Study notes
Paul had changed his travel plan. In 1 Corinthians 16:5, he hoped to visit Corinth after going through Macedonia. He had promised to visit Corinth earlier (perhaps in his “severe letter,” 2 Corinthians 7:8) on his way north. Now, he had to return to the original plan, and the earlier visit, which would have brought a double blessing, would not happen after all.
God as my witness: This mild oath shows he is telling the truth (see 1 Samuel 12:5; 20:12; Job 16:19; compare Ruth 1:17; 1 Samuel 14:44; 2 Samuel 3:35; 1 Kings 2:23; Jeremiah 42:5). Paul changed his travel plans to avoid giving them a severe rebuke (2 Corinthians 1:23) and to prevent another painful visit (2:1).
Paul had recently visited the Corinthian believers. Someone in Corinth had tried to make trouble for Paul. They tried to convince the church to treat him like an enemy. Paul was sad and hurt. He left quickly.
As a result of this Paul sent them a letter that was hard to write. The church made changes after receiving Paul’s letter. They corrected the guilty man and after that he stopped causing trouble. There was order and peace again in the church.
Now Paul told them to forgive the man. They should help him become part of the community of believers again. When believers forgive, it goes against what Satan wants. Satan is another name for the devil. Paul said that he had already forgiven the man. Paul made sure that the Corinthian believers knew how deeply he loved them.
Paul's earlier visit was very painful and caused him great distress. This visit is not recorded in Acts. It likely happened during Paul's three-year ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:8–22). During that visit, Paul strongly criticized the church (2 Corinthians 1:23) and an unnamed man insulted him (2:5–11).
These verses result from Paul's earlier visit and the insult he received. After Paul's severe but tearful letter, the church condemned the man's behavior and disciplined him (2:6). The man repented, so now it was time to forgive and comfort him, as Paul had already done.
If we practice forgiveness like Paul, Satan will not trick us into being too lenient on sin or too harsh on offenders.
we are not unaware of his schemes: Compare 11:3, 14; Ephesians 6:11.
After the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:1–20:1), Paul traveled to the seaport of Troas (Acts 20:5). He was eager to hear from Titus about the outcome of the serious but emotional letter (2 Corinthians 2:4), so he went to Macedonia in northern Greece to meet him.
Paul travelled to many cities teaching people about Jesus. He described his work like being in Christ’s victory parade.
Jesus is the King who won the victory over sin, death and evil. Paul and the believers he travelled and worked with were like prisoners in the parade. This is a picture of how they were Jesus’ servants. Their job was to spread the knowledge about Christ wherever they went.
Some people hear the message about Jesus and celebrate his victory. For them, the message leads to eternal life. Paul said this was like spreading the perfume of life.
But some people refuse to believe in Jesus. When they hear the message they say no to the life that Jesus gives. For these people the message about Jesus is the smell of death.
Paul made something clear about his work as an apostle. He and his fellow workers didn’t preach about Jesus to make money.
Like captives in a Roman general’s victory parade, Paul was part of Christ’s triumphal procession (compare 1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 4:7–11), showing signs of willing service (see Romans 1:1; Galatians 6:17).
At this point, the story about finding Titus stops and will continue at 7:5. Paul shifts to talk about his work as an apostle sharing the good news about Jesus.
Incense was scattered along the parade route of a victorious Roman general, and people received it in two ways. For the captives heading to the arena and death, it smelled like death and doom. For the victors, it was a life-giving perfume. This is similar to those who share the good news about Jesus. It either leads to eternal life or seals the fate of those who reject it (compare 1 Corinthians 1:18).
Paul compares his service to that of his opponents.
They preach for personal gain and distort the truth, like merchants in Paul's time who sold poor-quality goods or innkeepers who diluted wine. In contrast, Paul preached sincerely and with Christ's authority (compare 1:12; 4:2). Paul denies having selfish motives again in 11:1–12:21.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources