2 Corinthians 2: Forgive and Comfort

Paul explains that he did not visit again because he did not want to bring them more sorrow, and he wrote a letter with many tears out of love. A person in the church who had caused grief had been corrected by the majority, and now Paul urges them to forgive and comfort him and to confirm their love for him, so that he would not be overwhelmed by sorrow and Satan would not take advantage. Paul then thanks God, who always leads believers in triumph in Christ and spreads the fragrance of knowing Him everywhere.

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Bible:

Read 2 Corinthians 2

World English Bible · 17 verses

¹ But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² For if I make you grieve, then who will make me glad but he who is made to grieve by me?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ And 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ For 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in part (that I not press too heavily) to you all.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ so 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ Now 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,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ I 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ Now 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are being saved and in those who perish:This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ 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.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

2 Corinthians 2 · Preschool

Forgive

Name Date

Color the friends smiling together again. God helps us forgive!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him.”

2 Corinthians 2:8 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: When someone is sorry, we can forgive and be friends again. God forgives us too.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

2 Corinthians 2 · Grade 4

Confirm Your Love

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul had planned to visit Corinth, but he chose not to come in sorrow. Instead he wrote a letter. He wrote out of much distress, with many tears, not to make them sad but so they would know his deep love for them.

Someone in the church had caused grief, and the majority had disciplined him. Paul says that punishment was enough. Now they should forgive and comfort him, so he would not be swallowed up by too much sorrow. Paul asks them to confirm their love for him. Forgiveness also protects the church, so Satan cannot take advantage of them.

Paul then praises God, who always leads believers in triumph in Christ. Through them God spreads the fragrance of knowing Christ everywhere. To some it is the smell of life. Paul says he does not peddle God's word for profit but speaks with sincerity, as from God.

Show What You Know

Why did Paul write the letter with many tears?
Why did the church need to forgive the man?
How does forgiveness protect the church?
How does God spread the knowledge of Christ?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

lovewrotesorrowGodforgive

Paul had planned to visit Corinth, but he chose not to come in .
Instead he a letter.
He wrote out of much distress, with many tears, not to make them sad but so they would know his deep for them.
Now they should and comfort him, so he would not be swallowed up by too much sorrow.
Paul then praises , who always leads believers in triumph in Christ.

Think About It

Paul says correction should be followed by forgiveness and comfort. Why is it important to welcome someone back after he says he is sorry?
Believers are like a sweet fragrance of Christ. How can your words and actions help others notice Jesus?

Memory Verse

“Now 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.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How does it feel when someone forgives you?
How can your actions help others notice Jesus?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

2 Corinthians 2 · Grade 5

The Fragrance of Christ

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul explains his change of plans. Rather than make another sorrowful visit (2:1), he wrote a letter out of much affliction and anguish of heart, with many tears. His aim was not to grieve them but to let them know the abundant love he had for them. Discipline and tenderness belong together in his ministry.

The offender who had caused grief, had been disciplined by the majority. Paul judges that this was sufficient. The church must now forgive and comfort him, lest he be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Paul urges them to reaffirm their love for him. Church discipline aims at restoration. Unforgiveness would give Satan an advantage, and Paul says believers are not ignorant of his schemes.

Paul then recalls his anxious wait for Titus at Troas before turning to praise. God always leads believers in triumph in Christ and through them spreads the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place (2:14). Through the apostles God spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. To those being saved it is an aroma of life; to those perishing, of death. Who is sufficient for such a task? Paul does not peddle the word of God like a merchant but speaks in Christ with sincerity, in the sight of God.

Show What You Know

What was Paul's aim in writing the letter with many tears?
What does church discipline aim at?
What would unforgiveness give Satan?
What does God spread through believers?

Crossword

Across

But if any has caused ____
For if I make you ____

Down

For to this end I also ____
You should rather ____ him and comfort him
To the other a ____ aroma from life to life

Think About It

Paul says discipline aims at restoration, not rejection. How can a church or family correct someone in a way that leads to restoration?
Paul refused to peddle God's word for profit. What does sincerity in sharing the faith look like today?

Memory Verse

“Now 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.”

2 Corinthians 2:14 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for forgiving me. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can correcting someone be an act of love?
What does sincerity in sharing faith look like?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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2 Corinthians 2: Forgive and Comfort

Read 2 Corinthians 2

Worksheets

Forgive

Prayer

Take It Home

Forgive

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

Forgive and Comfort

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Forgive and Comfort

Prayer

Take It Home

Be Friends Again

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

The Sweet Smell of Christ

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Forgive and Comfort

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Confirm Your Love

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

The Fragrance of Christ

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options