2 Corinthians 2
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedPaul says he decided not to come to them "again... in heaviness," and that he wrote "out of much affliction and anguish of heart... with many tears," so that they "might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you." The man who had been punished "of many" should now be forgiven and comforted, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us." Paul tells how he found no rest at Troas because he did not find Titus, and then gives thanks to God, "which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:12 Corinthians 2:42 Corinthians 2:62 Corinthians 2:72 Corinthians 2:112 Corinthians 2:122 Corinthians 2:132 Corinthians 2:14
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Paul; the Corinthians; the man who received "this punishment, which was inflicted of many"; and "Titus my brother." 2 Corinthians 2:42 Corinthians 2:62 Corinthians 2:132 Corinthians overview
Where
Paul came "to Troas to preach Christ's gospel," and then went "into Macedonia." 2 Corinthians 2:122 Corinthians 2:13TroasMacedonia
When
Traditionally about AD 55-57, some months after 1 Corinthians, during Paul's third journey. Scholars agree that Paul wrote it; many think it gathers more than one of his letters to Corinth. 2 Corinthians overview
How it fits
Chapter 1 ended "to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth," and this chapter explains further. It ends with Paul speaking "in the sight of God," which leads into chapter 3: "Do we begin again to commend ourselves." 2 Corinthians 1:232 Corinthians 2:12 Corinthians 2:172 Corinthians 3:1
Key verses
- Verse 4
"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 Corinthians 2:4
- Verse 7
"Ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." 2 Corinthians 2:72 Corinthians 2:8
- Verse 11
"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." Refusing to forgive gives Satan an opening. 2 Corinthians 2:102 Corinthians 2:11
Takeaway
When someone who did wrong has been disciplined, forgive and comfort them, so that Satan gains no advantage. 2 Corinthians 2:62 Corinthians 2:72 Corinthians 2:11
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
Paul's tearful letter
1But 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.
Forgive the one who was punished
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. 7So 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.
Triumph in Christ
12Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13I 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.