21 But I determined this for my own sake , that I would not come to you in sorrow again . 2 For if I cause you sorrow , who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful ? 3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so e that when I came , I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice ; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all . 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears ; not so that you would be made sorrowful , but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender

5 But if any has caused sorrow , he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree -in order not to say too much -to all of you. 6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority , 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow . 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For to this end also I wrote , so that I might put you to the test , whether you are obedient in all things . 10 But one whom you forgive anything , I forgive also ; for indeed what I have forgiven , if I have forgiven anything , I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ , 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan , for we are not ignorant of his schemes .

Paul's Anxiety at Troas

12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord , 13 I had no rest for my spirit , not finding Titus my brother ; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia .

Triumphant in Christ

14 But thanks be to God , who always leads us in triumph in Christ , and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place . 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing ; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death , to the other an aroma from life to life . And who is adequate for these things ? 17 For we are not like many , peddling the word of God , but as from sincerity , but as from God , we speak in Christ in the sight of God .