The Second Epistle to the Corinthians : a commentary on the Greek text / by Murray J. Harris.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Harris, Murray J.

Series:

New international Greek Testament commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

The new international Greek Testament commentary

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Corinthians, 2nd--Commentaries.

Bible. Corinthians, 2nd.

Genre:

Commentaries.

Physical Description:

cxxviii, 989 pages ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Grand Rapids, Mich. : W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co. ; Milton Keynes, UK : Paternoster Press, 2005.

Summary:

The reputation of the NIGTC series is so outstanding that the appearance of each new volume is noteworthy. This book on 2 Corinthians is no exception. Master New Testament exegete Murray J. Harris has produced a superb commentary that analyzes the Greek text verse by verse against the backdrop of Paul's tumultuous relations with his converts at Corinth.

Believing that Scripture cannot be understood theologically unless it has first been understood grammatically, Harris provides a careful, thoroughgoing reading of the text of 2 Corinthians. He gives special attention to matters of translation, making regular references not only to the standard modern English translations but also to influential older versions such as The Twentieth Century New Testament and those by Weymouth, Moffatt, and Goodspeed. His close attention to matters of textual criticism and grammar leads to discussions of the theology of 2 Corinthians that show the relevance of Paul's teaching to Christian living and church ministry.

Other notable features of the book include a comprehensive introduction in which all the relevant literary and historical issues are discussed, an expanded paraphrase of the letter that conveniently shows Harris's decisions on exegetical issues and indicates the flow of Paul's argument, a chronology of the relations of Paul, Timothy, and Titus with the Corinthian church, and an excursus on Paul's "affliction in Asia" (1:8-11) and its influence on his outlook and theology.

Contents:

A Literary Issues 1

1 Authorship and Attestation of 2 Corinthians 1

a Authorship 1

b Attestation 2

2 The "Severe Letter" 3

a Its Purpose 4

b Its Effect 4

c Its Identification 5

3 The Integrity of 2 Corinthians 8

a Complex Partition or Dislocation Theories 8

b 2 Corinthians 2:14-7:4 11

c 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 14

d 2 Corinthians 8-9 25

e 2 Corinthians 10-13 29

4 The Occasion, Purpose, and Outcome of 2 Corinthians 51

B Historical Issues 54

1 The "Painful Visit" 54

a Its Historicity 54

b Its Time 57

c Its Occasion, Purpose, and Outcome 58

2 Paul's Itinerary during and Immediately after His Ephesian Ministry 59

3 Place of Composition and Date of Sending of 1 and 2 Corinthians 64

a 1 Corinthians 64

b 2 Corinthians 65

4 Paul's Opponents in 2 Corinthians 67

a Methodology 67

b Their View of Paul 69

c Paul's View of Them 71

d Their Relation to Jerusalem 73

e Their Identity 77

5 Paul's Collection for Jerusalem 87

a The Need at Jerusalem 88

b "The Poor" in Jerusalem 89

d Its Significance for Paul 94

e The Response in Jerusalem 100

C Chronology of the Relations of Paul, Timothy, and Titus with the Corinthian Church 101

D Analyses of 2 Corinthians 105

1 Analysis by Rhetorical Form 105

2 Analysis by Chiastic Structure 110

3 Analysis by Content (and Epistolary Form) 114

E Summary of the Theology of 2 Corinthians 114

1 The Godhead 115

2 Salvation 117

3 The Gospel 118

4 The Church 118

5 Apostleship 119

6 Christian Ministry 120

a Adaptability 120

b Jealousy 120

c Devotion 121

d Affection 121

e Fear 121

7 The Christian Life 122

8 Suffering 123

9 Stewardship 123

10 Satan 124

11 Eschatology 124

I Paul's Explanation of His Conduct and Apostolic Ministry (2 Corinthians 1-7) 127

1 Salutation (1:1-2) 127

2 A Doxology Celebrating Divine Comfort (1:3-7) 137

3 Deliverance from Affliction (1:8-11) 150

Excursus: Paul's Affliction in Asia (2 Cor. 1:8-11): The Personal Background to 2 Corinthians 164

Paul's Description of the [characters not reproducible] 164

It Occurred in the Province of Asia 164

It Occurred between the Writing of 1 and 2 Corinthians 164

It Had a Devastating Effect on Paul 165

It Was Unique in Paul's Experience 165

Yet Paul Expected Similar Afflictions in the Future 166

Proposed Identifications of the [characters not reproducible] 166

A Literal Fighting with the Beasts in Ephesus (1 Cor. 15:32) 166

Opposition to Paul at Ephesus 167

Imprisonment in Asia, or More Specifically in Ephesus 168

The Demetrius Riot 169

A Severe Illness 170

Paul's Circumstances When the [characters not reproducible] Occurred 172

The Influence of the [characters not reproducible] 174

The Nature and Consequences of the Believer's Physical Death 175

Paul's Relation to the Parousia 177

B Paul's Conduct Defended (1:12-2:13) 182

1 Characteristics of His Conduct (1:12-14) 182

2 Charge of Fickleness Answered (1:15-22) 190

3 A Canceled Painful Visit (1:23-2:4) 211

4 Forgiveness for the Offender (2:5-11) 222

5 Restlessness at Troas (2:12-13) 235

C Major Digression - The Apostolic Ministry Described (2:14-7:4) 240

1 The Grandeur and Superiority of the Apostolic Ministry (2:14-4:6) 241

2 The Suffering and Glory of the Apostolic Ministry (4:7-5:10) 338

3 The Essence and Exercise of the Apostolic Ministry (5:11-6:10) 411

4 The Openness and Consolation of the Apostolic Ministry (6:11-7:4) 486

D Paul's Joy at the Corinthians' Repentance (7:5-16) 522

1 Comfort in Macedonia (7:5-7) 524

2 The Severe Letter and Its Effects (7:8-13a) 532

3 The Joy and Affection of Titus (7:13b-16) 546

II Paul's Summons to Complete the Collection (2 Corinthians 8-9) 553

A The Need for Generosity (8:1-15) 557

1 The Generosity of the Macedonians (8:1-6) 558

2 A Plea for Liberal Giving (8:7-12) 572

3 The Aim of Equality (8:13-15) 587

B The Mission of Titus and His Companions (8:16-9:5) 594

1 The Delegates and Their Credentials (8:16-24) 595

2 The Need for Readiness (9:1-5) 615

C The Resources and Results of Generosity (9:6-15) 631

1 God's Enrichment of the Giver (9:6-11) 631

2 The Offering of Prayer to God (9:12-15) 647

III Paul's Defense of His Apostolic Authority (2 Corinthians 10-13) 661

A The Exercise of Apostolic Authority (10:1-18) 662

1 The Potency of Apostolic Authority (10:1-11) 664

2 Legitimate Spheres of Activity and Boasting (10:12-18) 703

B Boasting "as a Fool" (11:1-12:13) 729

1 A Plea for Tolerance (11:1-6) 729

2 Financial Dependence and Independence (11:7-12) 751

3 False Apostles (11:13-15) 770

4 Justification for Foolish Boasting (11:16-21a) 777

5 Paul's Heritage and Trials (11:21b-29) 789

6 Escape from Damascus (11:30-33) 816

7 A Vision and Its Aftermath (12:1-10) 827

8 Proof of Apostleship (12:11-13) 869

C The Planned Third Visit (12:14-13:10) 879

1 A Promise Not to Be Burdensome (12:14-18) 880

2 Fears about the Corinthians' State (12:19-21) 893

3 Warning of Impending Discipline (13:1-4) 904

4 A Plea for Self-Examination (13:5-10) 917

D Conclusion (13:11-13) 930

Expanded Paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 943.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages xxvi-cxxviii) and indexes.

ISBN:

0853645809

OCLC:

56672293