1In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.2:1 Lit not again in sorrow to come to you
2For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?2:2 Lit the one pained
3I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident2:3 Php 1:25 about all of you that my joy will also be yours.
4For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart — not to cause you pain, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.
A Sinner Forgiven
5If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree — not to exaggerate2:5 2Th 3:8 — to all of you.
6This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person.
7As a result, you should instead forgive2:7 Mt 6:12 and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief.
8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
9I wrote for this purpose: to test your character2:9 Rm 5:4 to see if you are obedient2:9 Php 2:8 in everything.
10Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven — if I have forgiven anything — it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ,
A Trip to Macedonia
A Ministry of Life or Death
14But thanks be to God,2:14 1Co 15:57 who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.2:14 Jn 17:3; 1Jn 4:8
15For to God we are the fragrance2:15 Eph 5:2; Php 4:18 of Christ among those who are being saved2:15 Mt 9:22; Ac 16:30; Eph 2:8 and among those who are perishing.2:15 Jn 6:27
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