Pain and Paradox in 2 Corinthians

Most studies of 2 Corinthians characterize the community as rebels who accuse Paul of weakness. Paul is thought to respond defensively, asserting his power in weakness. B.G. White confronts this consensus by arguing that interpreters overlook the material's most immediate context - a pained community (2:1-7; 7:5-16). After arguing that the Corinthians have ongoing pains, the author develops the implications for the interpretation of the strength in weakness paradox and the letter's literary int ...