From the second century to the present, 2 Corinthians offers its riches grudgingly,if at all; and even then it demands only the most careful and attentive inquiries. The series provides compact, critical commentaries on the writings of the New Testament. These commentaries are written with special attention to the needs and interests of theological students, but they will also be useful for students in upper-level college or university settings, as well as for pastors and other religious leaders. In addition to providing basic information about the New Testament texts and insights into their meanings, these commentaries are intended to exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful, critical biblical exegesis. "2 Corinthians is a treasure hidden in a thorny thicket. It is so rich, so full of theological insight, so packed with hope and possibility, so aware of dark human tendencies and human vulnerability, and so radical in its reevaluation of what is true and real." From the Introduction