Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 2:3

"And I wrote this very thing, 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." — 2 Corinthians 2:3 (ASV)

In place of a second painful visit to Corinth, Paul wrote the Corinthians a letter that has come to be known as the “severe letter” (see the introduction). By this letter he wanted to avoid being pained by them when he finally did pay another personal visit (v.3a). It was incongruous to Paul that his converts, who ought to have been a constant source of joy to him (1 Thessalonians 2:19–20), should cause such distress to their spiritual father. Yet in writing that letter, he had had the buoyant assurance that whatever made him glad would give all of them pleasure too, for they were all one in joy, as in sorrow (v.3b).

In v.4a Paul describes the origin and circumstances of this sorrowful letter. It was born “out of great distress and anguish” and had been produced “with many tears.” Since such expressions can hardly be true of 1 Corinthians as a whole, this letter (cf. also 7:8, 12) must be identified with a letter no longer extant, sent to Corinth after 1 Corinthians and after his “painful visit” (see the introduction). A second purpose (cf. vv.3, 9; 7:12) behind this letter is stated in v.4b. Although it actually proved painful to its recipients (7:8), its aim was not vindictive or even vindicative. On the contrary, it sought to convince the Corinthians of the intensity of Paul’s affectionate concern for them.