Paul's message of comfort comes to a community whose relationship with their leader has been strained, nearly to the breaking point (2 Cor 2:1-4; 7:8) His announcement of God's comfort is purposed with provoking renewed fidelity on the part of the Corinthians to the gospel (1:1-7; 7:11-12). Central to his announcement is acknowledgement of God's forgiveness of the Corinthians' sins and the ongoing participation in God's present redemptive work (7:10-12).
Source: Rabbi Jonathan Kaplan - "Comfort, O Comfort, Corinth: Grief and Comfort in 2 Corinthians 7:5-13a", Harvard Theological Review, 104:4 (2011), p. 442-443
Community of Jesus-followers Living Out John 17
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