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2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Sorry for the long gap here between posts. I had originally intended to swig to Ecclesiastes next, but I have decided to push that off and tackle 2 Corinthians instead. During this study I'll be relying on Thrall and Matera.

You can read the text here.

Paul writes to the Corinthians and to some surrounding churches related to the congregations in Corinth.[1] He opens with his usual greeting of grace and peace from the Father and Jesus giving a positive tone to the opening of the letter. 

He then offers a blessing to God for his abundant mercy and consolation. Paul has suffered much but God has supported him through it with the result that he can pass that support on to others when they suffer for the sake of Christ. As suffering has increased, so has the comfort Paul has received from Jesus. And whether Paul is suffering or he is receiving consolation (i.e., regardless of the circumstances), God is using Paul, through his experiences, for the benefit of the Corinthians, so that they may experience God's comfort and salvation.[2] Suffering is hard, but Paul knows that they will persevere because he knows that their suffering is genuine suffering for Christ like his is and that they are also receiving consolation from Christ.[3]

Paul continues to emphasize his sufferings. They were quite severe, even to the point of being near death (which perhaps explains why he could not visit).[4] Through that time of intense suffering and weakness they learned to trust fully in God to give them strength. If God could raise the dead he could rescue them, and he did. The Corinthians participate in that work through their prayers.

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[1] Thrall goes over possible references to other churches in Achaia before arguing that they must be in regular contact with the Corinthian communities.

[2] This point is difficult, Matera connects it to an invitation for the Corinthians to participate in Christ's sufferings like Paul does and understand better a gospel of power in weakness. More likely to me, is Thrall's suggestion that it is tied to his apostolic role of evangelization. 

[3] Is Paul suggesting that suffering for Christ should be seen as a standard experience for Christians? Thrall sees Paul going in that direction. 

[4] Matera makes this suggestion which seems plausible.
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