Reaffirm Your Love
Paul says he resolved not to make another painful visit, because if he grieves them, those who should bring him joy would instead become the source of sorrow. For that reason he wrote as he did, through tears and deep anguish, not to burden them with grief but to let them know how much he loves them.
S1o I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved? 3I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be grieved by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy. 4For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.
If someone has caused grief, Paul says, it has spread beyond him alone to the church as well, and the punishment imposed by the majority has now been enough. Instead of continuing the pressure, they should forgive, comfort, and reaffirm their love so that the man is not swallowed by excessive sorrow, and Paul joins that forgiveness so that Satan does not outmaneuver them.
5Now if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me but all of you — to some degree, not to overstate it. 6The punishment imposed on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7So instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 9My purpose in writing you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.