For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me?
Parallel translations
- KJV For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
- BSB For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved?
- NKJV For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
- NASB For if I cause you sorrow, who then will be the one making me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
- NLT For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If Paul causes the Corinthians grief, then his own source of gladness is wounded, since they are the ones who should make him glad. Their joy and his are bound together.
Overview
Paul reasons that grieving the church would only deprive him of the very people who bring him joy. This reveals the deep mutual affection between apostle and congregation. His reluctance to cause pain flows not from cowardice but from love, reflecting the tender bonds that should characterize the body of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Cor 7:8For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while.
- 2 Cor 1:14as also you acknowledged us in part, that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
- Rom 12:15Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
- 1 Cor 12:26When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
- 2 Cor 11:29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation?
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 2:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.