2 Corinthians 2:3
What does 2 Corinthians 2:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 2:3 means
Paul says he wrote beforehand to prevent a painful encounter when he came in person. He wanted to avoid experiencing sorrow from those who ought to be his delight. He expresses confidence that they would ultimately share his joy—that the church and he were meant to rejoice together in restored fellowship and obedience. This is a pastor’s hope: that hard truth, delivered wisely, would heal relationships rather than embitter them. He trusted the better part of the congregation, expecting their response would confirm that his hard letter was not in vain but would secure mutual encouragement when he finally visited.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I wrote this very thing, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I wrote this very thing, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I said this very thing in my letter, for fear that when I came I might have sorrow from those from whom it was right for me to have joy; being certain of this, that my joy is the joy of you all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I wrote to you this same thing, that having come, I may not have sorrow from them of whom it behoved me to have joy, having confidence in you all, that my joy is of you all,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I wrote this same to you: that I may not, when I come, have sorrow upon sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice: having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I have written this very [letter] [to you], that coming I may not have grief from those from whom I ought to have joy; trusting in you all that my joy is [that] of you all.
Context
Building on his desire not to come with sorrow, Paul explains his strategy: write first, visit later. The aim is to remove stumbling blocks before meeting. This frames his tears in verse 4 as genuine love and explains the shift to dealing with a particular offender in verses 5–11. Readers see that any discipline he urged was targeted at future joy together, not at winning an argument. The following verse exposes the depth of his emotional investment, underscoring that his ministry decisions were heartfelt and carefully weighed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 7:12
So although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.
- 2 Corinthians 7:8
For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret it (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),
- Philemon 1:21
Having confidence in thine obedience I write unto thee, knowing that thou wilt do even beyond what I say.
- 2 Corinthians 8:22
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have many times proved earnest in many things, but now much more earnest, by reason of the great confidence which he hath in you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- 1 Corinthians 4:21
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
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