Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 2:1
So I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church immediately after a previous visit caused them grief, explaining his recent change of travel plans. He speaks from a position of deliberate restraint following a tense prior encounter.
The words — Ἔκρινα (Ekrina) translates literally to "I judged," marking a firm personal resolution. ἐμαυτῷ (emautō) "within myself" shows this decision arose from internal deliberation rather than external demand.
The thread — The text states Paul's choice to spare the congregation from further pain, which directly echoes 2 Corinthians 1:23 where he cites the same motive for delaying his return. It also parallels 2 Corinthians 13:10, where he writes while absent to avoid needing severe measures when present.
Why it lands — The text plainly records a leader's decision to withhold a difficult visit to prevent additional harm. It asks the reader to recognize that pastoral restraint can be a deliberate strategy to preserve communal stability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 1:23 I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
- 2 Corinthians 13:10 This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.
- 1 Corinthians 4:21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.
- Acts 11:29 So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
- Acts 15:2 And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
- 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
- 1 Corinthians 5:3 Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
- 2 Corinthians 1:15 Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing.