2 Corinthians 2:4
What does 2 Corinthians 2:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 2:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 2:4 means
Paul discloses the emotional cost of his earlier letter. He wrote out of great affliction and heart‑anguish, with many tears. His goal was never to inflict sadness for its own sake, but to make his surpassing love known. Severity without love wounds; love without truth withers. Paul joined truth and love, sending strong words soaked in tears. He shows that faithful correction is a costly kindness, bearing pain so that others may be spared worse harm. The Corinthians should read his previous rebukes as the overflow of a heart committed to their good, not as irritation or distance. His tears are his credentials.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be made sorry, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For out of much trouble and pain of heart and much weeping I sent my letter to you; not to give you sorrow, but so that you might see how great is the love which I have to you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for out of much tribulation and pressure of heart I wrote to you through many tears, not that ye might be made sorry, but that ye might know the love that I have more abundantly toward you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears: not that you should be made sorrowful: but that you might know the charity I have more abundantly towards you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For out of much tribulation and distress of heart I wrote to you, with many tears; not that ye may be grieved, but that ye may know the love which I have very abundantly towards you.
Context
After explaining his motive for writing rather than visiting, Paul shows the heart behind the letter: love that suffers. This helps the church interpret both the tone and aim of his earlier rebukes. With his pastoral intent established, he turns in verses 5–11 to the concrete case that occasioned much of the grief—the one who caused sorrow and the church’s response. The sequence matters: love first, then discipline; discipline first, then restoration. Verse 5 begins addressing the offender and the communal nature of the sorrow he brought.
v.3And I wrote this very thing, 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.
v.4This passage
v.5But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 19:41
And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it,
- 2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- Romans 9:2
that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.
- Proverbs 27:5
Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden.
- Leviticus 19:17
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
- 2 Corinthians 7:8
For though I made you sorry with my epistle, I do not regret it: though I did regret it (for I see that that epistle made you sorry, though but for a season),
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