Why Paul Postponed His Visit (1:23–2:4)
1 So I made up my mind to never again come to you with sorrow. 2 For if I cause you sorrow, who would make me happy except someone who has been made sorrowful by me? 3 And I wrote this very thing so that when I came, I would not feel sorrow for those who ought to make me happy since I have confidence in all of you that my happiness would also be yours. 4 For I wrote to you out of great tribulation and anguish of heart with many tears, not that you would be made sorrowful but rather that you would recognize the exceedingly great love I have for you.
Forgiveness for the Sinner (2:5–11)
5 But if anyone has caused sorrow, he has caused not only me sorrow, but to some extent (not to exaggerate) he has also caused all of you sorrow. 6 This punishment imposed by the majority is sufficient for such a person, 7 and so instead you should forgive and encourage him so that this person will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Therefore, I urge you to affirm your love for him. 9 For this purpose I wrote to ascertain if you would be obedient in all things. 10 Now whomever you forgive for anything, I also will forgive, for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything), I have done so for you in Christ’s presence 11 so that we may not be outwitted by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs.
Paul’s Anxiety in Troas (2:12–13)
12 Now when I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest for my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said farewell to them and departed for Macedonia.
Paul’s Reflections on the Effects of the Gospel (2:14–17)
14 But thanks be to God who always leads us in a triumphal procession with Christ and makes known the fragrance of the knowledge of him through us in every place. 15 For we are to God the pleasant odor of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the latter an odor of death unto death but to the former of life unto life. And who is qualified for these things? 17 For we are not like so many others who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, we speak in Christ before God as men of pure motive, as men of God.
