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2 Corinthians, 2

1. I made up my mind, then, that my next visit to you would not be a painful one,

1. For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit.

2. for if I cause you distress I am causing distress to my only possible source of joy.

2. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?

3. Indeed, I wrote as I did precisely to spare myself distress when I visited you, from the very people who should have given me joy, in the conviction that for all of you my joy was yours too.

3. And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.

4. I wrote to you in agony of mind, not meaning to cause you distress but to show you how very much love I have for you.

4. For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

5. If anyone did cause distress, he caused it not to me, but -- not to exaggerate -- in some degree to all of you.

5. But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure --not to put it too severely -- to you all.

6. The punishment already imposed by the majority was quite enough for such a person;

6. For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough;

7. and now by contrast you should forgive and encourage him all the more, or he may be overwhelmed by the extent of his distress.

7. so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

8. That is why I urge you to give your love towards him definite expression.

8. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

9. This was in fact my reason for writing, to test your quality and whether you are completely obedient.

9. For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything.

10. But if you forgive anybody, then I too forgive that person; and whatever I have forgiven, if there is anything I have forgiven, I have done it for your sake in Christ's presence,

10. Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,

11. to avoid being outwitted by Satan, whose scheming we know only too well.

11. to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

12. When I came to Troas for the sake of the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me there in the Lord,

12. When I came to Tro'as to preach the gospel of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord;

13. I had no relief from anxiety, not finding my brother Titus there, and I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

13. but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedo'nia.

14. But, thanks be to God who always gives us in Christ a part in his triumphal procession, and through us is spreading everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of himself.

14. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

15. To God we are the fragrance of Christ, both among those who are being saved and among those who are on the way to destruction;

15. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,

16. for these last, the smell of death leading to death, but for the first, the smell of life leading to life. Who is equal to such a task?

16. to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

17. At least we do not adulterate the word of God, as so many do, but it is in all purity, as envoys of God and in God's presence, that we speak in Christ.

17. For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.



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Footnotes:

2:1-4 - Paul explains that he avoided a painful visit to the church, preferring a letter of exhortation so that pain might be turned into joy. This highlights the role of loving discipline and correction within the Christian community (see also 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and Hebrews 12:6).

2:5-8 - Paul asks the church to forgive a repentant member, showing that forgiveness is central to the Christian life. Restorative forgiveness reflects the grace of God, who forgives abundantly (see also Matthew 18:21-22 and Ephesians 4:32).

2:14-16 - Paul celebrates the triumph of Christ, who leads believers in a "triumphal process" and makes the gospel message a fragrance of life to the saved and of death to the lost. The Christian mission is inevitably polarizing (see also Colossians 2:15 and 1 Corinthians 1:18).

02:17 - Paul affirms that in preaching the Word of God, he and the other apostles do so not out of self-interest, but in sincerity, as those sent by God. The ministry of the gospel must be motivated by integrity and the will of God (see also 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 and 2 Corinthians 4:2).

Verses related to 2 Corinthians, 2:

2 Corinthians chapter 2 addresses forgiveness and the fragrance of Christ. How does Paul deal with repentance in the church? This compassionate text describes the restoration of a disciplined limb and the importance of forgiveness. The chapter explores themes such as apostolic authority, triumph in Christ, and the aroma of the knowledge of God. Paul also reveals his pastoral anxiety for Titus. Reflect with us on five biblical passages that correlate with the transformative themes of this pivotal chapter.

Matthew 18:15-17: "If your brother sins against you, go and, alone with him, show him his error. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two others with you, so that 'any accusation may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to you, tell the church; and if he refuses to listen also to the church, treat him as a pagan or a tax collector." - This passage reflects the process of discipline and restoration mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

Galatians 6:1: "Brethren, if anyone is overtaken in any sin, you who are spiritual must restore him with meekness. But take care, each one, lest he be tempted either." - This verse complements Paul's instruction on forgiveness and restoration in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

1 Corinthians 5:5: "Hand this man over to Satan, so that his body may be destroyed and his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord." - This passage relates to the discipline mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, showing the previous context.

Colossians 2:15: "And, having stripped the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them on the cross." - This verse echoes the theme of triumph in Christ mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:14.

1 Peter 2:9: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, to proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - This passage relates to Paul's idea of being the "scent of Christ" in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.

FAQ:

What does Paul say about forgiveness in 2 Corinthians 2?

Paul teaches that we must forgive others, just as we have been forgiven by God, to restore fellowship and prevent the enemy from deceiving us. (2 Corinthians 2:7-8)

What does Paul say about the ministry of the new covenant?

Paul compares the ministry of the new covenant with the old, saying that the ministry of the Spirit is more glorious and life-giving, in contrast to the death of the law. (2 Corinthians 2:17)

How does Paul describe our victory in Christ?

Paul affirms that we are triumphant in Christ, bringing His knowledge to all, and being a fragrance of life to those who are being saved and of death to those who are lost. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

What does Paul teach about sincerity in ministry?

Paul teaches that as ministers of Christ, we must be sincere, seeking to please God rather than men, being honest in our words and actions. (2 Corinthians 2:17)

How does Paul express his love for the Corinthians?

Paul expresses his love for the Corinthians by wanting them to forgive and restore their brother who has fallen into sin, showing the power of forgiveness in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:8)


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