2nd Corinthians Chapter 2

From The Open Bible Project

2:1 But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.

• (a) Causing grief among you, which he would have done if he had come to them before they had repented.

2:2 For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me?

2:3 And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn't have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.

• (b) For I trusted that you would immediately take that out of the way which you knew I was discontented with, considering how you are persuaded that my joy is your joy.

2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.

2:5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.

• (1) He passes to another part of this epistle: which nonetheless is put among the first, and to which he returns afterwards: and he handles the releasing and unloosing of the incestuous person, because he seemed to have been given sufficient testimony of his repentance. And this shows the true use of excommunication, that is, that it proceeds not from hatred, but from love, and so end, lest if we keep it up, we serve Satan the devil.
• (c) As if he said, "All that sorrow is so completely wiped away, that I have never felt it."
• (d) As for me, says Paul, I have no more to do with him.
• (e) Lest I should overcharge him who is burdened enough as it is, which burden I would be glad if it were taken from him.

2:6 Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;

2:7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.

• (f) That whereas before you punished him sharply, you should now forgive him.

2:8 Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.

• (g) That at my entreaty you would declare by the consent of the whole church, that you take him again as a brother.

2:9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.

2:10 Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

• (h) Truly, and from the heart.

2:11 that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

• (i) Of his mischievous counsel and devilish will.

2:12 Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,

• (2) He returns to the confirmation of his apostleship, and brings forth both the testimonies of his labours, and also of God’s blessing.

2:13 I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn't find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.

2:14 Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.

• (k) He alludes to the anointing of the priests, and the incense of the sacrifices.

2:15 For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish;

• (3) He denies that anything should be taken away from the dignity of his apostleship, because they saw that it was not received with like success in every place. But rather very many rejected and detested him, seeing that he preached Christ not only as a saviour of those that believe, but also as a judge of those that condemn him.

2:16 to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

• (4) Again, he dismisses all suspicion of arrogance, attributing all things that he did to the power of God, whom he serves sincerely, and with honest affection. And he makes them witnesses of this, even to the sixth verse of the next chapter (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 3:6).

2:17 For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

• (l) We do not handle it craftily and covetously, or less sincerely than we ought. And he uses a metaphor, which is taken from hucksters, who used to play the false harlot with whatever came into their hands.