An Exposition of Pauls Epistles, Letter 3
The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Analytically expounded.
The Contents of the Epistle.
THe first Epistle did not want its effect amongst many of the Corinthians, yet there were some, especially vain-talking Teachers, who persevered in their contumacy, and not onelyonly they themselves set at nought the Apostles Authority, but also dared publickly to compare themselves with him, and to prefer themselves before him, and to diminish the Authority of the Apostle amongst the people, with no small detriment and prejudice to the Gospel. That hee might restrain these, and finde all things at his comming better ordered in the Church of Corinth, hee writ this second Epistle which is wholly Apologetical.
Besides an Exordium and Conclusion, there are three parts of the Epistle: In the first, having removed the scandal of the Cross which was laid upon him, and the suspicion of his alienated mind from the Corinthians, Chap. 1. & 2. Hee defends his Ministery, Chap. 2. & 3. And proves his constancy and fidelity therein, Chap. 4. & 5. Exhorting them to bring forth the fruits of his Ministery, Chap. 6. And that they would perswade themselves of his good will towards them, Chap. 7.
In the second part of the Epistle, hee exhorts them to make a collection for the poor Brethren, the afflicted Iews, Chap. 8 & 9.
In the third part hee vindicates his Authority from contempt, and the aspersions of false Teachers, (who laboured to render the Apostle vile amongst the Corinthians) Chap. 10. and holily boasts himself against them, Chap. 11. & 12. endeavouring to render his Authority formidable, and also amicable to the Corinthians, Chap. 13.