2 Cor 2 has two topics of discussion. First, Paul describes the heart-brokenness that we share with those in the body who are experiencing consequences of their sin. Confronting wrongdoing, though vitally important, is not the end. There comes a time after the difficult discussions "to forgive him and comfort him". Paul says, "otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won't be able to recover". After confrontation, conversation, and course correction, then there must also be restoration, comfort, and encouragement. As Paul says, "now show him that you still love him".

Second, Paul teaches us to give thanks to God for leading us into victory wherever we go, using us "to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume". Paul describes our lives as a "fragrance presented by Christ to God". But the "fragrance of the knowledge of Him" that is spread everywhere through us depends not on our competence. Paul asks , "who is adequate for such a task as this?" Paul explains that we are not like those "hucksters", who probably had terrific speaking abilities and marveled their audiences with their fancy talk, but instead we speak "with sincerity and with Christ's authority" and as "like men sent from God".