New Testament · Letters of Paul · World English Bible
2 Corinthians
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 
The Reading LensEvery verse pulled to the top of a book is chosen by three questions: Where is God’s heart here? Who is He protecting? Who is being saved by the action? It marks the place where those answers come into clearest focus — a “look at this, in this book.”
About the Letter
The most personal and least systematic of his letters, written after a painful visit and a severe letter that has not survived — with the relationship damaged and only partly repaired.
The tone swings hard. Chapters 1–7 are relief and reconciliation after Titus brings good news; 8–9 are a careful appeal about money; 10–13 turn abruptly combative, so much so that many scholars think a separate letter was joined on here.
Its argument about authority is the inverse of the usual one. Challenged by rivals he calls super-apostles, he lists his credentials — and the list is beatings, shipwrecks, sleeplessness, hunger, and being let down a wall in a basket.
13 Chapters
The God of All Comfort
Comforted in affliction so as to be able to comfort others with the comfort received — the letter’s governing logic, stated in its first paragraph.
Forgive Him
The one who caused the pain has been punished enough; now forgive and comfort him, so he is not overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Letters of Recommendation
You are our letter, written on hearts. The ministry of a new covenant — of the Spirit, not of the letter that kills.
Treasure in Clay Jars
Hard pressed but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair. The surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. Outwardly wasting away, inwardly renewed day by day.
Ambassadors
The tent taken down and a building from God. The ministry of reconciliation, and the appeal made through them as though God were making it himself.
Open Wide Your Hearts
The catalogue of what the work has cost — beatings, imprisonments, sleepless nights, hunger — set beside purity, patience and genuine love. As sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet making many rich.
Titus Arrives
The relief when the news finally comes. Godly sorrow that produces repentance, against worldly sorrow that produces death.
The Macedonians
Out of severe affliction and deep poverty they gave beyond their means, begging for the privilege. The principle stated: not that others be relieved and you burdened, but that there be fairness.
The Cheerful Giver
Each as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. He who sows sparingly reaps sparingly — and the arrangements made so the gift is above reproach.
Weapons Not of the Flesh
The counter-attack begins. They say his letters are weighty but his presence is unimpressive. He declines to compare himself with those who measure themselves by themselves.
The Fool’s Speech
Forced to boast, he boasts about the wrong things — five times thirty-nine lashes, three shipwrecks, a night and a day in the deep, and the daily pressure of concern for all the churches.
The Thorn
A vision he will not describe, and a thorn he asked three times to have removed. The answer given instead, and the conclusion he draws from it — when I am weak, then I am strong.
Examine Yourselves
A third visit announced, and a warning that he will not spare. Then the closing benediction, which became one of the most widely used sentences in Christian worship.