RSV ~ 2 Corinthians 2 Notes
2 Cor 2:1 | ISB Notes
another painful visit: Paul made a hurried and unpleasant visit to Corinth between writing 1 Cor and sending 2 Cor. This must have been the apostle’s second visit to Corinth, since he expects to come again for a “third” time (12:14; 13:1).
See introduction: Destination.
2 Cor 2:3 | ISB Notes
I wrote: Several times Paul refers to a previous letter of “anguish” and “tears” that he sent to reprimand the Corinthians (2 Cor 2:4, 9; 7:8, 12). This may have been 1 Corinthians but is more likely a personal letter that has not survived. Some think the substance of this correspondence is preserved in chaps. 10-13, although arguments for this view remain conjectural.
2 Cor 2:5-11 | ISB Notes
These verses hint that Paul’s “painful visit” to Corinth (2:1) had something to do with an individual (such a one, 2:6; 7:12). The identity of this offender remains a mystery. Ancient commentators identified him as the incestuous man of 1 Cor 5:1-5 who was excommunicated for his shameful behavior. Modern commentators tend to view him as an outspoken critic who slandered and insulted Paul while the rest of the Church stood by in silence. Whatever the precise nature of his crime, the Corinthians are urged to forgive and restore him to their fellowship.
2 Cor 2:7 | ISB Notes
or he may be overwhelmed: Paul warns that “Satan” (2:11) can turn the experience of church discipline into an occasion for despair. For this reason, remedial punishment for sinners should not be excessively harsh or indefinitely prolonged but should always leave the door open for sincere repentance. Paul warns believers of the devil’s schemes more often in 2 Cor than in any of his other letters (4:4; 6:15; 11:3, 14; 12:7).
2 Cor 2:12 | ISB Notes
Troas: A port city on the Aegean coast of modern Turkey (Acts 16:8-10; 20:5-6).
2 Cor 2:13 | ISB Notes
Titus: One of Paul’s trusted companions. He was sent to Corinth by the apostle to deliver the letter of “tears” (2:4) and to help resolve the crisis in the Church there. Because Paul was anxious to hear back from Titus, he went to Macedonia (northern Greece) in hopes of intercepting him on his way back to Asia Minor. According to 7:5-16, Titus brought encouraging news. Most of the Corinthians responded to Paul’s letter with contrition and returned to him their full confidence and support.
2 Cor 2:14-7 | ISB Notes
Paul makes a long digression to explain the significance of his apostolic ministry. He resumes the story of Titus’ mission and return in 7:5. Some take this digression as evidence that a separate letter has been incorporated into the text; however, there is no evidence for such an insertion in the surviving manuscripts of 2 Cor, and digressions are common enough in ancient letters to suffice as an explanation for the momentary shift in subject matter.
2 Cor 2:14-16 | ISB Notes
Paul rejoices that the gospel is being disseminated, like the fragrance of incense, throughout the world as a result of his ministry. It emits the sweet aroma of eternal life to believers on the way to salvation and the stench of death to those who are headed for spiritual ruin.
• The terms fragrance and aroma are drawn from OT passages that describe the pleasing odor of sacrifices offered to the Lord (Gen 8:21; Ex 29:18; Lev 1:9; Num 15:3). They are also used together in Sir 24:15 to illustrate how the wisdom of Yahweh, embodied in the Mosaic Law, spreads throughout Israel. Paul reinterprets this in light of the New Covenant, where the ministers of the gospel offer themselves as living sacrifices to God (Rom 12:1) and spread the wisdom of the gospel throughout the world (Col 1:23) (CCC 1294).
2 Cor 2:16 | ISB Notes
Who is sufficient … ?: Implied answer: Paul, but only on the basis of God’s commission (1:21; 2:17; 3:5-6).
2 Cor 2:17 | ISB Notes
not, like so many, peddlers: Refers to the missionary intruders in Corinth, later called “false apostles” (11:13). Paul exposes their hidden agenda, calling them salesmen of the gospel who preach, not for the glory of God, but for the sake of personal profit. Paul is exempt from such a charge since he accepts no financial support at all from the Corinthians (11:711; 1 Cor 9:7-15).
See introduction: Destination.