2 Corinthians 2:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

These words seem unworthy of Paul, since they show that because of a brother's absence he neglected an opportunity to assist salvation.

Besides, they seem to have no connection with what was said before.

What, then, do you want me to prove to you first? That the Apostle said nothing here unworthy of himself, or that what he said has a close connection with what preceded?

It seems to me that the latter should be proved first. Then the former will be easier and clearer for us to understand.

What connection do these words have with what was said before? Let us recall what was said earlier, and then we shall understand what is said now.

Above he mentioned the sorrow that befell him in Asia and showed how he was delivered from it. Now he again informs them that he was grieved by another thing, namely, that he did not find Titus. For when there is no comforter, things become heavier. Why, then, do you accuse me of delay, when I was enduring so many afflictions that did not allow us to travel according to our own will? He says that he went to Troas not without intention, but for the Gospel, that is, in order to preach.

When I came to Troas for the Gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me in the Lord, by the Lord, for the gaining of hearers,

Paul points to his passage through Troas for the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. He also points out that when he began to preach, there were some who received the word of faith.

"When I came to Troas for the Gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me in the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother.

But taking leave of them, I went out into Macedonia." That is, having come to Troas for no other reason, but solely for preaching, I was greatly grieved in soul.

I saw many who had come to the preaching and had no fellow worker to care for them, because Titus had not yet come to us.

I had sent him to you, providing for your benefit. Therefore, since there was no one to share the labors with me, I left them and set out on my way.

The Apostle did not mention the most blessed Titus here in vain.

Since he intended to send this epistle with him, he resolved to show the virtue of this man.

The Holy Apostle Paul was moved by the Spirit of God to reflect on this subject as though suddenly.

In the outpouring of his heart, he had only just reached the news of the favorable outcome of his first epistle to the Corinthians.

After hearing Titus, for whom he had waited so long with such impatience and anxiety, the Apostle of Christ cried out in rapture:

"Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Himself in every place" (2 Cor 2:14).

In this section he discusses three things. First, the properties and actions of the evangelical revelation.

Second, the properties and actions of the proclaimers of the revelation themselves. Third, how the preaching of the Gospel itself is carried on by these proclaimers.

As though continuing the discourse about the change in his travel plan, which had been interrupted for a time, the Apostle begins to report the circumstances of this journey.

But after briefly speaking of his sorrows and of the consolation sent by God, he again turns aside from this subject.

He continues it only in chapter 7.

The circumstances of this journey were these. The Apostle, coming from Ephesus to Troas, did not find Titus there.

This cast him into great sorrow. First, he remained in uncertainty about the state of the Corinthians, for whom he was so deeply concerned.

Second, he had to leave Troas, although a great door had been opened to him there.

That is, the door of the sheepfold, into which many of those who heard the apostolic teaching there were striving to enter.

The Apostle went to Troas from Ephesus, perhaps also by land. Visiting the Churches that lay along the way, he intended to occupy himself with preaching the Gospel in that city.

During his second journey, when he was led by the Spirit of God through this city into Macedonia, it is not evident that he stopped there to preach.

Meanwhile, as can be seen, it was an unavoidable transit point from Asia into Macedonia and back. This disposed the Apostle to plant the faith there.

A door for preaching had been opened. People listened to the Apostle willingly and believed with full submission to the word of grace.

If the door was thus opened, and opened in the Lord, then preaching could accomplish much even in one day.

In the writing of the Acts of the Apostles it is said that, when Paul was in Troas, a certain Macedonian man appeared to him in a vision with a command. He said, "Come over to Macedonia and help us" (Acts 16:9). Out of modesty of spirit, Paul kept silence about this in the epistle, judging it inappropriate to say such things about himself.