Who Wrote 2 Corinthians?
Quick Summary
Second Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul in the mid-first century CE. The letter explicitly names Paul as its author, reflects his distinctive pastoral voice, and addresses a complex and emotionally charged relationship with the Corinthian church. Internal references, historical context, and early Christian testimony firmly establish Pauline authorship.
Introduction
Second Corinthians is one of the most personal documents in the New Testament. It reveals Paul not only as a theologian and missionary, but as a wounded pastor navigating misunderstanding, criticism, reconciliation, and hope.
Like 1 Corinthians, this letter identifies its author directly. Yet the letter’s tone, structure, and emotional depth raise important questions about context and composition. Examining internal claims alongside early Christian testimony shows that authorship itself is not in doubt, even as the circumstances behind the letter are complex.
The Letter’s Explicit Claim of Authorship
Second Corinthians opens with a clear identification: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth” (2 Corinthians 1:1).
Throughout the letter, Paul speaks in the first person, recounting his travels, sufferings, and intentions. He refers to his afflictions in Asia (2 Corinthians 1:8–9), his changed travel plans (2 Corinthians 1:15–17), and his decision to write a painful letter rather than make another visit (2 Corinthians 2:1–4).
These autobiographical elements are too specific and emotionally charged to plausibly reflect pseudonymous authorship.
Relationship to 1 Corinthians
Second Corinthians presupposes earlier correspondence. Paul refers to a previous letter that caused sorrow but ultimately led to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:8–12). This aligns naturally with the aftermath of 1 Corinthians and possibly an additional lost letter.
The letter assumes an ongoing relationship marked by conflict and reconciliation. Paul defends his apostolic authority, responds to critics, and reaffirms his love for the church.
Paul’s Voice and Theology
The theological themes in 2 Corinthians are unmistakably Pauline. The letter emphasizes weakness and divine power, reconciliation, new creation, and the ministry of the Spirit.
Paul famously writes, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This paradoxical theology echoes themes found elsewhere in Paul’s letters while being articulated here with striking personal vulnerability.
The letter’s rhetorical shifts, emotional intensity, and pastoral concern align closely with Paul’s known voice.
Composition and Unity
Some scholars have suggested that 2 Corinthians may preserve multiple letters combined into a single document, especially noting the tonal shift between chapters 1–9 and chapters 10–13.
Even among scholars who explore compositional theories, Pauline authorship is not disputed. The discussion centers on how Paul’s correspondence may have been preserved, not on whether Paul wrote the material.
Historical Setting
Second Corinthians was likely written around 55–56 CE, following Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and his travels through Macedonia. Paul refers to Titus bringing news of the Corinthians’ response, which brought him comfort and relief (2 Corinthians 7:6–7).
These details align closely with the narrative framework of Acts 19–20 and with Paul’s broader missionary movements.
Early Church Testimony
Early Christian writers consistently attributed Second Corinthians to Paul without hesitation. Clement of Rome refers to Paul’s correspondence with the Corinthians as authoritative instruction given under the Spirit.
Irenaeus cites 2 Corinthians explicitly as Pauline, writing:
“Paul says in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians: ‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.’”
(Irenaeus, Against Heresies 4.28.3; citing 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Tertullian likewise treats the letter as Paul’s work:
“The apostle Paul says in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians: ‘The Lord is the Spirit.’”
(Tertullian, Against Praxeas 7; citing 2 Corinthians 3:17)
No alternative attribution appears anywhere in early Christian literature.
Scholarly Consensus
Modern scholarship universally recognizes 2 Corinthians as authentically Pauline. Scholars such as Margaret M. Mitchell and Murray J. Harris emphasize the letter’s historical specificity, emotional immediacy, and continuity with Paul’s other letters.
The letter is frequently cited as the clearest window into Paul’s pastoral heart.
Inspiration and Apostolic Authority
Second Corinthians shows how inspiration operates through vulnerability and struggle. Paul writes not from a position of triumph, but from weakness, conflict, and dependence on God.
The letter’s authority rests in its faithful witness to the gospel shaped by lived experience and guided by the Spirit.
Conclusion
Second Corinthians explicitly names Paul as its author and reflects his voice, theology, and historical circumstances throughout. Internal evidence, early Christian testimony, and scholarly consensus all affirm Pauline authorship.
The letter endures as a powerful witness to reconciliation, resilience, and the surprising strength of grace.
FAQ
Who wrote 2 Corinthians?
Second Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul.
When was 2 Corinthians written?
Most scholars date the letter to around 55–56 CE.
Why does 2 Corinthians feel so personal?
The letter reflects Paul’s strained yet restored relationship with the Corinthian church and includes autobiographical reflections on suffering and ministry.
