In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.[a] For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?[b] 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(A) about all of you that my joy will also be yours. For 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

If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate(B)—to all of you. This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. As a result, you should instead forgive(C) and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. I wrote for this purpose: to test your character(D) to see if you are obedient(E) in everything. 10 Anyone 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, 11 so that we may not be taken advantage(F) of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Lit not again in sorrow to come to you
  2. 2:2 Lit the one pained

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