21 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you.
21 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
21 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you.
21 That's why I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us.
21 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow.
21 So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit.
2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved?
2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?
2 If by merely showing up I would put you in an embarrassingly painful position, how would you then be free to cheer and refresh me?
2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
2 For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.
(Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-4)
The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to their benefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it must be given.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:1
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 2:1-4
(Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-4)
The apostle desired to have a cheerful meeting with them; and he had written in confidence of their doing what was to their benefit and his comfort; and that therefore they would be glad to remove every cause of disquiet from him. We should always give pain unwillingly, even when duty requires that it must be given.