2 Corinthians 2:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.

NIV: I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

NASB: I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but saying goodbye to them, I went on to Macedonia.

CSB: I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.

NLT: But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.

KJV: I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

NKJV: I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

Paul has resumed his story to the Corinthians about why he delayed his return to them. In short, he wanted to hear about their response to his prior challenge. Would they side with him, or the man who was sinfully standing against his authority in the Lord? Paul sent Titus with an anguished letter, expecting to meet Titus in the town of Troas to learn the Corinthians' response.

Arriving in Troas, Paul found an open door to the gospel. Some people were ready to hear about Jesus and respond. Paul did not find Titus, however. His co-worker in ministry was missing, causing Paul to feel restless in his spirit. Were things going badly in Corinth? Was Titus hurt?

Unable to concentrate on the ministry, Paul left to return to Macedonia. He would return to Troas later, however, and God would use him in a powerful way there (Acts 20:5–11). Still, this was highly unusual for Paul, who often refused to leave a place where people were receptive to the gospel even at the risk of his own life. He must have been deeply disturbed, and heavily convicted by the Holy Spirit, to leave behind the opportunity for new converts in Troas.

Second Corinthians 2:12–17 briefly continues Paul's story of deciding not to come to Corinth until learning whether they were ready. He hoped to learn of their response in Troas, but his co-worker Titus did not show up with the news. Feeling unrestful in his spirit, Paul left. He then transitions into powerfully describing Christians as the aroma of Christ on earth: evoking death to those perishing and life to those being saved. Paul insists that he and his co-workers are sent by God.

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.