For 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.
So far from my change of purpose being due to "lightness" (2 Corinthians 1:17), I wrote my letter (2 Corinthians 2:3) "out of much affliction and anguish," etc.
Not that ye should be grieved. Translate, 'be made sorry,' to accord with 2 Corinthians 2:2. My ultimate object was not your sorrow, but that through sorrow the transgressors for whom I was so grieved might be led to repentance, and so to joy, redounding both to you and me (2 Corinthians 2:2-3). I made you sorry before going to you, that when I went it might not be necessary. He is easily made sorry who is admonished by a friend himself, weeping (Bengel).
That ye might know the love - of which it is a proof to rebuke sins openly and in season (Psalms 141:5; Proverbs 27:6).
Which I have more abundantly unto you - who have been particularly committed to me by God (Acts 18:10; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 9:2).