ScriptureDepth's study of 2 Corinthians 2
“But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.”
2 Corinthians 2:5
Paul addresses the Corinthian church, clarifying that the sorrow caused by a wrongdoing impacts them, which leads to encouragement for forgiveness in the community.
What 2 Corinthians 2 is about
Paul determined not to visit the Corinthians again in sorrow (vv. 1-2). He wrote to them to avoid causing sorrow and to share joy instead (vv. 3-4). If someone has caused sorrow, it is to the Corinthians that he has done so, and Paul encourages them to forgive and comfort him to prevent excessive sorrow (vv. 5-7). Paul asks them to confirm their love for this person (vv. 8-10). He relates that he forgives whom they forgive in the presence of Christ, warning against Satan's schemes (vv. 10-11). When Paul arrived in Troas for the Good News, he felt distress due to not finding Titus and went to Macedonia (vv. 12-13). He thanks God for leading believers in triumph and describes the sweet aroma of Christ to God among both the saved and those who perish (vv. 14-16). Paul states he speaks sincerely, not as peddlers of God’s word (v. 17).
Readers are left considering the necessity of forgiveness and the integrity of their actions in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2 at a glance
- 2 Corinthians 2:1–2Paul's Decision Against Visiting
- 2 Corinthians 2:3–4Purpose of Paul's Letter
- 2 Corinthians 2:5–7Encouragement to Forgive
- 2 Corinthians 2:8–10Confirmation of Love
- 2 Corinthians 2:11–13Paul's Spiritual Distress
- 2 Corinthians 2:14–16Triumph in Christ
- 2 Corinthians 2:17Integrity of Paul's Ministry
Key verse: 2 Corinthians 2:5
One thing to notice
In verses 5-7, Paul refers to someone who has caused sorrow and calls for forgiveness and comfort. He mentions that excessive sorrow could lead to further distress, which prompts the community to act with healing and support for the individual.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read 2 Corinthians 2 (WEB)
Paul's Decision Against Visiting 2 Corinthians 2:1–2
1Verse 1. But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow. 2Verse 2. For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me?
Purpose of Paul's Letter 2 Corinthians 2:3–4
3Verse 3. And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you. 4Verse 4. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.
Encouragement to Forgive 2 Corinthians 2:5–7
5Verse 5. But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all. 6Verse 6. This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one; 7Verse 7. so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.
Confirmation of Love 2 Corinthians 2:8–10
8Verse 8. Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him. 9Verse 9. For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things. 10Verse 10. Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
Paul's Spiritual Distress 2 Corinthians 2:11–13
11Verse 11. that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 12Verse 12. Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord, 13Verse 13. I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.
Triumph in Christ 2 Corinthians 2:14–16
14Verse 14. Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. 15Verse 15. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish; 16Verse 16. to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Integrity of Paul's Ministry 2 Corinthians 2:17
17Verse 17. For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in 2 Corinthians 2
Forgiveness
In this chapter, forgiveness is central to Paul's appeal regarding the person who caused sorrow among the believers. He mentions the need to forgive and comfort this individual in v. 7, saying, 'lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.' Paul emphasizes that he himself also forgives for the sake of the community, as noted in v. 10, stating that he has forgiven 'that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ.'
Explore forgiveness in the Bible →Reconciliation
Reconciliation within the community is a key focus of this chapter. Paul writes in v. 8, urging the Corinthians to 'confirm your love toward him,' aiming to restore the relationship with the individual who caused sorrow. His appeal for reconciliation is framed by his prior emotional investment, as he expressed in v. 4, ‘that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.’
Leadership
Paul's leadership is evident through his pastoral care for the Corinthians. In verses 3-4, he discusses his emotional state about their relationship, stating he wrote out of deep love and concern. He calls for unity and obedience among them, as seen in verse 9, where he expresses his intention to know their obedience in all things.
Triumphal processional in Christ
In verses 14-16, Paul articulates the concept of triumph in Christ. He expresses gratitude to God, who 'always leads us in triumph in Christ,' presenting the Christian life as a victorious procession. Believers are described as a 'sweet aroma of Christ' to God, highlighting contrasting responses from those who are saved and those who perish.
Chapter outline
How 2 Corinthians 2 unfolds
2 Corinthians 2:1–2 Paul's Decision Against Visiting
Paul expresses his decision not to visit the Corinthians again in sorrow, stating that bringing them grief would not allow for joy, as seen in 'If I make you sorry, then who will make me glad' (vv. 1-2).
2 Corinthians 2:3–4 Purpose of Paul's Letter
He explains that his previous letter was written with deep emotion so they would understand his love for them, not to make them sad (vv. 3-4).
2 Corinthians 2:5–7 Encouragement to Forgive
Paul acknowledges that any sorrow caused by someone among them should lead to forgiveness and comfort, rather than further grief (vv. 5-7).
2 Corinthians 2:8–10 Confirmation of Love
Paul urges the Corinthians to confirm their love for the wrongdoer, explaining that his previous letter aimed to see their obedience, as he says, 'For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you' (vv. 8-10).
2 Corinthians 2:11–13 Paul's Spiritual Distress
Paul shares his spiritual distress when he did not find Titus in Troas, leading him to continue on to Macedonia despite an open door for ministry (vv. 11-13).
2 Corinthians 2:14–16 Triumph in Christ
He expresses gratitude to God for leading them triumphantly in Christ and for spreading the knowledge of Him, which is characterized as a sweet aroma (vv. 14-16).
2 Corinthians 2:17 Integrity of Paul's Ministry
Paul clarifies that he and others do not exploit God's word for profit but speak sincerely as representatives of God, emphasizing their integrity in ministry (v. 17).
Key verses
2 Corinthians 2:5Paul addresses the Corinthian church, clarifying that the sorrow caused by a wrongdoing impacts them, which leads to encouragement for forgiveness in the community.
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Study questions
Questions for studying 2 Corinthians 2
- observeIn v1, why does Paul decide not to come to the Corinthians again in sorrow?
- observeWhat does Paul express about his feelings in v4 when he wrote to the Corinthians?
- interpretPaul's mention of 'the many' in v6: who is he referring to and what is their role?
- interpretIn v16, what does Paul mean by describing the message as a 'stench from death to death'?
- applyWhen have you felt the need to forgive someone to prevent 'excessive sorrow' (v7)?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo 2 Corinthians 2
- Ephesians 42 Corinthians 2:10 and Ephesians 4:32Both forgive: 2 Corinthians 2:10 says to forgive whomever you forgive, while Ephesians 4:32 encourages forgiving each other.
- 2 Corinthians 72 Corinthians 2:4 and 2 Corinthians 7:12Both reveal love: 2 Corinthians 2:4 expresses love with tears, while 2 Corinthians 7:12 shows care in their actions.
- Ephesians 52 Corinthians 2:15 and Ephesians 5:2Both aroma: 2 Corinthians 2:15 speaks of being a sweet aroma of Christ, while Ephesians 5:2 describes a sweet-smelling fragrance.
- Romans 82 Corinthians 2:14 and Romans 8:37Both triumph: 2 Corinthians 2:14 shows God leading in triumph, while Romans 8:37 declares believers more than conquerors.
- 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 2:11 and 2 Corinthians 4:4Both schemes: 2 Corinthians 2:11 speaks of being aware of Satan's schemes, while 2 Corinthians 4:4 mentions blinding the minds of the unbelieving.
- 2 Corinthians 112 Corinthians 2:11 and 2 Corinthians 11:3Both schemes: 2 Corinthians 2:11 warns against Satan's schemes, while 2 Corinthians 11:3 cautions about deception.
Related chapters
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Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- 2 Corinthians: the whole bookThis is Paul's most personal and most turbulent letter.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 333Day 333 of 365: 2 Corinthians 2–4.
- StrengthWhat the Bible says about strength, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
2 Corinthians 2: frequently asked questions
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