Conflict in Paul's Churches
Paul's Relationship with the Corinthian Community (Ehrman, pp. 282ff.)
Paul's First Visit (Described in 2 Cor 1:19)
Paul, Sivanus, & Timothy first arrive in Corinth via Thessalonica and Athens? They set up shop, preach Paul's gospel, win converts, depart for Ephesus
Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (Lost)
Now Lost, Referred to in 1 Cor 5:9. Dealt with ethical issues that arose in the community after Paul left.
The Corinthians' First Letter to Paul (Lost)
Some Corinthians wrote a letter to Paul to further inquire about ethical issues, i.e., whether married Christians should have sex with their spouses (1 Cor 7:1).
Paul's Second Letter (Now Canonical 1 Corinthians)
Paul responds to Corinthians' letter to him and to reports he received from "Chloe's people," announces his plans to return to Corinth via Macedonia and to spend the winter (1 Cor 16:5-7), sends his letter with Stephanus and others who were visiting from Corinth.
Paul's Second Visit (Described in 2 Cor 2:1-11)
Paul visits Corinth a second time but is not well received. Someone in the community caused him pain and possible public humiliation. Paul left Corinth threatening to come again in judgment (2 Cor 13:2).
The Arrival of the "Superapostles"
Either while Paul was still in Corinth, or after he left, other apostles of Christ, whom Paul calls "Superapostles" (2 Cor 11:5), came to Corinth claiming to be the true spokespersons of the gospel, verifying their claim by doing spectacular deeds, and maligning Paul for lack of power and charisma. The argument became nasty. They criticized Paul for his weak bodily presence and contemptible speech (10:10). He called them ministers of Satan (11:13-15). The "Superapostles" were Jewish-Christians who taught that their life in Christ was already an exalted, glorified existence.
Paul's Third Letter (The Painful Letter, partly in 2 Cor 10-13)
After leaving Corinth for the second time, Paul wrote a letter attacking the "Superapostles." Paul insisted that the present life of the Christian is not the glorified, exalted existence that Christ himself enjoys. According to Paul, Christians live a life of weakness in a present time of evil and suffering, dominated by Satan. Apostles especially must not boast of their merits but must suffer as the leaders in the fight against the cosmic forces of evil (11:20-31). Paul proves his own apostleship by his weakness and lack of boasting (12:1-10). Paul attacks the "Superapostles" and the Corinthian individual who insulted him and warns the Corinthians to discipline him before he arrives on a third visit in judgment (13:1-2). This letter was sent to Corinth with Titus and evidently had the desired effect. The Corinthians punished the one who had insulted Paul (2 Cor 2:5-11), repented for the pain they had caused Paul and submitted again to his authority (2 Cor 7:5-12). Paul cancels his threatened trip to Corinth (2 Cor 1:15-2:2).
Paul's Fourth Letter (The Conciliatory Letter, partly in 2 Cor 1-9)
After receiving the good report of his success from Titus, Paul writes a conciliatory letter to the Corinthians congratulating them for their repentance (2 Cor 2:5-11; 7:5-16), and explaining why he cancelled his trip (1:15-2:4).