2 Corinthians 2 · Verse 12

2 Corinthians 2:12

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
2 Corinthians 2:12, King James Version

2 Corinthians 2:12 in other translations

BSBNow when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,
WEBNow when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,
ASVNow when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord,
YLTAnd having come to Troas for the good news of the Christ, and a door to me having been opened in the Lord,
DARBYNow when I came to Troas for the publication of the glad tidings of the Christ, a door also being opened to me in the Lord,
BBENow when I came to Troas for the good news of Christ, and there was an open door for me in the Lord,
WebsterFurthermore, when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

What does 2 Corinthians 2:12 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
12. Paul expected to meet Titus at Troas, to receive the tidings as to the effect of his first Epistle on the Corinthian Church; but, disappointed in his expectation there, he passed on to Macedonia, where he met him at last (2Co 7:5, 6, 7) The history (Acts) does not record his passing through Troas, in going from Ephesus to Macedonia; but it does in coming from that country (Ac 20:6); also, that he had disciples there (Ac 20:7), which accords with the Epistle (2Co 2:12, "a door was opened unto me of the Lord"). An undesigned coincidence marking genuineness [Paley, Horæ Paulinæ]. Doubtless Paul had fixed a time with Titus to meet him at Troas; and had desired him, if detained so as not to be able to be at Troas at that time, to proceed at once to Macedonia to Philippi, the next station on his own journey. Hence, though a wide door of Christian usefulness opened to him at Troas, his eagerness to hear from Titus the tidings from Corinth, led him not to stay longer there when the time fixed was past, but he hastened on to Macedonia to meet him there [Birks]. to preach--literally, "for the Gospel." He had been at Troas before, but the vision of a man from Macedonia inviting him to come over, prevented his remaining there (Ac 16:8-12). On his return to Asia, after the longer visit mentioned here, he stayed seven days (Ac 20:6). and--that is, though Paul would, under ordinary circumstances, have gladly stayed in Troas. door ... opened ... of the Lord--Greek, "in the Lord," that is, in His work, and by His gracious Providence.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 12. Furthermore. But, (δε.) This particle is properly adversative; but frequently denotes transition, and serves to introduce something else, whether opposite to what precedes, or simply continuative or explanatory. Here it is designed to continue or explain the statement before made of his deep affection for the church, and his interest in its affairs. He therefore tells them that when he came to Troas, and was favoured there with great success, and was engaged in a manner most likely of all others to interest his feelings and to give him joy, yet he was deeply distressed because he had not heard, as he expected, from them; but so deep was his anxiety, that he left Troas, and went into Macedonia.

When I came to Troas. This was a city of Phrygia, or Mysia, on the Hellespont, between Troy on the north, and Asses on the south. Acts 16:8. It was on the regular route from Ephesus to Macedonia. Paul took that route because on his journey to Macedonia he had resolved, for the reasons above stated, not to go to Corinth.

To preach Christ's gospel. Greek, "For (εις) the gospel of Christ;" that is, on account of his gospel; or to promote it. Why he selected Troas, or the region of the Troad, Acts 16:8 as the field of his labours, he does not say. It is probable that he was waiting there to hear from Corinth by Titus, and while there he resolved not to be idle, but to make known as much as possible the gospel.

And a door was opened unto me. 1Cor 16:9. There was an opportunity of doing good, and the people were disposed to hear the gospel. This was a work in which Paul delighted to engage, and in which he usually found his highest comfort. It was of all things the most adapted to promote his happiness.

(a) "when I came to Troas" Acts 16:8 (b) "a door" 1Cor 16:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 12 When I came to Troas - After having written the former epistle, and not having heard what effect it had produced on your minds; though the Lord had opened me a particular door to preach the Gospel, in which I so especially rejoice and glory;

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:12-17
A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. To him be the praise and glory of all, while the success of the gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing. In ancient triumphs, abundance of perfumes and sweet odours were used; so the name and salvation of Jesus, as ointment poured out, was a sweet savour diffused in every place. Unto some, the gospel is a savour of death unto death. They reject it to their ruin. Unto others, the gospel is a savour of life unto life: as it quickened them at first when they were dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end in eternal life. Observe the awful impressions this matter made upon the apostle, and should also make upon us. The work is great, and of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our sufficiency is of God. But what we do in religion, unless it is done in sincerity, as in the sight of God, is not of God, does not come from him, and will not reach to him. May we carefully watch ourselves in this matter; and seek the testimony of our consciences, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, that as of sincerity, so speak we in Christ and of Christ.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

2 Corinthians 2:12 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἘλθὼνElthōnHaving comeG2064
δὲdenowG1161
εἰςeistoG1519
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
ΤρῳάδαTrōadaTroasG5174
εἰςeisforG1519
τὸtotheG3588
εὐαγγέλιονeuangeliongospelG2098
τοῦtou<the>G3588
ΧριστοῦChristouof ChristG5547
καὶkaialsoG2532
θύραςthurasa doorG2374
μοιmoito meG3165
ἀνεῳγμένηςaneōgmenēshaving been openedG455
ἐνeninG1722
κυρίῳ,kuriō[the] Lord,G2962

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 2:12

  • Acts 16:8

    And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

  • Acts 14:27

    And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

  • Colossians 4:3

    Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

  • 1 Corinthians 16:9

    For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

  • Revelation 3:7-8

    And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

  • Acts 20:1-6

    And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. …

  • Acts 20:8

    And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

  • Romans 1:1

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when.
Ac 16:8; 20:1-6,8
and a.
Ac 14:27; 1Co 16:9; Col 4:3; Re 3:7,8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Corinthians 2:11

    Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:12

    Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

  • 2 Corinthians 2:13

    I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2:12 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Cuando vine á Troas para el evangelio de Cristo, aunque me fué abierta puerta en el Señor,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or, étant arrivé dans la Troade pour l’évangile du Christ, et une porte m’y étant ouverte dans le Seigneur,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als ich aber nach Troas kam für das Evangelium des Christus und mir eine Tür aufgetan wurde im Herrn,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cum venissem autem Troadem propter Evangelium Christi, et ostium mihi apertum esset in Domino,