2 Corinthians 2:1-8 ▼

1 But I made up my mind not to grieve you with another painful visit.

2 For if I cause you grief [by a well-deserved rebuke], who then provides me enjoyment but the very one whom I have made sad?

3 And I wrote this same thing to you, so that when I came, I would not be filled with sorrow by those who ought to make me glad, for I trusted in you and felt confident that my joy would be shared by all of you.

4 For I wrote to you out of great distress and with an anguished heart, and with many tears, not to cause you sorrow but to make you realize the [overflowing] love which I have especially for you.

5 But if someone has caused [all this] sorrow, he has caused it not to me, but in some degree—not to put it too severely—[he has distressed and grieved] all of you.

6 For such a one this punishment by the majority is sufficient,

7 so instead [of further rebuke, now] you should rather [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage him, to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

8 Therefore I urge you to reinstate him in your affections and reaffirm your love for him.