2 Corinthians 2:1-4

Applebury's Comments

Further Explanation of the Deferred Visit
Scripture

2 Corinthians 2:1-4. But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; haying 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 made sorry, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

Comments

But I determined this for myself.Putting the Corinthians first in his consideration, Paul explained that he had deferred his visit for their sakes, that is, to spare them the embarrassment of his having to reprove them upon his arrival at Corinth. He had left the choice up to them when he wrote 1 Corinthians 4:21. Would they have him come with a rod or in the spirit of gentleness and love? But he also had a personal reason: he did not want to come again with sorrow.

This raises the question about the number of visits Paul made to Corinth. Acts records only two: the first, when the church was established at Corinth, and a second which lasted three months before setting sail for Syria. See Acts 18:1; Acts 20:1-3. But in 2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1 he mentions a third coming. In 2 Corinthians 13:2 he speaks of the second time when he was present with them. In 2 Corinthians 2:1 he says that he was determined not to come again with sorrow.

Various attempts have been made to harmonize all these references. The consensus is that Paul actually made at least three visits to Corinth, one of which is not mentioned in the book of Acts. This is the supposed sorrowful visit which, according to the theory, he made after writing First Corinthians and before writing II Corinthians.

These problems are interesting, but they do not affect the doctrine of the epistles of Paul or the history which Luke records in Acts. The Corinthians to whom Paul wrote these letters were fully aware of the number of times he had visited them as well as the number of letters he had written to them. We must also remember that it was not Luke's purpose to give every detail of every event in the journeys of Paul. It is possible, however, to harmonize all the known facts without assuming that Paul made three visits to Corinth. The problem is with the number two visitthe so-called sorrowful one. A possible solution is found in 1 Corinthians 5:3-4. There Paul declares that although he was absent in body he was present in spirit when they were gathered together in the name of our Lord Jesus to deliver the offending brother to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. That most certainly was a sorrowful experience for Paul, as much so as if he had actually been present in the flesh. He knew all the facts of the case; he understood the seriousness of the situation; he was aware of the fact that the man might not repent; he was also certain that this action was the only thing that could possibly bring him to his senses and cause him to change his way before it was too late. The reference in 2 Corinthians 13:2 to the second visit is very similar to his remarks in 1 Corinthians 5:3-4. Although we must admit that he does not say that he was present the second time in spirit, the footnote in ASV which reads as if I were present the second time, even though I am now absent, lends some support to the view.

if I make you sorry.The gospel which Paul preached was not intended to make people sorry, except those who were guilty of sin. Paul, of course, did not hesitate to tell the truth about sin even though it might make some sorry. Such sorrow was intended to lead them to repentance which would bring salvation. See 2 Corinthians 7:8-10.

The angel who announced the birth of Christ said, Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all the people. When Philip preached Christ in Samaria there was much joy in the city. See Acts 8:4-12. Paul wrote to the Philippians calling them his joy and his crown. See Philippians 4:1. Jesus spoke of the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing after Philip had preached Christ to him and had baptized him into Christ. See Acts 8:39. Paul was eager to have the Corinthians overcome their sinful practices through obedience to the instructions he had written to them that his next visit might be one of rejoicing.

who then is he that maketh me glad.The Corinthian Christians who were his children in the gospel were a source of real joy to Paul. John held the same view toward those whom he had taught. He said, Greater joy have I none than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth (2 John 1:4). If it should become necessary for Paul to reprove the Corinthians when he visited them again, it would mean that the one whose heart had been gladdened by them was causing them sorrow. He did not want this to happen, for he was looking forward to a joyful meeting with the saints of God.

And I wrote this very thing.Paul had explained in his first epistle that he was not writing to shame them but rather to admonish them as his children. There was still another reason: The delay had given them time to think about their sinful ways and to correct them.

This raises the issue of the number of letters Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. Opinions vary. Some assume that he had written a lost epistle before writing First Corinthians. See 1 Corinthians 5:9. See comment on this issue in Studies in First Corinthians. Others assume that the section from 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 2 Corinthians 7:1 was originally a part of a harsh letter which somehow became incorporated into this epistle. Still others assume that Chapter s ten through twelve of this epistle were originally part of some letter which Paul had written at another time to defend his apostleship.

A careful reading of Second Corinthians, however, reveals a very definite plan into which every part of this letter fits perfectly. Those who object to the sharp contrast between the expression of Paul's affection and his strong warning about being unequally yoked with unbelievers as seen in chapter six, fail to see that such contrasts are to be found frequently in Paul's writings. See Galatians five for the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit. Second Corinthians is exactly what one would expect it to be in view of the deep concern Paul had for the church at Corinth. He expresses his heartfelt concern for those who were guilty of sin. But he turned to the opposite, expressing great hope and confidence and joy as he thought of the recoveryrepentanceof God's people from those things that had disgraced them.
The absence of any manuscript evidence to the contrary leaves us with the conclusion that Paul wrote only two epistles to the Corinthians. The discovery, even at this late date, of another genuine epistle of Paul to the Corinthians would show that he wrote more than two epistles, but, since he always wrote under the direction of the Holy Spirit, we can rest assured that it would in no way affect the doctrinal issues of the two letters which we know he did write to them. While some may find it worthwhile to spend time in these speculative things, it would seem that for the most of us, it would be better to spend our time learning those all important lessons which are so clearly presented in these letters that by the providence of God have come down to us with their solutions for problems which we face in this very day.

of whom I ought to rejoice.Paul's hope for rejoicing depended on their obedience to the word which he had written to them. More than that, he was confident that they would, for the most part, obey the message of Christ which he as the inspired apostle had written to them. That would mean not only joy for Paul but for all the brethren at Corinth.

I wrote unto you with many tears.The distress and anguish of the apostle can be seen in his first letter. He was distressed that their sinful divisions were destroying the temple of God. It was with anguish of heart that he wrote to them to deliver to Satan the brother who was guilty of immoral conduct, the like of which was not even found among pagans. His tears stained the manuscript of First Corinthiansthose stains were evident to all who had the privilege of seeing itas he thought about the tragic divisions that made it impossible for them to keep the Lord's Supper. His deep concern for them caused him to show them the more excellent way of love to counteract their strife over spiritual gifts that had been given them for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. He was distressed that some of them were denying the very foundation of the faith by denying the fact of the resurrection.

that ye might know the love.It was his love for them that caused his concern over the low state of affairs in the church at Corinth. As he considered the height to which they could rise by obeying the Word of Christ, he boldly declared his overflowing love for them.