2 Corinthians2
New Living Translation
1So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.
2For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.
3That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful.
4I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
5I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me.
6Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough.
7Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.
8So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
9I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions.
10When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,
11so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
12When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.
13But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.
14But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.
15Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.
16To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
17You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Corinthians 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Reasons for the apostle not coming to Corinth. (1–4). Directions about restoring the repentant offender. (5–11). An account of his labours and success in spreading the gospel of Christ. (12–17).
vv1-4
The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to their benefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it must be given.
vv5-11
The apostle desires them to receive the person who had done wrong, again into their communion; for he was aware of his fault, and much afflicted under his punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to despair. Not only was there danger last Satan should get advantage, by tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, and so drive him to despair; but against the churches and the ministers of Christ, by bringing an evil report upon Christians as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of the ministry. In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be used, that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or for too great severity towards sinners on the other hand. Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to make a bad use of our mistakes.
vv12-17
A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak we in Christ and of Christ.
Key Words
γάρ (gár): properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
κρίνω (krínō): by implication, to try, condemn, punish
μή (mḗ): (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 (οὐ) expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἔρχομαι (érchomai): to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πάλιν (pálin): (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
πρός (prós): a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
εἰ (ei): if, whether, that, etc.
ἐγώ (egṓ): I, me
λυπέω (lypéō): to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
Cross References
2 Corinthians 2Direct reference to the incestuous man at Corinth and his discipline discussed in the first epistle.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's previous warning about coming with a rod or in love and a spirit of gentleness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The severe discipline (delivering to Satan) is here relaxed in favor of restoring the repentant offender.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The immediate context explaining that Paul spared them by delaying his visit to Corinth.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
The exhortation to forgive and comfort others in Christ, reflecting God's forgiveness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the exact metaphor of a great and effectual door opened for preaching the gospel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the dual effect of the gospel on those who are saved and those who perish.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Restoring a fallen brother in a spirit of gentleness, matching Paul's instructions here.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The concept of believers and Christ being a sweet-smelling savor unto God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Answers the rhetorical question 'Who is sufficient for these things?' by pointing to God's sufficiency.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Renouncing hidden things of dishonesty and not walking in craftiness or handling God's word deceitfully.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul asking for prayer that God would open a door of utterance to speak Christ's mystery.
Supported by John Calvin
Details Paul's restlessness in Macedonia until Titus arrived with comforting news of Corinth.
Supported by JFB
Metaphor of corrupting or adulterating wine, illustrating those who 'corrupt the word of God.'
Supported by John Calvin