Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful verse from 2 Corinthians 2:4. It's a really rich and thoughtful message about God’s love. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that the author of 2 Corinthians was deeply hurting – experiencing a lot of suffering and sadness. But instead of letting those feelings overwhelm them, they wanted to share that pain with others so they could understand just how much God loves them. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart..." : This means the author was experiencing a lot of hardship – perhaps loss, disappointment, or difficulty in their life. “Afflictation” suggests deep distress; “anguish of heart” is a strong word meaning intense suffering. "...I wrote unto you with many tears..." : The author didn’t just express sadness; they poured out their emotions through writing. "Tears" represent genuine grief and pain. It's not about being dramatic, but expressing vulnerability. "...not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you." : This is the most important part . The author isn’t trying to make you sad. Instead, they want you to understand God's love. It's a powerful statement about how much God loves you. Putting it all together: The author was so deeply saddened by their situation that they wrote a letter filled with heartfelt emotion – lots of tears. But instead of letting those tears stop them, they wanted to share this intense feeling of love with the recipient (you!). The goal wasn't to cause you distress; it was to show you that God really cares about you and feels deeply for your suffering. In essence, it’s a message of: Deep vulnerability: Acknowledging your pain is important. Genuine expression of love: God doesn’t shy away from showing his love, even when things are tough. A desire to connect: The author wants you to feel closer to God by understanding his perspective and the depth of his affection. Does this make sense? Do you want me to explain anything in more detail or perhaps give an example of how this principle applies to your life?