2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2
A folio of Papyrus 46 (written ca. AD 200), containing 2 Corinthians 11:33–12:9. This manuscript contains almost complete parts of the whole Pauline epistles.
BookSecond Epistle to the Corinthians
CategoryPauline epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part8

2 Corinthians 2 is the second chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) in Macedonia in 55–56 CE.[1] In this chapter, Paul extends an explanation commenced in chapter 1 as to why he is not visiting Corinth prior to his return journey to Judea.

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 17 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Verse 1

So I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit.[3]

This passage is continuous with the final part of chapter 1.[4] Paul refers to an earlier "brief and painful visit", during which a longer visit was promised, which is the subject of the change of mind which he alludes to here.[5]

Verse 3

I wrote you a letter for this reason: that when I came to you I would not be made sad by the people who should make me happy. I felt sure of all of you, that you would share my joy.[6]

Paul's letter after his "painful visit" is commonly referred to as the "severe letter" or "letter of tears". 2 Corinthians 7:8-12 also refers to this letter.[7]

Forgive the offender (verses 5-11)

For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough.[8]

The unnamed offender, Biblical Greek: τοιοῦτος, toioutos, "such a one" (KJV), "a man in his position" (J. B. Phillips' translation) is the man who, in 1 Corinthians 5:1 "has his father’s wife".[9]

Verse 14

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.[10]

MacDonald suggests that the thanksgiving formula in this verse acts as the starting point for a section running to 2 Corinthians 5:19 which deals with Paul's authority as an apostle.[11]

Verse 16

To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?[12]
  • "Leading to death" (NKJV; KJV: "unto death"): or "for death", "appointed to" death (cf. Jeremiah 43:11).[13]

Verse 17

For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.[14]
  • "We are not, as so many": Paul separates himself from the false apostles, who are "many", forming "great swarms of false teachers" in the early times of Christianity (cf. 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:1). Some copies read, "as the rest", as the Syriac and Arabic versions.[15]
  • "Peddling the word of God" (KJV: which corrupt the word of God): that is the Scriptures in general may be corrupted by "false glosses and human mixtures". The Septuagint translates the last clause of Isaiah 1:22 oi kaphloi sou misgousi ton (oinon udati, "thy vintners mix wine with water"), in a moral or spiritual sense. The Syriac version reads the words Nygzmmd, "who mix the word of God".[15]
  • "We speak ... in Christ": which is "in the name of Christ, of or concerning him, and him only".[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ MacDonald 2007, p. 1134.
  2. ^ Aland, Kurt; Aland, Barbara (1995). The Text of the New Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism. Erroll F. Rhodes (trans.). Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. pp. 107, 109. ISBN 978-0-8028-4098-1.
  3. ^ 2 Corinthians 2:1: New Revised Standard Version
  4. ^ Plumptre, E. H., Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers on 2 Corinthians 1, accessed on 2 June 2025
  5. ^ Jerusalem Bible (1966), "Introduction to Saint Paul", p. 256 in the New Testament section, London: Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday and Co. Inc.
  6. ^ 2 Corinthians 2:1: New Century Version
  7. ^ Fredrickson, D. E. (2001), "Through Many Tears" (2 Cor. 2:4): Paul's Grieving Letter and the Occasion of 2 Corinthians 1-7, Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary, Faculty Publications, accessed on 3 June 2025
  8. ^ 2 Corinthians 2:6: English Standard Version
  9. ^ Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges on 2 Corinthians 2, accessed 28 August 2017
  10. ^ 2 Corinthians 2:14: New International Version
  11. ^ MacDonald 2007, p. 1137.
  12. ^ 2 Corinthians 2:16: NKJV
  13. ^ John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible on 2 Corinthians 2:16
  14. ^ 2 Corinthians 2:17: NKJV
  15. ^ a b c John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible – 2 Corinthians 2:17

Bibliography

  • MacDonald, Margaret (2007). "66. 2 Corinthians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 1134–1151. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
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