1But I resolved this for myself: that I would not return to you in sorrow. 2If I cause you distress, who will bring me joy except for you, the very ones whom I grieve? 3Indeed, I wrote to you as I did, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from the ones who should be my joy; but I trust in you all, that my joy would also be shared by all. 4It was out of much affliction and anguish of heart that I wrote to you with many tears, not to cause you distress but to let you know what overflowing love I have for you. 5Still, if anyone has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but to an extent—not to be too severe—to all of you.1837 6For this person, the punishment imposed by the majority [of you] should be enough. 7In fact, you should rather forgive and comfort this person,1838 for fear that he might be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow. 8Therefore, I beg you to confirm your love toward him. 9I had also written with this purpose: that I might know by a test whether you are obedient in all things. 10Now I also forgive whoever you forgive. Indeed, if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven for your sake in the person1839 of Christ, 11so that Satan may not gain any ground over us; and we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Paul’s ministry
12Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ as a door was opened to me in the Lord, 13I had no relief for my spirit, because I did not find Titus, my brother. After taking my leave of them [in Troas], I headed into Macedonia. 14Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and who reveals through us the sweet fragrance of his knowledge in every place. 15Indeed, we are a sweet fragrance of Christ to God, both in those who are being saved and in those who are perishing.1840 16To the latter, we are a stench of death to death, but to the former [we are] a sweet fragrance1841 of life to life. Who is equal to such a task? 17We are not as others who ‘peddle the word of God,’ but we speak in Christ with sincerity, as from God and in the sight of God.
The ministry of the Spirit
- See 1 Corinthians 5:1
- Or “him/this brother”
- Often translated “in the presence of Christ.” The Greek is evn prosw,pw| Cristou/
- Or “being destroyed/being lost/passing away”
- The Greek, osmhv (aroma, scent, etc), is the same for both “sweet fragrance” and “stench”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
