Recommended Resources
For the Current Sermon Series:
2 Corinthians
For the Current Sermon Series:
2 Corinthians
OutlineThe current sermon series will follow the flow of thought that Paul developed in this letter to the Corinthian church. Click here for a detailed outline of 2 Corinthians.CommentariesThe following recommendations are for those who wish to study 2 Corinthians in conjunction with the current sermon series. A broad range of resources are available, but these have been selected because they are both solid and readable. Our congregation will find them useful tools for advance preparation for worship each Lord’s Day.Barnett, Paul W. The Message of 2 Corinthians. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1988.This author contributed an acclaimed contribution to the New International Commentary series. This commentary is a briefer treatment written on a more popular level.Fee, Gordon D., and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book: A Guided Tour. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.The work provides an introduction and summary of each book of the Bible. A grasp of the background and basic flow of the letter will greatly enhance the student’s comprehension.Gromacki, Robert. Stand Firm in the Faith: An Exposition of 2 Corinthians. Reprint, Woodlands, TX: Kress Christian Publications, 2002.The author is Baptist scholar who served as professor of Bible and Greek at Cedarville University for 40 years, now distinguished professor emeritus. His scholarship was enhanced by pastoral experience.Hughes, R. Kent. 2 Corinthians: Power in Weakness. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012.Kent Hughes, a pastor and prolific author, brings 35 years of ministry experience to his preaching. This book is part of the Preaching the Word series of which he is editor and contributor. This work began as series sermons modified to publish as a commentary.Kent, Homer A., Jr. A. Heart Opened Wide: Studies in 2 Corinthians. Reprint, Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 2006.Dr. Kent taught Bible and Greek at Grace Theological Seminary for 50 years, retiring as president of the seminary. A prolific author, he published commentaries on 15 books of the Bible. His books present scholarly insight in a readable form.MacArthur, John. 2 Corinthians. Chicago, IL: Moody, 2003.John MacArthur recently completed his New Testament Commentary series. Each volume presents research on which his preaching was based. It is filled with useful detail, numerous cross references, and theological insights.Robertson, Archibald Thomas Robertson, The Glory of the Ministry: Paul’s Exultation in Preaching. 1911. Reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979.In the first half of the 20th century, A. T. Robertson was America’s foremost Greek scholar. This is an encouraging exposition of 2 Corinthians 2:14—6:10, Paul’s “great digression.” You may read it free of charge here: https://archive.org/details/gloryofministryp00robe.ArticlesBeeke, Joel R. “The Sufficiency of the Bible Contra Rome.” Meet the Puritans Blog. October 5, 2017. http://www.meetthepuritans.com/blog/sufficiency-bible-contra-rome.One of the chief concerns in 2 Corinthians is the question of apostolic authority: Was Paul an apostle of Christ and was his word, therefore, binding on the conscience of Corinthian Christians? This same issue is still with us today. We frame it as the question of the authority and sufficiency of Scripture.Combs, William. “2 Cor. 5:7—A Much Misused Text.” Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary Blog. February 2, 2012. http://www.dbts.edu/2012/02/01/2-cor-57-a-much-misused-text/Dr. Combs offers a necessary correction to a common misinterpretation used by mystics and purveyors of the health and wealth gospel.Meadors, Gary T. “John R. W. Stott on Social Action,” Grace Theological Journal. Fall 1980. 129:144.Many use the second major section of 2 Corinthians as evidence that the Bible teaches a social mandate for the church, an unbiblical ideology that failed early in the 20th century. A new iteration of the social gospel has been gaining traction. One of the most influential advocates responsible for this resurgence was John R. W. Stott. This article provides a helpful critique of Stott’s stunning redefinition of the purpose of evangelism.
