2 Corinthians 2

Paul's Change of Plans

1 For I made up my mind u not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For v if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, w for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For x I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Forgive the Sinner

5 Now y if anyone has caused pain, z he has caused it not to me, but a in some measure - not to put it too severely - to all of you. 6 For such a one, b this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so c you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might d test you and know e whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for f we are not ignorant of his designs.

Triumph in Christ

12 When g I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though h a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit i was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

14 But j thanks be to God, who in Christ always k leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads l the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among m those who are being saved and among n those who are perishing, 16 o to one a fragrance from death to death, o to the other a fragrance from life to life. p Who is sufficient 1 for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:23
    But I call God to witness against me - it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
    2 Corinthians 12:20 - 21
    For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish - that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
    2 Corinthians 13:10
    For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:8
    For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it - though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:22
    And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.
    Galatians 5:10
    I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
    2 Thessalonians 3:4
    And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.
    2 Corinthians 7:16
    I rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you.
  4. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:8
    For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it - though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.
    2 Corinthians 7:12
    So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God.
    Acts 20:19
    Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:1 - 2
    It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.
  6. Cross References
    Galatians 4:12
    Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.
  7. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:14
    Just as you did partially acknowledge us - that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:4 - 5
    When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus.
    2 Corinthians 7:11
    For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
  9. Cross References
    Galatians 6:1
    Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
    Ephesians 4:32
    Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
  10. Cross References
    Philippians 2:22
    But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.
  11. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:15
    And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.
    2 Corinthians 10:6
    Being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
  12. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:8
    Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 16:8
    So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
    Acts 20:6
    But we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 14:27
    And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
  15. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:5
    For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn - fighting without and fear within.
  16. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:16
    But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
    2 Corinthians 9:15
    Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
    Romans 6:17
    But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.
  17. Cross References
    Colossians 2:15
    He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:2
    And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
    Philippians 4:18
    I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
    Song of Solomon 1:3
    Your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you.
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:18
    For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
  20. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:3
    And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
  21. Cross References
    Luke 2:34
    And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
    John 9:39
    Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.
    1 Peter 2:7 - 8
    So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 2:34
    And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
    John 9:39
    Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.
    1 Peter 2:7 - 8
    So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
  23. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:5 - 6
    Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Previous Book Next Book