Who could make Paul glad if he came to them and made them sorrowful? No one could. The Corinthians certainly could not since he would have made them sorrowful. Paul"s point was that if he came to them and made them sorrowful again he himself would be sorrowful since they were his source of joy. Consequently he decided to postpone his visit. Evidently if Paul had come to them as originally planned he would have had to rebuke or discipline them for some situation that existed in the church. Instead of doing this and producing sorrow he decided to wait and give them an opportunity to deal with the problem themselves. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
2 Corinthians 2:1-11 - Tender-Hearted And Forgiving
In these opening words Paul evidently refers to the sin mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. His judgment had been strong and stringent, the Corinthian church had acted upon it, and the offender had suffered severely in consequence. But the result had been more than satisfactory. He had repented with great brokenness of spirit. Indeed, it seemed as if he would be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow, 2 Corinthians 2:7.
The Apostle desires the Corinthians to understand that he also had shed many tears over the case, 2 Corinthians 2:4. His was a very affectionate and tender disposition, which shrank from inflicting pain, and yet was resolute at all costs to maintain truth. We get a sidelight here as to the heart of God. May we not believe that whenever He chastens us, it is with profound pity? Whom He loves He chastens; and whom He receives, He scourges. But when there is full and frank repentance, there should be forgiveness. The penitent offender was to be restored to church fellowship and received with brotherly welcome. The Savior Himself speaks through forgiveness. It is His love that moves, His voice that declares; while an unforgiving spirit sets an open door to the entrance of Satan. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 2
1Having shown the reason why he came not to them, 6he requires them to forgive and to comfort that excommunicated person, 10even as he himself upon true repentance had forgiven him; 12declaring why he departed from Troas to Macedonia, 14and the happy success which God gave to his preaching in all places
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 2:2
Who then? [και τισ] For this use of και kai see note on Mark 10:26; John 9:36. The και kai accepts the condition (first class ειλυπω ei̇̇lupō) and shows the paradox that follows. Λυπεω Lupeō is old word from λυπη lupē (sorrow) in causative sense, to make sorry. [source]
Maketh glad [ευπραινων] Present active participle of old word from ευ eu well, and πρην phrēn mind, to make joyful, causative idea like λυπεω lupeō f0). [source]
If I make, etc. [] I is emphatic, implying that there are enough others who caused them trouble. [source]
Who then is he, etc. [] The thought underlying the passage, 1:24-2:3, is that the apostle's own joy is bound up with the spiritual prosperity of the Church. Compare Philemon 4:1. As the helper of their joy he would receive joy through their faith and obedience. So long as their moral condition compelled him to come, bringing rebuke and pain, they could not be a source of joy to him. If I must needs make you sorry with merited rebuke, who can give me joy save you who are thus made sorry? [source]
What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 2:2 mean?
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 2:2
For this use of και kai see note on Mark 10:26; John 9:36. The και kai accepts the condition (first class ειλυπω ei̇̇lupō) and shows the paradox that follows. Λυπεω Lupeō is old word from λυπη lupē (sorrow) in causative sense, to make sorry. [source]
Present active participle of old word from ευ eu well, and πρην phrēn mind, to make joyful, causative idea like λυπεω lupeō f0). [source]
I is emphatic, implying that there are enough others who caused them trouble. [source]
The thought underlying the passage, 1:24-2:3, is that the apostle's own joy is bound up with the spiritual prosperity of the Church. Compare Philemon 4:1. As the helper of their joy he would receive joy through their faith and obedience. So long as their moral condition compelled him to come, bringing rebuke and pain, they could not be a source of joy to him. If I must needs make you sorry with merited rebuke, who can give me joy save you who are thus made sorry? [source]