For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

So far from my change of purpose being due to "lightness" (), I wrote my letter () "out of much affliction and anguish," etc.

Not that ye should be grieved. Translate, 'be made sorry,' to accord with . My ultimate object was not your sorrow, but that through sorrow the transgressors for whom I was so grieved might be led to repentance, and so to joy, redounding both to you and me (2 Corinthians 2:2). I made you sorry before going to you, that when I went it might not be necessary. He is easily made sorry who is admonished by a friend himself, weeping (Bengel).

That ye might know the love - of which it is a proof to rebuke sins openly and in season (; ).

Which I have more abundantly unto you - who have been particularly committed to me by God (; ; ).

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