2 Corinthians 2:4

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart The word here translated anguish denotes a drawing or holding together, as we say, a spasm. It is only found here and in Luke 21:25. It was from no proud consciousness of superiority that St Paul wrote the rebukes of his former Epistle. He was no Pharisee who -thanked God that he was not as other men are." Neither did he take pleasure in grieving them, except so far as it tended to their profit. Therefore he wrote out of (i.e. they were the source from which his Epistle proceeded) much affliction and anguish of heart, not to distress them, but in order to shew his love, which took the shape of an anxious desire for their perfection. "It is the truest mark of affection," says Estius, "not to cloke the sins of those who are entrusted to your care, to rebuke them openly and plainly, even at the risk of causing considerable distress."

with many tears "Which," says Calvin, "in the case of a brave and high-spirited man, are a token of intense grief."

not that you should be grieved Cf. ch. 2 Corinthians 7:12.