2 Corinthians 2:1-4 (WEL) Paul’s Motivation Was Not to Hurt Them
1 I, myself, made up my mind about this, that I would not come to you again in sadness. 2 For if I make you sad, who is the one who will make me happy, except those whom I made sad? 3 So I wrote this very thing to you, fearing that when I came, I would be sad from those whom I should have been rejoicing in, for I had confidence in you all that my joy is your joy. 4 For out of a great burden and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears, not because you would be made very sad, but that you might know the great love that I have for you.
Chapter Summary (Box): “Paul had a strong desire to visit Corinth. However, he did not want it to be a sorrowful visit. He knew that if he visited Corinth and the problems were not corrected, that it would be a sorrowful time for him and for the brethren there also. If Paul had visited Corinth and found them in a state of confusion and unfaithfulness, he would have felt himself called on to exercise the severity of discipline. He wanted to avoid that if at all possible.
“Paul wanted to help the church to understand how they should treat the brother that had been immoral. Church discipline had worked, and it had its desired effect. The church had carried out proper discipline against this sinning brother, and he had repented of his wickedness. Now they must be careful to forgive him and to be an encouragement to him. Paul wanted the brother forgiven so that he would not become discouraged, and then Satan could easily take advantage of the situation again. Satan is always busy looking for those that he can gain some advantage over.”
V1 I, myself, made up my mind about this, that I would not come to you again in sadness.
Paul emphasizes his determination not to come and visit to rebuke. He was sad that the Corinthians believers had condoned such sin.
The Greek word for sadness is G3077 λύπη lýpē, which means pain, whether physical or emotional. It may be grief or mourning. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “lýpē means ‘pain,’ ‘sorrow,’ lypeín is ‘to cause pain,’ and lypeísthai ‘to experience sorrow.’ Both physical pain and mental anguish are covered by the words. Physically, the pain is especially that caused by hunger, thirst, heat, cold, or sickness, while mentally it is especially the anguish of misfortune, death, annoyance, insult, or outrage.”
Paul was not only speaking of his own sorrow but the sorrow brought upon the church in Corinth.
V2 For if I make you sad, who is the one who will make me happy, except those whom I made sad?
Godly sorrow brings true repentance. After repentance, we must follow God’s standards. There are consequences from sin, but after repentance and asking forgiveness, there is restoration of fellowship with God.
Psalms 51:9 (EHV) Hide your face from my sins. Erase all my guilty deeds.
Psalms 51:12 (NLT) Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Seeing a believer who sins, repenting and growing in the faith, calls for a time of rejoicing.
V3 So I wrote this very thing to you, fearing that when I came, I would be sad from those whom I should have been rejoicing in, for I had confidence in you all that my joy is your joy.
One Fruit of the Spirit is joy. This is not human joy, per se, but a gift from the Holy Spirit to be a blessing to the individual and others. Compare Psalm 126:3 and Psalm 30:11.
Psalm 4:7 (WEL) 7You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound.
V4 For out of a great burden and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears, not because you would be made very sad, but that you might know the great love that I have for you.
Note how he does not seek for himself but for others. He did not want to rebuke; he wanted to write them happy things. Sometimes, however, we must rebuke for the good of others.
Principle: God has this attitude, and we should do.
We learn:
- About godly sorrow.
- About care and restoration of those who have sinned and then repented.
Questions:
- Do you forgive and restore?
- Is your concern for others restoration?