Why Paul Postponed His Visit

1:23 Now I appeal to God as my witness,42 that to spare43 you I did not come again to Corinth.44 1:24 I do not mean that we rule over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy, because by faith you stand firm.45 2:1 So1 I made up my own mind2 not to pay you another painful visit.3 2:2 For if I make you sad, who would be left to make me glad4 but the one I caused to be sad? 2:3 And I wrote this very thing to you,5 so that when I came6 I would not have sadness from those who ought to make me rejoice, since I am confident in you all that my joy would be yours. 2:4 For out of great distress and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not to make you sad, but to let you know the love that I have especially for you.7 2:5 But if anyone has caused sadness, he has not saddened me alone, but to some extent (not to exaggerate)8 he has saddened all of you as well. 2:6 This punishment on such an individual by the majority is enough for him, 2:7 so that now instead9 you should rather forgive and comfort him.10 This will keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive grief to the point of despair.11 2:8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.12 2:9 For this reason also I wrote you:13 to test you to see14 if you are obedient in everything. 2:10 If you forgive anyone for anything, I also forgive him—for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ, 2:11 so that we may not be exploited15 by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes). 2:12 Now when I arrived in Troas16 to proclaim the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord had opened17 a door of opportunity18 for me, 2:13 I had no relief in my spirit,19 because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-bye to them20 and set out21 for Macedonia.