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Ivar Vegge shows that the ancient Mediterranean world was especially sensitive to idealized praise and blame or threats as hortative means. This is reflected in the pedagogy of the moral philosophers (psychagogy) and in the letter-writing tradition (epistolography), and to some extent also in the rhetorical tradition. Paul utilizes this method in 2 Corinthians. It is argued that idealized praise is manifested in the description of reconciliation in 2 Cor 7:5-16 in order to attain full reconciliation, and in numerous expressions of confidence in the addressee that support various appeals to reconciliation (and/or collection). The harsh and threatening tone in 2 Cor 10-13 is intended to correct the Corinthians, in the hope of achieving reconciliation. The apologetic elements in the letter repeatedly lead up to and substantiate appeals to reconciliation. 2 Corinthians is, therefore, one single letter about reconciliation.