Interpretation of the 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians by St. Paul the Apostle

Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria gained experience in explaining the Holy Scriptures when, as a rhetorician of the Great Church, he instructed the people. Most of his written interpretations arose at the request of the Greek Empress Maria, whom he calls his pious patron. These works became an outstanding synthesis and transposition of the established patristic traditions, primarily the heritage of the Antiochian theological school and St. John Chrysostom. As a rule, the author presents abbreviated versions of extensive interpretations of the ancient Church Fathers, borrowing only what is necessary for understanding the text. The commentary also includes his own explanations, which often concern disputes with heretics, especially later ones, and issues of dialogue with the Latins. Thanks to his clear, concise presentation and clear semantic emphasis, his commentaries were accessible to a wide range of readers, became widespread and had a significant influence on both Byzantine and Western European theology. Blessed Theophylact in his “Commentary on the 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians of the Holy Apostle Paul” (13 chapters) reveals the reasons and context for writing this apostolic letter. He points to several key points that prompted the Apostle Paul to re-approach the Corinthian community: an excuse for the delay in a promised visit, praise for correcting the Corinthians, a refutation of critics, a defense of his apostolic authority. Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Preface to Second Corinthians The Apostle Paul writes his second letter to the Corinthians because in the first he promised to come to them, but was restrained by the Spirit for other, much more important matters and was subjected to temptations. He had to write to justify his continued delay, and therefore writes a second letter, explaining why he delayed coming. Moreover, after the first letter the Corinthians became better, and he had to approve and praise them. For just as he reproached those who had sinned, so he was obliged to praise those who had corrected themselves. Therefore, the previous threats are not visible in this epistle, with the exception of some passages towards the end of the epistle, which were needed because some of the Jews thought highly of themselves and condemned Paul as an ignoramus and not deserving of any respect. You might be interested in: