For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.
Parallel translations
- WEB For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
- NASB For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you.
- NLT I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
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
Paul wrote that severe letter out of deep distress and many tears, not to wound them but to show his abundant love. His correction was an expression of affection.
Overview
Paul reveals the anguish behind his earlier stern letter: it was written through tears, intending not to inflict pain but to communicate overflowing love. Faithful rebuke, he shows, springs from a heart that seeks the good of the one corrected. This mirrors the way godly discipline, like God's own, flows from love rather than hostility.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 2 Cor 7:12So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.
- Prov 27:5–6Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
- Lev 19:17–18You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
- Luke 19:41–44As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
- Phil 3:18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
- 2 Cor 11:2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- Ps 119:136My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.
- 2 Cor 7:8–9Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it, I now see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time.
- 2 Cor 12:15And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
- Rom 9:2–3I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
- Jer 13:15–17Listen and give heed. Do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken.
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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 2:4 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.