2 Corinthians 2:1-6
 
2 Cor 2:1 (KJB)
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
 
I determined - Judged, decided, or resolved
Heaviness - Sadness, sorrow, or affliction
 
Paul had made a determined decision that he was not going to visit the Corinthians in a spirit of heaviness because the Corinthians were a source of Paul’s joy. He did not want to cause them pain, he would much rather come to them in a spirit of help rather than one who is an overseer. Paul had much concern for the Corinthians and he wanted to be an encouragement to them rather than someone coming with the rod. He didn’t want new Christians to be under the impression that Christianity was nothing more than a religion of do’s and don’ts. He wanted them to know that Christianity was a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and a joy creating one at that.
 
2 Cor 2:2 (KJB)
For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
 
Sorry - Grieve, causing pain for someone, or sad
Glad - Be Merry, be glad, or make happy
 
Paul was so connected to the Corinthians that if he made them sad, then he would also be sad. If he made them sorrow, then there would be no one there to make Paul happy because they would all be grieving. He is also alluding to the man who had been chided by Paul for having his father’s wife in 1 Corinthians 5. That man most likely was made sorrowful for his actions and now Paul is also stating that if I made him sad, then how could he make me glad. Basically, Paul was stating that if the man had repented, there was no need for more sorrow on his part.
 
2 Cor 2:3 (KJB)
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.
 
In the first letter to the Corinthians when Paul had instructed the church to discipline the man who was sinning, there was a reluctance upon their part to do so. He had hoped his letter would have awakened them to do their Christian duty, knowing that a little sin can infect the entire church and set the stage for others to sin. If Paul would have come to Corinth at that time, he would have been much sorrowed to find people who were sinning and not repenting of their sin. Yet, Paul was confident that his sorrow would be theirs over sinning and his joy would be theirs over the repentance from these sins. He had hoped that the letter would have helped change the attitudes some held toward sinning. Corinth was a very sinful city and those saved had a hard time rejecting the old life and Paul needed to remind them that they must reject the sinful lifestyles of the unsaved life.
 
2 Cor 2:4 (KJB)
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.
 
Affliction - Tribulation
Anguish - Distress
More abundantly - More or far greater
 
Here Paul shows his true feelings concerning the type of letter he had to write unto them. It really grieved him to have to write this second letter to them. His intent was not to make them grieve and be filled with sorrow, he did it out of the abundant love he had for them. Those who knew Paul personally would have confirmed this true attitude. Paul’s true concern for writing this letter was to change their minds concerning sin and the hopes to see a repentance from the sins which held some captive. Paul’s love for them was not a surface love but one of deepness with understanding and purpose. He wanted them to repent of these sins so their joy could be made full and that they would know the full scope of their salvation. That is, the inner joy which true salvation produces.
 
2 Cor 2:5 (KJB)
But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
 
Overcharge - Burden or heaviness
 
Paul is being very gentle with this matter in not naming the individual who was in question for committing the sin which was being dealt with by the church. This man’s sin contributed to the grief Paul felt about this church. He was not trying to aggravate the situation by laying any more burdens on them than they already had. The whole situation that had started at Corinth was what made Paul grieve. Not only the sin of this man but the fact that Paul was being accused of improprieties.
 
2 Cor 2:6 (KJB)
Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
 
Sufficient - Adequate or enough
Punishment - Penalty or rebuke
 
Here Paul is trying to bring an end to the punishment of the man who had repented of his sin. From the wording in this passage, it seems that either the entire church was not behind his rebuking or some in the church had believed that the punishment he suffered was not equal to his sin. Paul is stating that it is sufficient. In church discipline, there must be a limit upon it or else the person being disciplined may just leave because they see they will never have true forgiveness. Once a person repents of a sin, we must be able to trust them that the Lord has worked in their life to bring about this repentance. If they are faking it, it will become evident after a short while.

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