Each of the three main sections of 2 Corinthians mentions Paul’s imminent third visit to Corinth and in some way prepares the way for that visit (see Introduction). In the preceding section of the letter (chs. 8–9) Paul builds on the confidence that he has in the Corinthians by reactivating the plan for the collection. In the third section (chs. 10–13) he handles the problem of the opponents in a more frontal way. In the process, Paul reinforces the defense of his apostleship from 2:14–7:4, particularly in view of the opponents’ attack against the legitimacy of his apostleship. He also warns that any unrepentant Corinthians will encounter the full power of his apostolic authority when he comes.

Second Corinthians 10–13 has a three-part structure. In the first part Paul deals with the oppo…