Evaluation
Overall Score: 7.8/10
A clear and steady guide that helps teachers navigate the letter’s major themes with confidence.
Summary
At a Glance
- Length
- 336 pages
- Type
- Expositional, Expository (Mid-Level)
- Theo. Perspective
- Baptist, Broadly Evangelical, Reformed
- Overall score
- 7.8 / 10
- Strength
- A clear, steady guide that helps teachers navigate the letter’s major themes with confidence.
- Limitation
- Engagement with technical issues is limited, making it less suitable for detailed theological or academic study.
In 2 Corinthians, John MacArthur offers a steady and pastorally sensitive exposition of one of Paul’s most personal and emotionally charged letters. We are guided through Paul’s defence of his apostolic ministry, his appeals for reconciliation, his theological reflections on suffering, and his encouragements concerning generosity and endurance. MacArthur’s verse-by-verse approach keeps the commentary close to the flow of the text, combining careful explanation with practical pastoral insight.
The commentary is written primarily for preachers, teachers, and thoughtful lay readers who desire clarity rather than complexity. MacArthur handles the historical and cultural background with enough detail to illuminate Paul’s argument without overwhelming the reader. His approach is conservative, text-driven, and committed to the authority of Scripture, making it accessible for those who want reliable guidance through a sometimes-neglected epistle.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
This volume is particularly strong in unpacking Paul’s theology of suffering, weakness, and reliance on divine grace. MacArthur helps us see how the apostle’s experiences—hardship, opposition, frailty, and yet unyielding confidence in Christ—speak to ministry realities today. His exposition of the “new covenant ministry” in chapters 3–4 is especially valuable, offering clear teaching on the surpassing glory of Christ’s work and the Spirit’s transforming power.
Pastors will appreciate MacArthur’s balanced handling of the difficult relational dynamics in the letter—Paul’s wounded relationship with the Corinthians, the danger of false apostles, and the tender pastoral heart that beats through the epistle. The commentary offers steady help for those navigating discouragement in ministry, criticism, or seasons of personal weakness.
His treatment of the giving passages in chapters 8–9 is another strength. MacArthur roots Christian generosity in the grace of God in Christ and provides practical reflections that are biblically grounded without drifting into moralism. The commentary also interacts briefly but helpfully with key interpretive questions, such as the identity of Paul’s opponents, the “thorn in the flesh,” and the nature of the heavenly vision in chapter 12.
Overall, the commentary remains accessible, clear, and pastorally oriented—an aid to teachers who want to shepherd their congregations through both the theological depth and emotional richness of the letter.
Closing Recommendation
We recommend MacArthur’s 2 Corinthians as a reliable and warm-hearted exposition, particularly suited for pastors and Bible study leaders. While it is not a technical or academic treatment, it provides the kind of steady, text-rooted guidance that supports faithful preaching and pastoral ministry.
Those building a preaching-focused library will find this commentary a valuable companion, especially when paired with a more detailed exegetical resource. It offers clarity, conviction, and encouragement—all qualities that make it worth adding to the shelf.
Classification
- Level: Mid-level
- Best For: Busy pastors, Pastors-in-training
- Priority: Useful supplement