Chapter 2
In Defense (Continued)
2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?
Continuing his defense for making the decision to not visit as he had originally planned, Paul knew that the visit would be painful for both of them. He uses the reasoning that, “For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.” (2 Corinthians 2:2, NLT) Paul did not want them to think that he only visited them to rebuke them. Being constantly ’negative’ can quickly turn a good relationship into a sour relationship potentially resulting in complete dissociation.
2:3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For 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.
In light of the decision not to visit, Paul decided to write instead. There is some debate as to which epistle he is referring to, often alluding to the idea that there is a lost epistle, but there is no evidence of another epistle. It is more than likely that Paul is referring to his epistle known to us as First Corinthians, as it identified multiple problems within the church and several that align with issues resolved as noted in this epistle. Paul felt that sending an epistle (a letter) to the church would be a better solution, so that when he does come he won’t be grieved by the people who normally bring him great joy. He notes that it was painful for him to write as he suffered “much affliction and anguish of heart” along with many tears. He further notes he is not mentioning this to cause them more pain but for them to know the love he has for them.
Case Closed: Now Forgive and Comfort
2:5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.
Paul does not identify the person he is writing about here, it is commonly believed that this is the same man that was blatantly committing sexual immorality that Paul wrote about in his first epistle (see 1 Corinthians 5:1-13). Some believe this refers to an unidentified different man. Regardless, this person appears to have accepted the chastisement and repented of their ways. Paul clarifies that this person didn’t cause him pain but did in fact cause them pain. If anyone blatantly sins in a church it can adversely affect the whole congregation (ineffective worship, reduced fellowship, unanswered prayers, etc.)
2:6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Paul tells them that with him hearing from the majority of the church that he probably received enough scolding rebuke from the people. He says it was time to forgive and comfort the man. Paul notes that if the man continued to be chastised that he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow (despair, even for a Christian can be devastating).
2:8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know 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 we are not ignorant of his designs.
Paul begs them to stop the rebuke and accept his repentance by receiving him back into fellowship, to exchange their distain with love. He tells them that is why he wrote, that he would be able to test them to see if they would respond favorably to the problems outlined his last epistle and again now in response to this request to forgive. Paul understood the imperative from Jesus to forgive (see below) and uses this opportunity to teach a fundamental application regarding forgiveness. If they forgive someone, he will likewise forgive them too, as that forgiveness (their obedience to forgive) is in the presence of Jesus and acknowledged by Him.
Paul gives them the reason they are to forgive was so that they will not be outwitted by Satan. We know that Satan is hostile towards anything that belong’s to God and that includes us. When we feel hurt due to what someone said or did against us we may not be too susceptible to the idea of forgiving. Our attitude is made worse by responding to the Satan’s urgings (fall for his lies). Remember Jesus called Satan a liar and the father of lies (see John 8:44), all we need to do is to say no to Satan and yes to forgiveness.
Considerations
Forgiveness
Jesus often spoke about the need to forgive others, beginning with the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” (Matthew 6:12, NLT) Because this prayer is often stated in rote most forget the words that follow that model prayer: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NLT) Unconditional forgiveness is not an ‘option’ for a Christian. Peter once asked Jesus how many times one should forgive another, “As many as seven times?” Jesus’ reply must have stunned Peter, He said, “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:22, NLT) While the Greek can be translated as seventy-seven times, we can see that Jesus is saying there is no limit. But forgiveness is not something that comes naturally to humans! Most people prefer to harbor their emotions and hold back their forgiveness which often leads to ongoing resentment and anger. This is why it is imperative that believers forgive. It is another element that demonstrates to the world that we are different, that we belong to Jesus. It is not through human effort that we can forgive unconditionally, our ability to forgive comes directly from the Holy Spirit within us! Paul wrote in his epistle to the church in Colossae what I believe is a great summary of how Christians should treat other people: “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:12-13, NLT)
Triumph Prevails
2:12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.
While waiting to hear how the church responded to his first epistle, Paul went on the road again (see Acts 16:8-11). But instead of visiting Corinth, he went to the city of Troas, a seaport on the Aegean Sea in western Asia Minor, located in the province of Mysia (near Troy). While there, Paul was successful in preaching the gospel message. However, he apparently was expecting to hear the church in Corinth’s response from Titus (who would have traveled through Troas from Macedonia), but when he didn’t show up, he left, and went to Macedonia, undoubtedly to look for him.
2:14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Paul pauses the telling of his search for Titus (which became a dark time in Paul’s life) to praise God. He will return to this story later in chapter seven (see 2 Corinthians 7:5-6). Here Paul thanks God and describes how Jesus always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us believers He spreads the fragrance of the gospel message everywhere. The concept of a triumphal procession refers to a very old protocol where a king (or other victorious person) would enter a city, typically while being cheered on by their subjects. Jesus was victorious on the cross, and we, His subjects, carry that aroma wherever we go, the words of eternal life!
2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient 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.
Paul continues to describe Jesus’ victory on the cross (the gospel message) as an aroma of Christ to God. If someone accepts Jesus’ offer for salvation they will have a pleasant fragrance from this life to life eternal. But if they do not accept His offer, the smell of death from this life is dreadful to death eternal (remember mankind is already condemned unless they accept Jesus’ gift, see John 3:18). Paul next asks, “Who is sufficient for these things?” No one is worthy on their own, but unlike those who preach for profit, Paul states that they, “preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.” (2 Corinthians 2:17b, NLT)
Considerations
Aromas in Scripture
In the Bible we read about how many of the Old Testament sacrifices provided a pleasing aroma for God (see Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18, 25, 41; Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16; 4:31; 6:15, 21; 8:21, 28; 17:6; 23:13, 18; 26:31; Numbers 15:3, 7, 10, 13, 14, 24; 18:17; 28:2, 6, 8, 13, 24, 27; 29:2, 6, 8, 13, 36; Ephesians 5:2; Philippians 4:18). In Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 8:34 we see a connection between prayers and incense (also a pleasant aroma) before God. In each application an aroma result from action taken for God. Here in this epistle Paul uses aroma to underscore the need for us to also be found in action by telling others about Jesus. That is another pleasant aroma! Are you known by your smell?