Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians

INTRODUCTION

AFTER Paul had written and sent his first letter to the Corinthian church, in addition to the anxious concern which he continued to feel on account of those difficulties and dissensions which were the occasion of his writing, he could not but be solicitous in respect to the manner in which they would receive his expostulations and reproofs. He was then at Ephesus, and intended to remain there (1 Corinthians 16:8) for some time longer; but, being compelled to leave the city by the violent hostility of Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen, (Acts 19:23-21,) he travelled north, towards Macedonia, looking for the return of Titus, whom he is supposed to have sent to Corinth, and from whom he expected to hear tidings of that church, especially in reference to the reception of his First Epistle. (2 Corinthians 2:13.)

When he arrived in Macedonia, he met Titus, (2 Corinthians 7:5-7,) who informed him of the favorable reception of his Epistle, and of the salutary effects which it had produced. This Second Epistle was, accordingly, written from Macedonia, after receiving the report of Titus. Its object was to express the satisfaction which Paul felt in the manner in which his former reproofs had been received, and in the marks of repentance and reformation which they had manifested; and, also, to communicate to them other instructions on various subjects, such as the circumstances of their case seemed to require.