2 Corinthians - (Pentecostal Commentary) by Peter Gräbe (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

2 Corinthians is the most personal of all Paul's letters in which he had to defend his apostleship and the gospel message itself from 'false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ' (2 Cor 11:13). Paul emphasizes that what distinguishes him from these false apostles, is his suffering for the sake of the gospel (11:23-28). It is within this context that Paul asked the Lord three times to take away the 'thorn in the flesh.' In the Lord's answer, Paul learned a profound truth: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' (12:9). I reviewed the earliest Pentecostal writings and found that in reflecting on themes such as 'power in the midst of weakness and suffering, ' 'a heavenly treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7), ' 'a new creation, ' and 'ambassadors of a message of reconciliation, ' 2 Corinthians provided comfort and direction.

About the Author

Peter Gräbe (Doctor Divinitatis, University of Pretoria) taught New Testament at the University of South Africa, Regent University, and as adjunct professor at North Central University and The King's University. His interest in 2 Corinthians goes back to his doctoral dissertation, The Power of God in Paul's Letters. The dissertation was published in 2000 by Mohr Siebeck in Tübingen, Germany (second edition, 2006). In addition to numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, his publications include: Empowered: Kindle the Power of God in Your Life (Kendall Hunt, 2024); New Covenant, New Community: The Significance of Biblical and Patristic Covenant Theology for Current Understanding (Paternoster, 2006); and The Reality of the Holy Spirit in the Church. In Honour of F. P. Möller (JL van Schaik, 1997).