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The Bible includes two letters from Paul to the Corinthian church. However, it is probable that he wrote at least three letters to them (and maybe even four). The two epistles preserved in the Bible were the only ones inspired by God, thus considered canonical and deserving of preservation.
In the letter known as 1 Corinthians, Paul mentions, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people” «I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: », (1 Corinthians 5:9). It is reasonable to assume that Paul must have written a letter to the church before composing 1 Corinthians. He is now clarifying a statement he made in the previous letter to avoid misunderstandings.
Some individuals interpret 1 Corinthians 5:9 as a reference to the same letter he was currently writing. This interpretation is based on 1 Corinthians 5:2, where Paul instructs the Corinthians to expel a sexually immoral man from the church fellowship. According to this perspective, Paul gives an instruction in verse 2 and then refers back to that same instruction in verse 9. However, such a circular reference appears unnatural. A straightforward reading of the text suggests that Paul is actually referring to a different letter altogether.
In the document we know as 2 Corinthians, there might be another allusion to a distinct letter. Paul states, “I wrote as I did, . . . I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears” (2 Corinthians 2:3-4a). The letter Paul refers to here is commonly known as the “sorrowful letter” due to its challenging subject matter, stern tone, and the emotional pain it caused Paul to write it. The apostle promptly expresses his purpose in writing that letter.
Paul wrote, “I am not writing this to make you sad, but to let you know the depth of my love for you” (verse 4b).
Paul mentions the “sorrowful letter” again a few chapters later: “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it— I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance” (2 Corinthians 7:8-9).
Is the “sorrowful letter” Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 2:4 and 7:8 the same as the letter of 1 Corinthians? Scholars have differing opinions on this matter.
Those who believe that 1 Corinthians is the “sorrowful letter” point to chapters 5 and 6 of that book, where Paul directly addresses a problem in the church and rebukes the Corinthians for tolerating sin among them. The pain Paul experienced while writing that rebuke demonstrates the kindness and tenderness of his heart, which was saddened by the need to discipline the church. The majority of commentators hold the opinion that 1 Corinthians is indeed the “sorrowful letter.”
Others do not consider 1 Corinthians to be the “sorrowful letter.” They view 1 Corinthians as corrective and addressing challenging issues, but not causing Paul “much affliction and anguish of heart and . . . many tears” «For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. », (2 Corinthians 2:4, ESV). Since 1 Corinthians cannot be classified as a severe or harsh letter (according to this perspective), the “sorrowful letter” mentioned in 2 Corinthians is likely another communication Paul had with the church between writing 1 and 2 Corinthians. Under this interpretation, the “sorrowful letter” has been “lost,” as it was not included in the biblical record.
It is suggested in the Bible.
Another perspective suggests that the “sorrowful letter” refers to chapters 10—13 of 2 Corinthians—sections written in a notably ironic and hurt tone. According to this interpretation, these chapters were originally part of the intermediate letter and later combined with 2 Corinthians as an appendix, creating a single book.
It is probable that Paul wrote three letters to the Corinthian church. The existence of a fourth, intermediate letter is improbable. If there were four letters, they would have been composed in the following sequence:
1. A letter advising the Corinthian Christians against associating with professed believers engaged in sexual immorality
2. First Corinthians
3. An intermediate letter, known as the “sorrowful letter,” which was difficult for Paul to write due to the stern tone he had to adopt
4. Second Corinthians
Once again, #3, the intermediate or “sorrowful” letter, is likely the same as #2, (1 Corinthians).
It is conceivable that Paul wrote numerous letters to Corinth and other churches that were not preserved. Not all the apostles’ writings were inspired by God. The writings we have from Paul are inspired and thus part of the canon of Scripture. The Bible we have today is the complete, divine revelation from God to humanity.
