2 Corinthians 2:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

NIV: in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

NASB: so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

CSB: so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

NLT: so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

KJV: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

NKJV: lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Satan is a liar and a schemer, and he has designs for tripping up Christians. Paul has insisted in the previous verse that he is ready and willing to forgive the man who has sinned against him, along with anyone else he needs to, in order to keep them all from being outwitted by Satan. For this reason, the Corinthians must also forgive the man.

Satan cannot steal the souls of true believers in Jesus away from God. In the previous chapter, Paul wrote that God places the seal of the Holy Spirit on every believer, guaranteeing our future with him (2 Corinthians 1:22). Jesus said of those He gives eternal life that nobody can snatch them out of His or His Father's hand (John 10:28–30). Christians are eternally secure from suffering the ultimate fate of Satan (Revelation 20:10).

However, Satan's attacks on believers can result in broken relationships, ineffective ministry, and wasted years on this side of eternity. One of his best strategies is unforgiveness and the longstanding bitterness that follows. That's why Paul always urges quick forgiveness of those who have sinned against us:

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26–27).

Likewise,

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31–32).

Second Corinthians 2:5–11 contains Paul's agreement that a sinful man's offense was serious. Now that this man has repented in sorrow, however, Paul tells the Corinthians to stop his punishment and to forgive, comfort, and affirm their love for him. Paul knows now that they remain obedient. Forgiveness among Christians is essential in order to not be outwitted by the designs of Satan.

Paul explains why he delayed coming to visit the Corinthians. In great anguish, he had written a painful letter to tell them they must correct a man among them. This person may have challenged Paul's authority as an apostle of Jesus. The Corinthians disciplined the man, and he repented. Paul told them to forgive him. He tells of Titus failing to show up in Troas with news about the Corinthians, then transitions into teaching that Christians are the aroma of Christ on earth to everyone they know.

Second Corinthians continues uninterrupted from the previous chapter. Paul is explaining why he waited to come to Corinth. He wanted to see if they would side with him, or with the man who challenged his authority. They disciplined the man. He repented. Paul commands restoration and forgiveness. He then tells of failing to find Titus in Troas with news about them before transitioning into teaching that Christians are the aroma of Christ on earth, smelling of death to the perishing and life to those being saved. This brings Paul back to the subject of his own authority in chapter 3.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.