2 Corinthians
Summary
Forgiveness for the Penitent and the Triumph in Christ: 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 continues Paul’s explanation of his postponed visit, which was intended to avoid an "overflow of sorrow." He addresses a specific case of church discipline, urging the Corinthians to forgive and console the repentant offender "lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow." Paul describes his arrival at Troas and his subsequent journey to Macedonia in search of Titus. The chapter concludes with a vivid image of the Christian life: as a "fragrance of Christ" in God’s triumphal procession, spreading the message of the Gospel whether leading to "life unto life" or being the "aroma of death unto death."
But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from those of whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent, not to be too severe.
This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,
so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.
Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,
I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.