Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Corinthians 2
Matthew Henry Commentary
2 Corinthians 2
"But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow. For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me? 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. 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 that I have more abundantly unto you." — 2 Corinthians 2:1-4 (ASV)
The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; he had written in confidence that they would do what was for their benefit and his comfort, and that therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of unease from him. We should always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it be given.
"But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all. Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was [inflicted] by the many; so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you to confirm [your] love toward him. For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye are obedient in all things. But to whom ye forgive anything, I [forgive] also: for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, for your sakes [have I forgiven it] in the presence of Christ; that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices." — 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (ASV)
The apostle desires them to receive the person who had done wrong back into their communion, because he was aware of his fault and greatly afflicted by his punishment. Even sorrow for sin should not render someone unfit for other duties or drive them to despair.
Not only was there a danger lest Satan might gain an advantage by tempting the penitent to negative thoughts about God and religion, and so drive him to despair; but there was also a danger to the churches and the ministers of Christ, by Satan giving Christians a bad reputation as unforgiving, thereby causing divisions and hindering the success of the ministry.
In this, as in other things, wisdom should be used, so that the ministry may not be blamed for indulging sin on the one hand, or for excessive severity towards sinners on the other hand. Satan has many plans to deceive, and knows how to exploit our mistakes.
"Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord, I had no relief for my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia. But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ." — 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 (ASV)
A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. To some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death.
They reject it to their ruin. To others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it made them alive at first when they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more alive, and will end in eternal life. Observe the profound impressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God.
But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that from sincerity, thus we speak in Christ and of Christ.
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