For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
For. Additional reason why they should restore him-namely, as a "proof" of their obedience "in all things;" now in love, as previously in punishing (2 Corinthians 2:6), at Paul's desire. Besides other reasons for deferring his visit, he wished to make an experiment of their fidelity. Hence, he deferred to give, in his first letter, the reason for his change of plan (resolved on before writing it). The full discovery of his motive comes naturally from him now, in the second letter, after he had seen the success of his measures, but would not have been seasonable before. All this is as remote as possible from imposture (Paley). The interchange of feeling is marked (2 Corinthians 2:4), "I wrote unto you ... that ye might know the love," etc.: here "did I write, that I might know the proof of you."