2 Corinthians (ACNT)

by Frederick William Danker

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 1989

Overview

Few pieces of correspondence by Paul have attracted so much controversial comment as has 2 Corinthians. Why does Paul seem oblivious to important historical events and theological themes relevant to the church in Corinth? How do the lost letters to the church in Corinth impact the interpretation and exegesis of 2 Corinthians? What cultural environment informed the significant themes of Paul’s epistle?

This commentary on 2 Corinthians addresses the significant historical, theological, and interpretive issues of 2 Corinthians. Frederick W. Danker explores the thrust of Paul’s message to the church in Corinth in this chapter-by-chapter commentary. This volume also includes a complete outline and comprehensive bibliography.

Key Features

• Discussion of historical issues, such as authorship, dating, and location
• Textual and literary notes
• Bibliographies and suggestions for further reading and study
• Scripture references linked to your Greek New Testament or English translation

Contents

Top Highlights

“This inscription reveals the importance attached to recognition by communities for benefits conferred within their midst. Indeed, the biblical principle expressed by Paul in 2 Cor. 9:7, ‘God has affection for a cheerful donor,’ would have been well understood in the Greco-Roman world, where the principle ‘It is better to give than to receive’ prevailed in many circles.” (Pages 23–24)

“God went to extreme lengths to save us. Using an extraordinary metaphor, Paul says that God made Christ the essence of sin for our benefit. That is, God accepts the responsibility for exposing Christ to the situation in which sinners, who comprise all human beings, could appear to be just, whereas Christ became identified through the crucifixion as the ultimate sinner. But God did it for humanity’s sake. And God did it not only to clear humanity of sin, but to make possible the opposite type of conduct—uprightness. To heed the call to be reconciled to God means then that we understand the reason for God reaching out to us, namely, to reflect the beneficent character of God, which finds expression in the new life that was described in v. 15.” (Pages 83–84)

“That is, the Holy Spirit begins now with the renovation of the believer’s life. And this present experience, partial though it is because of the co-existence of the ‘flesh, serves as a promissory note which guarantees delivery of the full package that spells complete and abiding fulfillment of the will of God without interference from the sinful flesh.” (Page 74)

“Paul, of course, moves the thought to a far different plane. The word power means the ability to function. That ability is best exhibited in weakness, for it is in weakness that the full extent of Christ’s capacity for overcoming obstacles can be observed. To one who has overcome death all else seems trivial.” (Page 195)

Praise for the Print Edition

This evangelical work ranks high among those conversant with scholarly study regarding the setting of that day and offering a great deal of information.

—Master's Seminary Journal

Product Details

• Title: 2 Corinthians
• Author: Frederick W. Danker
• Editors: Roy A. Harrisville, Jack Dean Kingsbury, and Gerhard A. Krodel
• Publisher: Augsburg
• Series: Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament
• Publication Date: 1989
• Pages: 223

About Frederick William Danker

Frederick W. Danker, professor emeritus of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, is an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Besides holding pastorates in various parishes, he served as instructor of New Testament for thirty-four years until his retirement in 1988.

His numerous writings range from lexicons, books, and articles in learned journals to publications in newspapers and popular magazines. Because of his ability to bridge academic and general interests, Danker is in frequent demand as a public lecturer on such varied topics as the politics of the Scriptures, proclamation based on the three series of the church year, and Jewish-Christian relations.