Old Testament

2 Corinthians 2:1-12 St Paul from the Trenches 1916 (GWC)

1. So I would not and could not come to you again in sorrow and reproof.

2. Why should I inflict pain on that which is my joy? And why should that bring me pain which was to be my joy?

3-4. And indeed I wrote that letter with only one intention in my mind. It was that after I had said what I had to say by letter I might then be able to come to you with all that put behind us, and receive that joy from our meeting and association together which I know you share abundantly with me.

5. If anyone in particular has caused pain, that was no pain to me, for in the singling out of that one who was to blame and the cause of trouble, I thereby no longer impute it to all of you. It was a relief rather than a sorrow that his guilt should become clear, and now that this is so, his rebuke is sufficient.

6. Your own knowledge of his wrong-doing is quite enough punishment for him;

7-9. therefore remember him kindly, be gracious and forgiving towards him; for excessive mortification and punishment only completes a man's downfall. And remember that in doing so, you represent my feelings also.

10. I forgive where you do so; for remember that that forgiveness was for your sake; in the Christ and with your own love set before me I forgave that sin,

11. lest by its means Satan might wrestle me a fall. I know his readiness to lay hold of anything in that nature and to get my mind captive thereby.

12. I reached Troas then on this intended journey,

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