Example: Parallel passages for 2 Corinthians 4:7-15

From "Form and Style," we have identified vv. 8-9 as a "hardship list."

Checking "Pauline Parallels" pp. 178-179, we notice other "hardship lists" in Paul’s letters: Romans 8:31-39 (though this is perhaps not truly a formal parallel), 1 Cor 4:8-13, 2 Cor 6:4-10, 2 Cor 11:23-29, 2 Cor 12:10.

From this comparison of lists, we should notice at least four things:

1) Most of these are written to Corinth! Why? They haven’t appreciated the reason for Paul’s ministry NOT embodying the beauty, success and eloquence valued by their society. This will lead us to deeper into our discussion of "History and Society," and to ask what caused this to be such a particular problem in Corinth.

2) The things that Paul lists here are not simply examples of human frailty, weakness, and failure. Rather, these are examples of vulnerability, suffering, and shame that were experienced for the sake of and as a part of apostolic ministry.

3) Both this text & 2 Cor 6:4-10 are not a simple enumeration of hardships endured; such a simple list could have shown how the apostles were "clay pots." The antitheses show something more: that God’s power is revealed in their weakness, and not simply despite their weakness (see "Comparison of translations" for v. 7); this is precisely how God has chosen to reveal the power of the gospel.

4) The Corinthians have been the beneficiaries of this suffering, but have failed to appreciate it (see under "History"). Perhaps this explains some of the unusual wording in this text: the repeated use of the simple name "Jesus" (see "Variants"), "mortal flesh", and nekrw&sij ("dying"; see under "Key Concept"). In the face of the Corinthians' difficulty in accepting Paul's ministry, he is again pointing out that this "weak" ministry is in fact the appropriate and necessary form of a servant of Jesus. Paul is being conformed to Jesus' death, and the Corinthians are the ones who benefit (which will establish Paul's "ethos" in this section, raise Paul's status, and push the Corinthians to honor Paul in return).

(Click here to view in sample paper)

Back to exegetical instructions