Pain and Paradox in 2 Corinthians

Paul's Theology of How Christ Transforms Weakness Into Resurrection Power

What is God doing in our weaknesses? The world may say "nothing," but the apostle Paul says "everything."

The theological wellspring in 2 Corinthians is often overlooked, yet this letter may be one of the apostle's richest and most pastorally attuned writings. At the heart of 2 Corinthians lies a paradox about power that defines Paul's life and theology and challenges the Corinthian community to align their ethics with the death and resurrection of Christ.

In Pain and Paradox in 2 Corinthians, B. G. White explores how Paul uses the motif of "strength in weakness" and what that means for our own theological understanding of the paradox of pain. White argues that the key to interpreting 2 Corinthians is the community's experience of pain and how Paul, in response, presents his experience of Christ's resurrection power as a paradigm in which the Corinthians learn how Christ transforms their struggles.

Rather than shying away from the paradox, White suggests that the genius of Paul's message lies in the exegetical and theological nuances of the apostle's proclamation of "strength in weakness." This model resists both the fear of suffering and the belief that suffering is inherently good.

What you'll find in Pain and Paradox in 2 Corinthians:

• An original perspective on Paul's use of "strength in weakness" and what this means for our understanding of suffering.
• Insightful illumination of how pain is part of God's vision for power.
• Practical ministry implications drawn from White's biblical exposition.

About this Edition

Revised and expanded from its original publication, this edition features new reflections and pastoral implications at the end of each chapter designed to help academics, pastors, and students alike apply insights from 2 Corinthians into the life of the church, preaching, and theological inquiry.