence of God’s people in the finality and sufficiency of the work of Christ.
  • Answering a Fool according to His Folly (2 Corinthians 11:16–21) Excerpt - Some have struggled to reconcile Proverbs 26:4 (“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself”) with Proverbs 26:5 (“Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes”). But there’s no contradiction here. On most occasions, when a fool speaks, keep your mouth shut. There are times, though, albeit rare, when an answer is essential. Evidently Paul was faced with just such a situation in his relationship with the Corinthians. In 2 Corinthians 11:16–21 Paul is about to boast, and he is sickened by the thought of it. His words “are no reflection of the real Paul, but only of the Paul who, to preserve the Corinthian church from moral and doctrinal seduction, must answer the real fools according to their folly.” He is clearly compelled, contrary to normal practice (Prov. 29:4), to momentarily stoop to the level of his enemies to gain a hearing with the Corinthians and hopefully bring to an end the slanderous accusations brought against him.
  • Writing Your Spiritual CV (2 Corinthians 11:21–23) - Excerpt - Reading 2 Corinthians 11:21–33 leaves me breathless. Even more important, it leaves me embarrassed and ashamed. It reminds me of those many occasions when people have asked me to share my spiritual journey or perhaps themselves proceeded to recite what they consider my accomplishments in life and my achievements in ministry. Awards I’ve won. Pulpits I’ve filled. Books I’ve written. Places I’ve traveled. People I’ve known. Money I’ve raised. Sermons I’ve preached. Endorsements I’ve received. Churches I’ve pastored. Degrees I’ve earned. Enough already!
  • Suffering is a Gift of God! (2 Cor. 11:24-25)  - Excerpt - The first time I can remember being struck repeatedly by an instrument was in the fifth grade at Fannin Elementary School in Midland, Texas (yes, my father spanked me, but always with his open hand). Mr. Holmes, my teacher, was a short but powerful man who seemed at times to relish the opportunity to discipline rowdy young boys like me. And yes, we certainly deserved it (or at least I did). 
  • Through many Dangers, Toils, and Snares (2 Cor. 11:26-27) - Excerpt - In the aftermath of 9/11 and with the ever-increasing price of gasoline, traveling has become something of a hassle. Increased air fares, long security lines that often move at a snail’s pace, overcrowded flights, delayed flights, canceled flights, well, you get the picture. I must confess that on a couple of occasions I’ve lost my patience at such inconveniences, although I’ve tried not to direct my displeasure toward ticket agents and flight attendants who have no control over the variety of factors that create the problem.  During these past few years, ministry has taken me throughout the United States and on multiple trips overseas. But I have to confess, I’ve always felt safe, even pampered. Because of the frequency of my journeys I’ve attained elite status with American Airlines and routinely am upgraded to first class. Wherever I have gone, my hosts have been gracious and occasionally lavish in providing for my needs. I’ve had good drivers (for the most part) and adequate accommodations. 
  • Paul the Pastor (2 Cor. 11:28-29) Excerpt - Caricatures are hard to shake. Once people have an image of someone indelibly printed in their minds, not even the facts can dislodge it. As a student of Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) I’ve seen this firsthand. Ask the man on the street (or even the person in the pew) about Edwards, and they’ll immediately mention his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and how stern, negative, and condemning a personality he must have been. Of course, anyone who has spent time reading Edwards knows he was nothing of the sort. But the image is probably here to stay. Much of the same is true when it comes to the apostle Paul. His sharp theological mind, together with his unflinching and uncompromising stand for truth, have contributed to an image of him as being a relationally stunted, remote, ivory tower pinhead who had little time and even less compassion for people and their problems. I trust that as you’ve read through 2 Corinthians you’ve come to see how much of a distortion this is and how it fails to grasp the true heart of this deeply passionate and profoundly tenderhearted man of God. 
  • Boasting in Weakness (2 Cor. 11:30-33) Excerpt -  We are all pretty adept at avoiding embarrassing topics. Most people have learned the art of maneuvering a conversation away from anything that might show them in a bad light or disclose their incompetence. And should it happen that some shameful item is noted, we’re also pretty good at explaining it away or justifying it to protect our public image. Anything to save face! So what are we to make of Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 11:30 where he declares, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness”? One would think that if Paul’s hand were forced and he had to stoop to the level of his enemies in this matter of boasting, the least he could do was think up a few praiseworthy accomplishments or something that would silence his accusers.
  • OF VISIONS AND REVELATIONS (2 COR. 12:1) In the late spring of 2008, news erupted and spread like wildfire that a "heaven-sent healing revival" had broken out in Lakeland, Florida, through the ministry of a young, fully-tattooed evangelist named Todd Bentley. As I write this meditation, the meetings have continued unabated for four months. During this time I've received hundreds of e-mails and telephone calls asking for my opinion of the "revival" and my assessment of Bentley. Since I have neither personally m...Read More ➔
  • A "RAPTURE" BEFORE THE "RAPTURE" (1) (2 COR. 12:2-4) As I read the Bible I've often tried to envision myself in the position of certain characters, especially those who experienced profound supernatural encounters with the Lord. How would I have reacted? Would I have been puffed up with an inflated sense of my own importance? Or would I have felt crushed by the immediate disclosure of my own comparative insignificance? Or would I, preferably, have been so captivated by the brilliance of God's glory that thinking of myself ...Read More ➔
  • "A" RAPTURE BEFORE "THE" RAPTURE (2) (2 COR. 12:2-4) What are we to make of people who speak so casually (if not flippantly) about multiple heavenly visitations that involve conversations with angels, apostles, and even Jesus? Let me be clear about one thing. I have no biblical or theological grounds for concluding that Paul's translation into the third heaven was a singular event in the history of the church, as if to suggest that no one else in any other era has ever experienced a similar encounter. But I'm more than a l...Read More ➔
  • CHARACTER AND CONDUCT, NOT CHARISMA (2 COR. 12:5-6) Most people spend their lives worried sick that others will not think highly enough of them. So they disguise their weaknesses. They magnify their strengths. They labor not to give offense. Much of their personality and relational style is far from natural, but has been carefully crafted to elicit the approval and praise of those whose respect they covet. The apostle Paul, to say the least, was a bird of a different feather. One of his greatest fears was that people wou...Read More ➔
  • PAUL'S THORN IN THE FLESH (1) (2 COR. 12:7-10) It seems reasonable, does it not, that an experience of the magnitude Paul describes in vv. 1-4 would serve to subdue and perhaps even eradicate sinful impulses from his soul? How could sin possibly continue to exert its influence in the heart of a person who saw and heard the things Paul did? Surely anyone who has been blessed with such a stunning privilege as was Paul would forever cease to sin. Surely anyone who heard such transcendently glorious things as fell on the...Read More ➔
  • PAUL'S THORN IN THE FLESH (2) (2 COR. 12:7-10) As noted in the previous meditation, there are four broad categories in which most of the interpretations of Paul's thorn have fallen. We now turn our attention to the two most popular (and likely) views. Many take the view of Chrysostom, a famous preacher of the fourth century. He was the first to suggest that the thorn is simply a reference to all the enemies of the gospel who opposed and persecuted Paul during his evangelistic and theological labors. Alexander the co...Read More ➔
  • MY GRACE, ALL SUFFICIENT, SHALL BE THY SUPPLY (2 COR. 12:8-10) Feeling weak today? Good. Yes, that's right, good! I'm not talking about your weakness for chocolate or alcohol or your weakness for sexual lust or any such thing. The weakness I have in mind is not sin. It has nothing to do with your refusal to obey God or your propensity for jealous rage or greed or your disinclination to forgive someone who betrayed you. The apostle Paul would never boast in wickedness or gladly acquiesce to evil in any form (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10). Wea...Read More ➔
  • WHY GOD DOESN'T ALWAYS HEAL (2 COR. 12:8-10) God loved the apostle Paul. Yet God sovereignly orchestrated his painful thorn in the flesh and then declined to remove it, notwithstanding Paul's passionate prayer that he be healed. We are not apostles. Yet, as his children, no less so than Paul, God loves us too. We don't know the nature of Paul's thorn, but each of us has undoubtedly suffered in a similar way, and some considerably worse. We, like Paul, have prayed incessantly to be healed. Or perhaps knowing of a l...Read More ➔
  • SIGNS AND WONDERS AND SARCASM (2 COR. 12:11-13) Some time ago I met with a former student of mine who was considering leaving his church. One of the leaders had openly slandered him and called his character, as well as his theology, into question. He asked for my advice. Knowing so little of the situation, and not being able to hear the other side of the story, I was reduced to directing his attention to Paul's counsel in Romans 12:18 - "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." We explored ...Read More ➔
  • TO SPEND AND BE SPENT FOR OTHERS (2 COR. 12:14-18) I have to admit that at times I find myself losing patience with the Corinthians. In more honest moments, I'm flat out sick of them. Although centuries removed and without ever having met them, I still find them more than a little intolerable. How Paul was able to endure their ingratitude and arrogance, not to mention their suspicion of his integrity and intentions, is beyond me. Here again, in vv. 14-18, we encounter yet another inexcusable and groundless charge agains...Read More ➔
  • HUMBLED BY THE SIN OF OTHERS (2 COR. 12:19-21) 2 Corinthians is a vivid, often painful portrayal of the courage, honesty, and vulnerability of the apostle Paul. More so than in any of his other letters, in 2 Corinthians we hear his heart beat, we feel his passions, we are put in touch with his deepest fears and longings and loves. If one is looking for a paradigm of pastoral sensitivity and strength, of unyielding commitment to truth and purity together with compassion and profound concern for his converts, this is t...Read More ➔
  • TOXIC TRIUMPHALISM (2 COR. 13:1-4) We've had several opportunities in our study of 2 Corinthians to witness the destructive presence in that ancient city of what has been called triumphalism. For the sake of those who may have forgotten what the term means, it has in view, among other things, an over-realized eschatology in which the blessings of the age to come are presumptuously claimed as a spiritual entitlement in the present day. Along with this are an aversion to suffering as something beneath the d...Read More ➔
  • EXAMINE YOURSELF! TEST YOURSELF! (2 COR. 13:5-10) One of the greatest problems we face in the church today is the number of truly born again believers who struggle with the assurance of their salvation. They are burdened with fears that they may have committed the unpardonable sin or that their daily failures indicate the absence of saving grace. Their consciences are tormented by the lingering memory of a tainted past. Anxiety eats away at their hearts like a corrosive acid. They are desperate for some word that will b...Read More ➔
  • AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU (2 COR. 13:11-13) There are several ways to measure Christian maturity, but perhaps none so revealing as how we respond to the demands of God when we're down. All too often we use our pain to justify sin. We appeal to how badly we've been treated or victimized or point to what we regard as injustice in order to ignore or evade our ethical responsibility. I don't know whether the Corinthians fell prey to this temptation or took the moral high ground, but Paul wasn't about to let them off ...Read More ➔
  • PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! (2 COR. 13:14) We have come to the final verse of this remarkable New Testament epistle, and I am faced with a monumental, two-fold, task. On the one hand, I cannot (and do not want to) avoid saying something about the triune portrayal of God that Paul provides. The doctrine of God simply cannot be dismissed as theoretical or irrelevant. We are talking about God, are we not? On the other hand, there is profound practical encouragement to be gained from what Paul says that our great tr...Read More ➔
  • THE POWER OF 2 CORINTHIANS ON I-35 (2 CORINTHIANS) The day after I wrote the 99th meditation in this series of studies on 2 Corinthians, I was driving north on I-35 from Oklahoma City to Kansas City, a five hour journey. To help pass the time, I decided to listen to the reading of the English Standard Version of the New Testament on CD. It seemed only appropriate that I start with 2 Corinthians. I can't recall how long it took to get through the letter, but it was somewhere in the neighborhood of forty-five minutes. As I...Read More ➔

MICHAEL THOMPSON - 73 pages

EXCERPT - The Purpose of this Book 2 Corinthians is a fascinating letter. It takes us deep into the heart of Paul, and gives us his most personal message. In it we hear him run the gamut of emotions from ecstasy to depression, from joy to anger. We find him describing the shape of his ministry and revealing what makes him tick. We watch him work in crisis with a congregation surprisingly similar in some ways, perhaps, to our own. However, because of its complexity 2 Corinthians is not an easy letter to interpret; hence the need for this book. Transforming Grace aims to provide helpful notes and questions for thought for individuals and groups who wish to study the letter in detail. It offers a programme for six weeks of daily readings, but the material can be adapted to a shorter or longer period of study. This book is not intended to form a full commentary, since alternative explanations could not be explored here because of limitations of space.

JAMES VAN DINE

STEPHEN VOORWINDE - interesting analysis of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians

Excerpt - Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians has been aptly described as “simply a pouring out of the man himself.” (Ralph Martin) It is certainly the most emotionally charged of Paul’s epistles. More than one commentator has referred to it as “a tumult of conflicting emotions.” (R H Strachan) The letter therefore provides a unique window into the apostle’s soul. Specific references to Paul’s emotions are found no less than thirty-five times, and twenty different Greek words are used.3 No less impressive is the range of emotions expressed. He despairs (2 Cor 1:8), experiences sorrow (2 Cor 2:1, 3; 6:10), is glad (2 Cor 2:2; 12:9, 15), rejoices (2 Cor 2:3; 6:10; 7:4, 7, 9, 13, 16; 13:9), feels anguish of heart (2 Cor 2:4), sheds tears (2 Cor 2:4), loves (2 Cor 2:4; 5:14; 6:6; 11:11; 12:15), is perplexed (2 Cor 4:8), groans (2 Cor 5:2, 4), has regrets (2 Cor 7:8), is afraid (2 Cor 7:5; 11:3; 12:20) and jealous (2 Cor 11:2), mourns (2 Cor 12:21) and burns with distress (2 Cor 11:29).4 Paul’s major emotions in the epistle would therefore seem to be joy/gladness (2 Cor 12x), sorrow (9x) and love (6x). Less common are fear (3x), perplexity/despair (2x) and regret (1x)

JOHN WHITCOMB

Excerpt - As born-again Christians, we truly rejoice at the thought of God’s wonderful promise and provision, that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9NKJV+).But how does this divine provision relate to Christ’s confrontation with His Church, His Body and Bride, at the Judgment Throne? Does this mean that 1 John 1:9+ eliminates the threat of losing a reward or a crown on that great day? This is a very confusing issue for many of God’s people today. 

One point must be settled immediately – the issue is the gain or loss of rewards, not of salvation! Thank God, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6+). “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Ro 5:1-2+). “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24). “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish . . . No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one” (John 10:28-30).

On the other hand, the provision of awards for faithfulness is intended by our Lord to provide tremendous motivation for His people. As a matter of fact, all human beings have been programmed by God with this perspective! How would a military unit function efficiently if there were no rewards for self-discipline and diligence and courage? And what about governments, and industries, and schools? Would a student do his very best if there were no grades or honors or recognition at the end?....

(FINAL CONCLUSION)  God intends the béma confrontation to motivate each and every believer –  not just church leaders – to serve Him in spirit and in truth. It is not designed to be a horrible threat that produces depression and fear, but, rather, an encouragement to love and serve and obey Him from the heart. In this light, may we, as Christians, be more concerned than ever before about our testimony for the Savior Who loves us with infinite love, and paid the ultimate price for our redemption and future glorification.

COMMENTARIES
ON 2 CORINTHIANS

HENRY ALFORD

PAUL APPLE - RECOMMENDED

JOHANN BENGEL

J H BERNARD

BRIDGEWAY COMMENTARY - Donald Fleming

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM

GEORGE CLARK

THOMAS CONSTABLE - expository notes, well-done

JOHN DUMMELOW - brief comments, older but well done work

GER DE KONIG - See his short biography (Interesting commentary)

JAMES DENNEY

"J. Denney's (1894) older and out-of-print work is most reliable and helpful throughout." (David Dockery - Southern Baptist Seminary )

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

L M GRANT 

F B HOLE - brief intro

H A IRONSIDE - commentary

HEINRICH MEYER Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

CHARLES HODGE

WILLIAM KELLY -  Plymouth Brethren

STEVE KRELOFF preaches from the perspective of a Messianic believer

PAUL KRETZMANN - commentary, Lutheran expositor

JAMES LIAS -- Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges 

F B MEYER - brief comments. 

J C PHILPOT - selected chapters and verses

ALFRED PLUMMER

PREACHER'S HOMILETICAL COMMENTARY

PULPIT COMMENTARY

PHILIP SMITH

THIRD MILLENNIUM STUDY NOTES

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

BOB UTLEY

J VERNON MCGEE 2 Corinthians Commentary - Zip File of Audios - complete book

JOHN SCHULTZ - 62 page commentary in pdf - Link to his main page with commentaries on all 66 books

JAMES SMITH - Handfuls on Purpose 2 CORINTHIANS

  • 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 THE TRIUMPHANT LIFE. 
  • 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 THE GOD OF THIS AGE.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 THE IDEAL LIFE.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 THE GREAT CHANGE.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1 A CALL TO SEPARATION
  • 2 Corinthians 10:3-7 OUR WARFARE.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 POWER IN WEAKNESS.

2 CORINTHIANS 1

CHUCK SMITH

THOMAS WATSON

BRYAN MACPHAIL

JAMES HASTINGS

THOMAS BROOKS

GREG HERRICK 

F B MEYER

JOHN PIPER

JOHN MACARTHUR

MATTHEW MEAD

C H SPURGEON

HAMPTON KEATHLEY

JONATHAN EDWARDS

JOHN PIPER

OCTAVIUS WINSLOW

JAMES SMITH

2 CORINTHIANS 2

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

J C PHILPOT

ALAN CARR - sermon

CHIP ANDERSON

JOHN PIPER

CHUCK SMITH

RON RITCHIE

JAMES HASTINGS

OSWALD CHAMBERS

WIL POUNDS

RICH CARLSON

HOMER A KENT, JR- Grace Theological Journal, Fall 1981

F B MEYER

C H SPURGEON

J. C. RYLE

2 CORINTHIANS 3

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY - On Site

WILLIAM ARNOT

SERMONS BY VERSE - Older works but still useful

RANDALL C GLEASON

RON RITCHIE

F B MEYER

CHUCK SMITH

ALAN CARR

JOHN PIPER

C H SPURGEON

JAMES HASTINGS

J R MILLER

MARK STEVENSON

HOMER A KENT, JR- Grace Theological Journal, Fall 1981

WILLIAM S PLUMER

OCTAVIUS WINSLOW

OSWALD CHAMBERS

F B MEYER

JOHN MACARTHUR

2 CORINTHIANS 4

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY On Site

SERMONS BY VERSE - Older works but still useful

JOHN PIPER

DAVID ROPER

A W PINK

WIL POUNDS

ALAN CARR

OSWALD CHAMBERS

JAMES SMITH

OCTAVIUS WINSLOW

J R MILLER

BRYAN MACPHAIL

JAMES HASTINGS

HOMER A KENT, JR- Grace Theological Journal, Fall 1981

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

SERMONS BY VERSE - Older works but still useful

2 CORINTHIANS 5 RESOURCES - Multiple Sermons on Commentaries 

ROY METTS

CHUCK SMITH

ALAN CARR

GREGG ALLEN

JOHN PIPER

DON FORTNER

JAMES SMITH

JOHN WALVOORD

OSWALD CHAMBERS

JONATHAN EDWARDS

F B MEYER

C H SPURGEON

JOHN MACDUFF

RAY PRITCHARD

DAVID L. TURNER

JAMES SMITH

JAMES HASTINGS

PHIL NEWTON

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

JAMES SMITH

THOMAS WATSON

J R MILLER

HORATIUS BONAR

DON FORTNER

GENE BROOKS

SAMUEL DAVIES

G CAMPBELL MORGAN

WIL POUNDS

STEPHEN CHARNOCK

JAMES SMITH

2 CORINTHIANS 6

OSWALD CHAMBERS

DAVID ROPER

CHUCK SMITH

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

JOEL BEEKE

ALAN CARR

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

STEVEN COLE

JOHN STEVENSON

JOHN PIPER

WIL POUNDS

JOHN MACARTHUR

F B MEYER

CHUCK SMITH

JAMES HASTINGS

C H SPURGEON

2 CORINTHIANS 9

WIL POUNDS

JOHN PIPER

BRYAN MACPHAIL

GEORGE DAVIS

STEVEN COLE

GIL RUGH

JOHN MACDUFF

SCOTT PRYOR

F B MEYER

JAMES SMITH

ALAN CARR

CHUCK SMITH

C H SPURGEON

2 CORINTHIANS 10

PHIL NEWTON

BRUCE HURT - IN DEPTH COMMENTARY ON SITE

OSWALD CHAMBERS

F B MEYER

JAMES HASTINGS

RICK RENNER

CHUCK SMITH

2 CORINTHIANS 11

J. C. RYLE

CHUCK SMITH

RICK RENNER

HAMPTON KEATHLEY IV

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

RICK RENNER

PHIL NEWTON

THOMAS WATSON

C H SPURGEON

GEORGE WHITEFIELD

JAMES HASTINGS

F B MEYER

HENRY MAHAN
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

Below is Henry Mahan's Commentary - distinct from the sermons above

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

ALEXANDER MACLAREN
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

Or Here:

G CAMPBELL MORGAN
2 CORINTHIANS
COMMENTARY

D Edmond Hiebert (these are actually comments on Morgan's related work - see the online Pdf copy =  "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.

There are 3 different resources by G Campbell Morgan

1. Commentary on 1-2 Corinthians

The Corinthian Letters of Paul. An Exposition of I and II Corinthians - notes on 2 Corinthians are brief and begin on page 137 of the Pdf

2. Commentary by Chapter from Analyzed Bible

3. Sermons on 2 Corinthians from the Westminster Pulpit collection: 

Click on this link and scroll down page to following sermons:

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5. Christ Jesus, The Lord.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17, 18. Holiness: Its Fruit.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19. God In Christ.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:1. Holiness: Conditions.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7. The Grace Of Giving A Million Shillings!
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5. The Great Apostle.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:9. The All-Sufficient Grace.

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 2 Corinthians and verse.

JOSEPH PARKER
2 Corinthians
The People's Bible

PASTOR LIFE
2 CORINTHIANS SERMONS

ARTHUR PEAKE
2 CORINTHIANS

PETER PETT
2 CORINTHIANS

JOHN PIPER
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

ALFRED PLUMMER
2 Corinthians
A Critical and Exegetical Commentary

1915 The International Critical Commentary Series - Alfred Plummer. 

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.

MATTHEW POOLE
2 CORINTHIANS

RICHARD PRATT
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

RAY PRITCHARD
SERMONS - 2 CORINTHIANS

Dr Pritchard's sermons are always worth checking out -- Scripturally sound and pithily practical! 

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

ADRIAN ROGERS
SERMONS ON 2 CORINTHIANS

Click here to access the 34 titles listed below - the Pdf has 387 pages of sermons. Rogers is conservative, pithy and practical! He is one of the stellar expositors of the twentieth century. Highly recommended to aid your sermon and teaching preparation. 

  1.   The God of All Encouragement—2 Corinthians 1:1–10
  2.   The God of All Comfort—2 Corinthians 1:3–8
  3.   The Sweet Smell of Victory—2 Corinthians 2:14–15
  4.   The Sweet Smell of Victory—2 Corinthians 2:14–16
  5.   How Do You Measure Ministry?—2 Corinthians 3:1–4:1
  6.   How to Be Like Jesus—2 Corinthians 3:18
  7.   To Be Like Jesus—2 Corinthians 3:18
  8.   How to Stay in the Ministry—2 Corinthians 4
  9.   Living Above See Level—2 Corinthians 4:1–18
  10.   How to Control Your Thought Life, Part 1—2 Corinthians 4:3–6
  11.   Your New House—2 Corinthians 4:16–5:8
  12.   This Old House—2 Corinthians 4:16–5:9
  13.   Taking Inventory—2 Corinthians 5:8–10
  14.   Reaching Others for Christ—2 Corinthians 5:9
  15.   The Soul Winner’s Six Mighty Motivations—2 Corinthians 5:9–20
  16.   The Soul Winner’s Six Mighty Motivations—2 Corinthians 5:9–20
  17.   Motivations for Soul Winning—2 Corinthians 5:9–21
  18.   The Judgment Seat of Christ—2 Corinthians 5:10
  19.   Let the Earth Hear His Voice—2 Corinthians 5:13–20
  20.   Let the Earth Hear His Voice—2 Corinthians 5:13–20
  21.   Our House: A Lighthouse—2 Corinthians 5:13–21
  22.   Give Me That New-Time Religion—2 Corinthians 5:17
  23.   The Tragedy of an Unclean Christian—2 Corinthians 6:14–18
  24.   Christmas Is Spelled G-R-A-C-E—2 Corinthians 8:9
  25.   ’Tis the Season to Be Wealthy—2 Corinthians 8:9
  26.   Grace Giving—2 Corinthians 8; 9
  27.   The Grace of Giving—2 Corinthians 8; 9
  28.   The Weapons of Our Warfare—2 Corinthians 10:1–15
  29.   The Battle for Your Mind—2 Corinthians 10:3–11
  30.   You Can Change Your Life by Changing Your Thoughts—2 Corinthians 11:1–4
  31.   The Battle for Your Mind—2 Corinthians 11:1–6
  32.   How to Pray When You’re Hurting—2 Corinthians 11:24–12:10
  33.   How to Pray When You’re Sick—2 Corinthians 12:1–7
  34.   How to Pray When You’re Hurting—2 Corinthians 12:1–10
     

ROB SALVATO
Sermons on 2 Corinthians
Calvary Chapel Vista

PHILIP SCHAFF
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

SERMON AUDIO
2 CORINTHIANS

SERMON AUDIO - pdf transcripts - variable quality. Be a Berean. 

SERMON BIBLE COMMENTARY
2 CORINTHIANS

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)

Click the 2 Corinthians above for the sermons listed below. 

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 The Trials & Consolations of Ministers Useful to their People
  • 2 Corinthians 1:12 The Testimony of a Good Conscience
  • 2 Corinthians 1:13 The Churchman's Confession
  • 2 Corinthians 1:20 The Stability of Promises
  • 2 Corinthians 1:21,22 The Different Operations of the Holy Spirit
  • 2 Corinthians 2:11 The Devices of Satan Exposed
  • 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 The Importance of Ministry
  • 2 Corinthians 3:2,3, Christians Are Epistles of Christ
  • 2 Corinthians 3:5 The Extent of Man's Impotency
  • 2 Corinthians 3:6 The Letter that Killeth and the Spirit that Giveth Light
  • 2 Corinthians 3:6 The Law and the Gospel Compared
  • 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 The Glory of the Gospel Above that of the Law
  • 2 Corinthians 3:15, 16 The Future Conversion of the Jews
  • 2 Corinthians 3:17 Christ the Soul of the Entire Scriptures
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 The Excellency and Efficacy of the Gospel
  • 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 The Contest Between God and Satan
  • 2 Corinthians 4:7 Ministers, the Bearers of Rich Treasure
  • 2 Corinthians 4:11 The Trials of Christians the Means of Magnifying Their Lord
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17,18 The Christian's Experience in Affliction
  • 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 The Christian's Assured Prospect of Glory
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 The Christian Walking by Faith
  • 2 Corinthians 5:10,11 The Doctrine of Future Judgment
  • 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 The Constraining Power of Christ's Love
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Christian a New Creature
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19, 20 The Ministry Of Reconciliation
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 The Way of Reconciliation with God
  • 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2 The Grace of God Not to be Received in Vain
  • 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 The Character of a Christian Minister
  • 2 Corinthians 6:10 Paradoxical Experience
  • 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 Effects of the Gospel in Enlarging the Heart
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Separation from the World Enjoined
  • 2 Corinthians 7:1 Sanctification Wrought by Promises
  • 2 Corinthians 7:3 The Grounds of a Minister's Regard for His People
  • 2 Corinthians 7:10, 11 Repentance Exemplified in the Corinthian Church
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Liberality to the Poor
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 Liberality to the Poor Recommended
  • 2 Corinthians 8:9 The Grace of Christ
  • 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 Liberality Encouraged
  • 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 The Benefit Arising from Attention to the Poor
  • 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Efficacy of the Gospel
  • 2 Corinthians 10:15, 16 The Faithful Minister's Desires
  • 2 Corinthians 10:18 The Folly of Pride and Boasting
  • 2 Corinthians 11:2, 3 Godly Jealousy the Duty of Ministers
  • 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 St Paul's Zeal Illustrated and Improved
  • 2 Corinthians 11:29 Christian Sympathy
  • 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 The Success of Fervent Prayer
  • 2 Corinthians 12:10 A sense of Weakness Conducive to Strength
  • 2 Corinthians 12:14 The Duty of Ministers
  • 2 Corinthians 13:4 The Power of the Risen Savior
  • 2 Corinthians 13:5 Self Examination Recommended

CHUCK SMITH
2 CORINTHIANS

Commentary

Sermon Notes:

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)

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

Spiritual Warfare: The Battle of Life

2nd Corinthians Daily Devotionals

  1:  Why Does It Hurt So Much? 2 Corinthians 1:1-7
  2:  The Sentence Of Death 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
  3:  When You Are Misunderstood 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4
  4:  Forgiveness: When Discipline Ends 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
  5:  Who Is Sufficient? 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
  6:  Do You Have What It Takes? 2 Corinthians 3:1-6
  7:  A Fading Glory 2 Corinthians 3:7-11
  8:  Freedom To Remove The Mask 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
  9:  Nothing But The Truth 2 Corinthians 4:1-4
10: From Darkness To Light 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
11: The Life Of Jesus In Mortal Bodies 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
12: Beyond The End 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5
13: What's There To Live For? 2 Corinthians 5:6-17
14: The Word For The Hour 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2
15: Sensible Fanaticism 2 Corinthians 6:3-10
16: The Reciprocity Of Love 2 Corinthians 6:11-13
17: Unequally Yoked 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
18: How To Repent 2 Corinthians 7:2-16
19: Grace And Giving 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
20: Giving Joyfully 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:15
21: Our Secret Weapons 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
22: The True Evaluation 2 Corinthians 10:7-18
23: Godly Jealousy 2 Corinthians 11:1-2
24: The Simplicity Of Christ 2 Corinthians 11:3-15
25: How To Boast 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
26: Strength In Weakness 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
27: The Remarkable Paradox 2 Corinthians 12:11-13
28: The Mark Of A True Servant 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:4
29: How To Examine Yourself 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
30: A Word Of Peace 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

JOHN SUTCLIFFE
2 CORINTHIANS COMMENTARY

THEOLOGY OF WORK
2 CORINTHIANS

GEOFF THOMAS
2 CORINTHIANS
SERMONS

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

TODAY IN THE WORD
MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE
2 CORINTHIANS

JOHN TRAPP
2 CORINTHIANS

MARVIN VINCENT
New Testament Word Studies
2 Corinthians

DANIEL WHEDON
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).