Lesson 4 – 2 Corinthians Chapter 2:6-17
Looking back at the first five verses in chapter 2, we saw that Paul was dealing with a troublesome person who belonged to the Corinthian church. We’re not sure if he was the person who was having an affair with his step-mother, or the one who was hurling insults at Paul, which I am leaning towards. In that situation, what made matters worse was none of the other believers stepped up to defend Paul; this speaks to the toxic state of the church.
The scenario of the person speaking insults about Paul was the incident that caused Paul to write the “severe letter” that we’ve talked about before.
When someone within a congregation steps out of line, and actually commits a sin that effects not only himself, but the congregation as a whole, it can be very hurtful and divisive. It’s not merely a personal failing, there’s a collective grief that can also take place. Scripture doesn’t shy away from this reality. Like a stone dropped in a pond, the ripple effect touches others; as a result trust is shaken, unity strained, and the witness of the church becomes diminished.
Galatians 6:1:
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Here in Galatians, we can see Paul’s true spirit when it comes to sinful actions on the part of another. In verse 5 of 2 Corinthians Paul says, “I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me.” (NLT)
A key factor is that Paul had forgiven this man, but his concern now was the effect it had on the other believers in the church.
We ended last week looking toward forgiveness. Forgiveness is a crucial doctrine in the Christian faith. It’s not just a doctrine, it’s a lifeline for us. Forgiveness is the heartbeat of the gospel; it’s the very thing that makes reconciliation with God and with one another possible.
Colossians 3:13:
“As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
That’s not a suggestion for us, it’s a command; but it’s also a reflection: we must forgive because we’ve been forgiven of so much.
2 Cor. 2:6:
“This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,”
The punishment was given to this man by the church members (the majority). Then Paul comments that the punishment was sufficient. What exactly was the punishment we’re not told, but there’s a good chance it was excommunication or disfellowshipping him… either one would have a lasting effect.
Jesus gives us instructions on how to handle disruptive people in the church…
Matthew 18:15-18:
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
When Jesus says to treat a person like a heathen and a tax collector, excommunication or disfellowshipping comes to mind.
2 Cor. 2:7:
“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.”
The tension in Corinth is pretty revealing at this point. Some believers, perhaps out of zeal for Paul or a desire for justice, felt that the offender who had publicly insulted Paul should suffer more before being restored.
We have to be careful, because there’s a mean spirit within our flesh that at times can enjoy making other people hurt, even if the punishment is justified. The flesh doesn’t just resist righteousness, it can twist justice into cruelty. Even when discipline is warranted, there’s a lurking temptation to savor the pain of the offender, and to feel a sense of moral superiority or justification.
Gal. 5:17:
“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
Paul was ready to step in and manage the situation. He doesn’t excuse the sin, but he refuses to let the offender be swallowed by sorrow.
To paraphrase, Paul is saying, “Okay, brothers and sisters, this brother has felt the sting of correction. I believe he’s learned his lesson. Now it’s time to reflect Christ: forgive him, comfort him, and reaffirm your love. If you don’t, you risk crushing him under sorrow instead of restoring him in grace.”
Paul’s not just issuing a doctrinal statement, he’s shepherding hearts that are teetering between righteous discipline and spiritual danger.
Eph. 4:32:
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Hebrews 12:10-11 (NIV):
“They (fathers) disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
From Deuteronomy to Revelation, God’s discipline is portrayed not as punishment for punishment’s sake, but as a means of restoring relationship, holiness, and peace for His children.
2 Cor. 2:8:
“Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.”
Reaffirm… means to confirm publicly or solemnly, also to endorse.
When the Corinthians disciplined this man, they did it publicly for all to witness. Now his restoration needed to be done publicly as well, not behind closed doors where only a few would be involved. This reflects the shared nature of the Church, where sin wounds the body and healing must likewise be visible to the body.
This mirrors the gospel for us: sin is exposed, grace is extended, and fellowship is restored. It also models leadership in the church that is both firm and tender, showing discipline without shame, and correction without rejection.
Paul speaks of love… remember love? Here we have agape love, it’s not about warm fuzzy feelings, it’s about making a choice; it’s an action on our part to show Christ’s love to another on purpose. It’s the kind of love that costs us something, and the kind Paul is calling for here. In this moment of restoration, agape love isn’t sentimental, it’s sacrificial, and it’s the deliberate choice to reflect Christ’s heart, especially when emotions might still be raw or trust is still healing.
2 Cor. 2:9:
“For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.”
John MacArthur writes, “As already noted, forgiveness reflects some of the most noble Christian virtues, including humility, mercy, joy, and love. But even if it did not, forgiveness would still be the right thing to do, because God requires it.”
MacArthur’s point is that forgiveness isn’t optional, it’s a command rooted in the character of God and the work of Christ. Even when our emotions resist it, or when justice feels more satisfying, forgiveness remains on our path of obedience.
Mercy is love in action toward the undeserving. When we forgive, we reflect the heart of God who “does not treat us as our sins deserve” (Psalm 103:10). Mercy doesn’t ignore justice, it entrusts justice to God.
That I might put you to the test… this goes back to the “severe letter.” Now the question remained, would the Corinthians respond to the letter by being obedient in all things?
It’s kind of like when two brothers are having a fight, not with words but with fists. The father steps in and stops it, and makes them shake hands telling them that they are to forgive each other. They might shake hands on the outside, but is there forgiveness on the inside? The handshake might stop the fight, but only grace can heal the heart.
Luke 17:3:
“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”
The Corinthians’ love and devotion to Paul would be proven by their being obedient to his directives to them. You can say “I forgive you,” but the proof is in how you treat the person afterward. Do you still rehearse the offense in your mind? Do you keep them at arm’s length? Or do you move toward them in love, like someone who’s been set free?
Matthew 7:16 (NLT):
“You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”
By disciplining the man caught in sin, the Corinthians obeyed the first part of the reprimand, and that probably wasn’t too hard for them. The real test would be fully forgiving him, that would be the obedience part for them.
2 Cor. 2:10:
“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,”
(NLT) “When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit,”
Paul isn’t making a big deal about the guy who slandered him, he was able to forgive in the very same way he’s teaching the Corinthians to do. By Paul’s actions, it became a great benefit to the church; much of what he was doing was for the spiritual health of the church. He doesn’t center himself in the drama, even though he was the one personally slandered. Instead, he models the very forgiveness he’s calling the Corinthians to extend.
If you consider yourself a leader, and you look behind and see that no one is following you, you’re probably doing something wrong, but in this case, Paul was doing everything right.
The world often measures leadership by visibility, charisma, or control, but Paul’s leadership was marked by suffering, humility, and sacrificial love… and yet, it bore fruit. People followed Paul not because he demanded it, but because he embodied the true essence of the gospel.
In the presence of Christ…
I have some startling news for you, everything you say, do, or think is in the presence of Christ.
Paul lived with a constant awareness that Christ was present, not just in worship or ministry, but in every decision, every conversation, every moment of mercy or correction.
So the question for us is, are we living with that kind of awareness of Christ?
Are we living as if Christ is truly present… not just in theory, but in the quiet corners of our hearts, in the tension of trials, and in the choices we make when no one else sees?
Is the Holy Spirit speaking to you right now?
Gal. 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
John 14:20:
“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”
This is Jesus Himself speaking of the mutual indwelling with those who belong to Him; this gives us a profound awareness that we are never apart from Him.
Paul bore forgiveness like a banner, walked humility as a path… not merely preached, but proved it, his life laid open before the gaze of Christ. That phrase isn’t poetic, it’s practical for us. It means every decision we make, every act of mercy, every moment of restraint is shaped by the awareness that Jesus is always present.
Too often we live as if Christ is only present in worship, or when we are in a crisis, but Scripture tells us He is always near, always within, always watching… not to condemn us, but to guide and sanctify us.
A good take-away for us is to apply this to our lives…
• Perhaps write a note to yourself: “Christ is here.” Then place it where you’ll see it daily.
• Before making a decision, pause and ask: “Am I doing this in the sight of Christ?”
• Then, practice forgiveness this week, not out of obligation, but as an act of worship before Christ.
2 Cor. 2:11:
“Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Satan is the counterfeit of God; he always wants the very opposite of God’s ways and plans. Where God brings life, satan brings death. Where God offers truth, satan sows lies. Where God calls for forgiveness and restoration, satan whispers bitterness and division to us.
John 8:44 [Jesus speaking of satan]:
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
We’re all familiar with satan and his demons, and all the troubles they cause. The thing to remember, and we’re all guilty of forgetting this, is that our battle more times than not, is against the spiritual. It’s easy to forget because we can’t see, hear, or touch the spiritual (that is, unless God manifests it for us).
The enemy is subtle, often working through distraction, division, and discouragement. So, with the man in Corinth we’ve been talking about, this sets up an opportunity for satan to step in and cause division and strife among the Corinthian believers.
Paul is saying, “Don’t let satan blacklist this one who needs to come back into the fold. And don’t let satan divide you in the process as well.”
When we forget the spiritual nature of our battle, we start fighting the wrong enemies… people, systems, even ourselves. That’s when bitterness, division, and pride creep in on us.
Paul stressed that the Corinthians must forgive and restore this repentant man so that satan could not take advantage of the situation. We can be sure, having an unforgiving heart plays right into the hands of satan.
2 Cor. 2:12:
“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,”
After leaving Ephesus, Paul came to Troas. Troas was a seaport on the Aegean Sea in western Asia Minor. It was about ten miles from the famous city of Troy, for which it was named.
To get to Corinth you had to pass through Troas, and Paul hoped to meet Titus there. You see, Paul sent Titus to Corinth ahead of time, to find out how the Corinthians had responded to his letter… especially the “severe letter.” With all that was going on, he was kind of burning with anticipation. In his spirit Paul was expecting a bad report, after they had read his severe letter.
Paul knew Titus would pass through Troas on his way back to Ephesus from Corinth. Unable to wait any longer, Paul went there hoping to meet him and get his report sooner.
We’re all spoiled with our cell phones today, we just say, “Hey Siri, call so and so,” and we can communicate with that person right on the spot… Paul couldn’t do that.
While waiting in Troas, Paul was always Paul, meaning when he had an opportunity to preach Christ’s gospel, he would do it in a “New York minute” …and a door was opened to me by the Lord. Paul moved with the urgency of a man sent by God.
2 Cor. 2:13:
“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.”
Paul was deeply troubled by the situation in Corinth, and the burden weighed so heavily on him that it became difficult to concentrate on preaching… he says, I had no rest in my spirit. You’ve likely known that feeling, when you have a job to do, and there’s a situation going on in your life and you just can’t focus on the task at hand.
The questions that might have been on Paul’s mind were, would the Corinthians affirm their love for him as their pastor? Or would they fall victim to satan’s deceptions, and follow the false teachers?
As their pastor, Paul was to Shepheard his flock, and many times that involves tough love, by bringing the truth of God’s Word to them. Paul confronted them concerning divisions, strife, incest, marriage, singleness, divorce, the role of women in the church, idolatry, spiritual pride, the abuse concerning the Lord’s Supper, and misuse of their spiritual gifts. That’s a pretty extensive list to say the least. With so much correction, one would think the Corinthians would just walk away from Paul.
Not finding Titus in Troas, Paul went on to Macedonia. The waiting was getting to Paul; he had to find Titus to hear about the response of the Corinthians. Can you feel the drama and tension building up here for Paul? This was a dark hour in the apostle’s life.
Paul’s restlessness in Troas, despite an open door for ministry, reveals just how deeply he was affected by all this… not just as a missionary, but as their spiritual father.
2 Cor. 2:14:
“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.”
There’s that song, “The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow,” well the Son came up for Paul! Why was Paul so ready to praise God even when these hard times were hitting him? Because trials don’t make or break a man like the “world” easily falls into… trials simply reveal the content of his heart and character.
For Paul, suffering peeled back the layers of his trial, and showed a heart anchored in Christ, not his circumstance. This is what makes Paul the champion that we can follow.
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…
This should be a hallelujah cry for every believer!!!
The Christian believer can always be assured that God is always working, and He’s working everything for good, so long as we love Him and seek to obey Him (Rom. 8:28). This promise isn’t an excuse for carelessness, but it is an encouragement for our confidence in Christ.
This is one of those anchor truths that steadies our soul when everything else feels like it’s falling apart. Paul took his focus off all the difficulties racing through his head and put it on to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His peace didn’t come from escaping hardship, but rather it came from entrusting it to the One who had already overcome the world.
John 16:33:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
These words from Jesus are like a lighthouse in the storm. It’s not a denial of His suffering; it’s a declaration of victory in spite of it. Jesus doesn’t promise us ease, but He does promise us Himself. Because He has overcome the world, its sin, its systems, its sorrows, we can walk through it with courage knowing our hope is anchored in Him. That’s true assurance of our future with God.
Like Paul we might suffer setbacks from time to time, but we must not let ourselves be discouraged. It’s all about us walking in faith like Paul, and at the end of the day, our ultimate victory is certain, because no one cand pluck us out of God’s hand.
Deut. 1:21:
“Look, the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.”
Warren Wiersbe writes, “Victorious general’s sons would walk behind their father’s chariot, sharing in the father’s victory; and that is where believers are today… following in Christ’s triumph. We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory.”
Through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
The word diffuses is a little difficult to translate… it’s better stated; “manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (NASB)
The sweet aroma of the triumph arose after a victory, from the incense-filled censers carried by the priests in the parade and from garlands of flowers that were thrown into the streets. The fragrance speaks of influence; Paul’s point is that God, in wonderful humbling grace and mercy, manifests through believers the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ in every place.
Wherever believers go, they carry the scent of victory… not their own, but Christ’s. It’s not just a fragrance, it’s a testimony, a quiet yet powerful witness to the triumph of Christ and His grace.
2 Cor. 2:15:
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
In the Roman Triumph, the emperor, enthroned at the Capitol, would inhale the fragrant incense as it reached him at the parade’s end, a symbol of his victory and honor.
Paul draws on this imagery to describe the preacher’s ministry: it is the fragrance of Christ rising to God. Though the gospel is proclaimed to men, the true audience is really God. The faithful minister, by preaching Christ, spreads the sweet aroma of His knowledge among the people, but more profoundly that fragrance ascends to the throne of God Himself. It is a pleasing offering, not merely because of its earthly impact, but in its heavenly reception.
Also, in the Roman Triumph both the king who was to be honored, and the defeated leader who was to be executed, smelled the aroma from the censers. The king smelled victory, while the other smelled his impending death.
When it comes to those who reject the gospel of Christ, it saddens God when they seal their fate like that. As Peter says, God is not willing that any would perish. (2 Pet. 3:9)
1 Tim. 2:4:
“Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
God’s heart is full of mercy, even toward those who turn away from Him. When God’s word is faithfully preached, it will accomplish His purpose…
Isaiah 55:11:
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
This is why I stand before you each week, not for my own comfort, but to faithfully bring the holy Word of God, offering the best of what He’s entrusted to me… yes, even with all my stumbling words from time to time. As God watches us every Wednesday, He sees me preaching the Word, and you receiving His Word into your hearts.
2 Cor. 2:16:
“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?
(NLT) “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?”
Like the king who was defeated in battle, there was a sweet aroma in the air, but it couldn’t be pleasant for him, no matter how sweet is was… because that aroma meant his impending doom.
Crystal and I, along with many of you, have been faithfully delivering God’s message of salvation to different neighborhoods. There are times when we get to talk to some people and tell them that we are spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, and would they like a copy… some are delighted, while others just scowl and refuse us. The reality is, they’re not refusing us, they’re rejecting God.
We are the aroma of death leading to death… to the ones who turn their backs on the gospel.
And to the other the aroma of life leading to life…
These are the elect and redeemed people of God, who are headed for full and final glorification… oh, how sweet is the salvation of our Lord. Amen!
And who is sufficient for these things?
Who is sufficient to march behind Jesus, to carry the fragrance of Him, to be used by Him? Paul will answer this question in the next chapter when he says our sufficiency is of God… stay tuned!
2 Cor. 2:17:
“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.”
Peddling the word of God… that phrase sounds creepy just on the surface.
Peddling… (kapēleuō) is referring to a huckster, a con artist, or a street hawker who cleverly deceived buyers into purchasing a cheap imitation of the real thing. I saw it all the time on the streets of New York City.
The false teachers were peddling the gospel for their own profit; they were mixing God’s truth with Jewish legalism to ensnare the Corinthians.
We don’t even have to say it, that Paul was different, he spoke but as of sincerity it says in our verse.
1 Cor. 1:17:
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”
There was no trickeration in the way Paul preached the gospel.
We’ll close with John MacArthur…
“Paul found his way out of the gloom of discouragement by focusing on his privileges instead of his problems. The contemplation of those privileges… of being associated with the King of Kings in His Triumph, of influencing people for eternity, of pleasing God, and having His power undergirding his ministry… healed his broken heart and restored his joy.”