2 Corinthians 2:3 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

³ And I wrote you this very thing so that when I did come I might not be grieved by those who should make me happy. I had confidence in all of you, that whatever makes me happy [also] makes you happy.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

³ 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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

³ And I wrote the same to you so that when I came, I might not be myself pained by those who are the [very] ones who ought to make me glad, for I trusted in you all and felt confident that my joy would be shared by all of you.

American Standard Version (1901)

³ And 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.

Common English Bible

³ That’s why I wrote this very thing to you, so that when I came I wouldn’t be made sad by the ones who ought to make me happy. I have confidence in you, that my happiness means your happiness.

Catholic Public Domain Version

³ And so, I wrote this same thing to you, so that I might not, when I arrive, add sorrow to sorrow for those with whom I ought to rejoice, having confidence in you in all things, so that my joy may be entirely yours.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

³ And I wrote this same to you; that I may not, when I come, have sorrow upon sorrow, from them of whom I ought to rejoice: having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.

2 Corinthians 2:3 Cross References

1 Corinthians 4:21

Which do you [really] want? Shall I come to you with a rod [of discipline], or lovingly, and with a spirit of gentleness?

2 Corinthians 1:15

And because of this confidence [i.e., that you people have such a favorable opinion of me], I had determined to visit you first [i.e., before going to Macedonia. See I Cor. 16:5-7], so that you could have an additional blessing. [Note: The “blessing” here would be Paul getting to minister to them both before and after visiting Macedonia].

2 Corinthians 1:23

But I appeal to God as my witness [i.e., to verify that I am telling the truth]; it was in order to spare you [i.e., from a disciplinary action] that I decided not to return to Corinth.

2 Corinthians 12:11

I have become foolish [i.e., by my boasting], but you made me do it [i.e., in order to vindicate myself] For I should have been commended by you [i.e., for my effective ministry there in Corinth], because I was not inferior in any way to those “super apostles” [See 11:5], even though I am nothing.

2 Corinthians 12:21

I am afraid that, when I come, my God will humiliate me in front of you, and I will be grieved over many [of those] who have sinned in the past without repenting of the [moral] impurity, sexual immorality and unrestrained indecency they have practiced.

2 Corinthians 13:10

This is the reason I am writing these things while away from you, so that I will not have to deal severely with you when I am there. For the Lord gave me authority to build people up [spiritually] and not to tear them down.

2 Corinthians 2:9

For this also was my purpose in writing you, that I might test your willingness to obey everything [I required of you].

2 Corinthians 7:12

So, although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the person who did the wrong, nor for the one who was wronged, but so that you could realize before God how devoted to us you are.

2 Corinthians 7:16

I am glad I can have so much confidence in you about everything.

2 Corinthians 7:6

But God, who comforts downhearted people, comforted us [also] by the arrival of Titus.

2 Corinthians 7:8

For even though I caused you sorrow by my letter [Note: Paul’s writing of I Corinthians to correct abuses at Corinth apparently produced sorrow for their wrongdoing], I do not regret it, though I did regret it. [For] I see that my letter hurt you, though only for a short time.

2 Corinthians 8:22

And we have sent [i.e., are sending] with them our brother [Note: This is a different person from the one mentioned in verse 18], who has often proven his diligence to us in many ways, and is now proving to be even more diligent because of the great confidence he has in you [i.e., confidence in the Corinthians completing their collection for the poor].

Galatians 5:10

[However], I have confidence in you, since we both have a relationship with the Lord, that you will not think differently [than I do] about this matter. But whoever is causing you trouble will be rightfully judged [and punished] for it.

2 Thessalonians 3:4

And we have confidence in [the fellowship of] the Lord concerning you, that you are doing, and will continue to do the things we command you.

Philemon 1:21

I am writing you, confident that you will be obedient [to my requests], and I know that you will do even more than I am asking [of you].