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New Testament
2 Corinthians 2
21That is why I made up my mind that I would not make another sad visit to you. 2For if I make you sad, then who is there to make me glad, other than those I made sad? 3I am writing[] for this very purpose: That when I arrive, I will not be made sad by those who should make me glad. I am confident about all of you—that what gives me joy is what gives joy to all of you. 4In fact, out of much trouble and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears. My goal was not to make you sad, but that you would know how very much I love you.
Forgive and Comfort the Repentant Sinner
5Now if anyone has caused sorrow, he has not done it to me, but to all of you to some extent (not to overstate it). 6This punishment inflicted on such a person by the majority is enough, 7so that instead you should rather forgive and comfort him, or else such a person could be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8For that reason, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9In fact, this was also the purpose of my writing: I wanted to know the result of your being tested, that is, if you are obedient in all things.
10If you forgive anyone anything, I do too. To be sure, if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake, 11so that Satan would not take advantage of us. We are certainly not unaware of his schemes.
The Fragrance of Christ
12When I came to Troas to proclaim the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, 13I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them and went on to Macedonia.
14But thanks be to God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ and reveals the fragrance of his knowledge through us in every place. 15Yes, we are the fragrance of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16To some we are the odor of death that is a prelude to death, to the others the fragrance of life that is a prelude to life. And who is qualified for these things? 17To be sure, we are not like many who peddle the word of God for profit. Instead, in Christ we speak with sincerity in the sight of God, as men from God.
Footnotes
- 2:3 Or I wrote