Which Bible translation is shown on 2 Corinthians 2?

This page reproduces the public-domain World English Bible Protestant edition.

How should I cite a verse in 2 Corinthians 2?

Use the book, chapter, and verse, and name the World English Bible when the wording matters.

2 Corinthians 2 (WEB) — Full Text

New Testament

2 Corinthians 2

1But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.

2For if I make you grieve, then who will make me glad but he who is made to grieve by me?

3And I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be shared by all of you.

4For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made to grieve, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.

5But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.

6This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one;

7so that, on the contrary, you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.

8Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.

9For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.

10Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

11that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

12Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,

13I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.

14Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.

15For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are being saved and in those who perish:

16to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

17For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

READ IN CONTEXT

Before applying this chapter

Paul defends cruciform ministry and explores weakness, reconciliation, generosity, and comfort. Read 2 Corinthians 2 within the complete 2 Corinthians overview, and use the contextual Bible reading guide before forming a personal application. Chapter divisions aid navigation, but the literary unit may begin earlier or continue into the next chapter.

Observe first

Mark repeated words, changes of speaker, commands, promises, contrasts, questions, and the relationship between paragraphs.

Apply responsibly

Distinguish description from command and immediate audience from later readers before forming a personal application.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in 2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2 contains 17 verses and about 383 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 17 closes: “For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include sorrow, christ, grieve, wrote, forgive, sweet. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About 2 Corinthians 2

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, 2 Corinthians 2:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.