In the first epistle, St. Paul punished the Corinthians severely in many ways, and poured sharp wine into their wounds and frightened them; but now an apostle is supposed to be a comforting preacher, to raise up the frightened and stupid consciences, more than to frighten them, therefore he praises them again in this epistle, and also pours oil into the wounds, and does miraculous kindness to them, and calls the sinner to be received again with love.
In the first and second chapters, he shows his love for them, how he has said, done and suffered everything for their benefit and salvation, so that they may have all the best for him.
3) Then he praises the gospel ministry, which is the highest and most comforting work for the benefit and salvation of consciences, and shows how it is more noble than the ministry of the law, and how it is persecuted, yet increases in believers, and gives hope through the
Cross, the eternal glory. But with all this, he touches the false apostles, who were driving the law against the gospel, and teaching vain outward holiness (that is, hypocrisy), leaving the inward shame of unbelief. He does this in the third, fourth and fifth chapters.
In the sixth and seventh, he exhorts them to follow this preaching with works and suffering. And with their praise he besmirches them, that he may provoke them to continue.
5 In the eighth and ninth he admonishes them that they also with temporal food do taxation and help to the saints of Jerusalem, in the precious time, who from the beginning had surrendered all their goods, Acts. 4, 32.
6. in the tenth, eleventh [and] twelfth he has to deal with the false apostles.
7. in the thirteenth, he gives warning to those who have been
had sinned and did not improve.