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Bible chapter guide
2 Corinthians 1
Paul blesses the God of all comfort, who comforts us in affliction so that we can comfort others, and tells of a deadly peril in Asia. He explains that he changed his travel plans not lightly but to spare them a painful visit.
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The letter: who wrote it, where and when
These questions are debated; the views are shown side by side with how sure each is, as in Paul's Roads.
- Strongly supported
2 Corinthians written from Macedonia
Paul has come into Macedonia and met Titus there (2:13; 7:5–7) and boasts to the Macedonians about Achaia's readiness (9:2–4). Philippi is shown as a likely Macedonian city; the letter names none.
- Plausible
2 Corinthians may combine more than one letter.
The sharp change of tone at chapter 10 and the letter written with many tears (2:4) have led many to think chapters 10–13 (or other parts) were once separate. Others read it as one letter written over time.
How sure can we be?
- Textually stated
Timothy is named as co-sender of six of Paul's letters.
2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon open with Paul and Timothy (with Silas in the Thessalonian letters).
- Strongly supported
The Silas of Acts is the Silvanus of Paul's letters.
Silvanus is the Latin form of the name; both are with Paul and Timothy at Corinth (Acts 18:5; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1).
- Plausible
Philippians written from Ephesus
Paul speaks of many imprisonments and of deadly peril in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8; 11:23), and Ephesus lies close to Colossae and Philippi for the many journeys the letters assume; but Acts records no imprisonment at Ephesus.
- Plausible
Colossians written from Ephesus
Paul speaks of many imprisonments and of deadly peril in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8; 11:23), and Ephesus lies close to Colossae and Philippi for the many journeys the letters assume; but Acts records no imprisonment at Ephesus.
- Plausible
Philemon written from Ephesus
Paul speaks of many imprisonments and of deadly peril in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8; 11:23), and Ephesus lies close to Colossae and Philippi for the many journeys the letters assume; but Acts records no imprisonment at Ephesus.
- Speculative
Ephesians written from Ephesus
Paul speaks of many imprisonments and of deadly peril in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8; 11:23), and Ephesus lies close to Colossae and Philippi for the many journeys the letters assume; but Acts records no imprisonment at Ephesus.