But if any one hath caused grief, he hath caused it not to me alone, but in a measure, not to be too severe on him, to all of you.

This censure from the majority is severe enough for the individual in question,

Amid a severe ordeal of trouble, their overflowing joy and their deep poverty together have poured out a flood of rich generosity;

I write these things while I am absent, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord gave me for building you up, and not for tearing you down.

because it is said, "His letters [are] severe and powerful, but his bodily presence [is] weak and his speech is of no account."

Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times.