The Bible — World English Bible

2 Corinthians 2

In brief

In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul explains why he did not return to Corinth: he wanted to avoid a painful visit and chose instead to write with many tears, out of love. He then invites the church to forgive the one who had been corrected, so that he is not overwhelmed and Satan does not gain an advantage. He describes his anxiety at Troas, where he had not found Titus, then gives thanks: God leads him in triumph in Christ and spreads through him the fragrance of the knowledge of himself.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-4A letter written in tears, out of love
  2. v. 5-11Forgive and comfort the one who sinned
  3. v. 12-13Troas: an open door, but Paul without rest
  4. v. 14-17The fragrance of Christ and the sincerity of ministry

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

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

3And 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.

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

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

6This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one;

7so 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.

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

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

10Now 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,

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

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

13I 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.

14Now 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.

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

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

17For 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.

Key verses

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

Paul says that his severe letter came from great sorrow and great love. In the church, correction is not there to hurt but to make love known.

Verse 7-8
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. Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.

After a rebuke, discipline should lead to forgiveness and comfort. Paul asks the church to reaffirm its love for the one who sinned, so that he is not swallowed up by excessive sorrow.

Verse 10-11
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, that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

Paul forgives together with the church and reminds them that Satan looks for an advantage. Refusing to forgive or staying hard can become a breach, because the enemy uses division.

Verse 14-15
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. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved and in those who perish:

The image of fragrance comes from triumphal processions, where incense was burned. Believers spread the sweet aroma of Christ, which is experienced differently by those who receive it.

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What the sermons say

The Temptation to Give Up: God Says Stand FirmJean-Marc Botteron quotes verses 10 and 11 to warn that we are not unaware of Satan's schemes, which aim to make us give up, and calls for vigilance and perseverance.Read the summary →A World That Is Waiting: Become the Witness God Calls You to BeThe Waymaker series ends on verse 12: Paul at Troas is anxious because Titus is not there, and the world is waiting for believers who carry something of God where they live.Read the summary →The World Is Waiting for the Children of God to Be RevealedAt Troas, Paul obeys despite the cost: the call of Macedonia costs something. The sermon sees in it a model of obedience for those who have a mandate from God.Read the summary →A Church Set Free to Live Out Holiness (1 Corinthians 5)In connection with the correction at Corinth, the sermon presents church discipline as an act of love for the person, the congregation and the world, grounded in our identity in Christ.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 2 Corinthians 2

What does 2 Corinthians 2:11 mean?

Paul asks the church to forgive so that Satan does not gain an advantage, since believers are not unaware of his schemes. Forgiveness protects the unity of the church. Cultivated bitterness or endless exclusion gives a foothold to division and discouragement. The adversary needs very little if forgiveness is refused.

What does the fragrance of Christ mean in 2 Corinthians 2:15?

Paul draws on Roman victory processions, where perfumes were burned. Believers spread the knowledge of Christ like a sweet aroma. It is perceived in two ways: as a fragrance of life to those who receive the gospel, and as a sign of death to those who reject it.

Why does Paul weep as he writes to Corinth?

In verse 4, Paul explains that he wrote out of anguish of heart and with many tears. He does not want to make the Corinthians sad, he wants them to know the love he has for them. His correction comes from a father's heart and not from a desire to dominate.

Articles quoting 2 Corinthians 2

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World English Bible translation — public domain.