2Cor 2 | TNotes | STEP | 2:1 Paul’s previous visit had been very painful and had caused him great distress. This visit is not recorded in Acts; it apparently took place during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8-22 ). During that visit, Paul severely rebuked the church (2 Cor 1:23 ) and was insulted by an unnamed man (2:5-11 ).

2:1 ^a Paul’s previous visit had been very painful and had caused him great distress. This visit is not recorded in Acts; it apparently took place during Paul’s three-year ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8-22 ^b). During that visit, Paul severely rebuked the church (2 Cor 1:23 ^c) and was insulted by an unnamed man (2:5-11 ^d).
Summary for 2Cor 2:3-4: 2:3-4 ^e After his painful visit (2:1 ^f), Paul then wrote a letter with great anguish ... and many tears that was intended for the Corinthians’ good. That letter (see also 7:8-10 ^g) has evidently been lost. But it was effective in bringing about the needed repentance and change.
Summary for 2Cor 2:5-11: 2:5-11 ^h These verses are the outcome of Paul’s earlier visit and the insult he received. Following Paul’s severe but tearful letter, the church condemned the behavior of the man who caused all the trouble and disciplined him (2:6 ⁱ). He repented, so now it was time to forgive and comfort him, as Paul had already done.
2:11 ^j If we exercise forgiveness, as Paul did, Satan will not outsmart us by making us either too lax over sin or too rigorous in punishing offenders.

• familiar with his evil schemes: Cp. 11:3 ^k, 14 ^l; Eph 6:11 ^m.
Summary for 2Cor 2:12-13: 2:12-13 ⁿ After the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20:1 ^o), Paul went to the seaport of Troas (Acts 20:5 ^p). He was impatient to get news from Titus about the result of the severe but tearful letter (2 Cor 2:4 ^q), and he crossed over to Macedonia in northern Greece to find him.
Summary for 2Cor 2:14: 2:14–7:4 ^r At this point, the story about finding Titus breaks off and will not be resumed until 7:5 ^s. Paul digresses to discuss his ministry as an apostle proclaiming the Good News. 2:14 ^t Like captives in a Roman general’s celebration march, Paul was in Christ’s triumphal procession (cp. 1 Cor 4:9 ^u; Eph 4:7-11 ^v), carrying the marks of willing servitude (see Rom 1:1 ^w; Gal 6:17 ^x).
Summary for 2Cor 2:15-16: 2:15-16 ^y Incense was scattered along the parade route of a victorious Roman general, and it was received in one of two ways. For the captives, who were on their way to the arena and death, it was a dreadful smell of death and doom. For the victors, it was a life-giving perfume. So it is with the lives of those who proclaim the Good News, which either leads to eternal life or seals the fate of the person who rejects it (cp. 1 Cor 1:18 ^z).
2:17 ^aa Paul contrasts his service with that of his opponents.

• They preach for personal profit and adulterate the truth, like merchants in Paul’s day who offered shoddy goods, or innkeepers who watered down the wine. By contrast, Paul preached with sincerity and with Christ’s authority (cp. 1:12 ^ab; 4:2 ^ac). Paul’s denial of mercenary motives reemerges in 11:1–12:21 ^ad.