2 Corinthians 2

(1)  But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
(2)  For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
(3)  And 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.
(4)  For 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.
(5)  But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
(6)  Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
(7)  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
(8)  Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
(9)  For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
(10)  To 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;
(11)  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
(12)  Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
(13)  I 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.
(14)  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.
(15)  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
(16)  To 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?
(17)  For 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.

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Study Questions

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1. Does this verse, along with passages in 2 Corinthians 12:14 and 2 Corinthians 13:1, suggest that Paul made a second unrecorded visit that made some sorry at Corinth? Verse 1.

2. What is Paul’s determination about the next visit he will make to Corinth? Verse 1.

3. How would the sorrow that Paul caused at Corinth ultimately make him glad? Verse 2.

4. Why did Paul write the first letter to the Corinthians, according to this verse? Verse 3.

5. How could Paul have confidence that His first letter would bring about mutual joy? Verse 3.

6. What was Paul’s attitude in writing the first letter? Can such criticism and rebuke be given out of love? Verse 4.

7. If this refers to the incestuous man, as many suppose, who, besides Paul, was hurt? Verse 5.

8. What was the punishment inflicted by the many? How could Paul say it was sufficient? Verse 6.

9. What are we required to believe about the actions of this sinner since Paul recommends forgiveness for him? Verse 7.

10. What is Paul’s concern for the disciplined person? Verse 7.

11. How would the church go about confirming their love for the penitent person? Verse 8.

12. What other purpose did Paul have in writing the first letter? Verse 9.

13. What did Paul discover in the church’s attitude toward the first letter? Verse 9.

14. What was Paul’s attitude when the church forgave the sinner? Verse 10.

15. When Satan cannot corrupt the church through fellowship of wickedness, what is another device that he uses to get an advantage? Verse 11.

16. How can a failure to forgive a sinner when he repents be an advantage to Satan? Verse 11.

17. When Paul left Ephesus after the riot and went to Troas, what did he find? Verse 12.

18. What was it that Paul expected at Troas but did not find? Why didn’t he preach the gospel there? Verse 13.

19. When Paul left Troas and went to Macedonia, what happened that brought him joy? Verse 13.

20. When Paul remembered the happy occasion in Macedonia and bursts forth in praise to God, what images are brought to mind by the terms “triumph” and “savor”? Verse 14.

21. How was Paul, and other true gospel preachers a “sweet savor of Christ”? Verse 15.

22. How could they be the savor of death to those who are already dead (in trespasses and sins) and the savor of life to those who are already alive? Verse 16.

23. What is Paul’s meaning in the question in this verse? Verse 16.

24. What is Paul’s answer to his own question? Verse 17.