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.

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,

11so that we may not be taken advantage2:11 2Co 12:17 of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

12When I came to Troas2:12 Ac 16:8 to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door2:12 Col 4:3 for me,

13I had no rest2:13 2Th 1:7 in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus.2:13 Ti 1:4 Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.2:13 Ac 16:9

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

16To some we are an aroma of death2:16 Mt 10:21; Jn 8:51; Php 3:10 leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life2:16 1Jn 5:12 leading to life. Who is adequate for these things?

17For we do not market the word of God2:17 Mt 12:36; Mk 4:14; Lk 6:47; 8:21; Jn 1:1; 2:22; 18:32; Ac 17:11; 2Tm 2:15; Heb 4:12 for profit like so many.2:17 Other mss read like the rest On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.