Thus being desirous of you, we were pleased to impart to you, not only the good-news of God, but also our own souls, because ye have become beloved to us.
Because of this I write these things while absent, so that I may not act harshly when present, according to the authority that the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
And so then although I wrote to you, it was not because of the man who did wrong, nor because of the man who was wronged, but in order to reveal to you your eagerness for us in the sight of God.
Just as it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the good-news, you all being partners with me of the grace.