2 Corinthians 2:1
What does 2 Corinthians 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 2:1 means
Paul explains a deliberate choice: he would not make another visit to Corinth marked by sorrow. He preferred to avoid a face‑to‑face meeting that might deepen pain on both sides. This was not indifference but pastoral wisdom. He wanted his presence to strengthen, not reopen wounds. By restraining himself, he shows that love sometimes waits until correction has had its effect. His aim was mutual joy, not recurring grief. He measures his travel plans not by convenience but by the spiritual well‑being of the church. He refuses to multiply hard visits when a patient, prayerful delay would serve the congregation better.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you with sorrow.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But it was my decision for myself, not to come again to you with sorrow.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I decided this to myself, not again to come in sorrow unto you,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I determined this with myself, to come to you again in sorrow.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I have judged this with myself, not to come back to you in grief.
Context
Coming out of his defense of altered travel plans, Paul now explains the deeper motive: he chose not to return in a way that would heighten sorrow. The Corinthians had been pained by his previous dealings. In the next verses he clarifies that his grief is bound up with theirs, and that he wrote first to spare them a painful confrontation. This sets the tone for addressing a specific offender and the church’s discipline, so readers see his severity as love aimed at restoration rather than as a harsh, impulsive reaction.
v.1This passage
v.2For if I make you sorry, who then is he that maketh me glad but he that is made sorry by me?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 7:5
For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, butwe wereafflicted on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
- Acts 15:2
And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
- 1 Corinthians 5:3
For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,
- 2 Corinthians 12:20
For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;
- Titus 3:12
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me to Nicopolis: for there I have determined to winter.
- 2 Corinthians 13:10
For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
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