John Mark Hicks

Sometimes somethings are more important than an open door. That is the upshot of these two fascinating sentences in 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. Earlier Paul had intended to visit Corinth, then go to Macedonia, and then return to Corinth before he left for Jerusalem. However, the circumstances in Corinth led Paul to change that travel plans. […]

This outline follows and adapts the work of Frank J. Matera, II Corinthians: A Commentary, New Testament Library (Louisville: WJK, 2003). Opening: Salutation and Doxology (1:1-11). Part 1 – The Crisis Over Paul’s Apostolic Integrity (1:12-7:16). Paul Narrates Recent Events (1:12-2:13). The Letter’s Theme (1:12-14). Paul’s Reliability (1:15-22). A Change of Plans and a Harsh […]

Reading 2 Corinthians, we find ourselves in the middle of a conversation about which we are largely ignorant. The Conversation We were not there when Paul founded the congregation at Corinth or his subsequent two visits. We don’t have access to two other letters Paul wrote to Corinth; we only have two of four (and […]

It may sound rather strange to some ears, but at the turn of the 20th century there was some debate among Churches of Christ whether the Sermon on the Mount was intended for Christians. For example, Lipscomb was asked on one occasion whether he could “show that it s a Christian duty to try to […]

This is quite daring, I must admit. Or, it might be rather idiotic. But in my quest to place my published writings on this webpage, I now turn to the 1970s.  It is rather chilling and sometimes quite illuminating to actually read what I wrote thirty years ago (wow! I really am that old). It […]