2Corinthians 2

Not in heaviness

2 Cor 2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
2 Cor 2:2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

Paul, as the spiritual father to the church at Corinth, is concerned with their worldly ways. As a good father, he wishes to warn them and give them time to repent. They are a young church in a place of idols. Only by God's grace do we have our conversation in this life.

Paul had earlier spoken to them of his own way of life..." that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world," (2Cor 1:12). A father first must be an example to his family, then he has a right to speak. Yet, a heart of love is slow to correct with harsh means. But, if no correction, there is no change. They should have been listening to the Holy Spirit, but too many listen to gossip and the opinion of a strong willed person. Do you know that a church can be split by the tongue of a strong willed person used of the devil? It happens too often. It is painful to correct a person, still it is more painful when they do not receive your words. Relationships can be delicate and those farthest from the Lord are the most hostile to receive correction. Satan the accuser, accuses through them, questioning your right to "judge." Paul cared for their souls.

Anguish of heart

2 Cor 2:3 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.

As a father away from home, Paul wishes to return to his church family with rejoicing, not with sorrows, because of willful sin and disobedience. Do you know that rebellion and a bad attitude can be caught? We must be careful, who we listen to, lest we be caught up in the things of darkness. Do not fellowship with the works of darkness.

2 Cor 2:4 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.

What does our Father God think? What is his heart towards those who are sinful and disobedient? Through the Spirit, Paul has the heart of God: tears, and grief and anguish of heart.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Who is Paul referring too? Be sure the one this was referring too got the message. How often do we hear a message and it is as if the speaker was talking right to us?

Forgiveness

2 Cor 2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
2 Cor 2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

Who was this man who has grieved Paul and the church? Perhaps it was the man mentioned in 1Corinthians 5;

1 Cor 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

A man was having relations with his stepmother. The church was so used to a sinful society that they did nothing until Paul, through the spirit of God pointed out this sin and the need for repentance, or removal from the body. If the church is "tolerant" of the worlds wicked ways, where is the light? Where then will a man find his way to God? The world is tolerant of sin, and God will not allow sin in heaven. Who will you serve?

Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

2 Cor 2:7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

Paul, with a shepherds heart, is concerned for the restoration of the fallen man. Now that all have been made aware of the sin, if he repents we are to forgive.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Cor 2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
2 Cor 2:9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
2 Cor 2:10 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;

We are to reconcile the sinner to God. As we have been forgiven we are to forgive others. This is the grace of God at work. Some cannot forgive, first they cannot forgive themselves. This gives satan an entrance place, and with his accusations and torment.

2 Cor 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Satan is the divider, the accuser, he thrives in fear and anger. He torments with bad thoughts, he points out our failings. He is the thief of God's good things.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus has come to destroy the work of the devil. This work continues as we receive the forgiveness of God for our sins and as we forgive others. The grace of God works in us to do the work of our Lord Jesus Christ and this by his Holy Spirit.

2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

All good work is the work of God. Thank you Jesus for forgiving us. Lord through your spirit help us to restore and forgive others.

Mat 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

God's restoration is about forgiveness and love. We must get out of the way and give Him His way.

Doors of Opportunity

2 Cor 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

The Lord opens doors for ministry. I am reminded of the doors opened for Peter in Acts 12. The angel led Peter out of prison through guards and heavy secured doors. One door after another opened to him. The Lord opens spiritual doors in physical places for us. If we seek God's will, we will hear from him.

If we want success in ministry we must be available, and when a door or opportunity opens, we are free to go through. Paul's passion was to preach the gospel message; that Jesus has come bringing the way of forgiveness, reconciling us to God, by his shed blood and resurrection from the grave. This is the power of God for a new life. The tragedy is that many cannot or will not hear this message. When God opens a door, he also prepares hearts to receive. As I look back, I see many times when God has opened doors of opportunity to bring souls to Jesus. Now these new beloved people minister the gospel message in their places of service. There is no charge, no offering taken. You become the offering of a new life submitted to God.

2 Cor 2:13 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.

We minister with others, only Jesus had all of God's Spiritual gifts, even so he had 12 disciples learning from him. Each person influences others; for good or for evil. You understand what I mean.

Who was Titus? This was the first mention of him. The answer is in chapter 8. He was Paul's partner in ministry and fellowhelper.

2 Cor 8:23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

How important was Titus to Paul? He said he had no rest in his spirit until he was with him. People we trust and rely on, those who are very close to us we need in ministry. Our Spirit finds no rest when they are missing or in need. They are needed to support the ministry, and to bring comfort to us as we are opposed by the forces of evil. Paul was as a spiritual father to certain chosen people. Timothy was another close to Paul as a son. We are as a family together, each adding support to the other. God is our Father, we are the family of God. Together we go where he leads and where doors are opened for service.

2 Cor 2:14 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.

causes us to triumph...paraphrase; He leads us about here and there and displays us to all the world. We are victors in Christ

1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christians we have victory over sin and death and authority over principalities and powers, through Christ Jesus.

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

sweet savor...(Exodus 29:38-46 The sacrificial lamb offered a continual sweet savor to the LORD. Jesus is all things lovely, good and excellent. The prayers and obedience of Jesus as our savior, the Lamb of God were and are a sweet savor to the LORD. The prayers of the saints, the chosen of God, are also a sweet savor unto our God.

Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

Obedience is better than sacrifice

1 Sam 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

What can you give to God who owns all things? Yourself.

Psa 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

It is the savor of the knowledge of Christ, as a good cook brings forth the best aroma from food. We as his ministers bring forth the sweet savor of the knowledge of Christ. This savor satisfies all the senses and the heart, soul and spirit of the one who receives him.

Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

"savour of death unto death"

Psa 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The ungodly are those who give God no time or notice. They are the workers of self will or self pleasure. They have not come to Jesus with a repentant heart and been forgiven of their sins. They do not come to the light because their sins will be exposed. We speak life to them, and they are responsible for their choices.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to t he light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Phil 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Phil 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

We are not ruled by evil, we are submitted to the will of the most high God.

2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

"and to the other the savour of life unto life"

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jesus is the bread of life,(John 6:33) He that believes on him has everlasting life. (John 6:47) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 8:2) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom 10:13) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:11,12)

"And who is sufficient for these things?"

2 Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

When Paul was in Athens, he was not received, but he did not give in to lengthy talks on mans ideas and thoughts. He preached the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. (Acts 17: 31,32)

2 Cor 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The Lord has triumphed, we preach Christ crucified and risen from the grave. Each must be given the way of life. We do our work and the Holy Spirit will work in hearts until a decision is made; hopefully to choose life.

2Corinthians Chapters

2Corinthians 3
2Corinthians 1 Index
Eaglewings Bible Commentaries
Eaglewings Topical Bible Studies
Eaglewings Testimonies and Inspiration