Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.4/10

A robust mid level companion that helps us preach 2 Corinthians with realism, courage, and gospel shaped ministry instincts.

Publication Date(s): 2000

Pages: 544

ISBN: 9780310494201

Faithfulness to the Text: 8.7/10

We find careful attention to Paul’s argument and to the pastoral realities shaping the letter’s tone.

Christ Centredness: 8.2/10

Christ’s cross shaped pattern for ministry is kept central, guarding us from triumphal readings.

Depth of Insight: 8.6/10

We are helped to trace major themes like comfort, reconciliation, the new covenant, and boasting in weakness.

Clarity of Writing: 8.3/10

Clear, structured, and easy to use for preaching preparation.

Pastoral Usefulness: 8.7/10

The bridges into ministry practice and church health are consistently thoughtful and text controlled.

Readability: 8.1/10

A sizeable volume, but written in a way that remains accessible for weekly work.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: 544 pages
Type: Application
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 8.4 / 10
Strength: Strong on weakness, suffering, integrity, and gospel ministry application.
Limitation: Not as technical as specialist exegetical volumes.

We find Scott J. Hafemann’s 2 Corinthians in the NIV Application Commentary series a strong help for hearing Paul’s heart, and for tracing the logic of gospel shaped ministry under pressure. He keeps the letter’s emotional intensity tied to its theological purpose, and he helps us read the whole argument rather than treating it as scattered fragments.

The commentary is especially alert to themes of weakness, comfort, integrity, and the new covenant, which makes it well suited to pastors handling hard passages in public ministry.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary when we need help preaching 2 Corinthians with honesty and steadiness. Hafemann helps us see how Paul defends his ministry without self promotion, because the gospel itself is at stake, and because Christ’s power is displayed in weakness.

We also benefit from the careful application. It does not turn Paul into a motivational speaker. It keeps us close to the text, then pushes us to examine our instincts about success, comfort, and reputation in ministry and church life.

For our preaching and leadership, it supports a tone that is both firm and tender, shaped by the comfort of God and the fear of the Lord.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as a strong mid level commentary for preaching and teaching 2 Corinthians, especially for pastors working through ministry tensions, suffering, and contested leadership. Pair it with a technical work if you want deeper engagement with scholarly debate.

As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.

Where to buy

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