The Composition and Chronology of Second Corinthians

Abstract

Canonical 2 Corinthians includes, and in most cases substantially preserves, texts which originally belonged to five different letters from Paul to the church at Corinth. The earliest, 2 Cor. 6.14-7.1, is a fragment of the letter alluded to in 1 Cor. 5.9. 1 Corinthians follows this letter, and precedes Paul's second, disastrous visit to Corinth. 2 Corinthians 10-13 follows this visit. Thereafter, Paul wrote 2 Cor. 2.14- 6.13, 7.2-4, seeking restoration of relations after the crisis. After meeting with Titus on the latter's return from Corinth, Paul wrote 2 Cor. 1.1-2.13, 7.5-8.24. Finally, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians 9 ahead of his third visit to Corinth. The letters reflect developments in Paul's relationship with the Corinthian church before, during and after the intrusion of his opponents and the crisis they precipitated.