2 Coríntios 2
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
2 Coríntios 2
McGee - Paul admits that he was discouraged with them. If he had come to visit them, it would have been in sorrow. (2 Corinthians 2 Commentary)
2 Coríntios 2
McGee - Paul didn’t want to come in his sorrow, with tears in his eyes. He would have had them weeping, too. Then who would make Paul glad? They would all have been boo–hooing into their handkerchiefs! (2 Corinthians 2 Commentary)
2 Coríntios 2
McGee - Paul wanted to come to them in joy. He had been hoping to get word from them telling him that they had corrected those things about which he had written them. (2 Corinthians 2 Commentary) Utley on the very thing I wrote you - There are several theories that try to explain these verses: (1) some call this an EPISTOLARY AORIST, which means it would refer to II Corinthians (cf. NJB); (2) some believe this refers to I Corinthians; (3) others believe that this refers to the previous lost letter mentioned in 1 Cor. 5:9; and (4) others think this refers to a severe lost letter, possibly partially preserved in 2 Corinthians 10–13. Having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all - My joy is your joy. NIV = "I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy." Amplified = " I trusted in you all and felt confident that my joy would be shared by all of you." NEB = "I had sufficient confidence in you all to know that for me to be happy is for all of you to be happy."
2 Coríntios 2
McGee - A great many people today fall out with the preacher when he preaches a message that is rather severe. Sometimes correction from the Word of God will really bear down on the congregation. Some people think that a pastor should not do that. May I say to you, my friend, that a faithful pastor must do that. The command is: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:1–2+). Any man who stands in the pulpit today has a tremendous responsibility to rebuke what is wrong. Many of the saints don’t like this. Paul tells them here that his rebuke was not because he was opposed to them, but because he loved them. A faithful pastor shows his love by preaching the Word of God as it is rather than “buttering up” the congregation. (2 Corinthians 2 Commentary) Gromacki - This epistle was not a logical treatise (cf. Romans), but, rather, an emotional plea. As Jesus wept over the unbelief of loved ones (Luke 19:41), so the apostle wept often. He warned the Ephesian church about false teachers “night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31) and informed the Philippian church in the same way (Phil. 3:18). He characterized his life as “serving the Lord with all humility of mind, with many tears, and temptations” (Acts 20:19). (2 Corinthians - Stand Firm in the Faith) Robertson agrees that "Paul was a man of heart. He writes to the Philippians with weeping (klaiōn) over the enemies of the Cross of Christ (Phil. 3:18). He twice mentions his tears in his speech at Miletus (Acts 20:19–31+) (2 Corinthians 2) Not so that (hina - term of purpose) you would be made sorrowful (see lupeo), but that (hina - term of purpose) you might know the (Spirit energized agape) love which I (present tense - continually) have especially (abundantly - beyond what is ordinary or expected) for you - Note the contrast made sorrowful versus know love. Amp = "not to cause you pain but in order to make you realize the overflowing love that I continue increasingly to have for you." Paul expresses first the negative purpose which was not to stir up emotional pain, and then the positive purpose which was to show how much he truly loved the Corinthians. Warren
2 Coríntios 2
Vernon McGee - This epistle is teaching us wonderful truths about God’s comfort. In the first chapter we saw God’s comfort for life’s plans. Now we see God’s comfort in restoring a sinning saint. (2 Corinthians 2 Commentary) Garland introduces this confusing passage writing that "Paul’s tact leads him to speak about a specific situation in ambiguous generalities as he avoids naming the person or describing the nature of the indignity. The anonymous person had repented, and now Paul only identifies the transgression euphemistically, “if anyone has caused grief,” and identifies the person in a veiled way as “the one who did the wrong” (2Co 7:12). Naming names and specifying the crimes and punishment would only unleash more grief by bringing more shame on the one who has now repented and has been sufficiently punished. (NAC-2Cor) Ray Stedman introduces 2Co 2:5-11 - Clearly this is a case of some kind of judicial discipline going on within the congregation in Corinth. There is a great deal of doubt among scholars as to whom the person in question is: Traditionally this has been linked with that incident in First Corinthians, where a certain individual was living in a form of incest with his father's wife. Paul had written about that, rebuking them for not doing anything about it, and urging them to take action. Some scholars feel that this was the follow-up on that, that we are dealing now with the case of a man who had repented; and that Paul is urging that love and forgiveness be extended to him. But other Bible scholars feel that this is another incident, that this man is more likely involved in some kind of rebellion, leading a schism against the apostle's authority, perhaps, and that this had created trouble in the church. I doubt that this is the case of the incestuous man, because Paul had not only written First Corinthians about that and urged the church to act, but he himself had been there since then. (He had also written a very severe letter to them about matters in the church, so it seems unlikely to me that this matter was hanging fire all that time.) I personally feel, too, that this is a reference to some other situation in the church. But, whatever, that is not important. The point is that some form of discipline had been exercised; and now Paul is urging that, since the man had repented, it is time for a change of attitude toward him. So this is a very helpful study on what a church ought to do when someone responds to discipline. (When Discipline Ends)
2 Coríntios 2
McGee - In that triumphal entry were those who were going to be set free and those who were going to be executed—but all of them were in the triumphal entry. Paul is overwhelmed by this—“who is sufficient for these things?” My friend, the greatest privilege in the world is to give out the Word of God. There is nothing like it. I would never want to run for the presidency of the United States. It is difficult to understand why anyone would want to be president in this day of unsolvable problems. But it is glorious to give out the Word of God! Do you know why? Because He always causes us to triumph! While I was a pastor in Los Angeles, we very seldom had a Sunday when someone didn’t turn to Christ, and many times there were a great many folk. When the gospel is preached and the multitudes accept Christ, that is wonderful. We can see the triumph there. We are a “savour of life” unto those who are saved. But now wait a minute—what about the crowd which rejects Christ? We are a “savour of death” to them. I often say to the congregation after I have preached a message, “If you go out of here after rejecting Christ, I am probably the worst enemy you will ever have, because now you cannot go into the presence of God and say that you never heard the gospel.” However, all people are now in the triumphal entry. Many will not be set free; they will be judged. But regardless of our destiny, we are in the great triumphal entry of Jesus Christ because He is going to win, my friend! Every knee must bow to him, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Every individual will have to bow to Him someday—regardless of whether He is the person’s Savior or Judge. No wonder Paul exclaims, “Who is sufficient for these things?” “To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.” Today the incense is ascending; the Word is going out. And we are a savor of life to some and a savor of death to others. This is the entire plan of the Christian ministry. We are not to corrupt the Word of God or distort it or make merchandise of it, but to give it out in sincerity as the Spirit of God reveals its truth to us. (2 Corinthians 2 Commentary) Fragrance ( 2175) euodia from euodes = sweet–smelling; which is from eú = well, good + ózo = smell) is literally a "good smell" and thus a sweet smell or a sweet savor, a good fragrance. Metaphorically (as in this verse speaking of Christ's sacrifice - in fact all NT uses are metaphorical) it refers to persons or things (gift from the Philippians Php 4:18) well–pleasing to God. Note that euodia is regularly used in descriptions of sacrifice in the Septuagint and in all the following uses is translated in the NAS as "soothing aroma" - Ge. 8:21; Ex. 29:18; Lev. 1:9, 13, 17; Nu. 15:3, et al. Being saved (4982) sozo has the basic meaning of rescuing one from great peril. Additional nuances include to protect, keep alive, preserve life, deliver, heal, be made whole. Sozo is sometimes used of physical deliverance from danger of perishing (see Mt 8:25; Mt 14:30; Lk 23:35; Acts 27:20, 27:31), physical healing from sickness (Mt 9:21, 22; Mk 5:23, Acts 4:9), and deliverance from demonic possession (Lk 8:36). More often sozo refers to salvation in a spiritual sense to rescue or preserve from eternal death, from judgment, sin, bring salvation, bring to salvation (active sense = Mt 18:11; Lk 7:50; Jn 12:47; Ro 11:14; 1 Cor 1:21; 7:16; Titus 3:5; Heb 7:25; Jas 4:12; 5:20; 1 Pet 3:21 or passive sense = be rescued or saved, attain salvation = Mt 24:13; Mk 10:26; Lk 13:23; 18:26; Jn 3:17; Jn 5:34; Acts 11:14; 15:1, 11; Ro 8:24; 11:26; 1 Cor. 3:15; 5:5; Eph 2:5, 8; 1 Ti 2:4). Jesus' very Name speaks of His primary purpose to save men from their sin - "She (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save (sozo) His people from their sins." (Mt 1:21+) In Mt 1:21 sozo is equated with deliverance from sins (guilt and power of) with Jesus' Name being a transliteration of Joshua meaning "Jehovah is salvation". Sozo in Corinthians letters - 1 Co 1:18; 1 Co. 1:21; 1 Co. 3:15; 1 Co. 5:5; 1 Co. 7:16; 1 Co. 9:22; 1 Co. 10:33; 1 Co. 15:2; 2 Co. 2:15; Perishing (622) apollumi from apo = away from or wholly + olethros = state of utter ruin <> ollumi = to destroy <> root of apollyon [Re 9:11] = destroyer) means to destroy utterly but not to cause one to cease to exist. Apollumi as it relates to men, is not the loss of being per se, but is more the loss of well-being. It means to ruin so that the person (or thing) ruined can no longer serve the use for which he (it) was designed. To render useless. The gospel promises everlasting life for the one who believes. The failure to possess this life will result in utter ruin and eternal uselessness (but not a cessation of existence). Apollumi then has the basic meaning of describing that which is ruined and is no longer usable for its intended purpose. Apollumi in Corinthian letters - 1 Co. 1:18; 1 Co. 1:19; 1 Co. 8:11; 1 Co. 10:9; 1 Co. 10:10; 1 Co. 15:18; 2 Co. 2:15; 2 Co. 4:3; 2 Co. 4:9 Related Resource: Eternal Punishment TRUE ILLUSTRATION OF AN AROMA OF CHRIST - ADONIRAM JUDSON (SHORT BIOGRAPHY) - was "The sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him (Jesus) in every place." (2Cor 2:14) Many years ago when the great missionary Adoniram Judson was home on furlough, he passed through the city of Stonington, Connecticut. A young boy playing about the wharves at the time of Judson’s arrival was struck by the man’s appearance. Never before had he seen such a light on any human face. He ran up the street to a minister to ask if he knew who the stranger was. The minister hurried back with him, but became so absorbed in conversation with Judson that he forgot all about the impatient youngster standing near him. Many years afterward that boy—who could never get away from the influence of that wonderful face—became the famous preacher Henry Clay Trumbull (Read The life story of Henry Clay Trumbull, missionary, army chaplain, editor, author - 1905) (See also his fascinating book The Blood Covenant). In a book of memoirs he penned a chapter entitled: "What a Boy Saw in the Face of Adoniram Judson." That lighted countenance had changed his life. Even as flowers thrive when they bend to the light, so shining, radiant faces come to those who constantly turn toward Christ! (Read the original story in context of H C Trumbull's life story) A Pleasing Aroma We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Corinthians 2:12–17 A perfumer who works in New York declares that she can recognize certain combinations of scents and guess the perfumer behind a fragrance. With just a sniff she can say, “This is Jenny’s work.” When writing to the followers of Christ in the city of Corinth, Paul at one point used an example that would have reminded them of a victorious Roman army in a conquered city burning incense (2 Cor. 2:14). The general would come through first, followed by his troops and then the defeated army. For the Romans, the aroma of the incense meant victory; for the prisoners, it meant death. Paul said we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ’s victory over sin. God has given us the fragrance of Christ Himself so we can become a sweet-smelling sacrifice of praise. But how can we live so we spread this pleasing fragrance to others? We can show generosity and love, and we can share the gospel with others so they can find the way to salvation. We can allow the Spirit to display through us His gifts of love, joy, and kindness (Gal. 5:22–23). Do others recognize the work of God in my life? Am I spreading the fragrance of Christ? How? A godly life is a fragrance that draws others to Christ. A Fragrance and a Letter We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:15 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Corinthians 2:14–3:3 Every time I get close to a rosebush or a bouquet of flowers, I’m unable to resist the temptation to pull a flower toward my nose to savor the fragrance. The sweet aroma lifts up my heart and triggers good feelings within me. Writing to the Christians in Corinth centuries ago, the apostle Paul says that because we belong to Christ, God “uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere” (2 Cor. 2:14). Through His strength we can live a victorious life, exchanging our selfishness for His love and kindness and proclaiming the goodness of His salvation. When we do this, we are indeed a sweet fragrance to God. Paul then switches to a second image, describing Christians as a “letter from Christ” (3:3). The letter of our lives is not written with ordinary ink, but by the Spirit of God. God changes us by writing His Word on our hearts for others to read. Lord, let Your splendor fill my life, that I may draw people to You. Help me walk in the way that spreads the fragrance of Your love to others. Our actions speak louder than our words. 2 COR. 2:15. We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ When we are told that we may be to God a sweet savor of Christ, it must be meant that we may so live as to recall to the mind of God what Jesus was in His earthly career. It is as though, as God watches us from day to day, He should see Jesus in us, and be reminded (speaking after the manner of men) of that blessed life which was offered as an offering, and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. What a test for daily living! Is my life fragrant of Jesus? Do I remind the Father of the blessed Lord? Does He detect Jesus in my walk and speech? and that there are in me the sweet savor of that daily burnt-offering, that delight in God’s will, that holy joy in suffering for His glory, that absorption in His purposes which made the life of the Son of Man so well-pleasing to God? F. B. MEYER. They Smelled Like Christ For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved. 2 Corinthians 2:15 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Corinthians 2:14–17 Hot and dusty, Bob dismounted from the bus he had ridden to a city far from home. He was tired from a long day of travel and grateful that he would be able to have dinner with friends of friends who lived in the area. They welcomed him in, and he immediately felt a sense of peace. He felt at home, comfortable, safe, and valued. Later, wondering why he had felt such peace in an unfamiliar place, Bob found an answer in 2 Corinthians. The apostle Paul describes people who follow God as having the “pleasing aroma of Christ.” “That’s exactly it!” Bob said to himself. His hosts had “smelled like” Christ. When Paul says that God leads His people in Christ’s “triumphal procession” spreading the fragrance of His truth, he’s referring to a practice in the ancient world. Victorious armies would burn incense as they marched through the streets. For their supporters, the smell brought joy. In the same way, Paul says the people of God carry a pleasing fragrance to those who believe. It isn’t something we create on our own but something God gives as He leads us in spreading the knowledge of Him. Heavenly Father, thank You for leading Your people in triumph and spreading the fragrance of Your truth through us. Who smells like Christ to you? The Sweet Aroma of Christ We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15 Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Corinthians 2:14–17 I knew a rancher who lived near Lometa, Texas. His two grandsons were my best friends. We would go into town with him and follow him around while he shopped and chatted with the folks he knew. He knew them all by name and he knew their stories. He’d stop here and there and ask about a sick child or a difficult marriage, and he’d offer a word of encouragement or two. He would share Scripture and pray if it seemed the right thing to do. I’ll never forget the man. He was something special. He didn’t force his faith on anyone, but he always seemed to leave it behind. The elderly rancher had about him what Paul would call the sweet “aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). God used him to “spread the aroma of the knowledge of [Christ]” (v. 14). He’s gone to be with God now, but his fragrance lingers on in Lometa. What do you think about the statement, “There are no neutral contacts”? What difference could it make in the way you view every contact and conversation throughout the day? Fill me, Holy Spirit, with love, gentleness, and kindness toward others. Read Compassion: Learning to Love Like Jesus at DiscoverySeries.org/Q0208. The Scent Of Flowers We are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved. —2 Corinthians 2:15 Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 I was visiting a cattle ranch outside of Memphis. As my friend and I walked to the barn, he took a deep breath and commented, “Doesn’t it smell great? I love coming out here. The sights and smells are wonderful!” I didn’t think so. Having grown up in the city, I told him I thought it smelled like something had died. He laughed. What had the odor of life to him smelled like death to me. This reminds me of what the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians about how people respond to the gospel of Christ. As we, His followers, journey through life, we proclaim the good news about Christ by our holiness and testimony. And our message is received in one of two ways. To those who hear and believe, the story of Christ is a sweet, welcome aroma (2 Cor. 2:15-16). But to those who reject Him, it has the repulsive odor of death. The gospel forces them to face the thought of death and eternity, which terrifies them. I want to be a fruitful Christian, Winning precious souls for Thee, Telling them of how my Savior Gave His life to set them free. —Ozbun Do others sense the fragrance of Christ when they're with you? 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? KJV 2 Corinthians 2:16 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? NET 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? BGT 2 Corinthians 2:16 οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός; NLT 2 Corinthians 2:16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? ESV 2 Corinthians 2:16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? NIV 2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? GNT 2 Corinthians 2:16 οἷς μὲν ὀσμὴ ἐκ θανάτου εἰς θάνατον, οἷς δὲ ὀσμὴ ἐκ ζωῆς εἰς ζωήν. καὶ πρὸς ταῦτα τίς ἱκανός; YLT 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life; and for these things who is sufficient? ASV 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? CSB 2 Corinthians 2:16 To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. And who is competent for this? MIT 2 Corinthians 2:16 On the one hand, to those perishing it has a morbid odor, a premonition of death. On the other hand, to those experiencing life it has a vital aroma. Who can handle these responsibilities? NKJ 2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? NRS 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? NAB 2 Corinthians 2:16 to the latter an odor of death that leads to death, to the former an odor of life that leads to life. Who is qualified for this? NJB 2 Corinthians 2:16 for these last, the smell of death leading to death, but for the first, the smell of life leading to life. Who is equal to such a task? GWN 2 Corinthians 2:16 To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a life-giving fragrance. Who is qualified to tell about Christ? BBE 2 Corinthians 2:16 To the one it is a perfume of death to death; to the other a perfume of life to life. And who is enough for such things? aroma from death to death: Lu 2:34 Joh 9:39 Ac 13:45-47 20:26,27 1Pe 2:7,8 who: 2Co 3:5,6 12:11 1Co 15:10 2 Corinthians 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 3:19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. John 9:39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind.” John 15:22 “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. BELIEVERS ARE AN AROMA OF DEATH OR LIFE To the one an aroma (osme) from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life - The same aroma (the same Gospel of Jesus Christ) is wafted to all, but the effect depends on the heart of the "smeller"! It is like a poisonous gas to some, but the oxygen of life to others. In the Roman Triumphal Procession after the parade was finished, the captives would normally be executed; hence, the fragrance would signify victory for the conquerors, but impending death for the conquered Homer Kent -The previous statement is further explained by this verse. To unbelievers the preachers who announced the gospel were proclaiming a message of eternal doom which would eventually be experienced in the unbeliever's destruction ("out of death unto death"). To those who responded in faith, the gospel preacher had brought a message which comes from Christ the Source of true life and produces life eternal ("out of life unto life"). (Ref) Robertson on death unto death (ek thanatou eis thanaton]) - From one evil condition to another. Some people are actually hardened by preaching. Broomall - The transition from spiritual death (cf. Eph 2:1) to eternal death ( Cf. Rev 2:11; 20:14; 21:8) is probably indicated by from death unto death (ASV). (2 Corinthians 2) The bouquet of flowers that reminds some people of a pleasant spring garden reminds others of a funeral home. The message of salvation through Christ is the smell of death to those who do not accept Him. And who is adequate for these things? - Who is adequate to be an aroma of life or death to other human beings? Answer? No one but God and His Holy Spirit working in concert the Holy Word proclaimed!