2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:1 PAINFUL VISIT. Paul’s visit turned out to be “painful” because of the church’s open rebellion against him (see vv. 2 Corinthians 2:5; 2 Corinthians 7:8; 2 Corinthians 11:4). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:4 Paul wrote a severe letter that called the Corinthians to repentance (see 2 Corinthians 7:8). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:5 The majority in Corinth had expressed their repentance by punishing the leader of the rebellion against Paul. Paul now calls them to follow his own Christlike example toward them by extending mercy to the offender, lest Satan have his way once again in the chu... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:6 PUNISHMENT. Mostly likely exclusion from the fellowship of the church (compare 1 Corinthians 5:2, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 5:13). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:11 Satan’s DESIGNS are to destroy the mutual forgiveness, love, and unity that is to characterize God’s people (see 2 Corinthians 5:16). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:12 These verses explain some of Paul’s actions behind writing 2 Corinthians 1:1 (vv. 2 Corinthians 2:12; see also 2 Corinthians 7:5). They also reintroduce the letter’s main theme (2 Corinthians 2:14). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:14 LEADS US IN TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION. Most interpreters think this refers to the grand victory parades celebrated in Rome after great battles. Here God is portrayed as the sovereign victor. Christ is the general, leading the victory procession. Paul is “captured”... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:15 AROMA... FRAGRANCE. Some believe this refers to the incense spread along the streets during the triumphal procession (see note on v. 14). However, the terms used here are used often in the Greek OT to refer to the aroma of a sacrifice pleasing to God (e.g., E... [ Continue Reading ]
2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 2:16 WHO IS SUFFICIENT FOR THESE THINGS? The implied answer clearly is “No one.” Our “sufficiency” comes only from God by means of his grace. Some of Paul’s opponents demanded payment for their ministries as if they were PEDDLERS OF GOD’S WORD (see 2 Corinthians 1... [ Continue Reading ]