A. Prescript (1:1-2)

If in 2 Corinthians Paul vigorously defends his divine office in the face of doubts and rejection by his readers, as most interpreters assume, it seems strange that elsewhere only in 12:12 does he explicitly identify himself as an “apostle.” His intended readers include Christians in the province of Achaia (see 9:2) as well as the church in Corinth. Within the letter Paul gives no indication that a given commendation or condemnation is addressed to a more specific audience. This makes it difficult to sustain theories that presume chs. 1-9 address a loyal majority and chs. 10-13 address a dissenting minority. Never explicitly named, but never far in the background, are “some people” whose views and behavior Paul opposes and who perhaps oppose him.