2 Corinthians 2:1-17 NIV
1So I
made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2For if
I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3I wrote
as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should
have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share
my joy. 4For I
wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not
to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
Forgiveness for the Offender
5If
anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of
you to some extent—not to put it too severely.6The
punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. 7Now
instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be
overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge
you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9Another
reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in
everything. 10Anyone
you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to
forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in
order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Ministers of the New Covenant
12Now
when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had
opened a door for me, 13I still
had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said
goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
14But
thanks be to God, Who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal
procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 15For we
are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and
those who are perishing.
16To the
one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.
And who is equal to such a task?17Unlike
so many, we do not peddle the Word of God for profit. On the contrary, in
Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
2:1-4
The
apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; and he had written in
confidence of their doing what was to their benefit and his comfort; and that
therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We
should always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it must be
given.
2:5-11
The apostle desires
them to receive the person who had done wrong (an incest case), again into
their communion; for he was aware of his fault, and much afflicted under his
punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not unfit for other duties, and drive to
despair. Not only was there danger lest Satan should get advantage, by tempting
the penitent to hard thoughts of God, and so drive him to despair; but against
the churches and the ministers of Christ, by bringing an evil report upon
Christians as unforgiving; thus making divisions, and hindering the success of
the ministry.
In this, as in other things, wisdom is to be
used, that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or
for too great severity towards sinners on the other hand. Satan has many plans
to deceive, and knows how to make a bad use of our mistakes.
2:12-17
A believer's triumphs
are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of
the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and
sweet odors were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured
out, was a sweet savor diffused in every place. To some, the gospel is a savor
of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. To others, the gospel is a
savor of life to life: as it made them live at first when they were dead in
trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal
life.
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