Best 2 Corinthians Commentaries | Reviews for Preaching, Teaching, and Bible Study

The best 2 Corinthians commentaries are listed below. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. The “Top 10” list is based on aggregate reviews.

This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply Paul’s message in the book of 2 Corinthians. They are not suggested as a replacement for prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the reader’s own diligent study of Scripture.

It is hoped that these books will aid the Christian pastor, preacher, teacher, student, as well as any Bible reader that wants to understand more about 2 Corinthians.

May each reader’s aim be to glorify God in Jesus Christ; to strengthen Christ’s bride, the Church; and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.

After browsing the commentaries below, see the best one-volume bible commentaries, based on aggregate reviews.

10 Best Second Corinthians Commentaries

Please read: The “Top 10” list below is a starting point for learning about 2 Corinthians commentaries. It is not intended to be the “final word” because of its limitations.

Nevertheless, a list based on aggregate reviews is likely to point many people in the right direction to find the right resource for their purposes.

#1

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
New International Commentary on the New Testament
by Paul Barnett

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Second Corinthians by Paul Barnett

Reviews and Accolades:

• D.A. Carson: “a joy to read…extraordinarily rich on the historical and social circumstances that surround this complicated book”

• Desiring God: #1 recommended commentary on 2 Corinthians

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a useful exposition of the letter”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on 2 Corinthians

• Keith Mathison: #1 ranked commentary on 2 Corinthians; “Barnett deals not only with the basic exegetical issues but also discusses the theology of the letter,” “very highly recommended”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Barnett takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He fellowships with the Anglican church.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. Barnett also wrote the 1 Corinthians commentary in the FOB series.

The publisher notes that the NICNT series offers readers “an exposition that is thorough and abreast of modern scholarship and at the same time loyal to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God.”

See more about the New International Commentary on the New Testament series.

Please also see Best Commentary Series: The Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.

#2

The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
New International Greek Testament Commentary
by Murray J. Harris

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Second Corinthians by Murray Harris

Reviews and Accolades:

• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on 2 Corinthians; tied with Thrall for best commentary on the Greek text, “pastorally suggestive”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on 2 Corinthians

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a technical but excellent commentary on the Greek text”

• Keith Mathison: #4 ranked commentary on 2 Corinthians; “for those doing serious in-depth study of the book, it is invaluable”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Harris takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is professor emeritus of New Testament exegesis and theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary. Harris has written a less technical volume on 2 Corinthians in the REBC series (see below). He also wrote the John commentary in the EGGNT series.

The publisher notes that “at a time when the study of Greek is curtailed in many schools of theology, we hope that the NIGTC will demonstrate the continuing value of studying the Greek New Testament.”

See more about the New International Greek Testament Commentary series.

#3

2 Corinthians
New American Commentary
by David E. Garland

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Second Corinthians by David Garland

Reviews and Accolades:

• D. A. Carson: a “best buy” on 2 Corinthians, “one of the best in the series…less technical than Barrett but just as probing in the theological arena”

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on 2 Corinthians

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “an excellent and lucid commentary on the text”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Garland takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Baptist. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Garland also wrote the Mark commentary in the NIVAC series, which is considered one of the best Mark commentaries.

The publisher notes that the NAC series “has been designed primarily to enable pastors, teachers, and students to read the Bible with clarity and proclaim it with power.” See more about the New American Commentary series.

#4

2 Corinthians
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament
by George H. Guthrie

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Second Corinthians by George Guthrie

Reviews and Accolades:

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on 2 Corinthians

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Guthrie takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary.

Guthrie is well-known for his Hebrews commentary in the NIVAC series, which is considered one of the best Hebrews commentaries.

The publisher notes that the BECNT series offers readers “informed evangelical thought, commentaries that blend scholarly depth with readability, exegetical detail with sensitivity to the whole, and attention to critical problems with theological awareness.”

See more about the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament series.

#5

2 Corinthians
Tyndale New Testament Commentary
by Colin G. Kruse

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Second Corinthians by Colin Kruse

Reviews and Accolades:

• Keith Mathison: #5 ranked commentary on 2 Corinthians; “clear, concise, and to the point, without being simplistic”

Interview: Read Best Bible Commentaries’ interview with Colin G. Kruse on this volume

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Kruse takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is the senior lecturer in New Testament at the Melbourne School of Theology.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Kruse also wrote the 1 John commentary in the PNTC series, which is considered one of the best 1 John commentaries.

The publisher notes that the TNTC series is “examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation.”

See more about the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series.

#6

2 Corinthians
NIV Application Commentary
by Scott J. Hafemann

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Second Corinthians by Scott Hafemann

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “exegetically and theologically satisfying with application to today”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Hafemann takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He teaches at Gordon-Conwell. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the NIVAC series “helps you think through the process of moving from the original meaning of a passage to its contemporary significance.” See more about the NIV Application Commentary series.

#7

2 Corinthians
Word Biblical Commentary
by Ralph P. Martin

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Second Corinthians by Ralph Martin

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a technical but clear exposition of the letter”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Martin takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He was a British New Testament scholar who taught at Fuller Theological Seminary (d. 2013).

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Martin also wrote the James commentary in the same series, which is considered one of the best James commentaries.

The publisher notes that the WBC series “delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation.” See more about the Word Biblical Commentary series.

#8

2 Corinthians
The New Testament Library
by Frank J. Matera

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2 Corinthians Frank Matera

Reviews and Accolades:

• Keith Mathison: #3 ranked commentary on 2 Corinthians; “insightful on a number of passages”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Matera takes a moderately-critical approach to Scripture. He is emeritus professor of New Testament at The Catholic University of America.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. Matera also wrote the Romans commentary in the Paideia series.

The publisher notes that the NLT series offers “fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text.”

#9

2 Corinthians
The IVP New Testament Commentary
by Linda L. Belleville

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2 Corinthians Linda Belleville

Reviews and Accolades:

• Craig Blomberg, etal: a priority commentary on 2 Corinthians

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Belleville takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the IVPNTC series offers “the best of up-to-date evangelical scholarship, presents passage-by-passage commentary based on the NIV along with background information on authorship, setting, theme and various interpretive issues.”

See more about the IVP New Testament Commentary series.

#10

2 Corinthians
International Critical Commentary
by Margaret Thrall

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2 Corinthians Thrall

Reviews and Accolades:

Tom Schreiner: recommended; “a technical commentary for research”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Thrall takes a moderately critical approach to Scripture. She taught at the University of Wales (d. 2010). Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary.

The publisher notes that the ICC series has “sought to bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis, linguistic and textual no less than archaeological, historical, literary and theological to help the reader understand the meaning of the books of the Old and New Testaments.”

More Book of 2 Corinthians Commentaries for Christian Ministry

Please read: Why are the 2 Corinthians commentaries below not in the “Top 10”? It’s not necessarily because they have received poor reviews or because people haven’t found them helpful. The reasons vary:

  • Some are relatively new and haven’t been widely reviewed, read, or used yet.
  • Others haven’t been widely distributed, so it is difficult to get enough information to aggregate.
  • Still others may be outdated in relation to biblical scholarship or out of print and difficult to acquire.

The “Top 10” list is reviewed annually. Readers are encouraged to consider the volumes in this section before making a purchase. These 10 are not in any particular order.


2 Corinthians
Crossway Classic Commentary
by Charles Hodge

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2 Corinthians Charles Hodge

Reviews and Accolades:

• Keith Mathison: #2 ranked commentary on 2 Corinthians; “Hodge’s work is filled with valuable insight into Paul’s letter,” “highly recommended”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: All authors in this series are Reformed. Hodge was a Presbyterian theologian and principal of Princeton Theological Seminary (d. 1878).

This commentary is best for individual study, devotional reading, Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes.

The publisher notes that “The Crossway Classic Commentaries present the very best work on individual Bible books, carefully adapted for maximum understanding and usefulness for today’s believers.”


2 Corinthians
The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
by Victor Paul Furnish

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2 Corinthians Victor Furnish

Reviews and Accolades:

• Tom Schreiner: recommended; “an insightful interpretation of the letter”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Furnish takes a critical approach to Scripture. He is Methodist. Those who have been trained in Greek will maximize this commentary.

The publisher notes that the Anchor series “vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible.”


2 Corinthians
New International Commentary on the New Testament
by Philip E. Hughes

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2 Corinthians Philip Hughes

Reviews and Accolades:

Tom Schreiner: recommended; “this older version of the NICNT is still helpful and insightful”

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Hughes takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He associated with the Anglican church (d. 1990).

This commentary best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers. This volume was replaced in the NICNT series by Paul Barnett (see above).


Verse-by-Verse Expository Commentaries


The Second Letter to the Corinthians
Pillar New Testament Commentary
by Mark A. Seifrid

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2 Corinthians Mark Seifrid

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Seifrid takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is a professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the PNTC series combines “rigorous exegesis and exposition, with an eye alert both to biblical theology and the contemporary relevance of the Bible.”

See more about the Pillar New Testament Commentary series.


1-2 Corinthians
The New Cambridge Bible Commentary
by Craig S. Keener

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1-2 Corinthians commentary Craig Keener

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Keener takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Keener is well known for his stand-alone Acts commentary, which is considered one of the best Acts commentaries.

The publisher notes that the NCBC series utilizes “recent gains in rhetorical criticism, social scientific study of the scriptures, narrative criticism and other developing disciplines, this series intends to provide a fresh look at biblical texts, taking advantage of the growing edges in Biblical Studies.”


Conflict and Community in Corinth
A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians
by Ben Witherington III

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1-2 Corinthians commentary Ben Witherington

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Witherington takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. He is Arminian.

This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

Witherington also wrote the Revelation commentary in the NCBC series, which is considered one of the best Revelation commentaries.

The publisher notes that the SRC series uses “sociorhetorical criticism, the New Testament is interpreted within the context of the world in which it was written and read—the rhetorical method makes use of ancient or classical writings and strategies of communication, while the social science method notes issues of cultures and customs.”


2 Corinthians
Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
by James M. Scott

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2 Corinthians James Scott

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Scott takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the UBCS series offers “a careful section-by-section exposition of the biblical books with key terms and phrases highlighted…” See more about the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.


The Message of 2 Corinthians
The Bible Speaks Today
by Paul Barnett

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2 Corinthians Paul Barnett

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Barnett takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes “the three distinctives of The Bible Speaks Today series are (1) “BST authors are committed to a serious study of the text in its own integrity,” (2) that “expositors should not be antiquarians, living only in the remote past” but suggest application for living, and (3) “each book is intended to be both readable in style and manageable in size.”

See more about the Bible Speaks Today commentary series.


2 Corinthians
Abingdon New Testament Commentary
by Calvin J. Roetzel

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2 Corinthians Abingdon

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that Abingdon “commentaries are written with special attention to the needs and interests of theology students, but they will also be useful for students in upper-level college or university settings, as well as for pastors and other church leaders.”


1 and 2 Corinthians
Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised
by Murray J. Harris

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2 Corinthians Murray Harris

Theology, Audience, and Purpose: Harris takes an evangelical approach to Scripture. This commentary is best for expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, and experienced Bible readers.

The publisher notes that the REBC series is “committed to the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the Bible.” See more about the Expositor’s Bible Commentary series.


Classic 1-2 Corinthians Commentaries

1 and 2 Corinthians
Geneva Series of Commentaries
by Charles Hodge

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1-2 Corinthians commentary Charles Hodge

Synopsis: Hodge’s aim was to produce commentaries which learned and unlearned alike could consult with profit.

Believing that he was dealing with the words of the Holy Spirit he endeavored to set out both what those words contain and the effects which their truth should have upon the conscience and life.


1-2 Corinthians
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
edited by Gerald L. Bray

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1-2 Corinthians commentary Bray

Synopsis: From the publisher: “The vast array of writings from the church fathers—including much that is available only in the ancient languages—have been combed for their comment on Scripture.

From these results, scholars with a deep knowledge of the fathers and a heart for the church have hand selected material for each volume, shaping, annotating, and introducing it to today’s readers.”


Also see:

Compare 75 different commentary series on the Bible Commentary Series Comparison Chart

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