Triumph in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

1 Triumph in Christ 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

2 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell Text: 2 Corinthians 2:1-17, Triumph in Christ 1. 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? 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. 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. 5. 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. 8. 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. 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 I it in the person of Christ;

3 11. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 12. 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. 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 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. Introduction: I. Paul continues here his thought with which he concluded chapter one. A. There were no chapter divisions when this letter was penned. II. In chapter one, Paul affirmed the comforting nature of the Lord God and wrote of his change of plans to visit Corinth. III. There is a connection of thought between these two chapters. A. In chapter one, God comforted Paul and his companions when they were severely tried. B. In chapter two, the church was directed to comfort an offending brother lest he be swallowed up in sorrow. When this comfort is manifested the victory in Christ results in a triumphant procession.

4 Commentary: 2 Corinthians 2:1-4, But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. I. Paul is continuing his thought started in 1:23 regarding why he did not come to Corinth to visit them as he originally thought he would. A. To come to Corinth would have brought him pain. B. He wanted to spare them and himself that pain. II. In 12:4 and 13:1, Paul said he was coming to them for a third time. A. When he visited them a second time, we do not know. B. Maybe it was this second visit that caused him the pain he alludes to here. III. In any case, Paul did not want to pain (upset) the ones whom he would be visiting because it would be from them (those) that he would be seeking a cheering up. A. Did Paul have one person in mind or many? It is difficult to say. B. The word you can be singular or plural.

5 C. If plural, then maybe Paul uses the word one in an accommodative way, while referring to many (cf. Barnett, NICNT, p. 117, footnote). D. On the other hand, it could be there was actually one person who grieved Paul and it was the church s responsibility to tend to that situation. E. Paul would come to Corinth if the one who caused the grief was removed (or corrected and repented). IV. Note Paul s motivation in writing this previous letter, either some severe letter of which we have no record or First Corinthians. A. There was affliction, anguish and tears (in his heart). B. Yet, Paul did not shrink back from writing to them any thing they needed to hear (read). 1. To the churches of Galatia, he wrote, Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Galatians 4:16. 2. Later, in this letter to the church at Corinth, he wrote of another motivation: knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; 2 Corinthians 5:11. C. Men who preach the Gospel must be motivated in a similar way. D. You will note that in verse 4, Paul said he had abundant love for them. 1. Love?

6 2. For certain. 3. Even though Paul s letter might have been interpreted as a hard letter he was motivated by love in writing it. 4. Love seeks to correct people when there is a need for correction. 5. Do not parents do this for their children? 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 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; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. I. The effect on the church at Corinth. 2:5. A. Paul was not motivated in writing this letter by bitterness or vengeance. B. The pain was experienced most by the Corinthian church. C. Paul wished to imply that he does not wish to overstate the case, yet he acknowledges that the pain has been caused not so much to me as to all of you at any rate, to a section of you. (Martin, WBC, p. 37).

7 II. The affection toward a brother. 2:6-8. A. There is some uncertainty as to the identity of the person to whom Paul is referring here and the nature of the punishment rendered by the church. B. Quite a few biblical expositors believe it is the man Paul mentioned in First Corinthians 5:1-8, It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: 1. This is possible. 2. But a number of modern biblical expositors think Paul has in mind some other man of whom we know nothing. 3. Whichever view is correct, Paul s point is not the actual man, but the man s response to the correction given him. C. There is no way to know the nature of the punishment.

8 1. Some think that excommunication was involved while others think there was only some mild form of rebuke. 2. It is clear from the context that the church was involved in the practice. 3. Since this is so, it is likely that something more severe is in view than a mild rebuke. 4. Paul told the church in Thessalonica to withdraw from a disorderly man. 5. 2 Thessalonians 3:6, But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 6. To the church at Rome, Paul told the Christians to mark (identify, take note) of those who are causing divisions among them, 7. Romans 16:17, Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 8. Whatever the punishment was, it was severe enough to get the attention of the offending party. 9. He (they) decided to repent and come back to the Lord. D. There are a number of things to note in these three verses. 1. There is an understanding of the significance associated with the church s rendering judgment toward another.

9 a. If there is a majority (2:6), there is a minority. b. Unfortunately, it seems that getting all the people to do as ought to be done is difficult. c. Nevertheless, the wrong done by someone was something that needed to be corrected and the church recognized it as such. d. The church of our Lord must recognize wrong when it is done and refuse to partake in it. e. As each individual makes personal application of the Lord s word, the church will make a collective application. E. If penitence is obvious, the offending one is to be comforted. 1. The church was to forgive and comfort the penitent offending party. 2. Paul may have been pained by the actions of this brother, but he was not so focused upon what had been done to him as much as he was interested in the reception and salvation of the offending brother. 3. Paul said to the Philippians, Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4.

10 F. If the church at Corinth did not do as the Father would have done, then the brother would have been overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 1. Ephesians 5:1, Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2. Here we can see the church s obligation. 3. Since the church is the body of Christ and Christ will save all who come to Him, the church is obligated to receive all whom Christ saves. 4. If the local assembly does not do this, then it is quite possible that the offending brother (who has now repented and been received by the Lord) may give up what hope he has and fall away from the faith of Jesus. 5. What will be said of the church at this point? Will the Lord forgive the church for refusing a person our Lord has accepted? 6. Luke 17:3, Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. G. As Paul showed his love to the Corinthians, they needed to show their love to this brother. 1. How could the Corinthians show their love to this brother? 2. By forgiving him and comforting him. III. Obedience and forgiveness. 2:9-10.

11 A. Paul makes clear the reason he wrote to them (whether the severe letter or the First Corinthians epistle in our Bibles. 1. He wrote to them to test them and determine whether they would be obedient to him as an apostle of Jesus Christ. 2. It is interesting to note that the simple reason Paul was an apostle, a messenger of the Lord did not guarantee his acceptance at Corinth or elsewhere. a. When people do not want to obey the Lord, they won t! b. Is there any difference today? c. Paul was able to confirm his message by miraculous signs and many still rejected him. B. Some have speculated that the reason Paul was so serious in writing this letter was that how it was accepted would determine whether he was going to cut off any further relation with the Corinthians or not. C. If we use verse 10 as a further explication of the reason given in verse 9, then it is clear that Paul simply wanted salvation for the brother (brothers) who sinned and the church s acceptance of him (them). 1. What can we learn from Paul in verse 10? a. Whatever the sin may have been, if the Lord forgave that sin, Paul would forgive. b. Whatever the sin may have been, if the Lord forgave that sin, the church was to forgive.

12 c. Paul was not going to be burdened down with unnecessary things. d. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:1-3. 2. We can learn that life is difficult enough without burdening ourselves unnecessarily with the weight that has been taken from us already. IV. The designs of Satan. 2:11. A. The Christian needs to understand that Satan is an intelligent being and that he has purposes that are designed to destroy us. B. In context, the advantage would be Satan s if the Corinthian church did not do as Paul said they needed to do; that is, forgive the brother. 1. This is what Satan wants; that is, for Christians to fail to forgive each other! 2. He wants people to be lost in an eternal hell.

13 3. Satan has no interest in them and he cares not one bit about them. 4. He will entice and deceive in order to capture. C. Some of the designs of Satan are getting people: 1. To dig their heels when they feel they have been wronged. This is called pride. 2. To lash out in words of disparagement when you are on the short-end of the argument. This certainly is not love. 3. To get people to blur the lines of ethics because their job hinges on their completing the assignment given them. This is called compromise. 4. To get politicians to vote for something that is clearly contrary to the expressed will of the Lord because they need votes for re-election. This is called cowardice. 5. On and on we can go, but the point is that Satan has designs and we would be foolish if we do not pay attention to the clear road signs the Lord has made available to us to identify his wicked devices. 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, 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. 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. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And

14 who is sufficient for these things 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. I. Paul went to Troas and then to Macedonia. 2:12-13. A. Troas. 1. This journey of Paul s is not recorded in Acts and took place after his trial in Asia (1:8) (Martin, WBC, P. 41). 2. Troas is a place that Paul visited, evidently, three times (two are recorded in Acts). 3. Troas was a significant city which had a large seaport that was the gateway to Macedonia from Asia. 4. Paul was looking to meet Titus there to learn of the situation in Corinth. Not finding Titus, he departed for Macedonia. B. Macedonia. To Paul this was a significant region. The gospel was able to take hold there in three prominent areas: Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea (read Acts 16 and 17). C. A suggested chronology (Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, p. 448). 1. Paul sent Timothy to Corinth and Timothy returned with bad news. 2. Paul then made a second painful visit to Corinth. He returned to Ephesus.

15 a. Some have suggested that Paul was humiliated in Corinth. 3. He then sent another letter by Titus (some call this the Severe Letter to the church). a. Paul went to Troas and waited for Titus. 4. Titus did not arrive. Paul went to Macedonia searching for him. 5. While in Macedonia, Titus caught up with Paul and told of Corinth s response to Paul s severe letter, a somewhat more favorable response. 6. Paul penned his letter to the Corinthians which we know it as Second Corinthians at that time. II. Triumph in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, 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 every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 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 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. A. Regardless of the travail Paul experienced in his life, glory is to go to God for who He is and what he does. B. The imagery of the triumphal procession goes back to the Roman generals who would lead those conquered souls (spoils of war) through the streets of Rome as an illustration of subjugation.

16 C. Paul uses this image on behalf of Christ, not as One who conquered through military battle, but as the One who conquered sin in the life of all (especially Paul) and has come out victorious. D. Those in Christ are willingly subjugated to Christ and his will. E. We are led by the Lamb of life who died on our behalf. F. The death He died results in our victory! 1. An aroma of knowledge. a. This needs to be emphasized. b. Since men must have faith to please God, it is important that men have the tools by which to gain this faith. c. Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him. d. Paul said that faith comes by hearing the words of Christ. Romans 10:17, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. e. Jesus said that if a person will know the truth, he will be his disciple and be set free from sin. f. John 8:31, 32, Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word, you are

17 My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. g. John 17:17, Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. John 8:31. 3. The point to be established is knowledge. a. Without the knowledge of God and all things associated with Him, we cannot have a clear understanding of spiritual things. b. Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 4. Paul s knowledge of God is an aroma (fragrance) of Christ to God. a. This fragrance of Christ is a most pleasing aroma to those who are saved. b. On the other hand, this fragrance of Christ is a foul odor to those who remain lost in the world of darkness. 5. How can the same fragrance produce such different results? Note what the Holy Spirit said: He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds

18 were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. John 3:18-21. 6. As an aroma (fragrance) will be pleasing to some and not to others, the aroma of Christ will be pleasing to some and not to others. a. Those who have encountered the Gospel message have that fragrance before them; if the message gets to the intellect and heart, then salvation is at the doorstep. b. John 1:12, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. c. On the other hand, if that fragrance is rejected, the one avenue into eternity with God has been repudiated and Paul says it is death! 7. Peddlers of the Word. a. Considering the gravity of the responsibility, who is sufficient to undertake such a task? b. Surely man is not sufficient because he is so inadequate. c. Yet God will make Paul, Silas and Timothy sufficient. 2 Corinthians 3:5.

19 d. Unfortunately, some make no pretense concerning their sufficiency for they have none! e. Rather, they are peddlers of the word of God. That is, they peddle the word of God for a reward. 2 Corinthians 11:20. f. During the days of Socrates and Plato, men went around to various communities and taught people their brand of wisdom. g. These teachers were called sophists. h. A sophist was one who sold what knowledge he had about various topics to those who wee willing to be taught by him. i. Plato criticized these people vigorously. j. They were motivated by something other than purity, in this case money! k. However, Paul, Silas and Timothy were men of sincerity. l. They were not motivated by selfish standards; they were motivated by God s desire to save mankind. m. 2 Corinthians 5:11, Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are wellknown to God, and I also trust are well-known in your consciences. n. They were men appointed by God to do a certain task.

20 o. They were to preach the gospel to a lost and dying world. p. They were able to demonstrate that their authority came from God.

21 Questions 2 Corinthians 2:1-17 1. What two subjects were addressed in 2 Corinthians 1? 2. What connection exists in regard to concepts discussion between 2 Corinthians chapters 1 and 2? 3. Paul determined not to go to Corinth again in sorrow. What was the situation that lead to this statement? 4. How many times did Paul visit Corinth? When did these visits occur? 5. Paul did not want to the ones he would be visiting because it was from them that Paul would seek.

22 6. Paul wrote with many not to the Corinthians, but that they might know the Paul had for them. 7. Why did Paul not shrink from writing anything the Corinthians needed to know? 8. seeks to when there is a need for. 9. A man in Corinth had been punished. What had he done wrong? How was he punished? 10. How had this man responded to this punishment? 11. In view of this change in the situation, what was the Corinthian church to do?

23 12. What were the purposes of this punishment? 13. What congregations do you know that now discipline wayward members? Why is this done or not done today? 14. It is difficult to get everybody to do the right thing. How do we know this was true of the Corinthian brethren? 15. We are not to be ignorant of the devil s devices. Which of these devices might Paul have had in mind? 16. If there is any in, if any of, if any and fulfill my joy by being -, having the same, being of one, of one. 17. Let be done through or, but in of

24 let each others better than. 18. Let each of you look out not only for his own, but also for the of. 19. As Paul showed his to the, they needed to show their to this by him and him. 20. Paul was not going to be burdened down with unnecessary things. In religious matters, what unnecessary things burden Christians today? 21. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, what should we do? 22. How can it be said that the gospel is an aroma of life to life for some people and an aroma of death to death for other people? 23. When did Paul go to Troas to preach the gospel, but, not finding Titus there, then left for Macedonia?

25 24. Why did Paul leave Troas when the Lord had opened opportunities to preach the gospel there and go to Macedonia in search of Titus? 25. Why could it be said that Paul was not a peddler of the word? Do you know any present day peddlers of the word? 26. What are sophists? 27. According to Hosea 4:6, how important is it that we know God s word? 28. Paul said God leads his faithful followers in triumph. From where did Paul get this imagery?

26 29. How can it be said that persecuted martyrs are always triumphant? 30. How should Christians treat a penitent disciple? Should we gossip among ourselves and fail to use Him in the services and work of the church because he who did an awful thing back in 1954? How should we treat him according to Paul?