Reaffirm Your Love

1But I purposed in my self, I would not be the occasion of any uneasiness to you when I come again. 2why should I make you uneasy, for who then could give me comfort, but those to whom I give uneasiness? 3and I wrote to you upon that disagreeable subject, that when I came, I might not receive uneasiness from those from whom I ought to receive comfort, being persuaded that you will all think yourselves interested to promote my satisfaction. 4for out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not to make you uneasy, but to make you sensible of the overflowing tenderness which I have for you.

5The affliction I have had, comes only from a particular quarter, so that my resentment does not affect the whole church. 6the punishment, which was inflicted by the community, is sufficient on this occasion. 7so that now you ought rather to forgive, and comfort him, for fear he should be overwhelm'd by an excess of sorrow. 8wherefore, pray, convince him of your affection to him: 9for this was one view I had in writing, to have this trial of you, whether you are intirely obedient. 10to whom you forgive any thing, I also forgive: for if I have forgiven any thing, I forgave it, for your sakes (as Christ is 11witness) lest satan should have got some advantage of us: for we are apprized of his artifices.

Triumph in Christ

12When an opportunity was given me by the Lord to preach the gospel of Christ, upon my arrival at Troas, 13I was so uneasy in my mind for not finding Titus my brother, that taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.

14but thanks be to God, who maketh me triumph, thro' Christ, and spreads his healing doctrine by me, in eevery place: 15for God is pleased to accept my christian labours, in favour both of those who are in a saving, and of those who are in a ruinous state: 16by the one my preaching is taken as a deadly poison, to the other it is a reviving potion, and who is so sufficient for such a commission? 17for we are not like others, who adulterate the word of God; but we preach the pure gospel of Christ, as I receiv'd it from God, and as in the presence of God.