2 Corinthians 2:1
So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
So I made up my mind
The phrase "made up my mind" reflects a deliberate and conscious decision by the Apostle Paul. The Greek word used here is "krinō," which means to judge, decide, or determine. This indicates that Paul is exercising discernment and wisdom, weighing the consequences of his actions. In the context of Christian leadership, this highlights the importance of making decisions that are not impulsive but are guided by prayer and the Holy Spirit. Paul’s decision-making process serves as a model for believers, emphasizing the need for thoughtful consideration in our interactions with others.

that I would not make
The phrase "that I would not make" underscores Paul's intention to avoid a particular course of action. The Greek word "poieō" is used here, which means to do, make, or cause. This reflects Paul's proactive approach in managing his relationship with the Corinthian church. It is a reminder that sometimes, choosing not to act can be as significant as taking action. In the Christian life, discernment often involves knowing when to refrain from certain actions to promote peace and healing within the body of Christ.

another painful visit
The term "another painful visit" refers to a previous visit by Paul to the Corinthian church that was marked by distress and confrontation. The Greek word for "painful" is "lupē," which conveys sorrow, grief, or distress. This highlights the emotional and relational challenges that can arise within church communities. Paul’s decision to avoid another painful encounter demonstrates his pastoral sensitivity and desire to foster reconciliation and unity. It serves as a reminder that Christian leaders must sometimes make difficult choices to protect the well-being of their congregations.

to you
The phrase "to you" personalizes Paul's message, addressing the Corinthian believers directly. This reflects the relational nature of Paul's ministry and his deep concern for the spiritual health of the church. The use of "you" emphasizes the communal aspect of the Christian faith, where individual actions and decisions impact the broader community. It reminds believers of the importance of maintaining healthy relationships within the church and the responsibility to act in love and consideration for one another.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Corinthians. He is addressing the church in Corinth with a pastoral heart, seeking to guide them in truth and love.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges. The church in Corinth faced various issues, including divisions and immorality.

3. The Painful Visit
Refers to a previous visit by Paul to the Corinthian church that was marked by conflict and sorrow, likely due to disciplinary issues within the church.
Teaching Points
The Heart of a Shepherd
Paul demonstrates the heart of a true shepherd, prioritizing the spiritual well-being of the church over his own comfort. Leaders today should emulate this selfless concern for their congregations.

The Role of Discipline
Discipline, though painful, is sometimes necessary for growth and repentance. It should always be administered with love and the goal of restoration, not punishment.

Wisdom in Timing
Paul shows wisdom in choosing the right time to address issues. Believers should seek God's guidance in knowing when to confront and when to wait.

The Power of Repentance
The ultimate goal of addressing sin is repentance and reconciliation. This reflects God's desire for His people to be restored to Him and to one another.

Balancing Truth and Love
Paul balances truth with love, showing that both are essential in Christian relationships. Believers are called to speak the truth in love, fostering unity and growth.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Paul's decision to delay his visit to Corinth about handling conflict in our own lives?

2. How does Paul's approach to the Corinthian church reflect the character of Christ, and how can we apply this in our interactions with others?

3. In what ways can church leaders today balance discipline and love when addressing issues within their congregations?

4. How does understanding the cultural and historical context of Corinth enhance our interpretation of Paul's letters to the Corinthians?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to confront someone or be confronted. How did the principles of truth and love play a role in that situation, and what was the outcome?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 4:21
Paul contrasts coming with a rod of discipline versus in love and a spirit of gentleness, highlighting his pastoral approach.

2 Corinthians 7:8-9
Paul reflects on the sorrow caused by his previous letter, which led to repentance, showing the purpose behind his actions.

Acts 18:1-11
Provides background on Paul's initial ministry in Corinth, establishing the church and his relationship with the believers there.
The Sorrow of Faithful LoveR. Tuck 2 Corinthians 2:1-4
Further Explanations and Directions Touching Matters Lust DiscussedC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 2:1-11
People
Corinthians, Paul, Titus
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Macedonia, Troas
Topics
Concerned, Decided, Decision, Determined, Grief, Heaviness, Judged, Mind, Myself, Painful, Resolved, Sake, Sorrow, Visit
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 2:1

     5976   visiting

2 Corinthians 2:1-5

     5436   pain

Library
The Triumphal Procession
'Thanks be unto God, which always leadeth us in triumph in Christ and maketh manifest through us the savour of His knowledge in every place.'--2 COR. ii. 14 (R.V.) I suppose most of us have some knowledge of what a Roman Triumph was, and can picture to ourselves the long procession, the victorious general in his chariot with its white horses, the laurelled soldiers, the sullen captives, with suppressed hate flashing in their sunken eyes, the wreathing clouds of incense that went up into the blue
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Two Effects of the Gospel
And, my brethren, how sweet is that consolation which Paul applied to his own heart amid all his troubles. "Notwithstanding all," he says, "God makes known the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." Ah! with this thought a minister may lay his head upon his pillow: "God makes manifest the savour of his knowledge." With this he may shut his eyes when his career is over, and with this he may open them in heaven: "God hath made known by me the savour of his knowledge in every place," Then follow
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Since These Things are So, Because it were Too Long to Treat Thoroughly Of...
35. Since these things are so, because it were too long to treat thoroughly of all that in that "Pound" [2458] of Dictinius are set down as precedents of lying, meet to be imitated, it seemeth to me that this is the rule to which not only these, but whatever such there be, must be reduced. Namely, either what is believed to be a lie must be shown not to be such; whether it be where a truth is left untold, and yet no falsehood told; or where a true signification willeth one thing to be understood
St. Augustine—Against Lying

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying," &c. The cunning of Satan, and the deceitfulness of our own hearts, are such that when a grosser temptation will not prevail with conscience in some measure enlightened, then they transform themselves into angels of light, and deal more subtilely with us. And there is no greater subtilty of Satan, nor no stronger self deceit, than this, to palliate and cover vices with the shadow of virtue, and to present corruptions under the similitude of graces.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

There Resulteth Then from all These this Sentence...
41. There resulteth then from all these this sentence, that a lie which doth not violate the doctrine of piety, nor piety itself, nor innocence, nor benevolence, may on behalf of pudicity of body be admitted. And yet if any man should propose to himself so to love truth, not only that which consists in contemplation, but also in uttering the true thing, which each in its own kind of things is true, and no otherwise to bring forth with the mouth of the body his thought than in the mind it is conceived
St. Augustine—On Lying

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
THE investigation of that important and extensive subject which includes what have been usually designated as The Evidences of Revelation,' has prescriptively occupied a considerable space in the field of theological literature, especially as cultivated in England. There is scarcely one, perhaps, of our more eminent divines who has not in a greater or less degree distinguished himself in this department, and scarcely an aspirant for theological distinction who has not thought it one of the surest
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils.
Let us now consider the matters which should be treated in the councils, and with which popes, cardinals, bishops, and all learned men should occupy themselves day and night, if they loved Christ and His Church. But if they do not do so, the people at large and the temporal powers must do so, without considering the thunders of their excommunications. For an unjust excommunication is better than ten just absolutions, and an unjust absolution is worse than ten just excommunications. Therefore let
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Epistle xxxv. To Leontius, Ex-Consul.
To Leontius, Ex-Consul. Gregory to Leontius, &c. Since in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some indeed to honour but some to dishonour (2 Tim. ii. 20), who can be ignorant that in the bosom of the Universal Church some as vessels of dishonour are deputed to the lowest uses, but others, as vessels of honour, are fitted for clean uses. And yet it commonly comes to pass that the citizens of Babylon serve in task-work for Jerusalem, while
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought,
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service.
In our examination of the nature and meaning of the Lord's Supper, we have found that it is indeed a most important and holy Sacrament. It is in fact the most sacred of all the ordinances of the Church on earth. There is nothing beyond it--nothing so heavenly, on this side heaven, as this Feast. Nowhere else does the believer approach so near to heaven as when he stands or kneels, as a communicant at this altar, the Holy of Holies in the Church of Christ. What a solemn act! To approach this altar,
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
Having already presented to your view the dark side of the text, I shall now show you the light side, They shall be comforted'. Where observe: 1 Mourning goes before comfort as the lancing of a wound precedes the cure. The Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for sin. He is like a foolish patient who, having a pill prescribed him, licks the sugar but throws away the pill. The libertine is all for joy and comfort. He licks the sugar but throws away the bitter pill of repentance. If
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards was Archdeacon of Langres
To a Youth Named Fulk, Who Afterwards Was Archdeacon of Langres He gravely warns Fulk, a Canon Regular, whom an uncle had by persuasions and promises drawn back to the world, to obey God and be faithful to Him rather than to his uncle. To the honourable young man Fulk, Brother Bernard, a sinner, wishes such joy in youth as in old age he will not regret. 1. I do not wonder at your surprise; I should wonder if you were not suprised [sic] that I should write to you, a countryman to a citizen, a monk
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1]
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Things Pertaining to the Kingdom.
"Now is there solemn pause in earth and heaven; The Conqueror now His bonds hath riven, And Angels wonder why He stays below; Yet hath not man his lesson learned, How endless love should be returned." Hitherto our thoughts about "The Kingdom of Heaven" have been founded on the teaching of the King respecting His Kingdom recorded in the Gospels. But we must not forget to give attention to the very important time in the life of our Lord extending between His Resurrection and Ascension, during which
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Elucidations.
I. (Such as have lapsed, cap. vii. p. 660.) The penitential system of the Primitive days, referred to in our author, began to be changed when less public confessions were authorized, on account of the scandals which publicity generated. Changes were as follows: 1. A grave presbyter was appointed to receive and examine voluntary penitents as the Penitentiary of a diocese, and to suspend or reconcile them with due solemnities--circa a.d. 250. 2. This plan also became encumbered with difficulties and
Tertullian—On Repentance

Letter cxx. To Hedibia.
At the request of Hedibia, a lady of Gaul much interested in the study of scripture, Jerome deals with the following twelve questions. It will be noticed that several of them belong to the historical criticism of our own day. (1) How can anyone be perfect? and How ought a widow without children to live to God? (2) What is the meaning of Matt. xxvi. 29? (3) How are the discrepancies in the evangelical narratives to be accounted for? How can Matt. xxviii. 1 be reconciled with Mark xvi. 1, 2. (4) How
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

And for Your Fearlessness against them Hold this Sure Sign -- Whenever There Is...
43. And for your fearlessness against them hold this sure sign--whenever there is any apparition, be not prostrate with fear, but whatsoever it be, first boldly ask, Who art thou? And from whence comest thou? And if it should be a vision of holy ones they will assure you, and change your fear into joy. But if the vision should be from the devil, immediately it becomes feeble, beholding your firm purpose of mind. For merely to ask, Who art thou [1083] ? and whence comest thou? is a proof of coolness.
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

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