New Testament · Letter

2 Corinthians 2

Forgiveness and Fragrance

Paul urges the church to forgive the one who caused pain. Believers are the aroma of Christ — the scent of life to some and death to others.

King James Version BSB KJV

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.

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.

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.

Understand This

2 Corinthians 2, explained

What 2 Corinthians 2 is saying

Paul explains his decision not to make another painful visit, revealing that he wrote a tearful letter instead—motivated by love, not severity. He urges the community to forgive and comfort the offender (likely the man disciplined per the severe letter), lest Satan exploit the situation through excessive punishment. The chapter concludes with the triumphant image of apostolic ministry as a triumphal procession, spreading the aroma of Christ—life to those being saved, death to those perishing.

The background behind it

The identity of the offender is debated—some identify him with the man of 1 Corinthians 5, others with someone who personally insulted Paul during his painful visit. The triumphal procession imagery (thriambeuonti) evokes Roman military parades where captives and incense marked both victory and defeat.

Themes running underneath

Forgiveness as a communal act prevents Satan's strategy of division through either unaddressed sin or unmerciful discipline. The triumph metaphor paradoxically presents Paul as both captive and aroma-bearer in Christ's procession—weakness and glory intertwined. Apostolic sufficiency comes from God alone.

Why it still matters

Discipline without restoration becomes cruelty, and the church must be as diligent in forgiveness as in correction. Paul's self-assessment—'who is sufficient for these things?'—models the appropriate posture for anyone in ministry.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.