2 Corinthians 2
1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
Paul thought to himself, how, when he came back to Corinth he would fine everything in order.
2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
The church is starting to divide and Paul isn't happy about it. He sends these letters in the attempt to make them think before his returning to them.
3 And I wrote this same unto you, 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.
Paul is letting them know he has confidence in the fact they are able to straighten it out on their own.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
Paul being salt, wanted them to get back in The Word and Truth. It saddened him to the point of tears that they were falling away. He isn't going to conform, but preach Truth in hopes of transforming the heart.
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
Paul isn't mad at everyone, just those that have chosen to start trouble in the church.
6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
Repentance is for the individual and has nothing to do with the whole unless the whole agrees with it. Then everyone needs to repent. One person could bring down a church if the church allows it. The church that stays in Truth will help those that fall. This person repented and so the church should forgive also. If we don't forgive others, they have hold of you.
7 So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
A real church sees their repenting behavior and does their best to comfort, not condemn.
8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
Paul wants to know if they're following God or their own made up ways. It's been a test.
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
Christ showed us The Way to forgiveness and if we don't forgive, we are not of Christ and can't call ourselves Christian.
11 Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
Paul couldn't find Titus, so he left Troas for Macedonia, because he was worried about him.
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
There he found Titus preaching The Truth. Titus lets Paul know about his letters to the Corinthian church.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
God's Truth is preached to the saved and unsaved. Those that have accepted Christ and those that refuse. Those made alive and those that chose death.
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
The stink of death speaks for itself just as the sweet smell of The Way to life. We can't force either. The smell of death [way of their life] should cause them to make the change. The bottom will smell beyond what they want to handle, then they may know where they can find you continuing in Christ. Then you can usher them to the table for the wedding feast. There they find that sweet smell.
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
The sincerity of Truth, not watered down junk we see today. God's Word can hold its own on its own. Teach in a way they may understand, but don't take away from the message. We have enough conformity in the churches today and this is what Paul is urging the Corinthian church not to fall into. He wants them to forgive that they may show Christ is The Way of the church. When we forgive, we allow His Spirit to work in us. We all fall short and were all given Christ Jesus, accept Him and His Ways and live everyday in peace of mind.