Content of the Epistle

All this constitutes the content of the epistle. There is in it yet one more subject, which seems to depend on no particular circumstances, namely: an exposition of the high dignity of Christian revelation despite the outward unprepossessing appearance of its preachers, and of how it is accomplished in deed and reaches the ear of those willing to listen to it. The holy Apostle rises to the contemplation of this upon hearing of the triumphant effect of his written word to the Corinthians. For he speaks of this immediately after, upon listening to the holy Titus, he exclaims: “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph… and through us spreads the fragrance of His knowledge among us in” “every” “place” (2 Cor. 2:14).

The holy Apostle sets forth these subjects in the epistle in the following order. In the middle comes discussion of alms and occupies two chapters—chapters 8 and 9. At the end is placed a stern word to dispel evil rumors about the holy Apostle and to urge those who had not yet corrected themselves to do so. People said of him that he was stern in his letters, but when present himself, he was gentle and meek; and others added to this: Is he really an Apostle? Perhaps such rumors were the reason that in some the moral energy was weakened, and they corrected themselves slothfully. Therefore the Apostle, having in mind especially to rouse these last, writes that he is just as stern in person as in his letters, when necessity requires it (ch. 10); and then, having proved that he is indeed a true Apostle, no less than others, and consequently clothed with full apostolic authority (ch. 11–12), concludes: correct yourselves beforehand—I will come and will not spare (2 Cor. 12:20, ch. 13). This is set forth in chapters 10–13. At the beginning, after giving thanks to God for the comfort afforded him by deliverance from many afflictions (2 Cor. 1:1–11), the holy Apostle explains the reason for changing his travel plans (2 Cor. 1:12–24, 2:1–11); then, rising to the contemplation of the exaltedness of Christian revelation and economy, he sets forth with inspired speech the whole course of this work (2 Cor. 2:12–7:1) and concludes by expressing the joy and comfort brought to him by Titus’ reception in Corinth and all that he saw there and what Titus reported to the Apostle (2 Cor. 7:2–16). This occupies the first seven chapters.