2 Corinthians 2
In Galatians 2, the apostle Paul addresses discussions in Jerusalem between believers of Gentile background and believers of Jewish background about the gospel. He emphasizes the truth of Paul’s apostolic authority, the essence of the gospel, and justification by faith. Paul receives confirmation that the gospel he proclaims is not different from that of the Jerusalem apostles through their meeting and the process that followed. He makes it clear that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works of the law.
1verseBut I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.
2verseFor if I make you grieve, then who will make me glad but he who is made to grieve by me?
3verseAnd I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be shared by all of you.
4verseFor out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made to grieve, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.
5verseBut if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.
6verseThis punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one;
7verseso that, on the contrary, you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.
8verseTherefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.
9verseFor to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
10verseNow I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11versethat no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
12verseNow when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,
13verseI had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.
14verseNow thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
15verseFor we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are being saved and in those who perish:
16verseto the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
17verseFor we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.
The Flow and Structure of the Passage
- Verses 1–10: Confirmation of the harmony of Paul’s visit to Jerusalem and the gospel - When Paul visited Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus, the apostles recognize the gospel he preached to the Gentiles. He confirms that he does not compel Gentiles to follow legal regulations, especially circumcision.
- Verses 11–14: Conflict with Peter - Paul rebukes Peter for withdrawing from eating with the Gentiles in Antioch when the Jewish people arrived. This shows that distinctions based on the law no longer have meaning within the gospel.
- Verses 15–21: Justification by faith - Paul declares that one is justified not by the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. The confession is emphasized that the old self has died in Christ, and that Christ now lives within us.
The Central Message and Its Meaning
This chapter emphasizes that outward regulations or traditions do not provide salvation. Paul presents evidence that the gospel he received is not different from that of the other apostles, and he once again emphasizes that only faith through Jesus Christ brings justification. This reveals the gospel’s inclusiveness and freedom in breaking down the barriers between Gentiles and Jews at the time.
Points for Reflection
- In your faith life, you may want to check whether you are not too attached to legal forms, and how you view the Lord’s grace and the essence of faith.
- In your relationships with others, you can also reflect on how you treat those who think differently from you, and how you put the gospel’s inclusiveness into practice in everyday life.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let’s think about whether you fully trust that you are made righteous before God by faith alone, and whether you are still relying more on outward actions.
- It is a time to examine how you enjoy the freedom and joy of the gospel in life, and to consider concrete ways you can practice true unity with members of your faith community who think differently from you.
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