2 Corinthians 2:1 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, the apostle explains why he did not come to Corinth when people expected him. He was unwilling to bring them sorrow, or to be made sorrowful by them, (2 Corinthians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 2:2). He had decided not to visit them in a sad and painful way. If he had come and found sin in the church that had not been properly dealt with, it would have caused grief for both him and them. Their joy or sorrow at meeting would have gone together.

If he had made them sorry, that would have made him sorry too, because there would have been no one there to give him joy. What he wanted was a cheerful meeting, not one spoiled by conflict or an unhappy dispute. He wanted their reunion to be marked by peace and mutual comfort, not by the pain of correction left unresolved.

He says the same purpose was behind his earlier letter, (2 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 2:4). He wrote so that he would not receive sorrow from the very people from whom he expected joy. He wrote with confidence that they would do what was needed, for their own good and for his comfort. The immediate matter, as the next verses show, was the case of the man guilty of incest, whom he had addressed in the first letter, chapter 5.

The apostle was not disappointed. He also wants them to know that he did not write to hurt them, but to show his love for them. He wrote with much distress and anguish in his own heart, and with deep affection for them. He even wrote with tears, so they would understand how much he loved them.

Even when faithful ministers correct, warn, or discipline people, they are still showing love. Needed rebukes and church discipline are painful to tender-hearted ministers, and they carry them out with sorrow, not harshness.