2 Corinthians 2: Deep Love, Forgiveness and the Smell of Victory

Paul finalizes his thoughts from chapter one by describing why he decided to write the Corinthians a letter instead of visiting them again. Unfortunately, the letter Paul is referring to is lost. We do know that Paul wrote his letter not to grieve the Corinthians but instead his purpose was “to let you know the depth of my love for you.”

Part two of this chapter deals with the process of restoration (2:5-11). After a brother or sister in Christ has been disciplined, how do you restore them into the fellowship of believers “in order that Satan might not outwit us”? In these seven verses Paul uses the word “forgive” six times. Clearly, one of Satan’s schemes is the temptation for churches to use discipline in an unforgiving way. We must remember that our purpose in discipline is to restore a person.

Paul begins the focus of his current letter (2:12-17), namely, to defend his position and to denounce those who were twisting the truth. Paul illustrates God’s leadership in his ministry using a Roman triumphal procession, where the Roman general would display his treasures and captives amidst a cloud of incense burned for the gods. The aroma would be sweet to his fellow countrymen, but to the opposition it would remind them of death and defeat. In Christ, we will always triumph over death and despair (2:14).

We have the freedom and the authority to say as Paul says “I have a deep love for you” (2:4b) and “forgive and comfort him” (2:7a) because Jesus has triumphed over sin and death. Hope for this life and hope for the life yet to come are wrapped up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the aroma that he purchased for us. Enjoy the application thoughts for today. Write someone today that you have had a conflict with and let them know the depth of your love for them. Or, outwit Satan and seek to restore a relationship through the power of forgiveness. Or, ask someone about the hope that comes from Jesus Christ and begin to pray for them to experience the aroma of Christ and his victory over death.

Posted by Eric