Day 151 – Wednesday, July 30, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

2 Corinthians 2

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

No Sorrow

1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. ² For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 

(2 Corinthians 2:1–2, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul references his second letter to the Corinthians, which was very corrective and brought change but some heartache.
• He is here letting them know that he will be less direct when he comes to visit. This is not an apology, but an attempt to avoid demoralizing the group.

Forgive the Offender

³ 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. ⁴ 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.

⁵ But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. ⁶ This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, ⁷ so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. ⁸ Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. ⁹ For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. ¹⁰ Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, ¹¹ lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 

(2 Corinthians 2:3–11, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• He explains that the letter was to take care of the sinful situation that existed in Corinth. He did it by letter so as to not have to handle an ever more dire situation when he came to them in person.
• Paul shares his love for them and his desire to bring joy and not grief. The man who initiated all this conflict received a harsh punishment from the church as a result of Paul’s instruction, but now Paul encourages the church to reach out to him in order to restore him.
• This was a test. Would they stand up for holiness? Would they find a way to restore? Paul put trust in the church and they delivered. Now, he says that if they choose to restore this man, that he will forgive him as well.

Triumph in Christ

¹² Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, ¹³ I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

¹⁴ Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 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? 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. 

(2 Corinthians 2:12–17, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Paul shares of his time in Troas, where God gave him an open door for ministry. He only left because he felt compelled to find Titus.
• Paul thanks God for giving him victory in ministry and life. He is thankful that the aroma of His presence is everywhere. His people carry it.
• He says that the gospel message is death to those who refuse it, and life to those who embrace it.
• This is not a product to sell, but rather a life-giving message to a dying world. Let us share it every day!

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.