2 Corinthians

13 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1By his troubles in Asia he comforteth them, and (against his Adversaries the false apostles of the Jews) alleageth to them the testimony of his own and also of their conscience, 17 answering them that objected lightness against him, for not coming to Corinth according to his promise.
2. 2Prosecuting the true cause which in the last chapter he gave of his not coming, 6 he pardoneth now after some part of penance, him that for incest he excommunicated in the last epistle, requiring them obediently to consent thereunto. 12 Then, of his going from Troas into Macedonia, God every where giving him the triumph.
3. 3Lest the Judaical false-Apostles should object again that he praiseth himself, he saith that the Corinthians are his commendation: and they in their hearts being justified by his ministery, he thereof inferreth that the ministers of the new Testament are far more glorious than they of the old, 13 and our people more lightened than theirs.
4. 4That according as so glorious a ministery requireth, he liveth and preacheth sincerely, 7 the which glory his Adversaries cannot count vain, considering his persecutions, because persecution is to Gods glory, and to our humility and hope, and meritorious of increase of grace in this life, and of most glorious bodies and souls afterward.
5. 5That after death of the body the soul may to heaven: therefore, although naturally we abhor death, by grace he desireth it rather: 9 in consideration of Christ's just judgement, living as in the sight of God, yea and of their consciences. 12 Which he speaketh not to praise himself, but because of his Adversaries who did glory in carnal respects: but he and the other Apostles regard nothing but their reconciliation unto God by Christ, and to reconcile others also, as being his legates for that purpose.
6. 6That he helpeth with his exhortations, and in all things behaveth himself as becometh a minister of God. 11 Which he speaketh so openly, because his heart is open unto them: exhorting them to be likewise open-hearted towards him, 14 and to avoid those Infidels.
7. 7He proceedeth to exhort them to purity, and to receive him into their charity. 3 Which lest they should think he speaketh to accuse them, he commendeth them highly, both for their behaviour toward Titus, and for their penance which they had done upon his other epistle.
8. 8By the example of the poor Macedonians he exhorteth them to contribute largely unto the Church of Jerusalem, 7 and by praising of them, 9 and by the example of Christ. 14 and by their own spiritual profit in being partakers of that Church's merits, 16 and by commending the collectors that he sendeth.
9. 9He proceedeth exhorting them to the foresaid contribution, 3 to verify his commending of them. 6 and to do it liberally, that so they may merit the more, and God be the more praised.
10. 10Against the false Apostles, granting the infirmity of his person, he doth notwithstanding set out the power of his Apostleship. 12 reprehending them also for challenging to themselves the praise of other men's labours.
11. 11He is forced to commend his own labours, perils, and sufferings, far above the false Apostles, lest the Corinthians, beguiled by the eloquence of those seducers, fall from the simplicity that is in Christ.
12. 12He tells of his incomparable visions, but for humility likes better to talk of his infirmity, putting the faults in the Corinthians for that he is fain thus to rehearse his own commendations; wherein again he reasons the matter with them like a father, why they should prefer those false Apostles before him; and fears lest at his coming he shall be compelled to excommunicate many of them.
13. 13He drives into them the fear of excommunication: to the end that they, doing penance beforehand, he may not be compelled to use his authority when he comes, and as he hath threatened. 11 And so with a general exhortation he ends.