2 Corinthians: Strength in Weakness

Welwyn Commentary #47

by J. Philip Arthur

2 Corinthians provides a compelling portrait of the Apostle Paul - his soul is bared and his readers are given a glimpse of his inner life. We are enabled to see what made him tick and what were the motives and attitudes that moulded his life of service for Christ. Amongst other things, the author suggests that this letter is for Christians who want to stand out - a much-needed plea for excellence. The future of the Christian cause depends to a large degree on the quality of the next generation of spiritual leaders. Where will these men find role models? To whom will they turn for inspiration? There is the ever-present danger that they will do as Paul's rivals did in Corinth and turn to the world outside the Church and try to emulate the qualities that make for success in secular life. Indeed, it is not exaggerating to observe that the churches of the modern West, like the Church at Corinth, face a crisis of authority and leadership. In 2 Corinthians we have both a stern warning that we should avoid styles of leadership that are worldly, perhaps even cultic while cultivating the kind of leadership that Paul himself showed, leadership that was self-sacrificing and self-giving, a model of loving service based on the character of Christ himself. 'This sensitively-applied exposition ... the author keeps us glued to the page through a lively style. It is encouraging to find him drawing on personal experience to illustrate and confirm the points he makes.'

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Reuben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found it a great read, clear teaching on how it is to be in the Church, with her members

[Timothy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a commentary in the sense of a study book to which you can turn for elucidation on a particular word, phrase or verse in Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. If you tried to do so, you would very likely be disappointed. The book, as its subtitle says, seeks to explain the text of 2 Corinthians simply, without resorting to technical language or issues. After a mercifully short introduction, it goes through the text a passage at a time, much as a preacher would in a sermon series, not verse by verse.

The Welwyn commentaries are written from a reformed, evangelical understanding of the inspiration and authority of Scripture. Usually, they are based on the New International Version but some, like this one, refer to the New King James Version. Like most of the Welwyn series, Strength in Weakness came out of a series of expository sermons preached by a serving pastor. This gives most of the books a warm, pastoral tone. Phil Arthur was pastoring a Baptist church in the north of England when he preached through 2 Corinthians and wrote the sermons up into this book. It is full of helpful illustrations (though some are already a little dated) and helpful, down-to-earth application.

For a preacher or teacher, this book would be helpful alongside a more rigorous, technical commentary, as an aid to clarity of understanding and a source of ideas for illustration and application. It also serves very well as an accompaniment to daily personal Bible reading, enabling you to go through 2 Corinthians at your own pace.

My only gripe is with the publisher. Putting the notes at the back of the book, means that to read a note you first have to turn back a few pages to find out the number of the chapter you are in before turning to the back of the book to find the note, losing your place in the process! Footnotes on the page or at least at the end of each chapter would be more user-friendly. At least there are not many such notes.