But, as you know, I didn’t come to Corinth on my way to Macedonia. I stayed away because I wanted to spare you. (God is my witness that this was the reason—may he take my life if I’m lying!)
That’s why I’m writing these things now, while I’m away. Then when I do come, I won’t have to use my authority and be hard on you. The Lord gave me that authority to build you up, not to tear you down.
I wrote to you in great distress, with a heavy heart, and with my eyes full of tears. I wasn’t trying to upset you. I just wanted you to know how deeply I love you.
Even though I’m not there with you physically, I am with you in spirit. And because I’m with you in spirit, in the name of our Lord Jesus I’ve already judged the man who’s doing this.
Paul and Barnabas didn’t agree with this and they argued sharply with them. So the group sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem with some other believers to ask the apostles and elders about this question.