2 Corinthians study section
2 Corinthians word studies
A handful of Greek words carry the theology of 2 Corinthians. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.
Key words
παράκλησις (paraklēsis) — “Comfort, Encouragement”
Usage: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Meaning: Comfort, encouragement, consolation, a coming alongside to help. Related to paraklētos, the Spirit as Helper.
Theological Significance: God is “the God of all comfort,” who comforts His people in affliction so that they may comfort others with the comfort they have received. Suffering, shared with Christ, becomes a channel of divine consolation (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; John 14:16).
δόξα (doxa) — “Glory”
Usage: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18; 4:6, 17
Meaning: Glory, splendor, honor, the radiant manifestation of God’s presence.
Theological Significance: The new covenant ministry has a surpassing and permanent doxa over the fading glory of Moses, and beholding “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” believers are transformed into His image. Present affliction is preparing “an eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:6, 17).
καταλλαγή (katallagē) — “Reconciliation”
Usage: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Meaning: Reconciliation, the restoration of a broken relationship; a change from enmity to peace.
Theological Significance: In Christ, God reconciled the world to Himself, not counting our trespasses against us, and entrusted His people with “the ministry of reconciliation.” Believers are ambassadors imploring the world to “be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Romans 5:10).
χάρις (charis) — “Grace”
Usage: 2 Corinthians 8:1, 7, 9; 9:8, 14
Meaning: Grace, favor, a gift; also used for the “act of grace” that is generous giving.
Theological Significance: The generous giving of God’s people is itself a charis, flowing from and reflecting the grace of Christ, “who though he was rich... became poor” for us. God gives grace so His people can overflow in every good work (2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:8).
ἀσθένεια (astheneia) — “Weakness”
Usage: 2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:5, 9-10; 13:4
Meaning: Weakness, frailty, infirmity, lack of strength.
Theological Significance: Paul boasts in his astheneia, for Christ’s “power is made perfect in weakness.” The gospel treasure in jars of clay, and Christ crucified “in weakness” yet living by God’s power, show that God’s strength is displayed through the weak who depend on Him (2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 13:4).
My notes
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