Glimpses of Lament: 2 Corinthians and the Presence of Lament in the New Testament

Abstract

The subject of lament in the NT has not received as much attention as it deserves. Some scholars have taken note of this fact, even calling on evangelicals to take up the charge. The present article is a response to such a charge and focuses on the book of 2 Corinthians, where one finds several instances that point to a pattern of lament, revealing a true, back-and-forth covenant interaction with God, rather than one that allows only for praise. After a brief introduction to the concept of biblical lament, a few key passages in 2 Corinthians are examined that, while not formal laments, do provide certain glimpses of lament. These examples encourage a move beyond the one-sidedness of a “doxology-only” faith and toward one that is more robust, able to hold both praise and lament in tension.