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2 Corinthians 2 · a question people ask

"For to this end I also wrote" (2:9). Why does the chapter say it wrote?

In the text

It gives its reasons in its own words: "so that when I came, I wouldn’t have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice" (2:3); "not that you should be made to grieve, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you" (2:4); and "For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things." (2:9). These notes say no more of that writing than these verses do.

The verses

“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. 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.”
2 Corinthians 2:3-4 · World English Bible
“For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.”
2 Corinthians 2:9 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2: Forgive him and comfort him

2 Corinthians 2 says of one who caused sorrow, "you should rather forgive him and comfort him" (2:7), and says, "For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God" (2:15). In 2:16, stench and sweet aroma are one Greek noun.

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions