| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 Salutation (1:1-11) who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. (1:4) | Being encouraged in affliction | 5 Treasure in clay jars (4:1-18) We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 4:9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; (4:8-9) |
| 2 The plan of Paul's visit (1:12-20) 1:15 With this confidence (1:15) | Confidence (pepoi/thsis) | 4 Ministers of the new covenant (3:1-18) 3:12 since we have such hope, we act very boldly (3:12) |
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| 1 Salutation (1:1-11) He rescued us from such great danger of death, and he will continue to rescue us; in him we have put our hope (that) he will also rescue us again, (1:10) | Death and salvation | 3 The odor of the knowledge (1:21-2:17) to the latter an odor of death that leads to death, to the former an odor of life that leads to life. (2:16) |
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| 3 The odor of the knowledge (1:21-2:17) to the latter an odor of death that leads to death, to the former an odor of life that leads to life. (2:16) | Death and salvation | 5 Treasure in clay jars (4:1-18) always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. (4:10) |
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| 5 Treasure in clay jars (4:1-18) 4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair;(4:8) | Encouragement and affliction | 9 Paul's joy at the church's repentance (7:5-16) 7:6 But God, who encourages the downcast, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus, (7:6) |
| 6 Living by faith (5:1-10) 5:1 For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.(5:1) | House of God | 8 The temple of the living God (6:11-7:4) 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: "I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.(6:16) |
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| 5 Treasure in clay jars (4:1-18) For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (4:11) | Death and life | 7 The ministry of reconciliation (5:11-6:10) He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (5:15) |
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| 7 The ministry of reconciliation (5:11-6:10) 5:18 And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation,(5:18) | Reconciliation / repentance | 9 Paul's joy at the church's repentance (7:5-16) 7:9 I rejoice now, not because you were saddened, but because you were saddened into repentance; for you were saddened in a godly way, so that you did not suffer loss in anything because of us. (7:9) |
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| 9 Paul's joy at the church's repentance (7:5-16) 7:14 For if I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame. No, just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. (7:14) | Boasting | 13 Paul and the false apostles (11:1-15) 11:12 And what I do I will continue to do, in order to end this pretext of those who seek a pretext for being regarded as we are in the mission of which they boast. (11:12) |
| 10 Commendation of Titus (8:1-24) for he not only welcomed our appeal but, since he is very concerned, he has gone to you of his own accord. (8:17) | Wish to visit | 12 Paul defends his ministry (10:1-18) I beg you that, when present, I may not have to be brave with that confidence with which I intend to act boldly against some who consider us as acting according to the flesh. (10:2) |
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| 9 Paul's joy at the church's repentance (7:5-16) 7:14 For if I have boasted to him about you, I was not put to shame. No, just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting before Titus proved to be the truth. (7:14) | Boasting | 11 The collection for Christians at Jerusalem (9:1-15) 9:2 for I know your eagerness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.(9:2) |
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| 11 The collection for Christians at Jerusalem (9:1-15) for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. (9:12) | Service for other churches | 13 Paul and the false apostles (11:1-15) And when I was with you and in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. (11:9) |
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| 13 Paul and the false apostles (11:1-15) By the truth of Christ in me, (11:10) | Truth | 17 Final greetings and benediction (12:20-13:13) For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. (13:8) |
| 13 Paul and the false apostles (11:1-15) So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. (11:9) | Staying at Corinth | 17 Final greetings and benediction (12:20-13:13) if I come again I will not be lenient, (13:2) |
| 14 Paul's sufferings as an apostle (11:16-33) What I am saying I am not saying according to the Lord but as in foolishness, in this boastful state. (11:17) | Foolish self-recommendation | 16 Paul's concern for the Corinthian church (12:11-19) I have been foolish. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you. (12:11) |
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| 13 Paul and the false apostles (11:1-15) But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted from a sincere (and pure) commitment to Christ. (11:3) | Temptation | 15 Paul's visions and revelations (12:1-10) Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. (12:7) |
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| 15 Paul's visions and revelations (12:1-10) Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. (12:6) | Truth | 17 Final greetings and benediction (12:20-13:13) For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. (13:8) |