Verse 3
Paul did not say what he did to pass the blame for bad conditions off on his readers. He was not implying that everyone in the Corinthian church blamed him as his critics did either. He explained that they had a secure place in his affections. Neither death nor the trials of life, including charges against him, would alter his love for this church. There was no reason they should feel restraint in their dealings with him. Regardless of their reaction he promised he would never exclude them from his love. This is a good example of unconditional love.
"The caveat that one was writing something not to stir negative emotion but to demonstrate affection (2 Corinthians 7:3; 1 Corinthians 4:14) was an appropriate way of showing love (Cicero Fam. 2.4.2)." [Note: Keener, p. 197.]
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