2 Corinthians 2:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord,

NIV: Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,

NASB: Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord,

CSB: When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door for me,

NLT: When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.

KJV: Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

NKJV: Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

Paul has been explaining why he delayed his return to Corinth beyond the time he had apparently planned. In short, his previous visit ended awkwardly, and he sent a painful letter to the church to correct the sinfulness of an influential man among them. Paul could not know whether this would result in the Corinthian church siding with the man and turning against him and God. Or, if they would obey and make things right.

Paul sent his co-worker Titus with the agonizing letter to Corinth and eagerly waited for his return with some indication about the Corinthians' response. The plan was to meet Titus in Troas before returning to Macedonia. Paul did not want to return to Corinth until he heard Titus' report.

Now Paul resumes his story, only to break it off again shortly. When he arrived in Troas to preach the gospel, Paul found an open door from the Lord. In other words, some people were ready to hear about Christ. Paul, though, did not stay and minister to them, after all.

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.

Accessed 4/29/2024 9:06:01 AM