2 Corinthians 2:3

2 Corinthians 2:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
• New International Version (NIV)I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all.

Context of 2 Corinthians 2:3

1I decided not to visit you again while I was distressed. 2After all, if I had made you uncomfortable, how could you have cheered me up when you were uncomfortable? This is the very reason I wrote to you. I didn’t want to visit you and be distressed by those who should make me happy. I’m confident about all of you that whatever makes me happy also makes you happy. 4I was deeply troubled and anguished. In fact, I had tears in my eyes when I wrote to you. I didn’t write to make you uncomfortable but to let you know how much I love you. 5If someone caused distress, I’m not the one really affected. To some extent—although I don’t want to emphasize this too much—it has affected all of you.

2 Corinthians 2:3 word by word

καὶ ἔγραψα τοῦτο αὐτό, ἵνα μὴ ἐλθὼν λύπην σχῶ ἀφ᾽ ὧν ἔδει με χαίρειν πεποιθὼς ἐπὶ πάντας ὑμᾶς ὅτι ἡ ἐμὴ χαρὰ πάντων ὑμῶν ἐστιν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• I wroteγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• sameαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• unto youσύsu · youG4771
• lestἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ·μήmē · notG3361
• when I cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• I should haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• sorrowλύπηlupē · griefG3077
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• them of whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• Iἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• oughtδεῖdei · be necessaryG1163
• to rejoiceχαίρωchairō · to rejoiceG5463
• having confidenceπείθωpeithō · to persuadeG3982
• inἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• myἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• joyχαράchara · joyG5479
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 2:3

• 1 Corinthians 4:21When I come to visit you, would you prefer that I punish you or show you love and a gentle spirit?
• 1 Corinthians 5:1Your own members are aware that there is sexual sin going on among them. This kind of sin is not even heard of among unbelievers—a man is actually married to his father’s wife.
• 2 Corinthians 12:21I’m afraid that when I come to you again, my God may humble me. I may have to grieve over many who formerly led sinful lives and have not changed the way they think and act about the perversion, sexual sins, and promiscuity in which they have been involved.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time that I’ll be visiting you. Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have become a fool. You forced me to be one. You should have recommended me to others. Even if I’m nothing, I wasn’t inferior in any way to your super-apostles.
• 2 Corinthians 1:15Confident of this, I had previously wanted to visit you so that you could benefit twice.
• 2 Corinthians 7:6Yet God, who comforts those who are dejected, comforted us when Titus arrived.
• 2 Corinthians 8:22We have also sent with them our Christian brother whom we have often tested in many ways and found to be a dedicated worker. We find that he is much more dedicated now than ever because he has so much confidence in you.
• Galatians 5:10The Lord gives me confidence that you will not disagree with this. However, the one who is confusing you will suffer God’s judgment regardless of who he is.
• Philemon 1:21I am confident as I write to you that you will do this. And I know that you will do even more than I ask.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3And I wrote this same unto you - This I particularly marked in my first epistle to you; earnestly desiring your reformation, lest, if I came before this had taken place, I must have come with a rod, and have inflicted punishment on the transgressors. See 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. My joy is the joy of you all - I know that ye wish my comfort as much as I wish yours.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And I wrote this same unto you - The words “this same” ( ͂ ̓̀ (touto auto) refer to what he had written to them in the former Epistle, particularly to what he had written in regard to the incestuous person, requiring them to excommunicate him. Probably the expression also includes the commands in his former Epistle to reform their conduct in general, and to put away the abuses and evil practices which prevailed in the church there. Lest when I came ……Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4After his painful visit (2:1), Paul wrote a letter with great anguish and many tears. It was meant for the Corinthians' benefit. That letter (see also 7:8–10) seems to have been lost. However, it effectively brought about the needed repentance and change.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. I wrote this same unto you--namely, that I would not come to you then (2Co 2:1), as, if I were to come then, it would have to be "in heaviness" (causing sorrow both to him and them, owing to their impenitent state). He refers to the first Epistle (compare 1Co 16:7; compare 1Co 4:19, 21; 5:2-7, 13). sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice--that is, sorrow from their impenitence, when he ought, on the contrary, to have joy from their penitent…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 2:3

• Church
• Joy
• Love

In the dictionaries

• Advantage
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Determine
• Sufficient
• Bible, the
• Church Government
• Confidence
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings