1In fact, I made up my mind about this: Lit I decided this for myself I would not come to you on another painful visit. 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? 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 confident 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 that you should be hurt, 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 exaggerate 2Th 3:8 — to all of you.

6The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for that person.

7As a result, you should instead forgive Mt 6:12 and comfort him. Otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief.

8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.

9I wrote for this purpose: to test your character Rm 5:4 to see if you are obedient Php 2:8 in everything.

10If 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.

11I have done this so that we may not be taken advantage 2Co 12:17 of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

12When I came to Troas Ac 16:8 to preach the gospel of Christ, the Lord opened a door Col 4:3 for me.

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

14But thanks be to God, 1Co 15:57 who always puts us on display Or always leads us in a triumphal procession, or always causes us to triumph in Christ Lit in the Christ, or in the Messiah ; 1Co 15:22; Eph 1:10,12,20; 3:11 and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. Jn 17:3; 1Jn 4:8

15For to God we are the fragrance Eph 5:2; Php 4:18 of Christ among those who are being saved Mt 9:22; Ac 16:30; Eph 2:8 and among those who are perishing. Jn 6:27

16To some we are an aroma of death Mt 10:21; Jn 8:51; Php 3:10 leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life 1Jn 5:12 leading to life. And who is competent for this?

17For we are not like the many Other mss read the rest who market God’s message 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. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.