2 In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit.^{[a] 2} For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me?^{[b] 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^(A) 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^(B)—to all of you. ⁶ This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. ⁷ As a result, you should instead forgive^(C) 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^(D) to see if you are obedient^(E) 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^(F) of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

A Trip to Macedonia

¹² When I came to Troas^(G) to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door^(H) for me, ¹³ I had no rest^(I) in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus.^(J) Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia.^(K)

A Ministry of Life or Death

¹⁴ But thanks be to God,^(L) who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.^{(M) 15} For to God we are the fragrance^(N) of Christ among those who are being saved^(O) and among those who are perishing.^{(P) 16} To some we are an aroma of death^(Q) leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life^(R) leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? ¹⁷ For we do not market the word of God^(S) for profit like so many.^[c] On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.