“And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.”
I wrote as I did so that when I came to you, I would not be distressed by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy — the 'letter of tears' was written out of this paradoxical logic: temporary written grief to prevent final visitation grief. Paul's confidence in their potential growth motivates the harsh intervention.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 2:3
“And I wrote this very thing unto you.” What? That for this cause I came not, to spare you. When wrote he? In the former Epistle when he said, “I do not wish to see you now by the way?” 1 Corinthians 16:7 I think not; but in this Epistle when he said, “Lest when I come again, my God should humble me before you.” 2 Corinthians 12:21 I have written then towards the end this same, says he, “lest when I come, my God will humble me, and I should mourn for many of them that have…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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