Division

Thus the epistle is divided into three parts: The first contains an expression of thanksgiving to God, and of the joy and comfort that the happy success of his epistle brought to the holy Apostle Paul, with an exposition on this occasion of the high dignity of Christian revelation and economy and the whole course of it (ch. 1–7). The second contains instructions concerning alms with certain arrangements with respect to it (ch. 8 and 9). The third contains necessary explanations to refute the evil rumors being spread about the holy Apostle and to urge those who have not yet corrected themselves to do so (ch. 10–13). More briefly they can be designated as follows: the first—theological, the second—practical, the third—defensive. If we distinguish them by tone, the first is warmhearted to the same degree that the last is sternly sobering, breathing the inexorableness of authority. This the fatherly care of the holy Apostle demanded in regard to the correction of the uncorrected.