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The Second Epistle to the Corinthians — Interlinear: Themes, Outlines & Translation Notes

A consolidated companion to the 2 Corinthians data set: every chapter of 2 Corinthians (1–13) rendered as a six-tier Greek reverse-interlinear (Greek · gloss · parsing/case · syntax · semantic force · lexical note), with per-verse discourse analysis and a chapter argument-outline.

This document gathers, in one place, the theme, the argument outline (the outline movements authored into each data file), and the translation / textual / exegetical notes (the text_note of each file, reproduced verbatim) for all thirteen chapters — followed by a cross-chapter summary of the major translation and interpretive cruxes that were deliberately annotated rather than silently resolved. It is part of the same project as the Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and Philippians volumes.

Scope

Chapter Verses Words annotated Outline movements
2 Corinthians 1 24 487 6
2 Corinthians 2 17 285 4
2 Corinthians 3 18 296 4
2 Corinthians 4 18 321 6
2 Corinthians 5 21 338 5
2 Corinthians 6 18 266 4
2 Corinthians 7 16 329 6
2 Corinthians 8 24 409 7
2 Corinthians 9 15 284 6
2 Corinthians 10 18 311 3
2 Corinthians 11 33 500 8
2 Corinthians 12 21 411 6
2 Corinthians 13 13 236 4
Total 256 4473 —

Each annotated word carries Greek, a working gloss, color-coded grammatical case, parsing (Tense·Voice·Mood·Person·Number + lemma), a Wallace-style syntactic-function label, an aspectual semantic-force label (verbal forms), and a condensed lexical note. The Greek follows the standard critical text (uniform across NA28 / SBLGNT / THGNT in its main wording, and itself an ancient public-domain text); the copyrighted NA28 apparatus is not reproduced.

The argument of the book

The macro-structure of the whole book — its major movements — under which the chapter-by-chapter detail below unfolds. (Section divisions are interpretive; the more common analysis is generally followed.)

Chapter-by-chapter

2 Corinthians 1 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Α′

Theme. Comfort in affliction from the God of all comfort; Paul's sincerity and the defense of his changed travel plans.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 1, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation, paragraphing, and capitalization are editorial and conventional. A few places carry interpretive or text-critical weight: at v.6 the editions order the clauses of consolation and endurance variously (the reading printed follows NA28/SBLGNT); at v.10 the editions divide between ῥύσεται ('he will deliver', read here) and the present ῥύεται; at v.11 the number of πρόσωπον / διὰ πολλῶν is debated; at v.12 the editions divide over ἁπλότητι ('simplicity, sincerity', read here, with SBLGNT/THGNT) versus ἁγιότητι ('holiness', NA28). The chapter has 24 verses; none is legitimately omitted by the critical text.

2 Corinthians 2 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Β′

Theme. Forgiving the offender; and triumph in Christ as the aroma of life and death.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 2, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation, paragraphing, and capitalization are editorial and conventional. At v.1 the editions agree on ἔκρινα with the reflexive ἐμαυτῷ; at v.3 some witnesses add the article before λύπην, not followed here; at v.9 ἔγραψα is read with the main editions; at v.17 the editions divide between οἱ λοιποί ('the rest/many', read here) and οἱ πολλοί, with no change of sense for this rendering. The chapter has 17 verses; none is legitimately omitted by the critical text.

2 Corinthians 3 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Γ′

Theme. Ministers of a new covenant; the surpassing glory of the Spirit's ministry; the unveiled face.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 3, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation, paragraphing, and capitalization are editorial and conventional. At v.1 a few witnesses omit the second 'if not'; at v.2 the manuscripts vary between 'in your hearts' (ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν, read here) and 'in our hearts' (ἡμῶν); at v.3 'on tablets of hearts of flesh' (πλαξὶν καρδίαις σαρκίναις) is read with the critical text. The chapter alludes throughout to Exodus 34:29–35 (Moses' veiled face) and to Jeremiah 31:31–34 / Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26 (the new covenant written on hearts); these allusions are printed as continuous text. The syntactic, semantic-force, and discourse tiers are interpretive throughout; where readings legitimately differ, the more common analysis is given, and the lexical notes are condensed orientation rather than a substitute for a lexicon.

2 Corinthians 4 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Δ′

Theme. This treasure in clay jars; outward wasting and the inward, eternal weight of glory.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 4, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation is editorial and conventional. The chapter has eighteen verses, none of which the critical text omits. At v.6 the editions vary in the precise phrasing of the cited light-formula and of 'in the face of Jesus Christ' / 'of Christ'; the wording printed reflects the THGNT/SBLGNT main text. At v.14 the witnesses divide between 'with Jesus' (σὺν Ἰησοῦ) and 'through Jesus' (διὰ Ἰησοῦ); the former is followed. The verb at vv.1, 16 is spelled ἐγκακοῦμεν (so the critical text), against the Byzantine ἐκκακοῦμεν.

2 Corinthians 5 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Ε′

Theme. The heavenly dwelling and the judgment seat; the ministry of reconciliation; the new creation.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 5, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation (including the placement of question marks and the dashes structuring the long sentences of vv.1–4 and vv.18–21) is editorial and conventional. The chapter has its full complement of twenty-one verses; none is omitted in the critical text. At v.3 some witnesses read ἐκδυσάμενοι ('having put off') for ἐνδυσάμενοι ('having put on'); the latter is followed. Orthographic and minor word-order variants are not noted.

2 Corinthians 6 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Ϛ′

Theme. Now is the day of salvation; the hardships that commend true ministry; do not be unequally yoked.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 6, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation, paragraphing, and capitalization are editorial and conventional. At v.16 the editions divide between ἡμεῖς … ἐσμεν ('we are') and ὑμεῖς … ἐστε ('you are'), the first-person reading printed here; the composite citation in vv.16–18 conflates Lev 26:11–12 / Ezek 37:27, Isa 52:11 / Ezek 20:34, and 2 Sam 7:14 with editorial flexibility. The chapter has 18 verses; none is legitimately omitted by the critical text.

2 Corinthians 7 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Ζ′

Theme. Comfort in Macedonia through Titus; godly grief that produces repentance without regret.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 7, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation and paragraphing are editorial and conventional. The chapter has sixteen verses; v.1 belongs with the appeal begun at 6:14–18 and is here retained as the climax of that appeal.

2 Corinthians 8 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Η′

Theme. The grace of giving — the Macedonians' example and the administration of the collection.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 8, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation and paragraphing are editorial and conventional. The chapter has twenty-four verses, the first of two (chs. 8–9) devoted to the collection for the saints in Jerusalem. Minor orthographic and word-order variants (e.g. the position of ἡμῶν at v.7, the spelling of προενήρξασθε) are not noted.

2 Corinthians 9 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Θ′

Theme. The cheerful giver and the harvest of generosity; thanks for the indescribable gift.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 9, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation and paragraphing are editorial and conventional. The chapter has fifteen verses; it continues without break the collection appeal of chapter 8, of which it is the rhetorical completion.

2 Corinthians 10 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ Ι′

Theme. Paul's defense of his authority — weapons not of the flesh, and boasting only in the Lord.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 10, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation — including the placement of question marks in vv.7 and the clause divisions of vv.12–18 — is editorial and conventional. At v.12–13 the text is notoriously difficult; the punctuation followed takes 'οὐ συνιᾶσιν· ἡμεῖς δὲ' as the major break, and the longer reading 'οὐ συνιᾶσιν' is retained. All eighteen verses of the chapter are present; none is omitted by the critical text.

2 Corinthians 11 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ ΙΑ′

Theme. The fool's speech: false 'super-apostles,' and Paul's boast in his sufferings.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 11, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation and paragraphing are editorial and conventional. The chapter has thirty-three verses. Minor orthographic and word-order variants (e.g. ἀνέχεσθε / ἠνείχεσθε in v.1, the presence or absence of the article before θεοῦ in v.2) are not noted.

2 Corinthians 12 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ ΙΒ′

Theme. The third-heaven vision; the thorn in the flesh; grace made perfect in weakness.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 12, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation and paragraphing are editorial and conventional. The chapter has twenty-one verses; it continues the 'fool's speech' (11:1–12:13) and its caustic, ironic register, then turns to the announcement of the third visit (12:14–21). Well-known variants (e.g. the reading of v.1 καυχᾶσθαι δεῖ vs. καυχᾶσθαι δὴ, and οἶδα ἄνθρωπον / οἶδα γὰρ ἄνθρωπον in vv.2–3) are not annotated.

2 Corinthians 13 — ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Β′ ΙΓ′

Theme. Final warnings and the call to self-examination; the closing Trinitarian benediction.

Outline.

Translation & textual notes. The Greek follows the standard critical text of 2 Corinthians 13, uniform in its main wording across the modern editions (NA28, SBLGNT, THGNT) and itself an ancient, public-domain text; NA28's distinctively copyrighted critical apparatus is not reproduced. Verse punctuation and paragraphing are editorial and conventional. The verse-count differs by tradition: the critical text numbers thirteen verses, while the older versification (KJV/Textus Receptus) numbers fourteen by splitting the greeting material this file places in v.12 — there 'Greet one another with a holy kiss' is v.12 and 'All the saints greet you' is a separate v.13, with the grace-benediction (this file's v.13) becoming v.14. This file follows the critical numbering of thirteen verses, joining the holy-kiss and all-the-saints greetings as v.12 and rendering the Trinitarian benediction as v.13.

Major translation & exegetical cruxes

Throughout the project, points where the Greek legitimately admits more than one rendering or reading were flagged in the lexical notes and chapter text_notes rather than decided silently. Where a choice had to be made for the running translation, the more common analysis was generally taken and the alternative noted. The principal cruxes in 2 Corinthians:

Reference Crux Discussion
1:12 ἁπλότητι / ἁγιότητι — 'sincerity/simplicity' vs. 'holiness' A one-letter manuscript split for the quality of Paul's conduct; the more widely printed ἁπλότητι ('sincerity') is followed, with the divergence noted.
2:14 θριαμβεύοντι — 'leads us in triumph' Whether Paul casts himself as a victor sharing Christ's triumph or, more pointedly, as a conquered captive led in Christ's triumphal procession; the latter nuance is widely favored and noted.
3:17 ὁ δὲ κύριος τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν — 'the Lord is the Spirit' Whether 'the Lord' is Christ identified with the Spirit, the Spirit as 'the Lord' of the Exodus text being expounded, or a functional identification; rendered plainly and flagged.
4:4 ὁ θεὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου — 'the god of this age' Almost universally Satan (who blinds unbelievers' minds), not the true God; the word order is read so as to avoid misconstrual, and the sense noted.
5:16 Χριστὸν κατὰ σάρκα — 'Christ according to the flesh' Whether κατὰ σάρκα qualifies the knowing (a fleshly way of regarding Christ) or Christ himself (the earthly Jesus); the adverbial construal is generally taken.
5:21 ἁμαρτίαν ἐποίησεν — 'he made him to be sin' 'Sin' as sin itself (the great exchange / imputation) or as a 'sin offering' (the LXX sense of ἁμαρτία); the broader 'sin' is rendered, the offering sense noted.
8:9 ἐπτώχευσεν … πλούσιος ὤν — the grace of Christ's poverty The 'becoming poor though rich' as the incarnation and self-impoverishment of Christ, grounding the appeal to give; the metaphor's scope is noted.
12:7 σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί — 'a thorn in the flesh' The nature of the 'thorn' (a physical ailment, an opponent, or a spiritual affliction) is left undefined by Paul and is annotated rather than identified.
13:13 ἡ χάρις … ἡ ἀγάπη … ἡ κοινωνία — the Trinitarian benediction The threefold grace-of-Christ, love-of-God, fellowship-of-the-Spirit; the genitives (esp. 'fellowship of the Spirit' — produced by, or participation in, the Spirit) are weighed and noted.

Other recurring features noted in the lexical tier include the dense comfort/affliction word-pair (παράκλησις / θλῖψις) of chs. 1 and 7, the boasting vocabulary (καυχάομαι / καύχησις) that runs through chs. 10–12, the new-covenant 'glory' (δόξα) language of ch. 3, and the collection terms (χάρις, διακονία, λειτουργία) of chs. 8–9.

How the data set is organized

The interpretive tiers (syntactic function, semantic force, discourse structure, and the proposed argument outlines) are interpretive by nature; where readings legitimately differ, the more common analysis was generally chosen, and the lexical notes are condensed orientation rather than a substitute for a lexicon (e.g. BDAG) or a full commentary.