The Epistles · Chapter 2 of 13
2 Corinthians 2
Paul explains why he changed his plans and wrote a painful letter rather than visiting in sorrow: he acted out of love, not to grieve them. He urges the church to forgive and restore the man who had been disciplined, lest he be overwhelmed by sorrow and Satan gain advantage. Paul then thanks God who leads believers in triumph, spreading the fragrance of Christ everywhere.
What happens in 2 Corinthians 2
Paul explains that he decided not to visit Corinth again in sorrow, since grieving them would rob him of the very joy they should give him. He wrote instead out of much affliction and anguish, with many tears, not to wound them but to show his abundant love. Concerning the man who caused grief, Paul says the punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient; now they should forgive and comfort him, lest he be swallowed up by excessive sorrow. Paul urges them to reaffirm their love, and says he too forgives, in the presence of Christ, so that Satan gains no advantage over them.
Paul then recounts coming to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, where a door opened, yet he had no rest because he did not find Titus, so he moved on to Macedonia. He breaks into thanksgiving to God, who always leads believers in triumph in Christ and spreads through them the fragrance of his knowledge everywhere.
2 Corinthians 2 in context
Between First and Second Corinthians, Paul made a painful visit and sent a severe letter, now lost, that caused the church deep sorrow. A particular man had opposed or offended Paul and been disciplined by the congregation.
In this chapter Paul explains his motives, calling for the offender's restoration and revealing his anxious love, before turning to thanksgiving for the triumphant spread of the gospel through his ministry.
Main themes of 2 Corinthians 2
2 Corinthians 2 (KJV)
1But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. 4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. 5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 10To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 12Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. 14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Verses to carry from 2 Corinthians 2
“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.”2 Corinthians 2:7
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”2 Corinthians 2:14
“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:”2 Corinthians 2:15
Thematic connection
How 2 Corinthians 2 points to Jesus
Christ stands at the center of Paul's ministry and even his forgiveness. When Paul pardons the offender, he does so in the person of Christ, forgiving as one who represents and answers to the Lord. Paul comes to Troas specifically to preach Christ's gospel, and when he gives thanks it is to the God who always leads believers in triumph in Christ, as in a victory procession. Through them God spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ in every place.
Believers become the very aroma of Christ to God, a savor of life to those being saved and of death to those who perish. In forgiveness, in mission, and in the fragrance of the gospel, Christ is the substance Paul carries and commends, the crucified and risen Lord whose triumph now sweeps his servants along in his own procession.
Questions about 2 Corinthians 2
Why does Paul urge the church to forgive the man who caused grief?
The discipline has accomplished its purpose, so continuing it would only crush the man with sorrow. Paul fears he might be swallowed up by overwhelming grief and that Satan would exploit an unforgiving church. So he calls them to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm their love. This shows that the goal of correction was always restoration, not destruction. Grace, not endless punishment, is meant to have the final word.
What does Paul mean by the fragrance or savor of Christ?
Paul pictures the gospel as an aroma that spreads wherever it is preached, like incense in a triumphal procession. This fragrance of the knowledge of Christ is not neutral: to those being saved it is the sweet scent of life, and to those refusing it, a savor of death. The same message meets different responses. Believers who carry Christ become that aroma to God, confronting every hearer with the Lord himself.
Reflection
Is there someone whose discipline or repentance is complete, whom I still hold at a distance? Paul says such a person needs forgiveness and comfort, lest sorrow swallow him. This week I can reaffirm my love toward someone I have kept in the cold, and let restoration have the final word.
A prayer from 2 Corinthians 2
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