The Living Word

KING JAMES VERSION

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

— Isaiah 40:8

2 Corinthians 2

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But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

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For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

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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.

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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.

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But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.

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Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.

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So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.

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Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

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For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

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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;

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Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

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Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

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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.

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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.

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For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

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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?

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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.

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Chapter Study & Analysis

Overview

2 Corinthians 2 discusses the restoration of the repentant offender mentioned in the previous letter. Paul emphasizes the importance of forgiveness to prevent Satan from gaining an advantage and describes believers as the "savour of Christ" in the world.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS

1. The Duty of Forgiveness: Once a person has repented, the church must "forgive and comfort" them lest they be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow (v. 7). Forgiveness is a safeguard against spiritual warfare.
2. Satan’s Devices: We must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices (v. 11), which often include bitterness and lack of forgiveness within the body of Christ.
3. The Fragrance of Life: As we follow Christ, we spread the "savour of his knowledge" everywhere (v. 14). To some, it is the smell of life; to others, of death. We must be faithful to our witness regardless of the reaction.

Practical Lessons

FORMAL PRAYER

O Lord, who hast triumphed in Christ: make us the sweet fragrance of Thy knowledge in every place. Grant us a heart that is quick to forgive, that the adversary may find no place among us to cause division. Amen.

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