The big picture
2 Corinthians 2 opens in verse 1 with “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 9 with “For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be…”, and closes in verse 17 with “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of…” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Corinthians · King James Version · 172 Corinthians 2:1-6
1–6: I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in…
2 Corinthians 2:1–6 opens with “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.” and reaches “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 2 develops its own movement around Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest, with particular weight carried by grieved, sorry, wrote.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.” By verse 3, the text has turned to “And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I…” It lands on “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 question, 4 stated contrasts. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Connecting words, claims, reasons, contrasts, and commands hold the argument together. Each instruction draws its force from the truth that supports it. Words such as grieved, sorry, wrote, abundantly, affliction, anguish tie the complete block together. The central idea, “2 Corinthians 2 develops its own movement around Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Sufficient. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 2: “For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: grieved, sorry, wrote, abundantly, affliction, anguish
Verse-by-verse path
- 2 Corinthians 2:1
“But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.” The line’s distinctive content terms include determined, heaviness, myself. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.
- 2 Corinthians 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?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
- 2 Corinthians 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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include confidence, lest, rejoice. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
- 2 Corinthians 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…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- 2 Corinthians 2:5
“But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.” The line’s distinctive content terms include caused, grief, grieved. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.
- 2 Corinthians 2:6
“Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.” Naming Sufficient keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Corinthians 2:1-6
King James Version1But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
2For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
3And 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.
4For 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.
5But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
2 Corinthians 2:7-12
7–12: So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him…
2 Corinthians 2:7–12 opens with “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one…” and reaches “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 2 develops its own movement around Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest, with particular weight carried by forgave, forgive, lest.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a…” By verse 9, the text has turned to “For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient…” It lands on “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Connecting words, claims, reasons, contrasts, and commands hold the argument together. Each instruction draws its force from the truth that supports it. Words such as forgave, forgive, lest, thing, advantage, beseech tie the complete block together. The central idea, “2 Corinthians 2 develops its own movement around Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Christ, Furthermore, Lest, Lord, Satan, Troas. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 9: “For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: forgave, forgive, lest, thing, advantage, beseech
Verse-by-verse path
- 2 Corinthians 2:7
“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- 2 Corinthians 2:8
“Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- 2 Corinthians 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.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- 2 Corinthians 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…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Corinthians 2:11
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” Naming Lest and Satan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12
“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,” Naming Christ and Furthermore keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Corinthians 2:7-12
King James Version7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
8Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
9For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
10To 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;
11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
12Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
2 Corinthians 2:13-17
13–17: I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but…
2 Corinthians 2:13–17 opens with “I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I…” and reaches “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 2 Corinthians 2 develops its own movement around Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest, with particular weight carried by savour, Christ, death.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of…” By verse 15, the text has turned to “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that…” It lands on “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 question, 2 stated contrasts, 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Connecting words, claims, reasons, contrasts, and commands hold the argument together. Each instruction draws its force from the truth that supports it. Words such as savour, Christ, death, life, always, brother tie the complete block together. The central idea, “2 Corinthians 2 develops its own movement around Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Christ, Macedonia, Titus. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 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…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: savour, Christ, death, life, always, brother
Verse-by-verse path
- 2 Corinthians 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…” Naming Macedonia and Titus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Corinthians 2:14
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15
“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- 2 Corinthians 2:16
“To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
- 2 Corinthians 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…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Corinthians 2:13-17
King James Version13I 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.
14Now 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.
15For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17For 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.
Questions to keep in mind while reading
- Identify the audience, problem, argument, command, and pastoral purpose.
- Follow connecting words so that one sentence remains inside the author’s reasoning.
- Distinguish a universal theological claim from an instruction shaped by a particular situation.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Questions beneath the surface
- What account of God, human freedom, responsibility, and the good life emerges from 2 Corinthians 2?
- Which tension does the chapter refuse to resolve quickly?
- What changes when the chapter is read as part of the whole canon rather than as an isolated moral story?
- Where might a sincere reader confuse a familiar tradition with something the text states directly?
Questions for serious personal contemplation
These open-ended questions make room for tension, honest response, prayer, and conclusions that remain accountable to the chapter.
Observe without rushing
What part of 2 Corinthians 2 makes you stop, feel unsettled, or feel surprised, and why?
Which detail in the passage would be easiest to overlook? How does that detail change your understanding?
Where do you see tension between what happens and this focus: 2 Corinthians 2 develops its own movement around Christ, savour, forgave, forgive, lest?
What important question does the passage leave open instead of resolving quickly?
Examine your inner life honestly
Which person, response, fear, or desire in the passage feels most like your own life right now?
What assumption about God, other people, or yourself does this text challenge?
Which part would you rather soften, avoid, or explain away too quickly? What might that reaction reveal?
If this Scripture could ask you one direct question, what do you think it would ask?
Respond with wisdom and courage
What do you need to remember, confess, grieve, thank God for, or trust after reading this passage?
How might another faithful person read this situation differently without ignoring the text?
What obedient response would be costly, uncomfortable, or slow, yet still faithful to Scripture?
What question will you carry into prayer this week, and which verses will you keep in front of you?