The Apostle’s Relations with his Converts

12 Indeed, our main ground for satisfaction is this – Our conscience tells us that our conduct in the world, and still more in our relations with you, was marked by a purity of motive and a sincerity that were inspired by God, and was based, not on worldly policy, but on the help of God. 13 We never write anything to you other than what you will acknowledge to the very end – 14 And, indeed, you have already partly acknowledged it about us – that you have a right to be proud of us, as we will be proud of you, on the day of our Lord Jesus.Titleless Section Break

15 With this conviction in my mind, I planned to come to see you first, so that your pleasure might be doubled – 16 To visit you both on my way to Macedonia, and to come to you again on my return from Macedonia, and then to get you to send me on my way into Judea. 17 As this was my plan, where, pray, did I show any fickleness of purpose? Or do you think that my plans are formed on mere impulse, so that in the same breath I say “Yes” and “No”? 18 As God is true, the message that we brought you does not waver between “Yes” and “No”! 19 The Son of God, Christ Jesus, whom we – Silas, Timothy, and I – proclaimed among you, never wavered between “Yes” and “No.” With him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For, many as were the promises of God, in Christ is the “Yes” that fulfils them. Therefore, through Christ again, let the “Amen” rise, through us, to the glory of God. 21 God who brings us, with you, into close union with Christ, and who consecrated us, 22 also set his seal on us, and gave us his Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of future blessings.

23 But, as my life will answer for it, I call God to witness that it was to spare you that I deferred my visit to Corinth. 24 I do not mean that we are to dictate to you with regard to your faith; on the contrary, we work with you for your true happiness; indeed, it is through your faith that you are standing firm. 2 For my own sake, as well, I decided not to pay you another painful visit. 2 If it is I who cause you pain, why, who is there to cheer me, except the person whom I am paining? 3 So I wrote as I did because I was afraid that if I had come, I should have been pained by those who ought to have made me glad; for I felt sure that it was true of you all that my joy was in every case yours also. 4 I wrote to you in sore trouble and distress of heart and with many tears, not to give you pain, but to let you see how intense a love I have for you.

5 Now whoever has caused the pain has not so much pained me, as he has, to some extent – not to be too severe – pained every one of you. 6 The man to whom I refer has been sufficiently punished by the penalty inflicted by the majority of you; 7 so that now you must take the opposite course, and forgive and encourage him, or else he may be overwhelmed by the intensity of his pain. 8 So I entreat you to assure him of your love. 9 I had this further object, also, in what I wrote – to find out whether you might be relied on to be obedient in everything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I forgive them, too. Indeed, for my part, whatever I have forgiven (if I have had to forgive anything), I have forgiven for your sakes, in the presence of Christ, 11 so as to prevent Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

12 When I went to the district round Troas to tell the good news of the Christ, even though there was an opening for serving the Master, 13 I could get no peace of mind because I failed to find Titus, my friend; so I took leave of the people there, and went on to Macedonia. 14 All thanks to God, who, through our union with the Christ, leads us in one continual triumph, and uses us to spread the sweet perfume of the knowledge of him in every place. 15 For we are the fragrance of Christ ascending to God – both among those who are in the path of salvation and among those who are in the path to ruin. 16 To the latter we are a stench which arises from death and tells of death; to the former a fragrance which arises from life and tells of life. But who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike many people, we are not in the habit of making profit out of God’s message; but in all sincerity, and bearing God’s commission, we speak before him in union with Christ.

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3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or are we like some who need letters of commendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter – a letter written on our hearts, and one which everybody can read and understand. 3 All can see that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, a letter written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.