The New International Commentary on the New Testament

Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians

the english text with introduction, exposition and notes

by

Philip Edgcumbe Hughes

Th.D., D. Litt.

Wm. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING CO.

grand rapids, michigan

© copyright 1962 by philip e. hughes

All rights reserved

First printing, March 1962

Second printing, February 1967

Third printing, March 1971

Fourth printing, June 1973

ISBN 0-8028-2186-3

To

MALCOLM McQUEEN

Loyal Friend

Faithful Witness

Contents

Editor’s Preface

Author’s Preface

Introduction

Commentary

1:1, 2 Salutation

1:3–11 Thanksgiving for comfort in affliction

Paul’s Affliction in Asia

1:12–2:4 Paul’s integrity of motive and conduct

Paul’s Associations with Corinth

The Identity of the Epistle mentioned in 2:3f

2:5–11 The notorious offender at corinth

2:12–17 Waiting for news

Titus

3:1–11 An epistle of Christ

The New Covenant

The Letter and the Spirit

3:12–4:6 With unveiled face

4:7–16a Treasure in earthen vessels

4:16b–5:10 The prospect of death and its consequences

Additional note on 5:1–10

5:11–6:10 The ministry of reconciliation

6:11–7:4 A Spiritual father’s appeal to his children

The Authenticity of the Section 6:14–7:1

7:5–16 The meeting with titus

The Identity of the Epistle mentioned in 7:8

8:1–9:15 The grace of christian giving

Paul’s Collection for the poor Christians at Jerusalem

The Identity of “the brother” mentioned in 8:18

Note on the Section 9:1–5

10:1–13:10 Paul affirms his apostolic authority

The Authenticity of chapters 10 to 13

Paul’s Adversaries at Corinth

The Mention of Aretas in 11:32 and Pauline Chronology

The Third Heaven (12:3)

Paradise (12:4)

Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”

Paul’s third visit to Corinth

The Despatch of Titus to Corinth

13:11–14 Conclusion

Index of proper names

Index of scripture references

Editor’s Preface

By way of preface to this substantial addition to The New International Commentary on the New Testament, the tenth volume to be completed, the editor is happy to have the opportunity of briefly introducing the author and his work and especially of expressing his gratitude to him for his perceptive and eminently readable contribution.

Philip Hughes is widely known in the English-speaking world both as a churchman and as a scholar. Born in Australia and brought up in South Africa, his labors during his mature life have largely centered in England. He has also, however, enjoyed many fruitful contacts with the European continent and with America. Most recently he has been in the public eye chiefly because of his contributions to Christianity Today and he is now connected with the London office of this magazine as British Editorial Associate.

Dr. Hughes is also Editor of the influential The Churchman, an Anglican quarterly largely concerned with the life of the Church in which he was ordained in 1941. For a number of years he lectured on New Testament and other subjects in Tyndale Hall, Bristol, where he served as Vice-Principal, 1950–52. At that time he was also ...