2 Corinthians 2:3

I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be grieved by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers in anticipation of his upcoming visit, explaining his motivation for a prior letter. He states his goal was to avoid personal sorrow upon arrival and expresses trust that they would share his joy.

The words — ἔγραψα (egrapsa) literally means "I wrote," and ἵνα (ina) translates to "so that." These terms establish the correspondence as a deliberate mechanism to shape future relational outcomes rather than a spontaneous reaction.

The thread — Paul’s confidence in the recipients’ alignment with his expectations recurs in Galatians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 8:22, and Philemon 1:21.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to examine whether their actions produce grief or joy in others, and to align personal expectations with the trust placed in communal relationships.

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

And 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.

Cross-references

Galatians 5:10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.
2 Corinthians 8:22 And we are sending along with them our brother who has proven his earnestness to us many times and in many ways, and now even more so by his great confidence in you.
Philemon 1:21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
2 Thessalonians 3:4 And we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.
2 Corinthians 7:12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.
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 1:15 Confident of this, I planned to visit you first, so that you might receive a double blessing.
2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the arrival of Titus,
2 Corinthians 7:8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it—for I see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time—
2 Corinthians 12:11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.