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II Corinthians: A Commentary (New Testament Library)
II Corinthians A Commentary - New Testament Library Author:Frank J. Matera Second Corinthians is the most personal and passionate letter of Pauls correspondence. Written in the midst of a severe crisis that profoundly affected his relationship with the Corinthian community, the letter exhibits the full range of the Apostles emotions, from expressions of tenderness and love to outbursts of anger and resentme... more »nt toward those who questioned his ministry. Paul provides the Corinthiansand the contemporary Churchwith a breathtaking exposition of apostolic ministry, portraying himself as the minister of a new covenant whose ministry is confirmed by his daily participation in the sufferings and death of Christ. As the minister of a new covenant, Paul allows people to "see" the glory of God on the face of Christ by "hearing" the paradoxical gospel of a crucified Christ who is the very image of God. As Christs ambassador, Paul calls people to embrace the reconciliation God offers the world through this crucified Christ in whom God makes all things new. Focusing on the theological and rhetorical dimensions of this letter, and always attentive to its historical setting, Frank Matera provides a reading of 2 Corinthians that embraces the letters literary integrity. He maintains that Paul is addressing two crises at Corinth, one which has been resolved (the crisis of the painful visit) and one which still needs to be resolved (the presence of intruding apostles). In chapters 19 Paul deals with the first crisis and summons the Corinthians to complete the collection for Jerusalem. Building on this initial reconciliation and "boasting" in his weaknesses, in chapters 1013 he responds to the charges that the intruding "super-apostles" and their Corinthian supporters have leveled against him. In this way Paul prepares the community for his third and final visit to Corinth.« less