2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11
Holman Christian Standard Bible
23 I call on God as a witness,(A) on my life, that it was to spare you that I did not come to Corinth.(B) 24 I do not mean that we have control of[a] your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because you stand(C) by faith. 2 1 In fact, I made up my mind about this:[b] I would not come to you on another painful visit.[c] 2 For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?[d] 3 I 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 confident(D) about all of you that my joy will also be yours. 4 For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart—not that you should be hurt, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you.
A Sinner Forgiven
5 If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate(E)—to all of you. 6 The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for that person. 7 As a result, you should instead forgive(F) and comfort him. Otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 I wrote for this purpose: to test your character(G) to see if you are obedient(H) in everything. 10 If you forgive anyone, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for you in the presence of Christ. 11 I have done this so that we may not be taken advantage(I) of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Footnotes
- 2 Corinthians 1:24 Or we lord it over, or we rule over
- 2 Corinthians 2:1 Lit I decided this for myself
- 2 Corinthians 2:1 Lit not again in sorrow to come to you
- 2 Corinthians 2:2 Lit the one pained
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