King James Bible: 2 Corinthians


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2:1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
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?
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.
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.
2:5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
2:6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
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.
2:8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
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.
2:10 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;
2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
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.
2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.
2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
2:16 To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

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Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: 2 Corinthians
Book: 2 Corinthians
Chapter: 2

Overview:
Reasons for the Apostle not coming to Corinth. (1-4)
Directions about restoring the repentant offender. (5-11) An
account of his labours and success in spreading the Gospel of
Christ. (12-17)

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.

5-11 The Apostle desires them to receive the person who had
done wrong, 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 last Satan should get advantage, By
tempting the penitent to hard thoughts of God and religion, 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.

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 odours were used; So
the name and Salvation of Jesus, as Ointment poured out, was a
sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the Gospel is a
savour of Death unto Death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto
others, the Gospel is a savour of Life unto Life: as it
quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and
sins, So it makes them more lively, and will End in eternal
Life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the
Apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of
ourselves we have No strength at all; all our sufficiency is of
God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity,
as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him,
and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in
this matter; and seek the Testimony of our consciences, under
the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, So speak
we in Christ and of Christ.

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