2 Corinthians 2 1

2 Corinthians 2:1 kjv

But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

2 Corinthians 2:1 nkjv

But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.

2 Corinthians 2:1 niv

So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.

2 Corinthians 2:1 esv

For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.

2 Corinthians 2:1 nlt

So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.

2 Corinthians 2 verses

2 Corinthians 2 1 Meaning

The Apostle Paul states his personal resolve not to make his next visit to the Corinthian church a sorrowful one for both himself and for them. This decision, born of deep pastoral concern, guided his previous actions and his choice to postpone an immediate visit. His aim was to allow time and space for their repentance, ensuring that when he did arrive, it would be a reunion marked by mutual joy and comfort rather than distress, discipline, and confrontation over unresolved sin.

2 Corinthians 2 1 Context

This verse is positioned strategically at the beginning of 2 Corinthians chapter 2, directly following Paul’s defense of his character and explanation of his changed travel plans in chapter 1. In 2 Corinthians 1:15-23, Paul was accused of being fickle or untrustworthy because he altered his proposed visit to Corinth. He strongly denies this, asserting that his actions were always guided by the sincerity and truthfulness of Christ, not worldly changeability. Here, in 2:1, he unveils the deeper, pastoral reason for his change of plans: he chose not to come immediately, "to spare them" (1:23) further sorrow. This reveals his genuine love and desire for their spiritual well-being over strict adherence to a pre-announced itinerary. The broader context of 2 Corinthians is Paul's complex relationship with the Corinthian church, marked by accusations against his apostleship, the need to address various moral and theological issues, and his intense desire to see them restored in faith and purity. His earlier, likely painful letter (referred to in 2 Cor 7:8) had caused them grief, but also repentance, leading Paul to explain his deliberate avoidance of another visit that would necessitate severe discipline.

2 Corinthians 2 1 Word analysis

• But (Δέ - De): A conjunctive particle, signaling a transition or a mild contrast. Here, it introduces Paul's rationale for his earlier decision not to visit immediately, connecting it to his previous statement about sparing them. It points to a new line of reasoning for his actions.
• I (Ἐγὼ - Egō): An emphatic personal pronoun, highlighting that this was Paul's own, deliberate, and deeply personal determination. It emphasizes his apostleship, authority, and inner conviction.
• determined (ἔκρινα - ekrina): From krinō, meaning to judge, decide, or resolve after careful consideration. This is not a casual thought but a firm, intentional decision that was weighed carefully in his mind, suggesting spiritual discernment and purposefulness.
• this (τοῦτο - touto): Points directly to the following phrase, referring to the specific resolve he made regarding his next visit.
• with myself (ἐμαυτῷ - emautō): A reflexive dative pronoun. It signifies an internal, personal conviction, a decision made within his own heart and mind, reflecting his personal burden and prayerful thought process, not a decision coerced by others or by convenience.
• that (τὸ - to): The article used here acts as a substantive, effectively introducing the content of his decision, often functioning like "the result that."
• I would not come again (μὴ πάλιν ἐλθεῖν - mē palin elthein):
  • μὴ (mē): The negative particle indicating purpose or a desired outcome, signifying Paul's deliberate choice not to perform a certain action.
  • πάλιν (palin): "Again," indicating that a previous visit had already occurred. This suggests a history of Paul's presence in Corinth.
  • ἐλθεῖν (elthein): An infinitive of erchomai, "to come," indicating the act of visiting. Paul is describing his deliberate choice not to make another visit under certain conditions.
• to you (πρὸς ὑμᾶς - pros hymas): A clear and direct address to the Corinthian church members, affirming their special relationship and his pastoral responsibility over them.
• in sorrow (ἐν λύπῃ - en lypē):
  • ἐν (en): The preposition "in," indicating the state, condition, or manner of his coming.
  • λύπῃ (lypē): From lypē, meaning sorrow, grief, pain, distress. This signifies the painful nature of what the visit would entail: possibly the sorrow of having to administer stern discipline due to their unrepentant sin, and the mutual sorrow resulting from such a confrontation.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "But I determined this with myself": This phrase emphasizes Paul’s deep, internal reflection and prayerful consideration. It reveals a highly intentional, rather than arbitrary or flighty, decision-making process. As an apostle, he exercised a weighty authority and made choices based on divine leading and spiritual wisdom for the good of the church. This underscores his integrity and challenges accusations of fickleness.
• "that I would not come again to you in sorrow": This declaration illuminates Paul's core pastoral heart. It's not a withdrawal of presence but a strategic postponement, aiming to shift the spiritual climate from one necessitating sorrowful discipline to one enabling joyful reconciliation. The "sorrow" implies a state where either Paul would grieve over their unaddressed sin, or they would grieve from receiving severe rebuke, or both would experience pain. Paul desired to spare both himself and them this mutual distress, allowing time for repentance and healing. This also implies that previous interactions (a visit or a severe letter) had indeed involved great pain for all parties.

2 Corinthians 2 1 Bonus section

• The phrase "come again" implies a painful previous visit or communication (such as the "painful letter" mentioned later in 2 Cor 7:8) which necessitated a severe tone from Paul due to unresolved issues or unrepentant sin within the Corinthian church. His resolve in this verse demonstrates his deliberate intention for the next visit to be different.
• Paul's decision reflects a strategic understanding of timing in pastoral care. He prioritized the long-term spiritual health and restoration of the community over immediate confrontation, believing that a period of reflection and repentance was essential before he could revisit in a spirit of joy and communion.
• This verse illustrates the delicate interplay between apostolic authority and pastoral tenderness. Paul, as an apostle, had the authority to visit and correct sternly, but as a shepherd, he chose a path designed to lead them to a place where he could return in joy rather than grief. This displays God's character: firmness against sin, yet compassion desiring repentance.

2 Corinthians 2 1 Commentary

2 Corinthians 2:1 captures Paul's profound pastoral heart and strategic wisdom in dealing with a struggling church. His "determination" was not a fleeting impulse but a considered decision to avoid another painful visit, underscoring his genuine love for the Corinthians despite their challenges to his authority and ongoing moral issues. This decision flowed directly from his statement in 1:23, where he withheld a physical visit to spare them. The "sorrow" he sought to avoid was a mutual one—his grief over their unrepentant sin and their grief from receiving stern apostolic discipline. Paul recognized that repeated confrontation without genuine repentance would be counterproductive, perhaps hardening their hearts rather than bringing them to Christ-like change. Therefore, he chose to allow space for the repentance that his "painful letter" had initiated (2 Cor 7:8-10). His preference for a joyful reunion over a sorrowful one highlights a crucial principle of ministry: the goal of confrontation is always restoration, not condemnation. It speaks to the difficult balance between upholding divine standards and demonstrating Christ-like patience and love.