Verse 1-2 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 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 Apostle Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians had been one of rebuke and correction, one that caused him sorrow and grief to write and send because of having to chastise them. Now he is saying that he wanted to come to them without having to chastise them as he wished to have an attitude of gladness between them.
Verse 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.
The possibility was there that those who stood corrected by the Apostle Paul would still be carrying resentment or shame and that would interfere with them fellow-shipping with the Apostle when he arrived.
Verse 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.
The Apostle Paul established the Corinthian church and as such was the father or overseer of that body of believers and it was his responsibility to see that this church flourished in the truth of the Gospel. So it was difficult for him to write to them a letter of criticism just as it is often difficult for earthly fathers to correct their children when they are doing wrong. He wanted them to know that he had no joy in writing such a letter and that it was not his desire or purpose to grieve them, but it was his purpose to lovingly correct wrong thinking and wrong actions so that their eternal destiny would be sure.
Verses 5-7 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 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.
The Greek word translated as “overcharge” is “epibareo” and it means to put a burden upon, to load, or to be burdensome. The Apostle Paul assures the Corinthians that what was happening in their church had not only grieved him, but that it had negatively affected all of them as well.
Although the man referred to in verses 6 and 7 above is not identified, it can be assumed that the man was the one written about in 1 Corinthians chapter 5 who was involved in fornication or sexual sin with his step-mother. Apparently the Church had dealt with the situation and now the Apostle Paul wants to be sure that the congregation forgives him and that if he has repented and forsaken his sin, encourage him.
Verses 8-9 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
Even though this man had caused grief in the church at Corinth, the Christian believers were to obey the commandments of the LORD Jesus Christ and not only forgive him, but love him with the love of Christ.
Verses 10-11 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; 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Unforgiveness gives Satan a foothold in a believer’s life and the Apostle Paul was very aware of this. Therefore just as Jesus Christ forgave and forgives each believer, so each believer must forgive those who trespass against them and love them. This is the only way to be truly Christ-like.
Verses 12-13 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 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.
The Apostle continues to explain his travels to the Corinthians so that they know why he had not yet come to them. He felt concern for Titus and went into Macedonia.
Verses 14-17 Now 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. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 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 for these things? 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. (2 Corinthians 2)
Even back in the days of the early Church there were men who the Apostle Paul says were corrupting the Word of God. This is still happening today and believers need to be very cautious in what they are hearing from those people who claim to be pastors and teachers in service to God Almighty. All that any converted, Christian believer needs to know is already written in the pages of the Bible, and all of the Apostle Paul’s teachings, if followed, will lead to a successful Christian walk with the end goal being attaining eternal life with Jesus Christ.
Application: Just as in Old Testament days animal sacrifices were to cause the Hebrew people to repent and cease from sinning, and the sacrifice was a sweet odor unto the LORD because of the repentance, under the New Covenant each and every converted believer becomes a sweet odor unto the LORD as each believer dies to self in true repentance, is buried with Christ in water baptism, and rises to newness of life filled with the Holy Ghost/Spirit and is then a walking sacrifice unto the LORD. The flesh can no longer rule. The things of this earth become insignificant, and the things of God’s spiritual kingdom become more and more important. Reading and understanding His Word and increasing one’s knowledge of Jesus Christ becomes a sweet endeavor, and wherever a believer goes, unbelievers know that there is something different in the believer that will either attract them or repel them, just as certain odors attract or repel in the physical world. To most unbelievers, Christians stink and are to be avoided. To God, His called and chosen believers are a perfume or incense that brings Him pleasure.