Albert Barnes

For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us - As we are called to experience the same sufferings which Christ endured; as we are called to suffer in his cause, and in the promotion of the same object.”

Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead.

“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves - Margin, “answer.” The word rendered “sentence” (ἀπόκριμα apokrima) means properly an answer, judicial response, or sentence; and is here synonymous with verdict.”

as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the favor shown us in answer to their prayers.

“Ye also helping together by prayer for us - Tyndale renders this in connection with the close of the previous verse; “we trust that yet hereafter he will deliver us, by the help of your prayer for us.””

Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing.

“And in his confidence - In this confidence of my integrity, and that you had this favorable opinion of me, and appreciated the principles of my conduct.”

When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” when I really mean “No, no”?

“When I therefore was thus minded - When I formed this purpose; when I willed this, and expressed this intention. Did I use lightness? - The word ἐλαφρια elaphria (from ἐλαφρός elaphros) means properly lightness in weight.”

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been…

“For the Son of God - In this verse, and the following, Paul states that he felt himself bound to maintain the strictest veracity for two reasons; the one, that Jesus Christ always evinced the strictest veracity 2Co 1:19; the other, God was always true…”

Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us,

“Now he which stablisheth us - He who makes us firm (ὁ βέβαιῶν ἡμᾶς ho bebaiōn hēmas); that is, he who has confirmed us in the hopes of the gospel, and who gives us grace to be faithful, and firm in our promises.”

So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.

“But I determined this with myself - I made up my mind on this point; I formed this resolution in regard to my course. That I would not come again to you in heaviness - In grief (ἐνη λύπ enē lup).”

I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice.

“And I wrote this same unto you - The words “this same” (τοῦτο αὐτὸ (touto auto) refer to what he had written to them in the former Epistle, particularly to what he had written in regard to the incestuous person, requiring them to excommunicate him.”

Now if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me but all of you—to some degree, not to overstate it.

“If any have caused grief - There is doubtless here an allusion to the incestuous person. But it is very delicately done. He does not mention him by name.”

So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

“So that contrariwise - On the other hand: on the contrary. That is, instead of continuing the punishment. Since the punishment was sufficient, and has answered all the purpose of bearing your testimony against the offence, and of bringing him to repentance, you ought again…”

My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

“For to this end also did I write - The apostle did not say that this was the only purpose of his writing, to induce them to excommunicate the offender.”

in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

“Lest Satan - The devil. The name Satan denotes an adversary, an accuser, an enemy. It is the usual proper name which is given to the devil, the great adversary of God and man.”

I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

“I had no rest in my spirit - I was disappointed, sad, deeply anxious. Though the work in which I was engaged was that which usually gives me my highest joy, yet such was my anxiety to learn the state of things in Corinth, and…”

For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

“For we are unto God - We who are his ministers, and who thus triumph. It is implied here that Paul felt that ministers were laboring for God, and felt assured that their labors would be acceptable to him.”

For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit.

“For we are not as many - This refers doubtless to the false teachers at Corinth; and to all who mingled human philosophy or tradition with the pure word of truth.”

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?

“Do we begin again - This is designed evidently to meet an objection. He had been speaking of his triumph in the ministry 2Co 2:14, and of his sincerity and honesty, as contrasted with the conduct of many who corrupted the Word of God, 2Co…”

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves - This is evidently designed to guard against the appearance of boasting, or of self-confidence. He had spoken of his confidence; of his triumph; of his success; of his undoubted evidence that God had sent him.”

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.

“And not as Moses - Our conduct is not like that of Moses. We make no attempt to conceal anything in regard to the nature, design, and duration of the gospel. We leave nothing designedly in mystery.”

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

“Now the Lord is that Spirit - The word “Lord” here evidently refers to the Lord Jesus; see 2Co 3:16.”

Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.

“Therefore - Διὰ τοῦτο Dia touto. On account of this. That is, because the light of the gospel is so clear; because it reveals so glorious truths, and all obscurity is taken away, and we are permitted to behold as in a mirror the glory…”

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

“But if our gospel be hid - Paul here calls it his gospel, because it was that which he preached, or the message which he bore; see note, Rom 16:25.”

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

“For we preach not ourselves - The connection here is not very apparent, and the design of this verse has been variously understood. The connection seems to me to be this.”

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.

“But we have this treasure - The treasure of the gospel; the rich and invaluable truths which they were called to preach to others. The word “treasure” is applied to those truths on account of their inestimable worth.”

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

“Persecuted - Often persecuted, persecuted in all places. The Book of Acts shows how true this was. But not forsaken - Not deserted; nor left by God Though persecuted by people, yet they experi enced the fulfillment of the divine promise that he would never…”