Add parallel Print Page Options

But I determined this [a]for my own sake, that I (A)would not come to you again in sorrow. For if I (B)cause you sorrow, who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful? And this is the very thing I (C)wrote you, so that (D)when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having (E)confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I (F)wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have abundantly for you.

Forgive and Love the Sinner

But (G)if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—[b]in order not to say too much—to all of you. Sufficient for such a one is (H)this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather (I)graciously forgive and comfort him, lest such a one be swallowed up by excessive sorrow. Therefore I encourage you to reaffirm your love for him. For to this end also (J)I wrote, so that I might (K)know your proven character, whether you are (L)obedient in all things. 10 But one whom you graciously forgive anything, I graciously forgive also. For indeed what I have graciously forgiven, if I have graciously forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes (M)in the presence of Christ, 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by (N)Satan, for (O)we are not ignorant of his schemes.

12 Now when I came to (P)Troas for the (Q)gospel of Christ and when a (R)door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 I (S)had no rest for my spirit, not finding (T)Titus my brother. But (U)saying farewell to them, I went on to (V)Macedonia.

14 (W)But thanks be to God, who always (X)leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and manifests through us the (Y)aroma of the (Z)knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a (AA)fragrance of Christ to God among (AB)those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 (AC)to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is (AD)sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not like many, [c](AE)peddling the word of God, but (AF)as from sincerity, but as from God, (AG)in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:1 Or as far as I am concerned
  2. 2 Corinthians 2:5 Lit so that I not be burdensome
  3. 2 Corinthians 2:17 Or corrupting

For I have decided this for myself, not to come to you again in sorrow. For if I cause you sorrow, then who will make me glad except the one who is caused to be sad by me? And I wrote this very thing in order that when I[a] came, I would not experience sorrow from those who ought to have made me glad, because I[b] have confidence about you all, that my joy belongs to all of you[c]. For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you through many tears, not so that you may be caused to be sad, but so that you may know the love that I have especially for you.

Forgive and Comfort the Offender

But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not caused me sorrow, but to some degree[d]in order not to say too much[e]to all of you. This punishment by the majority is sufficient for such a person. So then, you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow this person should be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Therefore I urge you to confirm your love for him. Because for this reason also I wrote, in order that I could know your proven character, whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Now to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; for indeed, whatever I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for your sake[f] in the presence of Christ, 11 in order that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).

Triumphant Ministry in Christ

12 Now when I[g] arrived in Troas for the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, 13 I did not experience rest in my spirit, because[h] I did not find Titus my brother, but saying farewell to them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and who reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of him through us in every place. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to those on the one hand an odor from death to death, and to those on the other hand a fragrance from life to life. And who is qualified for these things? 17 For we are not like the majority who peddle the word of God, but as from pure motives—but as from God—we speak before God in Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 2:3 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
  2. 2 Corinthians 2:3 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have confidence”) which is understood as causal
  3. 2 Corinthians 2:3 Literally “is of all of you”
  4. 2 Corinthians 2:5 Literally “in part”
  5. 2 Corinthians 2:5 Literally “in order not to burden”
  6. 2 Corinthians 2:10 Literally “for the sake of you”
  7. 2 Corinthians 2:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  8. 2 Corinthians 2:13 This infinitive (“find”) is understood as causal