1 In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. H 2 For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me? I 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 x 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 to cause you pain, 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 y—to all of you. 6 This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. 7 As a result, you should instead forgive z and comfort him. Otherwise, he 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 a to see if you are obedient b 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 c of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.
A Trip to Macedonia
12 When I came to Troas d to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door e for me, 13 I had no rest f in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. g Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia. h
A Ministry of Life or Death
14 But thanks be to God, i who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. j 15 For to God we are the fragrance k of Christ among those who are being saved l and among those who are perishing. m 16 To some we are an aroma of death n leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life o leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? 17 For we do not market the word of God p for profit like so many. J On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.