The Structure of Second Corinthians

Hiramatsu Kei examines the literary structure of 2 Corinthians and how it can illuminate understanding of this Pauline letter and its theological message. He explores the theoretical foundations of Inductive Bible Study as an approach, which focuses on the meaning of biblical texts in their final form by incorporating insights from multifarious methodologies. Based on the final form of the letter and its compositional unity, he prioritizes the literary context as consequential evidence for interpretation. Hiramatsu argues that there are two major components of the literary structure: the division of the letter and the identification of major structural relationships within and between the divided parts. Thus, he proposes that 2 Corinthians consists of seven major segments which coherently develop Paul''s discourse pertaining to ministry, and discusses the implications regarding his theology of theocentric ministry and that of weakness that arise from a literary investigation. Hiramatsu demonstrates that an inductive and integrative approach not only presents a more suitable and helpful literary structure for 2 Corinthians, but also illustrates the relevance of such study when seeking to gain understanding of the theological implications of the letter.>

Préface
Employing an inductive approach, this study proposes that Paul's second letter to the Corinthians consists of seven major segments which coherently develop Paul's discourse pertaining to ministry.

Auteur
Hiramatsu Kei is New Testament Faculty at Central Bible College, Japan. He has presented and published articles on Pauline letters, especially on the Corinthian Correspondence. He is the first Langham Scholar from Japan.

Contenu
List of Illustrations Foreword by Chris Tilling AcknowledgmentS Abbreviations 1. Introduction to Inductive Bible Study 2. Survey of the Literary Structure and the Central Theme of 2 Corinthians 3. Salutation (1:12) and Closing (13:1113) 4. Arguments Pertaining to Basis for Ministry: Character of Ministry (1:32:13) 5. Arguments Pertaining to Content of Ministry: Thesis Statement (2:1417) 6. Arguments Pertaining to Content of Ministry: Proclamation of the Gospel (3:17:16) 7. Arguments Pertaining to Content of Ministry: Response 8. Arguments Pertaining to Content of Ministry: Defense Conclusion Bibliography