2 Corinthians 2

==2 Corinthians 2:1-8==
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.
Paul writes to encourage an action, rather than strongly rebuke as he did in the last letter. The man committing adultery from 1 Corinthians 5 has repented, but the congregation is not forgiving him. Paul is writing to encourage them to do so.
==2 Corinthians 2:9-11==
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.
He also writes to them about this to confirm whether or not they are obedient (there's that pesky word again) in all things. They need to forgive, and Paul trusts them to forgive righteously. He says that forgiveness is necessary lest Satan gain an advantage over them. Lack of forgiveness where forgiveness is due is one of Satan's many tactics.
==2 Corinthians 2:12-13==
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.
More travel and success in those travels, though he missed seeing his "son in the faith", Titus.
==2 Corinthians 2:14-17==
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.
Paul gives thanks to God who gives victory in Christ. The "scent" of the knowledge of God is everywhere because of the preaching by Paul supported by the church at Corinth. This scent is a sweet aroma in them that are saved and even among those who are dying. I believe this latter reference is to the Jews for several reasons:
# Paul refers to triumph in Christ by the spreading of the gospel. This is the conqueror going out to conquer His enemies with His messengers.
# Death is a sweet aroma in victory over one's enemies as they no longer triumph over you, but you over them. We see here the coming vindication of the martyrs of Revelation, an end to persecution at the hands of the Jews.
# Those who corrupt the word, that Paul so often faced, are the Judaizers.
Paul says that the church is looking forward to triumph, to life no matter what comes, but the Jews are perishing and will pay the price for their persecution of the church, for their corruption of the word of God, and for their disobedience.
In Truth and Love.
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2 Corinthians 1
2 Corinthians 2
2 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 4
2 Corinthians 5
2 Corinthians 6
2 Corinthians 7
2 Corinthians 8
2 Corinthians 9
2 Corinthians 10
2 Corinthians 11
2 Corinthians 12
2 Corinthians 13
Category:Apocalyptic