A courtyard door standing open at dusk with a clay lamp burning on the threshold, and a lone figure walking up the street toward it, seen from behind.

The Book of

2 Corinthians 2

A painful visit, a letter written through tears, and a hard request: forgive the man who caused the grief. Then Paul breaks into thanks.

17 verses≈ 3 min2 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–2:13ComfortWhy Paul changed his plansChapter 2
2:14–5:10Treasure in clayThe glory of the new covenant
5:11–7Be reconciledOpen your hearts; joy restored
8–9Generous givingThe gift for the saints
10–13Strong in weaknessPaul's defence of his ministry

Reaffirm Your Love

So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved? I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be grieved by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

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For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.

Question

Quick question

Paul had changed his travel plans, and some in Corinth took it badly. Instead of a visit, they got a letter.

Why does Paul say he wrote “through many tears”?

Paul

My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

2 Corinthians 2:11

Why forgive him?

Whiteboard

The church has disciplined the man, and it has done its work. Now Paul says the next step is not more punishment but restoration: forgive him, comfort him and show him you love him, so that grief doesn’t swallow him. Paul joins in, before Christ. A church that refuses to forgive a repentant brother gives Satan an opening.

Reflect

Forgive and comfort

Paul asks a hurt church to “forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” Forgiving doesn’t mean pretending the wrong didn’t matter. It means letting go of the debt and opening the door again. Is there someone who has turned from a wrong, but whom you still keep at arm’s length? Write down one way you could “reaffirm your love” to them, and ask God for the grace to do it.

Triumph in Christ

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Troas to Macedonia

Paul came to Troas to preach, and “a door stood open for me in the Lord.” But Titus, who was bringing news from Corinth, wasn’t there. Paul says, “I had no peace in my spirit,” so he crossed the sea to Macedonia to look for him. The story picks up again in chapter 7.

A single merchant ship moored at a stone quay in Troas at night, the dark sea stretching west toward a faint far coast under stars.

Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord, I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:14

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

Thin incense smoke rises from small clay burners set along an empty paved Roman street at dawn, with flower petals scattered on the stones.

To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?

For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.

0:20

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Pray

Led in His triumph

Thank God that He “always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ,” even on days when, like Paul, you have no peace. Ask Him to spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” through your words and your life this week. Pray for a forgiving heart toward anyone who has hurt you and turned back, and for sincerity in everything you say about Him.

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2 Corinthians 2

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A verse to carry with you

But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

2 Corinthians 2:14

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